Making the Research Problem Manageable

• Defining the key terms in the problem - Operational definition

• Identifying the variables of the study
• Variable- is a property or characteristic that takes on different values.
• Most commonly used classification of variables
• Independent Variable
• Intervening variable
• Moderator variable
• Independent variable – the cause that is intervening is supposed to e
responsible for bringing about changes in the independent variable.
• Dependent Variable- variable (often denoted by y ) whose value depends on
that of another.
• Intervening variable- a variable whose existence is inferred but that cannot
be manipulated or controlled.
• Moderator variable- a variable that may or may not be controlled but has an
effect on the research situation.
 Delimiting research (scope and limitations of
the study)
• One way of making a more focused study on a problem is by delimiting it.
• It is simply by giving full specification of what the researcher intends to
do or does not intend to do.
• When a researcher is able to set the scope and delimitation of his study, he
can make his research more manageable.
• T the same time, this can direct him to the proper choice of the research
method to employ.
 Focused on the following;
• Purpose of the study
• Time coverage of the investigation
• Geographical coverage of the inquiry
• Variables to be studied
• Specific indicators of variables
• Type and size of the respondents of the study
• Data collection tools to be used in data gathering.
 Stating the Hypothesis of the study
• Formulation of the hypothesis of the study is another important
consideration in making one’s research manageable.

• What is hypothesis?
 Hypothesis
• It is a predictive statement that represents the researcher’s tentative answer to his
statement of the research problem. Aside from ensuring clarity, the hypothesis
serves the following functions in research:
It provides focus to the study.
It tells the researcher what data to gather.
It enhances objectivity in the study.
It enables the researcher to contribute to the formulation of a theory and bridge
the gaps in the body of knowledge.
 Hypothesis should be:
• Simple and specific
• Stated in an empirically testable form
• Related to the existing body of knowledge and
• An indication of the specific nature of connection between or among
variables.
 2 types of hypothesis
Null Hypothesis
• (Ho) – is a statement indicating the non- existence of difference, relationship, or
association between two or more variables or factors.

 Alternative Hypothesis
 (H1) – states the nature of connection between or among the variables that researcher
expects.
 Example 1
• Problem:

• How do criminology graduates of Jose Rizal University and Philippine College of Criminology compare in
their performance in the licensure examination?

Null (Ho): Criminology graduates of Jose Rizal University and Philippine College of Criminology do not differ
significantly in their performance in the licensure examination.

There is no significant difference in the performance of the criminology graduates of Jose Rizal University and
Philippine College of Criminology in the Licensure examination
 Alternative (H1)
• Criminology graduates of Jose Rizal University and Philippine College of
Criminology differ significantly in their performance in the licensure
examination.

• There is a significant difference in the performance of the criminology

graduates of Jose Rizal university and Philippine college of Criminology
in the licensure examination.
End
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