The Subject Matter of the

Research
Practical Research I
 Developing a good research topic may not be easy for you but it is
an important skill. Your teacher may assign you a particular topic but
often requires you to choose a topic that interests you .In this lesson you
are given the guidelines in choosing a topic when you begin your
research work. These pointers will guide you in selecting a good topic.
Other factors affecting choosing and writing your research are topics
that need to be avoided this will help you focus clearly on your subjects.
Likewise, the sources of information are important for you to know
where your research topic may come from.
 In the previous lesson, you learned to illustrate
the importance of qualitative research across fields of inquiry. Research
can be conducted in any field of knowledge. Whatever field you belong
you can freely choose the basic research approaches either the
scientific ,naturalistic or mixed. The areas of disciplines that are classified
into soft and hard sciences assist you to understand where you really fit.
These will guide you into this next learning of designing a research project
and writing a research title.
I. What is a Research Title?
1. The most important element that defines the research problem.
2. It is usually read first and the most read part of the research.
3. It contains the least words enough to describe the contents and the
purpose of your research paper.
4. It can be revised any and many times as the research develops and
reaches its final phase. It becomes final on its final defense before the
panel of judges.
Elements of a Research Title
The research title does not need to be entertaining but informative. A
part of a research title has the following information:
1. The subject matter or topic to be investigated. (“What?”)
2. The place or locale where the research is to be conducted. (“Where?”)
3. The population like the respondents’ interviewees. (“Who”?)
4. The time period of the study during which the data are to be
collected. (“When”?)
Example:
Subject matter: The teaching of English
Place or locale: in the high schools of Province
A Time period: during the school year 1989-1990 Population: as
perceived by teachers and students
Subject matter: The effects of the use of cell phones on the
academic performance
Population: senior high school students
Place or locale: at Department of Education
Time period: during the first semester, school year 2018-2019
II. Rules in Choosing a Research Topic
1. Interest in the subject matter. Interest in a subject drives you
to research, investigate, or inquire about it with full motivation,
enthusiasm, and energy.
2. Availability of information. Information will serve as evidence to
support your claims about your subject matter from varied forms
of literature like books, journals, and newspapers, among others, is
a part and parcel of any research work.
What to include in the investigation of the
available materials?
a. Update and authority of the materials.
b. Copyright dates of the materials? Are they new or old?
c. Expert or qualification of the writers of reading materials about your
topic
3. Timeliness and relevance of the topic.
How relevant is the topic?
a. It yields results that are useful in society
b. Related to the present. (Except for pure or historical research)
4. Limitations on the subject.
Connect your choice with course requirements. You need to decide on one
topic to finish your course.
5. Personal resources.
Do an assessment on your research abilities in terms of your financial
standing, health condition, mental capacity, needed facilities, and
time schedule to enable you to complete your research. You have to raise
an amount of money needed to spend on questionnaire printing and
interview trips.
III. Research Topics to be avoided

1. Controversial topics. It depends more on the writer’s opinion leading

to biases. Facts cannot support this topic.
2. Highly technical subjects.
Not advisable for beginners as these topics require an advanced
study, technical knowledge, and skills.
3. Hard-to-investigate subjects. Happens if there are no available
reading materials about it and if such materials are not up-to-date.
III. Research Topics to be avoided

4. Too broad subjects. It prevents you from to focus on the subject

matter of the paper. Narrow down or limit the subject to
eliminate the problem.
5. Too narrow subjects. Subjects that are so limited where an
extensive searching is necessary.
6. Vague subjects. Titles beginning with indefinite adjectives
such as several, many, some, etc., as in “Some Remarkable
Traits of a Filipino” or “Several People’s Comments on the RH
Law,” are vague enough to decrease the readers’ interests and
curiosity.
 SOURCES OF
RESEARCH TOPICS
1. Mass Media communication – press
2. Books, internet, peer-reviewed journals,
government publications
3. Professional periodicals
4. General Periodicals
5. Previous reading assignments in your other
subjects
6. Work experience- clues
THANK YOU!