Preliminaries to writing a research paper In research, two purposes are identified, basic and result to an ineffective research project.

ineffective research project. Therefore, once

applied. In basic research, you have to provide discussion he/she has identified the general topic, he/she has to
Misconceptions about Research and explanation of new knowledge or theories which can narrow it down by determining the more specific topic,
serve as a basis for future studies. While, applied research which is researchable and manageable. Narrowing one’s
Research is NOT requires a more detailed explanation on the application of topic would involve identifying more specific areas,
derived knowledge or theories to solve immediate concentrating on more important details, specifying
 collecting existing information problems. prospective respondents, and even setting the limitations
 retrieving information of his/her study.
 transferring or transcribing facts PURPOSE OF On-line searches are definitely helpful because
 rummaging thru available sources RESEARCH they provide a great volume of updated articles. However
 providing readily available answers not all research articles found in the Internet qualify as
 communicating existing knowledge academic publications. In some instances, research articles
 modifying existing knowledge Applied lack quality and reliability since most of them are simply
Basic or Pure
 reorganizing or restating, reviewing Research opinion papers which individual researchers produced and
are never reviewed or evaluated by research experts.
Research IS
Basis for future Immediate Examples of Narrowing a Topic:
 collecting systematically and purposefully new research Solution
information (Narrowing a Topic Using Chart)
 analyzing and interpreting new information
 gaining new knowledge Acquire new Derive CHILD MALTREATMENT
 verifying existing knowledge knowledge knowledge
 developing scientific knowledge
 synthesizing related information, previous studies Indicators of Child Maltreatment
Develop/refine Apply theories
theories
Distinct Characteristics of Research
BEHAVIORAL BEHAVIORAL

• Research begins with an unanswered problem or Not Immediately

question. immediately applicable to (Narrowing a Topic Using Inverted Pyramid Style)
• Research requires a clear goal or specific applicable to solve problems
objectives.
STRESS
• Research divides the major problems into sub Selecting the topic
problems  Interesting Psychological Stress
• Research is guided by specific problem or  Relevant
Health Related Problems
question.  Timely
• Research follows a logical procedure and data Home for the
collection. Narrowing the topic Aged Manila
• Research requires interpretation of data. Once one has chosen the topic, assess it because
usually, the chosen topic is too general and the main focus 60-70 years
of the research is not successfully identified which may old
 Formulating the title with a strategic plan in attacking or managing the bigger
Choosing a problem is associated with difficulty, problem.
The title embodies substantive words or keywords discomfort, misery, agony, doubt or confusion. But a
or phrases that describe one’s research study. The title research problem qualifies as a researchable one when Ways of stating the research problem and sub-problems
must also reflect the variables under study. Independent answers are unavailable, unknown or untested. However,
variables are factors or stimuli that directly affect or cause there may be existing information, but these still require There are three ways to state the main problem.
changes to the dependent variables. Dependent variables verification or validation before they can provide an
are factors affected or changed by the independent objective, acceptable explanation. a) in an interrogative form- a major question that governs
variable/s. To put it simply, independent is the cause while the study. Use information questions because they will
the dependent variable is the effect. CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCHABLE PROBLEM provide specific and precise answers, and will even
A well- formulated title must state both variables determine the difference or relationship, or implication of
in a clear, concise, and precise way. • A researchable problem entails originality- new, the variables under study. Unlike Yes/No Questions which
novice, novel. only elicit either of the two responses and may result to
Study the following examples: • A researchable problem is interesting-motivating, ambiguity.
inquisitiveness, arouses curiosity.
Identifying researchable problems • A researchable problem has significance- solution, Example: How do parents of children aged 6-12 years old
usefulness, unique contribution to knowledge, and with chronic illness such as leukemia, view their
Title Independent Dependent improvement of existing practices. experiences with child illness and its impact on their
Variables Variables • A researchable problem is practical- appropriate personal and family life?
methods, suitable instruments, reasonable cost,
attainable in terms of time, availability of sources, b) in a declarative form- a general statement that guides
1.Emotional Child’s Chronic Emotional and willingness of respondents. the entire study. Use declarative statement to indicate
Responses and Illness Responses • A researchable problem is measurable- tangible, that the research report will discuss information or data
Adaptation of and observable, perceivable, and with clear concept. which are directly obtained from the actual investigation.
Parents to Child’s Adaptation
Chronic Illness of Parents Formulating the major problem and sub-problems Example: Psychological stress experienced by the elderly
2.Traditional Traditional or Changing relates to some of their health problems.
Lecture or Experiential Student Formulating a researchable problem begins with
Experiential Learning Attitudes the identification of a general problem and the subsequent c) in an objective form-the research problem also refers to
Learning: Changing narrowing down of the topic to a very specific problem to the goal of the study. The statement of the problem is like
Student Attitudes be investigated. The principal problem is divided into more a statement of the general objectives of the study.
manageable sub problems. Most research problems are
3.Mentoring a Mentoring Research too complex to be solved without subdividing them. Example: The purpose of this study is to determine the
Research Skill Skill By viewing the main problem through its sub- effects of online gaming to teenagers’ perspective about
Development Developme problems, the researcher frequently gets a better idea of competition.
nt how to approach the entire research endeavor. No
researcher is regarded as an expert by directly dealing with
4.Psychological Psychological Related
the major problem. Instead, a good researcher can
Stress-Related Stress Health
discriminate the minor details of the problem to come up
Health Problems Problems
Sub-problems
of the Elderly in of the
the Home for the Elderly
Aged
 The manner of stating the sub-problems depends entirely the way the general
statement is expressed. Thus, if the statement of the problem uses the interrogative form ,
so do the sub-problems. To achieve parallelism, you must employ declarative form both for
the main problem and the sub-problems. This is exactly similar when you use the objective
form.
They are minor or specific problems which are drawn from the major problem. They
are formulated in such as a way that they help answer the principal problem. The answer to
the sub-problems will be used as relevant information in answering the statement of the
problem.

Statement of the Problem

The research process begins with a problem. Thus, it is extremely necessary to

express the statement of the problem in a simple but clear, direct and precise manner. The
statement of the problem relates to the principal issue which serves as the basis of inquiry.
The statement is actually derived from the title of the study which, in the same
manner, should reflect the variables being investigated.

Constructing a Research Outline

The research outline is actually drawn from the topic, title, and the statement of the
problem, and sub-problems. The research outline is a helpful guide because one will
identified the more detailed more specific areas of his/her study. It serves as a guide for
his/her coherent, unified discussion to achieve an effective research output. Topic outline is
the most popular and easiest way of outlining process for a beginning researcher.
The research outline is guided with a thesis statement.

Activity 1: Construct your topic based using the Inverted

Pyramid Style
Gen Top: Gen Top: Gen Top:
Foc Top: Foc Top: Foc Top:
Prob: Prob: Prob:
Res: AU JAS SHS Res: AU JAS SHS Res: AU JAS SHS
Age range: 17-19yrs. old Age range: 17-19yrs. old Age range: 17-19yrs. old

Constructed Title: Constructed Title: Constructed Title:

Gen Top: Gen Top: Gen Top:

Foc Top: Foc Top: Foc Top:
Prob: Prob: Prob:
Res: AU JAS SHS Res: AU JAS SHS Res: AU JAS SHS
Age range: 17-19yrs. old Age range: 17-19yrs. old Age range: 17-19yrs. old

Constructed Title: Constructed Title: Constructed Title:

Gen Top: Gen Top: Gen Top:

Foc Top: Foc Top: Foc Top:
Prob: Prob: Prob:
Res: AU JAS SHS Res: AU JAS SHS Res: AU JAS SHS
Age range: 17-19yrs. old Age range: 17-19yrs. old Age range: 17-19yrs. old

Constructed Title: Constructed Title: Constructed Title:

 Research Interest Research Title; CS_RS12- Background of Research; Research Questions; Statement of the Scope and Benefits and
CS_RS12-Id-e-1 Id-e-2 CS_RS12-Id-e-3 CS_RS12-Id-e-4 problem; CS_RS12-Id-e-7 delimitation of study; beneficiaries of study;
CS_RS12-Id-e-5 CS_RS12-Id-e-6

Group Name: ________________________________ Year & Section: ________________________________

Teacher: ____________________________________ Date: ________________________________________