The Research Problem

THE RESEARCH
PROBLEM
Contents:
1. Definition
2. Elements of a Research Problem
3. Guidelines in the Selection of Research Problem/Topic
4. Guidelines in Writing the Title
5. Guidelines in Formulating the General and Specific Problems
6. Hypothesis
a. Forms of Hypothesis
b. Guidelines in Formulating the Hypothesis
c. Purpose of Hypothesis
The Research Problem
A research problem shows that someone would like to research on

or perhaps, that which a person finds unsatisfactory or unsettling, a
difficulty of some sort, or a state of affairs that needs to be changed.
The choice of a problem is often, if not, always difficult. The

difficulty of choosing a problem is sometimes premeditated by lack
of understanding of the nature of research and systematic problem-
solving activity
Choosing the Research Problem
Good and Scates classified factors or criteria into external and internal.
External Criteria:
 Novelty and avoidance of unnecessary duplication. Concerned with the
element of newness
Importance in the field
Availability of data
Choice of method - institutional or administrative cooperation
Funding support or sponsorship
 Facilities and equipment
 Ethical Considerations
Internal Criteria:
Interest/Experience of the researcher

Training
Cost
• Time
Sources of Problems:
• Actual problems encountered

• Technological changes and curricular development
• The graduate's academic experience
• Consultation
Lesson 2. Elements of Research
Problem
Elements of Research Problem
The term research problem implies that an investigation, inquiry or study
is to be conducted, or that a problem is ready for investigation, inquiry or
study. There are certain elements that a problem must possess before it
becomes a research problem ready for investigation (See, et.al., 2000).
These are:
1. Purpose
- Aim or purpose of the problem for investigation. This answers the
question WHY? Why is there an investigation, inquiry or study?
2. Subject Matter
- The subject matter or topic to be investigated. This answers the
question WHAT? What is to be investigated?
3. Place or Locale
The place or locale where the research is to be conducted. This answers the
question WHERE? Where is the study to be conducted?
4. Period or Time
The period or time of the study during which the data are to be gathered. This
answers the question WHEN? When is the study to be carried out?
5. Population or Universe
Population or universe from whom the data are collected. This answers the
questions WHO? Or from WHOM? Who are the respondents? From whom
are the data to be gathered?
Lesson 3. Guidelines in the Selection
of Research Problems/Topics
GUIDELINES IN THE SELECTION OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS
The following are some guides in the selection of research problems:
1. The research problem or topic must be chosen by the researcher.

This is
to avoid blaming others or offering excuses for any obstacle encountered.
2. It must be within the interest of the researcher. This is to make sure

that the researcher will focus attention to the research work.
3. It must be within the specialization of the researcher. This will in

someway make the work easier for him because he is working on
familiar grounds. Besides, this may improve his specialization, skill and
competence in his profession.
4. It must be within the competence of the researcher to tackle. He must
have a workable understanding of the study.
5. It must be within the ability of the researcher to finance.
6. It is researchable and manageable. That is:

a) data are available and accessible;
b)
c) b) the data must meet the standards of accuracy, objectivity and
d) verifiability. The data gathered must be accurate, objective
and not biased and can be verified if the study will not be valid and the
generalizations formulated will be faulty:
c) answers to specific questions can be focused;

d) the hypotheses formulated are testable, that is, they can be accepted or
rejected; and
e) equipment and instruments for research are available and can give valid
and reliable results. The construction and validation are fully discussed in
methodology.
7. It can be completed within a reasonable period of time.
8. It is significant, important, and relevant to the present time and situation,

timely and of current interest. This means that research projects must be
able to make substantial impact upon situations and people.
9. The results are practical and implementable.
10. It requires original, critical, and reflective thinking to solve it.
11. It can be delimited to suit the resources of the researcher but big enough
to be able to give significant, valid, and reliable results and generalizations.
12. It must contribute to the national development goals for the

improvement of the quality of human life.
13. It must contribute to the fund of human knowledge. All the facts and
knowledge that we have are mostly the products of research. Any study to be
conducted must add a new bit of knowledge to what we already have.
14. It must show or pave the way for the solution of the problem or problems,
intended to be solved. Usually, after an inquiry has been conducted,
recommendations are made for the solution of problems discovered, which, if
implemented can solve the problems.
15. It must not undermine the moral and spiritual values of the people. It must
not advocate the promotion of anti-social values such as drug addiction,
cruelty, hatred, divisiveness, multiple sex-mating etc
16. It must not advocate any change in the present order of things by means of
violence but by peaceful means.
17. There must be a return of some kind to the researcher like monetary
(either increase in salary or publication of results); advancement of position;
improved specialization, competence and skill in professional work;
enhanced prestige and reputation; and, satisfaction of intellectual curiosity.
18. There must be a consideration of the hazards involved, either physically,

socially, or legally.
Lesson 4: Guidelines in Writing
the Title
GUIDELINES IN WRITING THE TITLE
1. Generally, the title is formulated before the start of the research

work. It may be revised or refined later if there is a need.
2. The title must contain the subject matter of the study, the
population, and the period when the data were gathered or will be
gathered.
3. It must be broad enough to include all aspects of the subject matter

to be studied. Hence, the title indicates what is expected to be found in-
side the
thesis report.
4. It must be as brief and concise as possible.
5. Avoid using the terms "An Analysis... An Investigation of...

A Study of...
6. If the title contains more than one line, it must be written like
an inverted pyramid, all words in capital letters.
Lesson 5: Guidelines in Formulating
the General and Specific Problem
Statement of the Problem
Guidelines in Formulating General and Sub-Problems:
1. The general statement of the problem and specific sub-problems should

2. be formulated first before conducting the research.
3.
2. It is customary to state the specific problems in the interrogative form.
3. Each specific question must be clear and unequivocal that is, it has only
one meaning. It must not have dual meanings.
4. Each specific question is researchable apart from the other questions that
is, answers to each specific question can be found even without considering
the other questions.
5. Each specific question must be based upon known facts and phenomena.
Besides, data from such known facts and phenomena must be accessible to
make specific questions researchable.
6. Answers to each question can be interpreted apart from the answers to

other specific questions.
7. Answers to each specific question must contribute to the development of

the whole research topic.
8. Summing up the answers to all the specific questions will give a
complete development of the entire study.
9. The study of specific questions should be enough to cover the

development of the whole research problem.
10. Generally, there should be a general statement of the problem

and then, this should be broken down into as many sub-problems
or specific questions as necessary.
Steps in Writing the Sub-Problems or Specific Problems
The following are the easy steps in writing specific problems:
Step 1. Write the general problem of the study.
Example : The main problem of this study is to determine the status of

teaching Mathematics in national high schools in Metro Manila.
Step 2. Identify the variables of the study.

Ilustration:
Status of Teaching Mathematics in National High Schools in Metro

Manila
Key Concern Variable - Status of teaching Mathematics
Auxiliary Concerns - adoption of curriculum comparison teaching

performance of mathematics teachers
Step 3. Analyze how the key and auxiliary concerns may be
classified. The classification serves as the specifics.
Illustration:
Status of teaching Mathematics along adoption of curriculum may

be
classified according to:
Science and Math-Oriented

SEDP
• Other Curricular offerings
Step 4. Decide on the option
a. Focus only on the key concerns
b. Include the auxiliary concerns (which one). Or, include all the identi-
fied
auxiliary concerns
c. Focus on one classification of key concern and include all

the auxiliary concerns
d. Other probable mix
Step 5. Write the specific questions based on Step 3 and 4.

Lesson 6: Hypothesis
HYPOTHESES
A hypothesis is a tentative answer to a specific

question posed at the beginning of the investigation
or as specified in the sub-problem.
Forms of Hypothesis
1. Null hypothesis
Null hypothesis states a negative statement to support the researcher’s
findings that there is no relationship between two variables. There will be no
changes in the dependent variable due the manipulation of the independent
variable. Furthermore, it states results are due to chance and are not significant in
terms of supporting the idea being investigated.
2. Alternative Hypothesis
It states that there is a relationship between the two variables of the study
and that the results are significant to the research topic. An experimental hy-
pothesis predicts what changes will take place in the dependent variable
when the
independent variable is manipulated. Also, it states that the results are not due to
chance and that they are significant in terms of supporting the theory being
investigated.
Guidelines in Formulating the Hypothesis
In formulating an effective hypothesis the following guidelines should

be adhered to:
1. a) Reflect on issues of concern
2. b) Analyze the research problem
3. c) Generate operational definitions for all variables.
4. d) State the research hypothesis

5. e) Formulate
6. f ) Evaluation
The Purpose of a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is used in an experiment to define the relationship

between two variables. The purpose of a hypothesis is to find the answer to
a question. A formalized hypothesis will force us to think about what results
we should look for in an experiment.
Thanks ❤️
Reporters:
Jayson S. Custodio
Princess Shaira L. Tanael
Sandra Nicole Mendoza

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THE RESEARCH

A research problem shows that someone would like to research on

The choice of a problem is often, if not, always difficult. The

Interest/Experience of the researcher

• Actual problems encountered

The following are some guides in the selection of research problems:

1. The research problem or topic must be chosen by the researcher.

2. It must be within the interest of the researcher. This is to make sure

3. It must be within the specialization of the researcher. This will in

5. It must be within the ability of the researcher to finance.

6. It is researchable and manageable. That is:

c) answers to specific questions can be focused;

7. It can be completed within a reasonable period of time.

8. It is significant, important, and relevant to the present time and situation,

10. It requires original, critical, and reflective thinking to solve it.

12. It must contribute to the national development goals for the

18. There must be a consideration of the hazards involved, either physically,

1. Generally, the title is formulated before the start of the research

3. It must be broad enough to include all aspects of the subject matter

5. Avoid using the terms "An Analysis... An Investigation of...

Guidelines in Formulating General and Sub-Problems:

1. The general statement of the problem and specific sub-problems should

6. Answers to each question can be interpreted apart from the answers to

7. Answers to each specific question must contribute to the development of

9. The study of specific questions should be enough to cover the

10. Generally, there should be a general statement of the problem

The following are the easy steps in writing specific problems:

Step 1. Write the general problem of the study.

Example : The main problem of this study is to determine the status of

Step 2. Identify the variables of the study.

Status of Teaching Mathematics in National High Schools in Metro

Key Concern Variable - Status of teaching Mathematics

Auxiliary Concerns - adoption of curriculum comparison teaching

Status of teaching Mathematics along adoption of curriculum may

Science and Math-Oriented

a. Focus only on the key concerns

c. Focus on one classification of key concern and include all

d. Other probable mix

Step 5. Write the specific questions based on Step 3 and 4.

A hypothesis is a tentative answer to a specific

In formulating an effective hypothesis the following guidelines should

1. a) Reflect on issues of concern

2. b) Analyze the research problem

3. c) Generate operational definitions for all variables.

4. d) State the research hypothesis

The Purpose of a Hypothesis

A hypothesis is used in an experiment to define the relationship

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