Identifying the
Problem and Asking
the Questions
After this module, you are expected to:
1. Identify and describe the following parts
of a research paper:
a. background of the study
b. statement of the problem
c. research hypothesis (for quantitative
research)
d. significance of the study
e. scope and delimitation of the study
f. conceptual framework
g. definition of terms
2. formulate clearly the statement of the
problem.
Identify the basic parts of a research
paper described in each statement.
This part…
1. serves as the plan or the
blueprint of the study.
2. includes definitions of words
operationally used in the study.
3. serves as an overview of the
research topic under
investigation.
4. sets the parameters of the study
which narrow down the scope of
inquiry.
5. cites the benefits certain groups
of persons will get from the
outcome of the study
Why do we need to
identify problems and
ask questions?
4
Background of the Problem
It is an explanation and presentation of the context
of the study in a very effective manner that
acquaints the reader with the problem to be dealt
with.
1. It must drive an impact to emote interest from the
reader.
2. It must be simple, clear, specific, and related to the
topic.
3. It should clearly state the reason for conducting the
study.
4. It should move from broad to specific.
5. It should state the current condition of the research
problem.
Statement of the Problem
It is a clear statement of an
inquiry or gap that needs to be
addressed through a systematic
approach.
The statement of the problem
has two parts:
1. General statement of the
problem/Objective
2. Specific research questions
The following must be considered in
formulating research problem:
Type of the study
Directional or non-directional verb
Central phenomenon of the study
Participants
When (Time)
Purpose
Type
Example 1
Non-
directio
Central
Phenomeno Participants
nal n
Thepurpose of this ethnographic study is
Whe
to describe
Purp
the training of Aeta teachers n
ose
from Castillejos, Zambales for the past
ten years to provide insights into the
formulation of a continuing education
model for indigenous teachers (Creswell
and Clark, 2014).
Example 2
Research
Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is a TENTATIVE EXPLANATION or an
answer to a question about variables, their
relationships and the other facts involved in
research.
• Generally, it means a guess or an EDUCATED
GUESS.
• A hypothesis can be tested through ANALYTICAL
INVESTIGATION to prove how true or false it is
Two Common Categories of
Research Hypothesis
States the absence of
relationship between the
independent and
dependent variable.
It is a statement to DISPROVE THE
FACT that the independent
variable (treatment, intervention
or condition) has an EFFECT on
the dependent variable.
Example 1:
There is no significant difference between the
acceptability of Munggo Taho and the
commercially available Taho in terms of:
a. taste
b. appearance
c. color
Example 2:
There is no significant effect between blue and red
LED lights in the growth of Solanum lycopersicum in
terms of:
a. plant height
b. stem width
c. number of leaves
States the relationship
between the independent
and dependent variable.
Example 2:
There is significant effect between blue and red LED
lights in the growth of Solanum lycopersicum in terms
of:
a. plant height
b. stem width
c. number of leaves
3. Significance of the
study pinpoints the benefits
certain groups of people will
gain from the findings of the
study.
It must start from the
most to the least
benefitted ones.
Scope and Delimitations of the Study
states the coverage of the study. It
must answer the following
parameters as much as possible:
Conceptual Framework
A conceptual framework serves as an
outline or a blueprint that you can follow
in doing your research.
Is a graphical presentation of concepts or
ideas on the basic structure or
components of your research
It is presented in a flow chart, map,
diagram or narrative form.
When using a diagram, it is still a must to
include narrative to explain the details.
A Sample of Conceptual
Framework
Ideational
Function
Interperso Systematic Textual
nal Functional Function
Function Grammar
Critical Thinking
Definition of
Terms
These are the key concepts and terminologies
used in the study.
These are the terms which are:
unusual
acronym
not widely known
ambiguous
It is an alphabetical list of important terms that
you define that will help readers to avoid
confusion about different terms in your research.
Parking Lot
