Learning Area 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking

the Question

Contents
Overview 1

Learning Area Planner for Identifying the Problem and Asking the Question 1

Learner’s Activity 3
Activity 1: Writing the Background of the Study 3
Activity Instructions 3

Bibliography 6
 Learning Area 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking the Question

Overview
As the research writing continues and given the abundance of sources, the perspective and
purpose of the study may drift from its real focus. Thus, it is essential to keep the readers
engaged in the material that they are reading. Researchers have to make sure that the first
part of their research builds a logical and coherent foundation in which the problem is
clearly identified and the appropriate questions are asked. Ideally, a properly-written
Chapter 1 will drive the readers to finish reading the entire paper. After the completion of
the tasks in this learning area, the students are expected to write Chapter 1: Introduction.

Learning Area Planner for Identifying the Problem and

Asking the Question

Recommended
Teacher’s Activities/Activity
Duration

Gives feedback or comments on progress achieved by the learner 2 weeks

Checks learner’s work

Conducts oral defense of learner’s work

Learning Area Activity Learner’s Output Date Given Date Due

Writing the Background of the

Background of the Study
Study

Developing a Conceptual
Conceptual Framework
Framework

Formulating a Research
Research Hypothesis
Hypothesis

Stating the Research Problem Statement of the Problem

Defining Terms Definition of Terms

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 Learning Area 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking the Question

Identifying the Significance of the

Significance of the Study
Study

Setting the Scope and Limitations Scope and Limitations

Learning Area Main Output: Chapter 1: Introduction

Writing Chapter 1 of a research study consists of elements that act as foundations of the
whole research study. A well-founded Chapter 1 can clearly put the focal point of the
research and direct it in accordance with the research design used. It also provides clear
aims and questions for the research to answer, further establishing its purpose and
relevance to the area of inquiry.

Chapter 1 should include background of the study, research hypothesis, statement of the
problem, significance of the study, research’s scope and limitations, conceptual framework,
and definition of terms. Each of these parts plays a role in establishing the topic and
variables studied, and these parts altogether set the focus, perspective and direction of the
research study.

The lessons and activities under this learning area aim to help the students in completing
this fundamental part of their research project.

● Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

● Communication
Opportunity to ● Collaboration
Practice the Following ● Information Literacy
21st-Century Skills ● Productivity and Accountability

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 Learning Area 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking the Question

Learner’s Activity

Activity 1: Writing the Background of the Study

At the end of this activity, the learners are expected to write the background of the study
based on their topic of choice. By providing information from different and relevant sources,
the background of the study should systematically introduce the topic and emphasize the
need for the study. The teacher’s role is to guide the students with the appropriate writing
style and give them feedback regarding their work.

Discussion Prompts Helping students prepare for the task

1. How would you explain the general nature of your topic?

2. How would you introduce your topic in an organized manner?
3. How can the background of the study help build the foundation of your research?

Activity Instructions

1. Make an outline of your study before writing the background of the study. Write
keywords, trends, concepts, and possible sources.
2. Based on your outline, conduct a preliminary research. Look for relevant
literature that could support the background of the study.

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 Learning Area 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking the Question

3. Write the background of the study about your chosen topic. You should be able to
discuss the following in the background of the study:
● general information known about the topic;
● previous research done on the topic;
● gaps in the previous research; and
● purpose for conducting the study.

Tips
● Make sure that the students are writing based on relevant and credible sources. It is
helpful to continue using annotated bibliography to easily check on their sources.
● Research is academic in nature, thus, the use of informal writing should not be
allowed. It could be beneficial for the students to read theses and journal articles to
pick up on the style of writing a research paper.

Feedback Guide Questions Helping students progress

1. How did the outline help you in writing the background of your study?
2. How did you identify appropriate sources for your background of the study?
3. How does your background relate to your chosen topic?

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 Learning Area 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking the Question

Rubric for Grading

1 2 3 4 Weights Points

Relevance to The background The background of The background of The background of

the Topic of the study is the study is slightly the study is mostly the study is
irrelevant to the relevant to the relevant to the relevant to the
topic. Little to topic. Few of the topic. Most of the topic. The sources
none of the sources used are sources used are used are 30%
sources are up-to-date and up-to-date and up-to-date and
up-to-date relevant to the relevant to the relevant to the
and/or relevant topic. topic. topic.
to the topic.

Completeness of More than three Two to three of the One of the All of the required
Ideas of the required required required discussions are
discussions are discussions are not discussions is not included in the
not included in included in the included in the background of the 25%
the background background of the background of the study.
of the study. study. study.

Information The output The output The output often The output
Literacy and exhibited loose exhibited some exhibited exhibited complete
Paraphrasing adherence to adherence to adherence to adherence to
ethical and legal ethical and legal ethical and legal ethical and legal
practices in using practices in using practices in using practices in using
information and information and information and information, and
often used often used used accurate used accurate 20%
inaccurate accurate information. The information.
information. The information. Some ideas and content The ideas and
ideas and of the ideas and were mostly content were
content were content were not paraphrased and properly
paraphrased paraphrased. not plagiarized. paraphrased and
improperly. not plagiarized.

Communication The ideas are The ideas are The ideas are The ideas are
and unorganized and slightly organized mostly organized organized and
Organization of incoherent. and coherent. and coherent. coherent.
Ideas Transition words Transition words Transition words 15%
and phrases are and phrases are and phrases are
somehow used for mostly used for the properly used for
the smooth flow smooth flow and the smooth flow

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 Learning Area 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking the Question
and transition of transition of ideas. and transition of
ideas. ideas.

Grammar and The submission The submission The submission The submission
Spelling contains both contains both contains very few contains minimal
major minor grammatical grammatical and to no grammatical 10%
grammatical and and spelling errors. spelling errors. and spelling errors.
spelling errors.

Total 100%

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Bibliography

“How to Write Chapter 1: The Introduction of Thesis.” Sharifyar Institute. Accessed April 12,
2020. http://sharifyar.com/how-to-write-chapter-one-the-introduction- of-thesis/.

Sachdev, Rishibha. “How to Write the Background of your Study.” Editage Insights. Cactus
Communications. Accessed April 12, 2020. https://doi.org/10.34193/EI-A-10386.

Singh, Kultar. Quantitative Social Research Methods. New Delhi: Sage Publications India, 2007.