Research Topic

and Statement of
the Problem
Lyngie R. Fernandez
SHS English Teacher
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We Transform Lives
Objectives:

 Design a research project related to daily life;

 Write a research title;
 State the reasons for conducting the research;
 Formulate research questions; and
 Determine types of Qualitative Research

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Research Topics in the Areas of Inquiry

Research is a requirement in almost all academic areas. In Senior High

School, students are classified into strands-

1. Accountancy , Business, and Management (ABM Strand)

2. Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS Strand)
3. Science , Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM Strand)
4. General Academic Strand (GAS Strand)
5. Information Communication Technology (ICT Strand)
6. Home Economics (HE Strand)

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Criteria in Selecting Topics
Topic is the springboard of a researcher’s idea generation.

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1. Interestingness of Topic
2. Specificity/Limitedness
3. Relevance to the Writer’s Field or
Discipline
4. Familiarity of the Writer with Topic
5. Availability of Materials
6. Feasibility of the Problem
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Writing Research Question

Research question is the fundamental core of a research

project, study, or review of literature. It focuses the
study, determine the methodology, and guides all stages
of inquiry, analysis, and reporting.

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Areas of Concern

1. Conditions that could be improved

2. Difficulties that need to be eliminated
3. Questions seeking answers

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Characteristics of a Good Research Question:

1. The question is feasible.

2. The question is clear.
3. The question is significant.
4. The question is ethical.

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Questions should in Some Way..

1. Be worth investigating
2. Contribute knowledge and value to the field
3. Improve Educational Practice
4. Improve the human condition

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Steps in Constructing Research Problem, Topic
to Research Questions (With Purpose)

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Step 1: Draft a Research Question/Hypothesis

Example: (Parents’ Choice in taking/deciding Students’ SHS

strand)

What effects did parents’ strand choice have on the future plans
of students who were high school students at the time of k12
Curriculum?

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Step 2:Draft a Purpose Statement

Example:

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of parents’

strand choice on the future of students who were high school
students at the time of k12 Curriculum.

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Step 3: Revise and Rewrite the
Question/Hypothesis
Example:

What is the association between parents’ strand choice

and future plans of senior high students?

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Step 4:Write the Purpose Statement
(Declarative)
Example:

The purpose of this study is to explore the association

between the parents’ strand choice and future plans of
senior high students.

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Exploratory Study of Associations of Parents’ strand choice and
future plans of Senior High Students (+)

Associations of Parents’ strand choice and Future Plans of Senior

High Students: An Exploratory Study (+)

Parents know best: An Exploratory Study of Associations of

Parents’ strand choice and future plans of Senior High Students

Parent Vs. Children: An Exploratory Study of Associations of

Parents' strand choice and future plans of Senior High Students

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Operationalizing refers to the actions , processes, or
operations used to measure or identify variables.

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Expanding Simple Research Question (Title)

- Connecting, Mediating, or Moderating variables

Variables that can be used to expand the questions:

1.Demographic
2.Geographic Location
3.Parents’ Educational level
4.Role of Parent
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FORMS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

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1. Historical Research
2. Ethnographic Research
3. Case Study
4. Phenomenological Study
5. Action Research

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Historical Research
- It aims to investigate the PAST.

- It would like to establish how the past has affected the

present and its implications on the future.

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Historical Research (essential characteristics)
1. Problem and Focus: The Past and its Implications on the Present
and Future
2. Methodology: Textual/Discourse/ Library Research and Interview
3. Role of the Researcher: Collects, Interprets, and Analysis
4. Respondents/Data: Provides Information (Respondent) and
Collaborate with the Researcher (Respondent)
5. Conclusion and Recommendation: Improvement of Present
Condition

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Ethnographic Study
- It is a kind of qualitative study used in the discipline of sociology and
anthropology.

- This research aims to construct cultural maps.

- It would like to make thick descriptions of a certain culture or cultural

activity.

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Ethnographic Study (essential characteristics)

1. Problem and Focus: Culture of Certain Groups/ Cultural Groups

2. Methodology: Interview, Observation, and Focus Group Discussion
3. Role of the Researcher: Collaborative or Detached Observer
4. Respondents/Data: Respondents Collaborate with the Researcher
and the Data Gathered is used to give Voice to the Group
5. Conclusion and Recommendation: Understanding of the Cultural
Group

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Case Study
- It has a specific focus – it has a specific time frame, specific group ,
specific place, and specific problem.

- It has high levels of specifications before it can be considered as such.

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Case Study (essential characteristics)
1. Problem and Focus: Very Specific Problem and Focus
2. Methodology: Observation, Interview, and Focus Group
3. Role of the Researcher: Collaborative or Detached
4. Respondents/Data: Respondents Collaborate with the Researcher
and the Data Gathered is used to give Voice to the Group.
5. Conclusion and Recommendation: Understanding of a part of the
Culture

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Phenomenological Study
- It is another type of qualitative research.

- The concept of phenomenology came from the philosopher Edmund

Husserl.

- Phenomenological study might involve a very deep and personal way

of exposing the essence of different human experiences.

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Phenomenological Study (essential
characteristics)

1. Problem and Focus: Personal Experience

2. Methodology: Interview (In depth and Personal One)
3. Role of the Researcher: Collaborative
4. Respondents/Data: Respondents Collaborate with the Researcher
and the Data Gathered is utilized to come up with the Essence of an
Experience.
5. Conclusion and Recommendation: Understanding of an Experience

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Action Research

- It follows epistemological perspective of critical

theory.
- It would like to use findings as guidance for action.

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Action Research(essential characteristics)

1. Problem and Focus: Immediate Problems Needing Immediate

Solutions
2. Methodology: Any (Interview)
3. Role of the Researcher: Intervening
4. Respondents/Data: Respondents must allow the Intervention to
happen: The Data must be utilized to Guide the Intervention or
Action
5. Conclusion and Recommendation: Solutions

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