Practical Research 1

Module 5:
The Research Problem and the
Research Title
Practical Research 1 – Grade
11 Alternative Delivery Mode
Module 5: The Research Title and the Research Problem
First Edition, 2020

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 Practical Research 1
Module 5:
The Research Problem and the
Research Title
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions,
directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand
each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each

SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you
need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of
the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-
check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust
that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they
can best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any
part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and
tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering
the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module is designed and written to help you in determining a potential

problem and its possible research title in conducting a research project relevant to
your daily encounters and observations.

At the end of the module, you are expected

to:
1. design a research project related to daily life;
and
2. write a research
title.

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 What I Know

Identify what is being asked from the given statements below. Choose your answer
in the word pool. Write your answers on your notebook.

practitioner theory title

concise motivation

hazard qualification
equipment costing
academic community

1. This may refer to existing social philosophies and generalizations.

2. This may refer to a person who has an expertise and has gained experiences in
a particular field.
3. This consists of administrators, teachers, students, and parents.
4. This pertains to devices such as computer and telephone.
5. This reflects the knowledge and training acquired by the researcher.
6. This provides the researcher a satisfaction and enjoyment in conducting a
study.
7. This refers to the question “how much?” in the conduct of the study.
8. This pertains to dangers and harms the researcher may encounter.
9. This can show the main idea as well as the summary of the study at a glance.
10. This suggests “comprehensiveness.”

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 Lesson
The Research Problem and
1 the Research Title
You may probably observe that you are living in a society where random changes
occur. In a similar way, you may also see that problems are everywhere – from
hearing news in a television or seeing timely posted issues in a social media site up
to your daily common struggles as a student such as a feeling of difficulty in
answering a test or difficulty in transportation going to school and the like. With
such circumstances, we may say that this is how the society where we are
living is designed to – we constantly deal with these inevitable problems by
conducting researches and studies in order to find relevant solutions resulting in
a change for improvement.

Now that you have acquired some basic knowledge of Research as a discipline, it is
time for you to step forward by initiating a self-observation of the happenings in the
community where you belong. Your journey in Research continues by looking for a
problem appropriate to your needs, interests, and understanding towards the
issue. Hence, in this part of the module, you will be provided with additional
knowledge on how to design a research project as well as its possible research title
relevant to your daily experiences.

What’s In
Write Agree if the given statement describes the qualitative research and Disagree
if not. Write your answers on your notebook.

1. Hannah conducts a study which focuses on the daily life experiences of

students with dyslexia.

2. To identify the participants of the study, Joshua simply employs

random selection technique.

3. In order to solicit responses from the participants, Patricia utilizes the

interview guide as her research instrument.

4. Since the study of Kyle aims to understand the culture of the indigenous
people, he then decides to immerse in their community for certain months.

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5. Clarisse employs an inductive approach in the conduct of her study.

6. The study of Gerald aims to identify the significant relationship between the
reading habits and the level of reading comprehension skills of the Grade 11
students.

7. To gather the data needed for the study, Paul utilizes an objective type of
survey.

8. To study the challenges faced by the COVID-19 patients in the province of

Bataan, Nelson interviews 15 COVID-19 survivors as his research participants.

9. To analyze the gathered data, Oscar employs statistical formula.

10.Michelle carefully observes the emerging themes from the responses she
gathered from the interview to answer her research questions.

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 Notes to the Teacher
This module prepares the students to their qualitative research
undertaking. Here, they will learn how to design a research
project as well as to write its possible research title. Sources and
criteria in the selection of a problem as well as guidelines in
formulating a research title are all presented and explained.

What’s New

Read the short selection below and answer the corresponding questions.

In the Senior High School of Barangay Masigasig, there are four students who
are being admired by others because of their hard work. These students are
Carlo, James, Sarah, and Nica.
Carlo is a consistent top student who is enrolled in Arts and Design track. After
attending his classes, he performs extra work as a dishwasher in a carinderia
near his house. On the other hand, James is an athlete as well as a good leader
of the school who is enrolled in Sports track. He attends his extra work at
printing services once his class hours are done. Meanwhile, Sarah is enrolled in
TVL track and is known as one of the good performers in her class. She sells
isaw, balot, and mani when the clock strikes at 06:00 pm. Lastly, there is Nica
of Academic track who always represents her school in different academic
contests. During her free time, she serves as a tutor of three pupils from
different grade levels.
Being active students of their school and showing exceptional determination,
Carlo, James, Sarah, and Nica are tagged as the Masigasig Fantastic Four.

1. Who are the Masigasig Fantastic Four from the selection?

a. Carl, Jake, Myra, and Lyca
b. Carl, James, Myra, and Lyca
c. Carlo, Jake, Sarah, and Nica
d. Carlo, James, Sarah, and Nica

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 2. What is common among the four students?
a. They are all school athletes.
b. They are all working students.
c. They are all taking academic tracks.
d. They are all leaders of school organizations.

3. Why are they called the Masigasig Fantastic Four?

a. because they are hardworking
b. because they are all great leaders
c. because they are passive students
d. because they always represent their school in academic contests

4. What do you think can be the possible common struggle faced by the students
in the selection?
a. lack of focus
b. disrupted study habit
c. time management issue
d. all of the above

5. If you will formulate a research title based on the selection, what would be its
possible focus?
a. life of honor students
b. life of student-athletes
c. life of working students
d. life of struggling readers

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 What is It

As depicted from the scenario presented in the reading selection, students at their
age can also face different struggles. This further implies that nobody is exempted,
that is, problems which may be represented as a challenge or a difficulty can be
possibly encountered by anyone. Now, as a senior high school student, it is
undeniable that you are encountering problems as well. Perhaps, you may also
relate yourself with the situations of the characters from the selection whose
problem may arise from issues and concerns regarding time management, study
habit, motivation, and the like which later can affect the academic performance.

As a starting student-researcher, you must remember that a situation that brings

you a feeling of discomfort or something that you find as challenging and difficult
can be considered as a source of problem. Such a problem may later help you to
design your study which primary aims are to investigate, explore, and understand
the phenomenon. The findings then can be used to suggest what potential solution
may address the problem.

In this module, you will explore the other sources of a research problem aside
from a situation that brings you discomfort. Moreover, you will also be informed of
other considerations in the selection of a research problem as well as in the
formulation of its possible research title. This phase of your research journey is
really important. You must first secure your problem before you can possibly
conduct a study.

The Research Problem

In starting with a research project, the researcher must have a clear problem in
mind. Basically, a research problem refers to a statement that promptly
suggests for conducting an investigation. Moreover, a research problem to be
designed must deal with some concerns in a particular field that may need an
improvement or a solution. The researcher must also observe gaps in existing
scholarly literature, theories, and practices in order to come up with a good and
relevant research problem. This designed problem then will serve as a guide to
know what kind of research study will be most suitable to address the perceived
concern.

Sources of Research Problem

There is a need for a socially relevant problem when the researcher will attempt to
conduct a study. Hence, it is said that identifying and designing a research
problem is quite a challenging task.

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Familiarity with the potential sources, meanwhile, may help the researcher to
come up with a good research problem. As cited from Sacred Heart University
Library (2020), four (4) varied sources can be considered. These are as follows:

1. Theory. Existing social philosophies and generalizations which the researcher is

familiar with may be of a great help to design a research problem. The
researcher may observe if there is a gap between theory and practice.
Difference between what is said by the elders and what the youngsters see
and observe may be a potential source of a problem.

2. Practitioners. Consultation with the people who have direct experiences in a

field of interest may provide the researcher an idea of what relevant problem
he/she may investigate. Practitioners such as teachers, social workers,
health care providers, etc. are considered to be a good source of problem
since they are directly experiencing difficulties and challenges which are
needed to be addressed.

3. Personal experience. Daily experiences can provide the researcher an idea of

what problem that needs a solution. Observation on what is happening in the
community may allow him/her to see the common concerns of people or
institutions which may be subjected for investigation.

4. Relevant literature. An extensive and thorough review of literature and

studies relevant to the problem interest of the researcher may enable him/her
to come up with a potential study. Through reviewing other available
researches, the researcher may be able to determine gaps in knowledge and to
subject them for replication. Thus, a good research problem will be ensured.

Considerations in Formulating the Research Problem

As cited from the book of Cristobal and Cristobal (2017), there are criteria which
should be considered by the researcher in order to arrive with a good research
problem. Here they adopted the proposed criteria of Barrientos-Tan (1997) from the
book entitled A Research Guide in Nursing Education. These are further
subdivided into external and internal criteria.

1. External
Criteria

a. Novelty. The research problem must carry “newness.” With this, its
practical value would be easily perceived.

b. Availability of subjects. A research problem, when is subjected to a

further investigation, requires data from the target subjects. Hence, the
researcher must ensure that there will be available participants who are
capable of providing data needed for the study.

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 c. Support of the academic community. The academic community, which
consists of administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents, should be
considered by the researcher in what particular problem will be
investigated. Each member plays a vital role in the conduct of the study.
Hence, the research problem should be clearly perceived as beneficial
once it is subjected for investigation. In addition, securing permission
among the said members must be done before conducting the actual data
collection procedure.

d. Availability and adequacy of facilities and equipment. Necessary

common devices such as computers and telephones which will be used in
undertaking a study should be considered. Likewise, other needed
materials required by the research problem should be checked if they are
available and sufficient.

e. Ethical considerations. A research problem, when is subjected to a study,

must not pose any unethical demands most especially on the part of the
research participants.

2. Internal
Criteria

a. Qualifications of the researcher. These pertain to the expertise of the

researcher to the problem. It is important to the researcher that he/she has
enough knowledge and training when the research problem is subjected to
further investigation so as to ensure the success of the undertaking.

b. Motivation and interest of the researcher. The research problem which is in

the interest of the researcher may give him/her satisfaction and
enjoyment. Hence, completion of the research tasks will be efficiently
attained.

c. Time factor. A research problem, when is subjected to a study, should

suggest to be time-efficient. With this, the undertaking will be possibly
accomplished in a given time frame.

d. Costs and returns. It is also important that the researcher should consider a
research problem which suggests to be cost-efficient. When it is subjected to
a study, it must not be a sort of an expensive undertaking.

e. Hazards and handicaps. This means that a research problem should not
put the researcher in danger. The proposed study should be safe not only
to the participants but moreover to the researcher himself/herself.
Physical and mental health of the researcher must always be considered.

Research Title

Once the researcher has already had a problem that will be subjected for a study,
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he/she may now begin formulating a good research title that will best represent
the problem and the study itself in general. As cited from Sacred Heart University
Library

1
0
(2020), a research title should help the readers to see the main idea as well as the
summary of the whole study. Further, it usually contains fewest possible words
that can bring understanding of the content and the purpose of the study
among the readers.

Characteristics of a Research Title

As commonly observed, a research title is the first one to be read before proceeding
to the other parts of the research paper. Hence, it is really important to know for
the researcher what makes a research title an effective one in order to capture
the interest of the readers towards the problem to be investigated. Here are some of
the characteristics of a research title that the researcher should put into
considerations:

1. It should be limited only to substantive words with high consideration to the

key variables such as the phenomenon under investigation, the participants,
and the setting of the study.

2. It should use words that can create a positive impression among the readers.
Avoid using abbreviations as well as some word constructions such as: “method,”
“result,” and “investigation.”

3. It should be in the form of a phrase with correct use of capitalization, that is,
the first letter appeared in the title as well as the first letter of each noun word
should be capitalized.

4. It should be concise by adequately implying the participants and the coverage

of the study.

In addition, a researcher may also put a subtitle which is commonly employed in

social science research papers. This subtitle may be done: (1) to state the scope,
context, and theory under investigation; and (2) to provide a substantive and
appealing literary title.

Examples of Qualitative Research Title

Similar with all other parts of a research paper, the title must be carefully
formulated. Other existing research titles may serve as a basis especially for
beginning researchers. Below are the examples of title in qualitative research:

1. The ‘Need to Transcend’: A Phenomenological Study on the Lived Experiences

of Millennial Teachers (Lacdo-O et al., 2018)

2. The Educated Citizen: Cultural and Gender Capital in the Schooling of

Aetas’
Children in the Municipality of Janiuay (Moralista & Delariarte, 2014)

10
3. This Too Shall Pass: A Grounded Theory Study of Filipino Cancer
Survivorship (de Guzman et al., 2012)

4. Local Studies Centers: Transforming History, Culture and Heritage in the

Philippines (Perez & Templanza, 2012)

5. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Political Speeches: A Critical Discourse

Analysis (Remorosa, 2018)

Now that you have already known the considerations in selecting a research
problem and in formulating its corresponding title, there is no doubt that you may
begin to propose a study by clearly indicating the problem with its corresponding
title that is highly relevant to your need, experience, interest, and capability as
a student- researcher.

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 What’s More

Write Yes if the given situation from each item indicates good practice in the
selection of the problem or in the formulation of the title and No if not. Write your
answers on your notebook.

1. Harold conducts a study which has already been done in his school with similar
objective and participants.

2. Jessica pursues her study because she observes that there are existing
research gaps in her field of interest.

3. Gerald plans to consult the SPED teachers in his community in order to know
the focus of his study regarding the life of SPED students.

4. Joana secures the approval of the school administrator before subjecting her
perceived problem into a study.

5. The research problem proposed by Ulysses requires more time and may exceed
the target time frame when it is subjected into a study.

6. In the formulation of his research title, Willy includes only essential words and
variables of the study.

7. To make her research title appears brief, April used the abbreviation of
a terminology.

8. Bea capitalizes all the first letters of each word appearing in her research title.

9. Xian includes his participants and the setting of the study in his research title.

10. In order to indicate clearly the context of her study, Olivia used a subtitle.

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 What I Have Learned

Write the summary of your learnings by surrounding the light bulb with important
ideas you acquired from the lessons. Copy and answer the illustration on your
notebook.

Characteristics of
a Research Title

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 What I Can Do

Formulate one qualitative research title based on the problem perceived in the
illustration below. Your answers will be graded through the provided rubric. Write
your answers on your notebook.

Scoring system Description

5 points Elements such as important variables, participants and
coverage, correct use of capitalization, and appropriate
use
of terminology are observed. There is interrelatedness
4 points Lack 1 element. There is interrelatedness of the elements.

3 points Lack 2 elements. There is slight interrelatedness of the

elements.
2 points Lack 3 elements. There is slight interrelatedness of
the elements.
1 point Lack 4 elements. There is no interrelatedness of the
elements.

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 Assessment

Read each statement carefully. Choose the letter that corresponds to the correct
answer. Write your answers on your notebook.
1. Who is a practitioner?
a. a student
b. a professional
c. a critically ill patient
d. anyone who belongs in a community

2. Which of the following is the most efficient way to determine a research gap?
a. interviewing at least a person
b. immersing oneself in a community
c. reading relevant literature and studies
d. synthesizing ideas from a day-to-day experience

3. What does “novelty” suggest?

a. fairness
b. newness
c. conciseness
d. completeness

4. What criterion in the selection of research problem emphasizes the security and
safety among the participants?
a. novelty
b. time factor
c. ethical considerations
d. availability of equipment

5. Which of the following is an external criterion in the selection of the research

problem?
a. time factor
b. costs and returns
c. availability of subjects
d. interest of the researcher

6. Which of the following is not an internal criterion in the selection of the research
problem?
a. time factor
b. costs and returns
c. qualification of the researcher
d. support of the academic community

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 7. What does “substantive” mean?
a. important
b. subjective
c. interesting
d. researchable

8. Which of the following should be avoided in the formulation of a research title?

a. subtitle
b. key variables
c. incomplete sentence
d. abbreviation of terms

9. Which of the following should always be capitalized in a research title?

a. first letter of a noun
b. first letter of an article
c. first letter of an adjective
d. first letter of a preposition

10. What is not indicated from the given research title below?
“Maninindigan ako”: A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of
Single Parents
a. setting
b. method
c. participant
d. main variable

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 Additional Activities

Think of a problem (e.g., societal issue) which you can relate to. Then, formulate
one qualitative research title that will seek to answer the problem being perceived.
Write your proposed research title on your notebook.

Your answer will be graded based on this

rubric:

Scoring system Description

5 points Elements such as important variables, participants and
coverage, correct use of capitalization, and appropriate
use of terminology are observed. There is interrelatedness
of the elements.
4 points Lack 1 element. There is interrelatedness of the elements.

3 points Lack 2 elements. There is slight interrelatedness of the

elements.
2 points Lack 3 elements. There is slight interrelatedness of the
elements.
1 point Lack 4 elements. There is no interrelatedness of the
elements.

17
 Assessment:

1. b
2. c
Additional Activities: 3. b What I Can Do:
4. c
Answer may vary. Answer may vary.
5. c
6. d
7. a
8. d
9. a
10. a

What I Know:
What’s More: 1. theory
What’s In: 2. practitioner
1. No
1. Agree 3. academic
2. Yes What’s New:
3. Yes 2. Disagre community
4. Yes 1. d e 4. equipment
5. No 2. b 3. Agree 5. qualification
6. Yes 3. a 4. Agree 6. motivation
7. No 4. d 5. Agree 7. costing
8. No 5. c 6. Disagre 8. hazard
9. Yes e 9. title
10. Yes 7. Disagre 10. concise
e
8. Agree
9. Disagre
e
10. Agree
References
Cristobal, Amadeo P., and Cristobal, Maura D. Practical Research 1 for Senior
High School. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc., 2017.

De Guzman, Allan B., et al. “This Too Shall Pass: A Grounded Theory Study of
Filipino Cancer Survivorship.” Last modified October 11, 2012. Accessed
June 23,
2020.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0898010112462066

Lacdo-O, Floresa L., et al. “The ‘Need to Transcend’: A Phenomenological Study

on the Lived Experiences of Millennial Teachers.” Last modified September
2018. Accessed June 23, 2020. http://www.ijsre.com/assets/vol.%2C-
11(3)-lacdo- o-et-al.pdf

Morales, Rome D., and Delariarte, Gabriel C. “The Educated Citizen: Cultural
and Gender Capital in the Schooling of Aetas’ Children in the
Municipality of Janiuay.” Last modified March 2014.
Accessed June 23, 2020.
http://apjeas.apjmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/APJEAS-2014-1-
002.pdf

Perez, Martin Julius V., and Templanza, Mariel R. “Local Studies Centers:
Transforming History, Culture and Heritage in the Philippines.” Last
modified May 31, 2012. Accessed June 23, 2020.
https://www.ifla.org/past- wlic/2012/180-perez-en.pdf

Remorosa, Roxan R. “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Political Speeches: A

Critical Discourse Analysis.” Last modified August 10, 2018. Accessed June
23, 2020. http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr- jhss/papers/Vol.
%2023%20Issue8/Version-2/I2308027287.pdf

Sacred Heart University Library. “Organizing Academic Research Papers:

Choosing a Title.” Accessed June 23,
2020. https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?
g=29803&p=185911#:~:text=Definiti on,purpose%20of%20your%20research
%20paper.

Sacred Heart University Library. “Organizing Academic Research Papers:

The Research Problem/Question.” Accessed June 23, 2020.
https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918
19
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