WEEK 6 - 7 TOPIC

RESEARCH TITLE, SOURCES, AND CONSIDERATIONS

OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
1. Discuss the research title and the research problem.
2. Describe the sources from which research problems can originate.
3. Discuss considerations in selecting a research problem.
4. Identify examples of possible research problems.
5. Elaborate on the criteria for choosing a research problem.
6. Discuss both internal and external criteria for formulating research.

RESEARCH TITLE

A research title prefaces the study by providing a summary of the main idea and is usually short and concise. Writing it
may seem to be a simple task but it actually requires more consideration on the part of the researcher. While he or she
may have written the contents of the study in great detail, researchers may find it hard to create a research title for their
study that is concise and represents all the relevant elements of the study at the same time.

A research title should have the following characteristics:

1. It should summarize the main idea of the paper.

2. It should be a concise statement of the main topic.
3. It should include the major variables of the research study.
4. It should be self-explanatory.
5. It should describe or imply the participants of the study.

In general, the researcher should avoid using words that serve no useful purpose and can mislead indexers. Words such
as “methods,” “results,” and “investigations” should not appear in the title. In many cases, the general problem of the
research or even the specific question that the researcher intends to answer, when rewritten in a statement form, can
serve as the title.

RESEARCH PROBLEM

The research problem states the area of concern of the research paper whether it is a circumstance needing
development, a difficulty requiring attention, or an inquiry necessitating an answer. This section sets the direction of the
research study as it provides the foundation for the research hypothesis and defines what kind of research study is
suitable to address the problem. However, it is important to note that this section should only state the problem and not
preface or suggest a solution for it.

Sources of Research Problems

Research problems may be derived in almost any kind of setting such as hospitals or clinics, schools, offices, homes, or
any part of the community.

Research problems can originate from various settings like hospitals, schools, offices, homes, or communities.

They often share the following characteristics:

1. Conveys a Feeling of Discomfort or Difficulty

Example: A hospital experiencing a high rate of post-surgical infections may pose a research problem.
2. Perceived Difficulty in Broad Subjects
Example: The complexities of leadership styles in corporate settings.
 3. Displays a Gap Between Theory and Practice
Example: Discrepancy between traditional teaching methods and actual student engagement.
4. Requires Advanced Technological Procedures
Example: The challenges of integrating Artificial Intelligence in healthcare diagnostics.
5. Involves Experiences of Individuals
Example: The mental health impacts of long-term remote work.
6. Shows Some Kind of Pattern or Trend
Example: Rising levels of income inequality over the past decade.
7. Based on Literature Reviews and Prior Studies
Example: Research replicating a previous study but in a different cultural context.
8. Relates to Individual Curiosity and Interest
Example: The impact of social media on body image among teenagers.

Furthermore, a discerned problem is said to be researchable when the following criteria are met:

1. Solutions are available but not yet tested and not yet known by the practitioner.
2. No solutions are available to answer the gap or the problem being assessed.
3. When the given answers or solutions, as well as the possible results, are seemingly untested or are factually
contradictory with each other.
4. A phenomenon requiring an explanation has occurred.
5. There are several possible and plausible explanations for the existence of an undesirable condition.

CONSIDERATIONS IN FORMULATING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

In the book "A Research Guide in Nursing Education," Barrientos-Tan (1997) discusses criteria for choosing a research
problem.

When choosing a research problem, there are two types of criteria to consider:

1. External Criteria
a. Novelty:
This refers to the unique or innovative nature of the research problem, contributing to its practical value.
Explanation: A novel problem is likely to attract more interest and potentially yield results that
fill a knowledge gap in the field.

b. Availability of Subjects:
This pertains to the accessibility and willingness of people to participate in the study.
Explanation: A study with an available and representative sample is more likely to produce
reliable and valid results.

c. Support of the Academic Community:

This entails the backing from institutional members, like teachers, students, and administrators, in terms
of data collection and research costs.
Explanation: Institutional support can significantly aid in the smooth execution and credibility of
the research.

d. Availability and Adequacy of Facilities and Equipment:

This refers to the logistical considerations, such as having access to necessary technology.
Explanation: Insufficient facilities or equipment can hamper the research process, affecting the
quality of the findings.
 e. Ethical Considerations:
This includes ensuring that the research problem does not impose unethical demands on participants.
Explanation: Ethical concerns, if overlooked, can compromise the integrity of the research and
expose participants to harm.

2. Internal Criteria
a. Experience, Training, and Qualifications of the Researcher:
This involves the researcher’s academic and professional background.
Explanation: A researcher with adequate training is more likely to conduct a study efficiently and
effectively.
b. Motivation, Interest, Intellectual Curiosity, and Perceptiveness of the Researcher:
These are the personal attributes that can influence the success of the research.
Explanation: A highly motivated and curious researcher is likely to approach the study with a
level of rigor that enhances its quality.
c. Time Factor:
This encompasses the practicality of completing the research within a given timeframe.
Explanation: A time-sensitive problem may require accelerated methods, affecting the depth of
the study.
d. Costs and Returns:
This relates to the financial considerations involved in conducting the research.
Explanation: Financial constraints can limit the scope of the research and the methods
employed.
e. Hazards, Penalties, and Handicaps:
This refers to the potential risks and challenges, both physical and intellectual, that may be encountered
during the research.
Explanation: Being aware of these factors enables the researcher to prepare contingencies,
enhancing the study’s reliability and validity.