Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion
Module 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking the Question
A. Background of the Problem
Problem statements or background of the study have three elements:
1. The problem itself, stated clearly and with enough contextual detail to establish why it is important;
2. The method of solving the problem, often stated as a claim or a working thesis;
3. The purpose, statement of objectives and scope of document the writer is
preparing.
Research Problem
A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved, a difficulty to be
eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in practice that points to the
need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. It is typically posed in the form of a question.
B. Conceptual Framework
A Conceptual Framework is an analytical tool with several variations and contexts that can be
applied in different categories of work where an overall picture is needed to come up with the desired
goal. It is necessary to make conceptual and theoretical distinctions and organize ideas. Strong and
resilient conceptual frameworks capture and apprehend something real and do this in a way that is
easy to remember and apply.
The theoretical and conceptual frameworks provide evidence of academic standards and procedures
that validates the authenticity of the study. They also proposed an explanation and clarification of why
the study is relevant and how the researcher expects to fill the gap in the literature.
How to create a Conceptual Framework
A conceptual framework is a bit like a recipe or a blueprint. It provides an outline of how you plan
to conduct the research of your thesis, but it goes further than that by also positioning your work
within the larger field of research.
1. Conduct a Literature Review
Before you can have your research, you need to understand and comprehend what research has
already been conducted on your topic of interest and curiosity. Conducting a literature review can
help you to refine your central argument or hypothesis. You must also conduct and gather the
literature review to be able to place and organize your work within the larger and greater area of
study in your conceptual framework. Your framework should present the relevant research ad
show how your work will help to advance the field.
2. Create a Flow Chart
Conceptual frameworks are frequently visual and allow those reading the framework to
understand the course of your research. You can present this in whatever way makes the most
sense for your work, which can include a flow chart, mind gap or diagram. In every component of
your research, you should showcase the variables that influence it.
3. Write a Narrative
Conceptual frameworks don’t have to include a diagram or graphic. You can always present the same
information and evidence by writing a narrative. Your narrative should recap the variables influencing
your research and explore how they may change the hypothesis. The narrative should also explain and
enlighten the basic methodology for your research. If you include a diagram in your conceptual
framework, a narrative should also be included explaining these details for those who prefer more in-
depth information. Bolded headers to separate the sections of your narrative and to create a visual
order of information.
4. Return and Revise
As you begin your research, you may discover that certain elements of your conceptual
framework are no longer needed. You will discover new variables, or you may identify that your
hypothesis is incorrect. You may discover additional research that challenges your theory and ideas.
You should return to your framework and revise it if necessary.
1
SAMPLE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM:
Independent Variable Dependent Variable
Demographic Profile of the
respondents in te rms of:
Age: Academic Achievement of 4Ps
Gender:
Grade Level: Pupils - Recipients
Occupation of the parents:
Monthly income of the parents:
Interactive Method:
Fig. 1 Schematic Diagram showing the perimeter of the study.
C. Research Hypothesis (Quantitative Research)
Research Hypothesis is vital to all research endeavors, whether qualitative or quantitative,
exploratory or explanatory.
Following are some hints for the formulation of your hypothesis.
1. Be certain to read on the subject matter to explain with it before making a final decision.
2. As noted, a research hypothesis is more than just a topic. It has two elements (variables) that are
in relation to each other. Your hypothesis is what you propose to “prove” by your research. As an outcome
of your research, you will arrive at a conclusion, a theory, or understanding that will be useful or
applicable beyond the research itself.
3. Avoid judgmental and critical words in your hypothesis.
4. Your hypothesis must involve an issue or question that cannot be answered.
exclusively by the discipline of law.
5. Be certain that each term if your hypothesis is clearly understood and defined, do not deal in
generalities or assume that the reader knows the meaning of the technical term.
6. Specify, if appropriate, whether you will be dealing with state or federal law or both on a
comparative basis if appropriate.
7. Know that your hypothesis may change over time as your research progresses.
Note: You must obtain the teacher’s approval of your hypothesis, as well as any modifications to your
hypothesis, before proceeding with any work on the topic.
Hypothesis Can Expressed in 3 ways:
1. As a one-sentence hypothesis.
2. As a research question.
3. As a title for your paper.
Your hypothesis will be part of your research proposal.
Sample on Research Hypothesis:
Example:
Question:
Does taking aspirin everyday reduce the chance of having a heart attack?
Null Hypothesis:
Taking aspirin daily does not affect heart attack risk.
D. Statement of the Problem
Writing a Statement of the Problem
2
After identifying a research problem, the next step is to write a problem statement. It has to be concise
and concrete. Writing a problem statement can help the researcher put the topic in context and have a deeper
understanding of its significance. A problem statement may be written in several paragraphs or in several
sentences incorporated in the introduction.
Problem statement should address the relevance of the research why is it important to resolve the
problem. The problem statement need not lay world changing impact. What is important is that the problem
statement should lay how you intend to address the problem. Your goal should not be to find a conclusive
solution, but to seek out the reasons behind the problem and propose more effective approaches to understanding
it. You may start with the following phrases:
a) The aim of this study is to determine…
b) This project aims to explore…
c) I aim to investigate…
Purpose of the Statement of the Problem:
1. To describe the substantive focus of the research study
2. To frame it as
3. A larger theoretical policy
4. A practical problem and thereby, develop its significance.
5. To pose initial research questions
6. To forecast the literature to be discussed in the second section and ➢ To discuss the limitations of the
study.
E. Importance of the Study
This portion discusses how to write this section and provides an example to illustrate the different
techniques.
In an actual fact, the section on the significance of the study provides information to the reader on
how the study will contribute. It must be exactly stated, however, what the study will contribute and who
will benefit from it.
Sample Significance of the study:
Significance of the Study
The researcher believed that the result of this study will help the following assess the 4Ps program and its
effect to the performance of the pupils.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development. The researcher believes that the result of this study will be
of great importance to the department since they are the ones monitoring the 4Ps program. May this study serve
as the basis in the modification of the conditions in giving cash grants.
The Administrators. The result of the study would be the basis of constructing and implementing new and
innovative teaching aids to help teachers fully supervise and assess the pupils to achieve their full potentials,
since children are financially supported in their studies by the government.
The Teachers. The result of this study may help the teacher in constructing and developing new teaching
strategies to help the students in their performance and be mindful that even if students are provided and
supported by the government, they still need equal guidance to perform well in school. The factors affecting the
performance of the students may also help the teacher as their basis in making daily lessons.
The Parents. The result of this study will inform the parents that their guidance is a big impact on the
performance of the students in school.
3
The Students. May the result of this research help the student in understanding that coming to school daily may
be a guarantee that they will also have good academic performance. And may the result give them the overview
of how the government is supporting their studies and that they must do their part by studying well.
F. Scope and Limitations of the Study
The scope and delimitation of the study set borders and limitations of the problem inquiry and narrow
down the scope of the inquiry.
The purpose of the delimitation of the study is to delimit by geographic location, age, sex, population
traits, population size, or other similar aspects. Delimitation makes study more manageable and feasible. Part of
it sets the constraints or weaknesses of a study which are beyond the control of the researcher.
G. Definition of Terms
Glossary of Research Terms- this glossary is intended to assist you in understanding commonly used
terms and concepts when reading, interpreting, and evaluating scholarly research in the social sciences.
Types and Functions
1. Conceptual Definition - Refers to the dictionary meaning.
2. Operational Definition - The meaning of the concept or terms as used in a particular study.
Sample Operational Definition of Terms
Conceptual Definition Operational Definition
Academic Performance CCT or Conditional Cash Transfer
It is the product of education- the degree to which This is a program that transfers cash, largely to
a student, a teacher or organization has attained deprived families, on the circumstance that those
their educational goals. It is dignified by the final families make prespecified funds in the human assets
grade earned in the course. of their kids.
4
Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion
Lesson 2: Brainstorming for Research Topics
Name: _______________________________________________ Grade & Section: _____________
Activity A
Write the above research topics you have created and identify at least three research problem for each and
explain why you choose them.
Propose Research Title:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Background of the Problem:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Reasons:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Activity B
Make your Research Hypothesis
Based on the topic that you’ve chosen, write a statement on the Research Hypothesis on your chosen topic.
Question:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Research Hypothesis:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Activity C
Make your Statement of the Problem
On the topic that you have chosen, write a specific statement or inquiry showing the following:
Statement of the Problem:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Activity D
Significance or the Importance of the Study
On the topic you’ve chosen, write a specific statement regarding the Significance or the Importance of the study.
Significance of the Study:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Activity E
Scope and Limitation of the Study
On the topic that you’ve chosen, write a specific statement showing the Scope and Limitation of your study.
5
Scope and Limitation:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Activity F
Defining a Term
Based on the topic that you’ve chosen, write a specific statement using the different Types and Functions of the
Definition of Terms.
Conceptual Definition:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Operational Definition:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
