Grade 9 Quarter 3 Research

Reasons for Conducting a

Research and Stating
Research Question

mab
 Reasons for Conducting a Research
Research is not simply done for compliance – it has different purposes.
These are some of the salient purposes of research:
1) It is a tool to build knowledge and to broaden learning.
2) It is a means to solve problems.
3) It is a tool to explore social issues.
4) It helps us understand ourselves.
5) It is a tool to promote opportunities.

The world highly needs research for efficiency and survival.

Without research, there’s no continuity in learning.
Activity 1. Tell Me Why
Think of a research topic that will fit with the given reasons for conducting a research.

1. Nourishment and exercise for the mind

2. Means to solve problems
3. A tool to promote opportunities
4. A tool to build knowledge and to widen learning
5. Makes us understand ourselves
 Stating Research Question
The research question is one of the most important parts of your research project, thesis or dissertation. It will
guide you in which information to search, data to be collected, and how you’re going to design your writing process.

What is Research Question?

A research question is simply a question related to your chosen topic that needs to be answered. It is the
question where your research revolves.
For example:
If your topic of interest is social media, you can formulate research questions like, “ Why do teenagers make up
the largest percentage of Instagram users?” or “ How does frequent use of YouTube affect people’s social behavior?

TOPIC RESEARCH QUESTION

• Use of social media • Why do teenagers make up the largest percentage of
Instagram users?

• How does frequent use of YouTube affect people’s social

behavior
Formulating a research question helps you focus your research into a specific concern or issue by defining
exactly what you want to find out.
What makes a good research question? All research questions should be:
- Focused - Feasible
- Specific - Complex
- Researchable - Relevant

Let’s take a look at these questions from your initial task as an example.
X What effect does social media have on people’s minds?
 What effect does daily use of Facebook have on the academic performance of high school students?

If you have observed, both questions are focused on the topic, social media. However, the first question is not
specific. What social media are you going to consider? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.). Who are the
“people” you are talking about?

The second question on the other hand is more specific by narrowing down the “social media” into Facebook,
“people” into high school students, “minds” into academic performance, and adding daily use to show frequency of
usage.
 X Do private hospitals provide better healthcare system than public hospitals?
How do public and private hospitals in Region V compare in health outcomes and patient satisfaction
among low-income people with chronic illnesses?

The first question is not researchable since there is no exact criteria for what counts as “better”. Also, it’s not
complex enough since it can easily be answered by yes or no. The second question is much more researchable since
it uses more specific terms and is complex enough for a more in-depth investigation.

X How did the Philippines gain independence from the Spanish colonizers in the 18th century?
How does the West Philippine Sea dispute affect the way Filipinos view the Philippines’s territorial
sovereignty?

The first question is too simple that you can simply search the internet to find answers. Also, it has already been
answered so many times and contributing new information is hardy feasible. The second question takes a specific
argument and has more relevance to current social concerns and debates.

In a research paper, you will usually have to formulate only one research question that will guide you as you
proceed with your research paper. However, in a bigger research project, such as a thesis or dissertation, you might
have multiple research questions, but they must all be centered or focused on your research problem.
How do I formulate a research question?

1. Choose a topic - For this step, it will be helpful if you choose a topic you’re interested in since you’ll be
working on it for some time.
2. Narrow the topic - Choose a certain aspect of your topic that you want to focus on.
3. Ask some questions - think of some questions you can ask about it.
4. Focus the question - pick one and try to make it more specific and relevant.

For example:
If your choice of topic is mental health, you can narrow the topic down by simply choosing a certain aspect
of it. (e.g. Factors that contribute to good mental health, cases of depression and anxiety among teenagers). Once
you have chosen a certain sub-topic, think of some questions you would want to ask about it. Then, choose one and
develop it into a strong research question by making sure that it is focused, specific, researchable, feasible,
complex, and relevant.
 Example:
Developing a Research Question:
(Flowchart) Mental Health

TOPIC
Depression and anxiety
among teenagers
Sub-topic

Questions • How does depression and anxiety affect a teenager's academic performance?
• What effect do school's policies on bullying have on the number of cases of
depression among high school students?

Focus
Question
(RESEARCH What effect do the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 have on the
QUESTION) number of cases of depression among teenagers in Philippine
public schools?
 After choosing a topic, do some preliminary reading to find out topical debates and issues about it.
This will also help you narrow down your topic and help you think of relevant research questions.

Activity 2. Stating Research Question

Study each research question then fill out the table below by the needed information.

Is it a good research If YES, justify your answer

Research Question
question? (YES/NO) If NO, rephrase the question
1. How does divorce influence children’s social    
development?
2. What are the causes of global warming and    
deforestation?
3. How can drunk driving be prevented?    
4. How have daily meditation affected the stress    
levels of adults over 30’s?
5. Where do majority of Overseas Filipino    
Workers work?
LET’S SUM IT UP

A Research Question is a question which states the aim of your research and pinpoints exactly what you want to
find out. To formulate your own research question, first, choose a topic or research problem, decide what you want
to know about this concern, write down sample questions, then pick one and make sure that it is answerable, not too
broad or too narrow, relevant, and focused on your research problem.

Other things you might want to know:

• In which section of the paper should the research question be included? – Typically, the research question
is included at the end of the Introduction section after setting the background and giving a review of the
existing literature.

• Now that I have already formulated my research question, what do I do with it? – Your research question
will be your guide on what resources to find (e.g. statistics, interviews, articles, etc.) and what information
to collect. So basically, you can now start researching to find the answer for your research question.
 PERFORMANCE TASK

Formulate your own research question using the flowchart below as your guide.

Topic:

Sub-topic:

Sample Questions:

REASEARCH QUESTION: