Inquiries, Investigation

and Immersion
Quarter 3 – Module 2:
Identifying the Problem and
Asking the Question

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 Lesson 1 Background of the Problem

What’s New
After you have carefully written your previous activities and perhaps ran it
through your associates through a many of times. While there are many elements for your readers
is the background of the study. The background of your study will provide context to the
information discussed throughout the research process. The background information of your
study may include both important and relevant studies.

Furthermore, the background of the study will deliberate your statement of the problem, rationale,
and research questions. It links the introduction to your research study and guarantees a logical
flow of ideas. Thus, it helps readers understand and comprehend your reasons and explanations
for conducting the study.

Problem statements or background of the study have three elements:

 The problem itself, stated clearly and with enough contextual detail to establish why it is
important;
 The method of solving the problem, often stated as a claim or a working thesis;
 The purpose, statement of objectives and scope of document the writer is
preparing.

What is It
Research Problem
A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved,
a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in
theory, or in practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate
investigation. It is typically posed in the form of a question.

Sample Background of the study:

GRADE 11 STUDENTS’ LEVEL OF AWARENESS ON THE 3R’S METHOD
IN UTILIZING NON-BIODEGRADABLE WASTE IN LA SALLE UNIVERSITY

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In today’s generation, a lot of problems have been emerging in our society and the most common
problem that humans are facing right now is the environmental concerns, specifically the solid
waste which includes the biodegradable and nonbiodegradable. Waste can be defined to be as
those materials that are no longer needed at some point. Biodegradable wastes are those that can
be easily decomposed while non-biodegradable wastes are those that cannot be broken and
decomposed in which these will remain stable indefinitely. Moreover, non-biodegradable wastes
bring problems to our environment

Lesson 2 Conceptual Framework

What’s In

In the previous lesson, you’ve learned on how to choose research topics and
formulate Background of the problem or the statement of the problem, following the different
elements in writing a statement of the problem helps you to create a god topic for your research.

What Is It
Researchers create and generate theoretical and conceptual frameworks that
comprise a philosophical and methodological model to help and aid to design their work.

A Conceptual Framework is an analytical tool with several variations and contexts that can be
applied in different categories of work where an overall picture is needed to come up with the
desired goal. It is necessary to make conceptual and theoretical distinctions and organize ideas.
Strong and resilient conceptual frameworks capture and apprehend something real and do this in
a way that is easy to remember and apply.

The theoretical and conceptual frameworks provide evidence of academic standards and
procedures that validates the authenticity of the study. They also proposed an explanation and
clarification of why the study is relevant and how the researcher expects to fill the gap in the
literature.

How to create a Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework is a bit like a recipe or a blueprint. It provides an outline of how you plan
to conduct the research of your thesis, but it goes further than that by also positioning your work
within the larger field of research.

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  Conduct a Literature Review
Before you can have your research, you need to understand and comprehend what research
has already been conducted on your topic of interest and curiosity. Conducting a literature
review can help you to refine your central argument or hypothesis. You must also conduct
and gather the literature review to be able to place and organize your work within the larger
and greater area of study in your conceptual framework. Your framework should present
the relevant research ad show how your work will help to advance the field.

 Create a Flow Chart

Conceptual frameworks are frequently visual and allow those reading the framework to
understand the course of your research. You can present this in whatever way makes the
most sense for your work, which can include a flow chart, mind gap or diagram. In every
component of your research, you should showcase the variables that influence it.

 Write a Narrative
Conceptual frameworks don’t have to include a diagram or graphic. You can always present
the same information and evidence by writing a narrative. Your narrative should recap the
variables influencing your research and explore how they may change the hypothesis. The
narrative should also explain and enlighten the basic methodology for your research. If you
include a diagram in your conceptual framework, a narrative should also be included
explaining these details for those who prefer more in-depth information. Bolded headers to
separate the sections of your narrative and to create a visual order of information.

 Return and Revise

As you begin your research, you may discover that certain elements of your conceptual
framework are no longer needed. You will discover new variables, or you may identify that
your hypothesis is incorrect. You may discover additional research that challenges your
theory and ideas. You should return to your framework and revise it if necessary.

SAMPLE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM:

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Demographic Profile of the

respondents in terms of:
Age:
Academic Achievement of 4Ps
Gender:
Grade Level: Pupils - Recipients
Occupation of the parents:
Monthly income of the parents:
Interactive Method:

Fig. 1 Schematic Diagram showing the perimeter of the study

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 Lesson 3 Research Hypothesis
(Quantitative Research)

What’s In

In the preceding lesson, you learned the significance of research across fields of inquiry. A
thorough research can be conducted in any field of knowledge. The areas and disciplines that are
classified into different areas of sciences will assist you to understand where you really fit. These
will guide you into the next learning of designing and writing a research project and a research
title.

What Is It

Research Hypothesis is vital to all research endeavors, whether qualitative or quantitative,

exploratory or explanatory.

In developing a testable research hypothesis, it takes skill, however, along with careful attention
to how the proposed research method treats the development and testing of hypotheses.

The hypothesis in your study, you are predicting the relationship between two variables.

Following are some hints for the formulation of your hypothesis.

 Be certain to read on the subject matter to explain with it before making a final decision
 As noted, a research hypothesis is more than just a topic. It has two elements (variables)
that are in relation to each other. Your hypothesis is what you propose to “prove” by your
research. As an outcome of your research, you will arrive at a conclusion, a theory, or
understanding that will be useful or applicable beyond the research itself.
 Avoid judgmental and critical words in your hypothesis.
 Your hypothesis must involve an issue or question that cannot be answered
exclusively by the discipline of law.
 Be certain that each term if your hypothesis is clearly understood and defined, do not deal
in generalities or assume that the reader knows the meaning of the technical term.
 Specify, if appropriate, whether you will be dealing with state or federal law or both on a
comparative basis if appropriate.
 Know that your hypothesis may change over time as your research progresses.

You must obtain the teacher’s approval of your hypothesis, as well as any modifications to your
hypothesis, before proceeding with any work on the topic.

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You will be expressing your hypothesis in 3 ways:

 As a one-sentence hypothesis.
 As a research question.
 As a title for your paper.
Your hypothesis will be part of your research proposal.

Sample on Research Hypothesis:

Example:
Question:

Does taking aspirin everyday reduce the chance of having a heart attack?

Null Hypothesis:

Taking aspirin daily does not affect heart attack risk.

Lesson 4 Statement of the Problem

What’s In

In the prior lesson, you’ve learned on how to make a research hypothesis that is indispensable in
making a research project. In addition, before formulating your research hypothesis, read about
the topic that is interesting to you since a research hypothesis is a statement of expectation or
prediction that will be tested by research itself.

What Is It

Writing a Statement of the Problem

After identifying a research problem, the next step is to write a problem statement. It has to be
concise and concrete. Writing a problem statement can help the researcher put the topic in context

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and have a deeper understanding of its significance. A problem statement may be written in several
paragraphs or in several sentences incorporated in the introduction.
Problem statement should address the relevance of the research: why is it important to resolve
the problem. The problem statement need not lay worldchanging impact. What is important is that
the problem statement should lay how you intend to address the problem. Your goal should not
be to find a conclusive solution, but to seek out the reasons behind the problem and propose more
effective approaches to understanding it. You may start with the following phrases:

a) The aim of this study is to determine…

b) This project aims to explore…
c) I aim to investigate…

Research studies generally include the succeeding interconnected portions.

Purpose of the Statement of the Problem:

 To describe the substantive focus of the research study

 To frame it as
 A larger theoretical policy
 A practical problem and thereby, develop its significance
 To pose initial research questions
 To forecast the literature to be discussed in the second section and  To discuss the
limitations of the study.

Specific Title of the Study:

Narcissism in Teenagers: Root Causes, Manifestations and Interventions

The different parts of the problem statement will be written as follows:

Introduction
Taking selfies or a video of oneself has become a social phenomenon that has been brought about
by the use of modern gadgets, particularly the mobile phoneadolescents take pictures or videos of
themselves, their possessions, their latest happenings or gigs, their friends, their food-anything,
anyone they take a fancy on, anywhere, anytime. A good number of people say that this social
phenomenon has evolved into narcissism. There is, to date, a dearth of research on this topic.

Statement of the Problem

Major Problem: This study aims to investigate the root causes of narcissism, as well as its
manifestations and possible forms of intervention.

Specific Problems: Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

 What are the underlying causes of narcissism?

 How has technology contributed to narcissistic behavior?

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  What are the manifestations of narcissistic behavior in adolescents?
 What forms of intervention can be done to address this behavior of adolescents?
 How can the following help in developing healthy self-esteem, positive outlooks and
attitudes in adolescents?

Parents
Curriculum Planners
Administrators
Teachers
Guidance Counsellors
Peers,

Lesson 5 Importance of the Study

What’s In

In the former lesson, you’ve learned on how to create a statement of the problem that is essential
in making a research project. Moreover, a good research problem should address an existing gap
in knowledge in the field and lead to further research.

What Is It

This portion discusses how to write this section and provides an example to illustrate the different
techniques.

In an actual fact, the section on the significance of the study provides information to the reader
on how the study will contribute. It must be exactly stated, however, what the study will contribute
and who will benefit from it.

Sample Significance of the study:

Significance of the Study

The researcher believed that the result of this study will help the following assess the 4Ps program
and its effect to the performance of the pupils.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development. The researcher believes that the result of this
study will be of great importance to the department since they are the ones monitoring the 4Ps
program. May this study serve as the basis in the modification of the conditions in giving cash
grants

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The Administrators. The result of the study would be the basis of constructing and implementing
new and innovative teaching aids to help teachers fully supervise and assess the pupils to achieve
their full potentials, since children are financially supported in their studies by the government.

The Teachers. The result of this study may help the teacher in constructing and developing new
teaching strategies to help the students in their performance and be mindful that even if students
are provided and supported by the government, they still need equal guidance to perform well in
school. The factors affecting the performance of the students may also help the teacher as their
basis in making daily lessons.

The Parents. The result of this study will inform the parents that their guidance is a big impact on
the performance of the students in school.

The Students. May the result of this research help the student in understanding that coming to
school daily may be a guarantee that they will also have good academic performance. And may the
result give them the overview of how the government is supporting their studies and that they
must do their part by studying well.

Lesson 6 Scope and Limitations of

the Study

What’s In
In the previous lesson, you’ve learned on how to create a statement of the problem that is
essential in making a research project. Moreover, a good research problem should address an
existing gap in knowledge in the field and lead to further research.

What is It

As mentioned in other topics, to broad topics will lead the research nowhere.

The scope and delimitation of the study set borders and limitations of the problem inquiry and
narrow down the scope of the inquiry.
The purpose of the delimitation of the study is to delimit by geographic location, age, sex,
population traits, population size, or other similar aspects. Delimitation makes study more
manageable and feasible. Part of it sets the constraints or weaknesses of a study which are beyond
the control of the researcher.

Examples of Delimitation of Research

 This study covers only those families in Barangay San Jose, Pasig City, benefited by the
government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
 This study includes only those English freshman classes that use both Blended Learning
and standard ways of Language teaching.

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 Lesson 7 Definition of Terms

What’s In

In the former lesson, you’ve learned on how to formulate a scope and delimitation of a research
study that is vital in making a research project. Moreover, a scope and delimitation of a research
project is the scope on how in-depth your study is to explore the research parameters in which it
will operate in relation to the population and the timeframe of your study.

What Is It

Glossary of Research Terms- this glossary is intended to assist you in understanding commonly
used terms and concepts when reading, interpreting, and evaluating scholarly research in the
social sciences.


Types and Functions



 Conceptual Definition o Refers to the dictionary meaning.

 Operational Definition o The meaning of the concept or terms as

used in a particular study.



Sample Operational Definition of Terms

Conceptual Definition Operational Definition

Academic Performance CCT or Conditional Cash Transfer

It is the product of education- the This is a program that transfers cash,
degree to which a student, a teacher largely to deprived families, on the
or organization has attained their circumstance that those families make
educational goals. It is dignified by prespecified funds in the human assets of
the final grade earned in the course. their kids.

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