Chapter I: THE PROBLEM

by: Mr. Danilo Soriano Jr. y Gonzales

Subject Teacher, Practical Research 2
Parts of Chapter I
• Introduction and • Hypothesis/es
Background of the • Scope and Delimitations
Study of the Study
• Theoretical Framework • Limitations of the Study
• Conceptual Framework • Significance of the
• Statement of the Study
Problem • Definition of Terms
Introduction and Background of the Study
• This part of research includes information which would focus
attention on the importance and validity of the problem.
• It is the general orientation to the problem area.
• This is the present state of knowledge regarding the problem.
• Answers the questions: What facets of the problem
(phenomenon) are known and what need further
investigation? What approaches have been used previously in
research of the problem?
Introduction and Background of the Study
• Discusses four (4) relevant ideas:
– TOPIC or subject matter: define and elaborate using methods of paragraph
development like classification and giving examples
– IMPORTANCE of the Topic: cite the role that the topic plays in your life and the
benefits you derive from it.
– REASONS for Choosing the topic: emphasized what motivated you to choose
the topic.
– PURPOSE of the Study: discusses the objective of the study.
Introduction and Background of the Study

• For a good background, state the antecedents:

– Discussion of the problem in general and the specific situations as
observed and experienced by the researcher (macro to micro
approach)
– Concepts and ideas related to the problem including clarification of
important terminologies; and
– Discussion of the existing of present conditions and what is aimed to
be in the future or the gap to be filled-in by the researcher
Theoretical Framework
• This is the foundation of the research study. These
are highly related theories and principles that were
established and proven by authorities
• refers to the set of interrelated construct, definitions,
and prepositions that presents a systematic view of
phenomena
Theoretical Framework
• an organized body that explains what has been done
and what has been said on the topic or problem
being investigated.
What must be obtained from a theory?
• The name/s of author/s of the theory must be taken
including the place and the time / year when he or
she postulated such a principle or generalization.
• the part or parts of the theory that are relevant to
your study
• synthesis by relating to your findings
Conceptual Framework
• a tentative explanation or theoretical explanation of
the phenomenon or problem and serves as the basis
for the formulation research hypotheses.
• consists of the investigator’s own position on a
problem after his exposure to various theories that
have bearing on the problem
Conceptual Framework
• The conceptual framework becomes the central
theme, the focus, the main thrust of the study. It
serves as a guide in conducting investigation.
• Paradigm. A paradigm is a diagrammatic
representation of a conceptual framework. It depicts
in a more vivid way what the conceptual framework
wants to convey.
Conceptual Framework: Paradigm
Statement of the Problem

Objective or Purpose of the Study

Research Questions or Investigative Problems

Objective or Purpose of the Study
• The first part of the problem where the researcher
states the objective.
• This is a statement of a long-term objective expected
to be achieved by the study.
• This is derived by the identification and crystallization
of the research problem and as reflected in the title
• It is prefixed by this introductory phrase: “The main
objective of this study is to …”
Research Questions or Investigative Problems

• These are specific questions which are to be

answered in the study
• The answers to the research questions should lead to
the solution of the research problem.
Tips in Writing the Statement of the Problem
• The major statement or question may be followed by minor
statements or questions. The introductory statement must be
the purpose/aim or the objective of the study.

Example: Specifically, the study aims to determine the causes of low performance of
selected programs in the board examinations. Further, it seek to answer to the
following sub-problems:
1. …
2. …
3. … etc.
Tips in Writing the Statement of the Problem
• If the goal is specifically to test a given hypothesis then state
so. In many cases, the objective will be a more general
statement than that of a hypothesis.

Example: The primary objective of this study is to test the

hypothesis that there is a relationship between workplace
condition and teaching performance of faculty members.
 Tips in Writing the Statement of the Problem
• Investigative questions are the specific topical questions that one must
resolve to achieve research objective or test the research hypothesis.
Example: This study attempted to evaluate the status and extent of implementation of the Computer
Education Program in the Division of Rizal SY 2015-2016 as perceived by teacher respondents.
Specifically, this sought answers to the following questions:
1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:
a. sex;
b. field of specialization;
c. educational attainment;
d. length of service; and
e. Computer education seminar/training attended?
2. What is the extent of the Computer Education Program implementation as perceived by the teacher-
respondents with respect to:
f. objectives and content of instruction;
g. teaching competencies; and
h. methods of teaching employed
Hypothesis
• a tentative statement about the relationship between two or
more variables
• It is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to
happen in a study
• Remember, a hypothesis does not have to be correct
• While the hypothesis predicts what the researchers expect to
see, the goal of the research is to determine whether this
guess is right or wrong
Hypothesis

Null
Alternative
Hypothesis
• Null hypothesis. States that there is no statistical
significance between the two variables in the
hypothesis. It is the hypothesis that the researcher is
trying to disprove.
• Alternative hypothesis. States that there is statistical
significance between two variables. It is the
hypothesis that the researcher is trying to prove
Scope and Delimitations of the Study
• The scope describes the coverage of the study. It specifies
what is covered in terms of concept, number of subjects or
the population included in the study, as well as the
timeline when the study was conducted.
• Delimit by citing factors or variables that are not to be
included and the boundary in terms of time frame, number
of subjects, participants or respondents who are excluded.
Scope and Delimitations of the Study
• This section discusses the parameters of the research in
paragraph. It answers the basic questions:
1. What- the topic of investigation and the variables included
2. Where- the venue or the setting of the research
3. When- the time frame by which the study was conducted
4. Why- the general objectives of the research
5. Who- the subject of the study, the population and sampling
6. How- the methodology of the research which may include the
research design, methodology and the research instrument
Limitations of the Study
• include the weaknesses of the study beyond the
control of the researcher.
• The weaknesses spring out of the inaccuracies of the
perceptions of the respondents.
• It refers to those factors and circumstances that may
or may not affect the research conduct which are
beyond the control of the researcher
Significance of the Study
• The researcher defines who will benefit out of the findings of
the study.
• Describes how the problem will be solved and specifically
pinpoints who will benefit from such findings or results.
• Usually, the beneficiaries of the study are those experts
concerned about the problem.
• This part also justifies the rationale of the undertakings.
Tips in Writing the Significance of the Study

• Refer to the statement of the problem

• Write from general to specific
Definition of Terms
• Only terms, words, or phrases which have special or
unique meanings in the study are defined.
• Terms should be defined operationally (that is how
they are used in the study) or conceptually (cited
from a reliable source of information/definition)
• The researcher may develop his own definition from
the characteristics of the term defined.
Definition of Terms
• Definitions may be taken from encyclopedias, books,
magazines and newspaper articles, dictionaries, and
other publications but the researcher must
acknowledge his sources.
• Definitions should be brief, clear, and unequivocal as
possible.
• Acronyms should always be spelled out fully