LA 1. Activity 1 
 
 
 

Learning Area 1: Brainstorming for Research Topics 

  Activity 1: Identifying Real-Life Problems 
The outputs of this Learning Area will complete the ​Topic Proposal​ of your research. 
 
 

  Objective  
In  this  activity,  you  should  be  able  to prepare a plan and a focus on issues and ideas in your 
respective field. 
 
 

 
  ● Communication 
Opportunity to  ● Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving 
Practice the Following  ● Information Literacy 
21st-Century Skills 
 

  Recall 
Research is a systematic process of gathering information to answer a question. It follows 
a  logically-ordered  procedure  of  gathering  source  materials  and  data,  analyzing  these 
materials and data, and using one’s analysis to answer the research question. 
 
Types of Research 
There  are  two  main  types  of  research:  basic  research  and  applied  research.  ​Basic 
research  ​is  done  to  broaden  understanding  about  a  particular  topic.  It  can  generate 
ideas, new concepts, and theories. ​Basic research may look like it does not have any direct 
real-life  application  at  first,  but  applied  research  does  rely  on  the  knowledge  that  basic 
research  provides  us  in  solving  real-life  problems​.  Examples  of  basic  research  include 

 
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LA 1. Activity 1 
 
mathematical  research  (e.g.,  formulas,  number  theories)  and  laboratory  research  in  the 
natural sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics). 
 
Applied  research  ​is done to address real-life concerns or problems. Applied research can 
draw from the knowledge established by basic research. Examples of applied research are 
the  following:  surveys  on  factors  that  boost  television  ratings,  and  studies  on  healthy 
alternatives to white sugar. The outcomes of these applied research processes are directly 
applicable to human experiences rooted in real life. 
 
Importance of Research 
More  than  simply  getting  answers  to  questions  or  problems,  doing  research  is important 
because: 
● it  widens  one’s  understanding  of  the  world  through  various  explanations  behind 
the occurrence of different phenomena; 
● it  allows  for  the  resolution  of  problems  by  providing  answers  based  on  facts  and 
evidence; and 
● it  leads  to  the  continuous  production  of  knowledge  as  new  questions  stem  from 
existing research. 
 

​ uick Tip 
Q
Research  begins  with  a  ​question.  ​This  question  can  come  from  individual  curiosities, 
everyday life experiences, or reflections on previously-encountered research outputs. 

  Activity Instructions 
If  you  were  asked  to  think  of  possible  topics  for  your  research  paper,  where  would  you 
start looking for ideas? Where would these ideas come from? 
 
1. Write  ​one  topic  ​related  to  your  track/strand  that  has  been  featured  in  a  news 
article  published  in  the  past  month.  ​You  may  use  printed  newspapers  or  online 
news  articles.  The  following  are  sample  topics:  the  development of a new vaccine, 
successful elections in another country, and different management styles. 

 
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LA 1. Activity 1 
 
 
2. Based  on  your  chosen  topic,  make  a  list  of  ​two  key  points  that  are interesting to 
you  as  a  student  of  your  strand.  These  two  key  points may also be a specific topic 
you would like to make a research on. 
 
3. In  three  to  five  sentences,  explain  why  these  two  key points are interesting to you 
as a student of your strand. 
 

 
Rubric for Grading 
 

suggested 
1  2  3  4  points 
weights 

The news article is  The news article is  The news article is  The news article 
Relevance of   
the news  not aligned with the  slightly aligned with  clearly aligned with  is clearly aligned 
article  student’s strand  the student’s strand  the student’s  with the 
and was not  but was not  strand but was not  student’s strand  20% 
published within  published within the  published within  and was 
the last month.  last month.  the last month.  published within 
the last month. 

Only one key point  Only one key point  Two key points  Two key points 
Explanation   
of key points  was identified from  from the news article  from the news  from the news 
the news article,  was identified and  article were  article were 
but it was not  explained.  identified but were  identified and  30% 
explained.  explained in less  explained in 
than three  three to five 
sentences.  sentences. 

The significance of  The significance of  The significance of  The significance 
Discussion of   
significance  the key points was  the key points was  the key points was  of the key points 
of key points  neither explained  explained but was  explained but was  was clearly 
nor related to the  not related to the  not clearly related  explained and  30% 
student’s strand.  student’s strand.  to the student’s  clearly related to 
strand.  the student’s 
strand. 

The submission  The submission  The submission  The submission 

Grammar and   
spelling  contains both  contains both minor  contains very few  contains minimal 
major grammatical  grammatical and  grammatical and  to no  20% 
and spelling errors.  spelling errors.  spelling errors.  grammatical and 
spelling errors. 

      Total  100%   

 
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LA 1. Activity 1 
 
 
 
 
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  Bibliography 
 
O’Leary, Zina. ​The Essential Guide to Doing Research. L
​ ondon: SAGE Publications, 2004. 
 
Schutt,  Russell  K.  ​Investigating  the  Social  World:  The  Process  and  Practice  of  Research,  ​9th  ed. 
California: SAGE Publications Inc., 2019. 
 
Vanderstoep,  Scott  W.,  and  Deirdre  D.  Johnston.  ​Research  Methods for Everyday Life: Blending 
Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. S
​ an Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2009. 
 

 
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