PRACTICAL RESEARCH

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DEVELOPING RESEARCH QUESTIONS
FROM THE RESEARCH TOPIC
According to Creswell (2012), generating research questions usually begins by
choosing a research topic you are interested in exploring – from a vague subject to a
list of detailed questions.
A research topic represents the broad subject matter or general area to investigate.
For example, a researcher begins with a general topic: Remote Learning Amidst
Covid-19. Meanwhile, the research problem is the “issue, concern, or controversy”
addressed by the study, narrowing the research topic further. From the example, the
problem the researcher addresses is the impact of remote learning on student
performance as a response to the pandemic. Based on the problem, a research
question may be formulated. Did the transition towards remote learning positively
impact students’ academic performance during the pandemic?
ESTABLISHING THE
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The goal of the statement of the problem is to transform the research topic into a
clear and well-defined problem.
The research topic signals the start of the statement of the problem by first
introducing the issue or concern of the study. Briefly discuss the topic and provide a
picture of what the research is all about. It is also important to conduct preliminary
research to see which gaps need to filled in prior studies.
A research question serves as a guide that will steer the research. It influences the
type of data to be collected, the sample where the data is collected, the period of the
study, and the choice of research methods and design to be used in the study.
REMEMBER THESE:
Research Topic represents the broad subject matter or general area to investigate.
Research Problem is the issue, concern, or controversy addresses by the study, which
narrows the research topic further.
Research question translates the research objectives into specific questions that serve
as a guide that will steer the research.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
Descriptive seeks to describe the characteristics of a population or phenomenon.
For example: How much time do high school students spend on social media?
Comparative seeks to compare two or more groups using one or more variables.
For example: What is the difference between Filipnio IT workers’ stress levels before
and after the Covid -19 pandemic?
Relationship-Based seeks the correlation, trend or association between two or more
variables in one or more demographic groups.
For wxample: What is the relationship between study time and exam scores amongst
university students?
CONSIDER THE TABLE
BELOW:
DO THIS: