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Module 3. FORMULATING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

At the end of this module, we can now

1. Design a research project related to daily life.

2. Write a research title.
3. Formulate a clear statement of the problem.
4. Cite the significance of the research.
5. Write the scope and delimitation of the study.

Formulation of a research problem

A. Formulate the general Problem. It give the overview of the research.

B. Formulate at least three specific problems.

GUIDELINES IN FORMULATING RESEARCH PROBLEMS

a. The general problem provides the overall picture and direction of the research. This
usually stated in narrative form.
b. The specific problems give the details of the research. These are generated from the
general problem.
c. A set of specific problems are needed to be formulated. These problems are usually
stated in question form.
d. Reading a lot of research articles in journals, books, magazines, and other reading
materials can help you formulate good research problems.

QUALITATIVE APPROACH AND QUANTITATIVE APPROACH

Qualitative Approach. This aims to provide description of characteristics, kind, and quality of a
subject, while interpreting and attempting to understand an event. By using narrative
descriptions from in-depth interviews, the purpose is to share the perspective that was
obtained from the subjects. (Mostly done in Social Science; the lived experiences of male
convicts)

Quantitative Approach. This tests hypotheses and makes predictions through measured
amounts and ultimately describes an event by using numerical figures. Statistical analysis is
therefore applied to interpret the numbers obtained from the data.
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CONCEPTS AND CONSTRUCTS VARIABLES IN RESEARCH

CONCEPTS CONSTRUCT
Age Young or old
Sex Male or Female
Height Small, Average, Tall
Weight Light, Heavy
Attitude Good, Bad
Pollution Land, Air, Water
Education Grade, School, High School, College

Kinds of Variables

1. Independent Variables are manipulated variables that cause a change in another

variable. Usually, these are treatments or conditions that produce a varied response or
effects.

2. Dependent Variables are those that are affected by independent variables. They are the
responses or effects that result from the treatment or conditions employed.

3. Confounding or Extraneous Variables are those variables usually indicated in

experimental research. They are included in the study but in one way or another causes
effect on the dependent variable.

4. Categorical Variables are those that characterize and describe the quality of data. They
are often classified into mutually exclusive categories ( Nominal Variables like civil
status categorized as single, married, widowed, annulled), and extensive categories
(Ordinal variables like size classified as small, medium, large – which are in order).

5. Continuous Variables are those variables in which values are based on a given interval
or continuum. These variables rely on numbers for description. Example is normal
temperature ranges from 36oC to 37oC. So, description of normal temperature is only
within the given interval. Income is another example. When you state your income, you
can just say the amount. It does not follow an interval, but it falls along a continuum.

6. Quantitative Variables are those variables that give details regarding the number or
level of something. These variables count the frequency of responses or effect. An
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example is a popularity contest, where the contestant who will get the highest number
of votes as the most well liked will be declared the winner.

7. Qualitative Variables are those variables that represent kinds or types of objects and
they are synonymous with categorical variables. They are often categorized into names,
labels, or groups. At times, numbers are used as codes to represent the categorization
to be able to measure the variable and describe its extent. Examples are responses such
as yes or no; few, many, and too much; and, agree or disagree.

Levels/Scales of Measurement. (The association of the values that are linked to a variable)

1. Nominal Scales are just concerned with the names and categories of responses. They
do not intend to quantify the data. Qualitative and categorical variables are examples.
Nationality and hair color are some examples.

2. Ordinal Scales are used for data that intends to be ranked. This scale is expressed
through sequential and numerical order and therefore allows a comparison of degree.
Some examples are the following: first, second, and third; and, good, better, and best.

3. Interval Scale use equal units of measurement and intervals to know the distance
between them more than the sequence. It does not use zero as its base point. Example
temperature, attitude, and IQ.

4. Ratio Scales are the highest level of measurement. Variables will be more accurately
measured because a ratio scale uses zero as its base point. It permits the comparison of
both difference in scores and the relative magnitude of scores. Examples are height,
weight, and age.

QUANTITATIVE APPROACH

Quantitative methods center on objective measurements and numerical analysis of

data collected through QUESTIONNAIRES or SURVEYS and generalizing the results across groups
of people.

Main Characteristics of the Quantitative Approach

1. The data are usually gathered using more structured research instruments.
2. The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the population.
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3. The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.
4. The researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective answers are
sought.
5. All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data are collected.
6. Data are in the form of numbers and statistics.
7. The project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future results, or
investigate causal relationships.
8. The researcher uses questionnaires or other forms of research tools to collect
numerical data.

Strength

1. Quantitative approach involves a greater number of subjects and enables a broader

study, as well as enhancing the generalization of the results.
2. Study results are more objective and accurate. Usually, to support a certain
generalization by using a summary of data, quantitative research employs certain
procedures on a few variables to ensure the reliability of data.
3. Quantitative research, when the right procedure is used, can be replicated, as well as
analyzed in comparison with other similar works.
4. You can summarize vast sources of information and make comparisons across
categories and over time.
5. Personal bias can be avoided by keeping a “distance” from participating subjects and
employing facilitators unknown to them.

Limitations

1. Quantitative data, while they can test a hypothesis, may be limited in explaining their
context. This is because the explanation often focuses on numerical results as bais.
2. The research is often conducted in an artificial setting, where a certain level of control
is exercised. Because of this, the results may not necessarily reflect the real-life
situation presented in the problem. Additionally, the use of research tools may only
reflect the researcher’s point of view instead of the subjects.

TYPES OF QUANTITATIVE APPROACH

1. Descriptive Research
1.1 Correlational research
1.2 Survey
2. Causal- comparative research
3. Experimental research
3.1 True experimental
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3.2 Quasi-experimental

Descriptive research involves the collection of data to either test a hypothesis or describe the
variables mentioned in the study. Data which are typically numeric, are collected through
surveys, interviews, or observations.

Correlational research attempts to determine the level of relation between two or more
quantifiable variables. The correlation between two variables does not mean that one variable
causes the other, but it can be used to predict their values. To determine the strength of the
relationship, the researchers get the correlation coefficient and the p – value.

Causal – comparative research attempts to establish cause-effect relationships among the

variables of the study. In this research, the independent variable usually involves a
demographic (e.g. gender, race, social status) in which the researcher has no control of. He/she
will test how the independent variable will cause a significant effect on the dependent variable,
which is the outcome of the study. An example is: Low percentage of jobless people
(independent variable) reduces the poverty rate of the country (dependent variable)

Experimental research is similar to causal-comparative research, in that it also measures the

effect of the independent variable (cause) to the dependent variable (effect); however, the
researcher can control the independent variables in the study, wherein the participants are
randomly assigned.

Quasi-experimental design is an alternative to determine the causes and effects between two
variables that cannot be subjected to experimental control. Most of the time, this design is
used on a naturally given phenomenon and its effect on the people who are experiencing the
occurrence. One example is when you want to know the effect of a calamity on its victims.