Krisel C.

Benasa
Reporter
1. To identify the different sources of
research problems
2. To disscuss the considerations in the
selection of research problems
3. To list down possible research
problems
“Research is what I’m doing
when I don’t know
what I’m doing.”

-Wernher von Braun

Generally, the title:
1. Should summarize
the main idea of the
paper;

5. must be self-
explanatory
RESEARCH 2. should be a
concise statement of
TITLE the main topic;

4. Should show the

relationship of the 3. must include the
main variables under major variable/s;
study; and
1. In formulating the title, the
researcher should avoid using words
that serve no useful purposes and
can mislead indexers. Words such
methods, results and investigations
appear redundant when used in
thesis titles.
The researcher must be reminded of the ff:

2. In many cases, the general

problem or even the specific
question that the researcher
intends to answer, when
rewritten in a statement form,
can serve as the title.
The researcher must be reminded of the ff:

3. The title must have

10 to 15 words.
 Testing the Efficient Marker Hypothesis on the
Philippine Peso-Dollar Rates (Villanueva, 2006)
 Effectiveness of the Neuro-linguistic Programming
in Enhancing the Self-esteem of Adopted Children
(Tiamzon, 2003)
 The Impact of the Eucharistic Celebration on the
Youth of Barangay AMSIC, Angeles City, 2001-2002
(The Assumption Journal, 2003)
 Revisit of St. John Academy’s Philosophy Vision vis-
à-vis Academic Programs: Implications to Academic
Development Plan (Guiao, 2005)
 A Strategic Management Plan for Advanced
Computer Technology Institute –D Branch (Dalida,
2008)
 The Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Competencies
of School Managers: Basis for a Human Intervention
Program (Cristobal, 2003)
 Predictors of Students’ Performanc in Chemistry
Laboratory of Selected Private Schools (Estrella,
2009)
 Transactional and Transformational Leadership
Behaviors and Total Quality Management
Competencies of Principals; Their Relationship to
School Effectiveness (Barrameda, 2000)
 Problems of State Universities and Colleges Middle
Level Managers: A Basis for the Development of
Management Intervention Program (Muello, 2002)
 Human Relation Practices of Supervisors vis-à-vis
Motivational Factors in Subic Bay Volunteer Workers
(Perez, 2008)
 Factors Affecting the Learning Styles of High School
Students (Nacu, 2006)
 Managerial Skills and Difficulties of Elementary
School Managers (Lao, 2007)
 Evaluation of the Services of Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas: Basis for Service Enhancement (Garcia,
2008)
 Research problems may
exist in various settings
such as hospitals or clinics,
schools or offices, or
anywhere in the community.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

 Research problems are commonly found in
places where there is/are:
1. a feeling of discomfort;
2. perceived difficulties in the
management and leadership
system;
3. gap between the theory and the
practice;

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

4. daily experiences of a person that
require further inquiry, especially if
improvements are desired; and/or

5. a procedure that requires

technologically advanced equipment
which need to function properly.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

A discerned problem is said to be researchable
when it meets the following criteria:

1. Solutions are available but not

yet tested and not known by the
practitioner.
2. No solution are available to
answer the problem assessed.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

3. Answer, solutions, or results are
seemingly not tested or are factually
contradictory
4. A phenomenon exists which
requires explanation.
5. There are several possible and
plausible explanations for the
existence of an undesirable
condition.
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS
experience of an individual
 An individual who has a parent suffering
from renal failure can be encouraged to
study this medical condition.
A student of any course who is
experiencing difficulty in adjusting to
schedules, complying with tedious
requirements, or dealing with an instructor
who adheres to traditional teaching method
may be motivated to conduct a study
relevant to his/her present situation.
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS
 A student who belongs to a family with a
number of relatives suffering from diabetes
may be stimulated to research on the
common cause and effects of diabetes
mellitus.
Any experience a person has, especially
that which affects his/her personal life, and
the efficiency with which he/she
discharges of his/her duties is a feasible
problem to research on.
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS
 Any pattern or trend
 A teacher who usually encounters
misbehaving students can lead him/ her
study behavioral problems of teenagers.
A manager of a restaurant business
suffering from insolvency may focus on the
causes and factors of the said condition.
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS
 A government official who
experiences a high turn-over of staff for
the past six months may be interested to
study the reasons for employees
resignation and the significant effects
on office productivity.
 A student assigned to a pediatric ward
who repeatedly encounters a particular
case may be motivated to study a
matter.
 Literature reviews and past
studies
 These readings clues for further studies.
can lead a student to a topic, and its
scope and and clues for further studies.
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS
REPLICATION- The repetition of a
previous research study in a different setting
and time.

 Implementing a change in variables –adding more

significant variables or removing less significant ones,
changing the participants/respondents and revising and
improving the research scope and delimitation –can
make a study invaluable even if the research problem is
not original.
 While a replication study is allowed, conducting research
on a novel case or problem is of greater merit.
 researcher’s curiosity and
interest.

 A researcher may become more zealous

and determined in finishing a study if it
involves a topic og his/her interest.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

For example, a student who devotes
much time to online activities can
conduct a study on the role of
computer in improving the quality of
business, management, and
leadership, or healthcare services in
hospitals.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

A. External Criteria
1. Novelty- is the practical value of the
problem due to its “newness” in the field od
industry.
2. Availabilty of Subjects - refers to the people
with desired capability and willingness to
participate in the study; the sample of study
participants must be representative enough to
ensure reliability and validity of results.
3. Administrative Support – refers to
the sponsorship by a department or
the institution itself in the gathering of
data and defraying the cost of the
study; permission of those concerned
for the participation in the study of
staff members, children, the aged and
the mentally challenged must be
secured.
EXTERNAL CRITERIA
4. Availability and adequacy of
facilities and equipment –devices
such as computers, telephones, etc.
used in undertaking the research must
be considered.
5. Ethical Consideration –include
avoidance of research problems that
pose unethical demands on the part of
the research participants.
EXTERNAL CRITERIA
A. Internal Criteria
1. Experience, training and professional
qualifications- constitute the researcher’s
knowledge and expertise as a result of
experience in order for him to/her to cope
with the research demands.
2. Motivation, interest, intellectual curiosity
and perceptiveness of the researcher –these
are the essential attitudes that bring
anticipated satisfaction or enjoyment in the
completion of research tasks.
3. Time Factor – considers tha fact that
studies must be pursued in a given time
frame.
4. Cost and returns – these factors matter in
choosing a research problem. Research is an
expensive undertaking. The amount of
funding needed, of course, depends on the
size of the sample, the place where the
research is to be conducted, the treatment of
data, as well as the research design.

INTERNAL CRITERIA
5. Hazarads, penalties and
handicaps –
Depend upon the researcher’s
physical and intellectual capacity and
moral judgement.

INTERNAL CRITERIA
 course or the area of
specialization of the student

 A problem of study to be conducted by a nursing

student must, of course be significant to the nursing
course; that of an education student matters relevant to
education; and that of a management student to topics
essential to business.
 student must choose a research
problem that he/she can treat
effectively.
 For instance, he/she must know whether he/she has
necessary skills to pursue the study.
Undergraduate students must avoid problems that
are too complicated for them to handle, in the same
way that graduate students must choose topics that
suit their level.
 feasibility of a research study

 The time needed to conduct the study must be

measured and its setting defined and located.
The reasearcher must have ready access to the
subjects he/she intends to study.
The entire cost of the study must be estimated.
 External support is also an essential
element to look into in determining whether
a research is feasible or not.
 Is the instructor or adviser available
when conflicts arise in the conduct of
research.
Are experts in the field accommodating?
Do they lend a hand when asked for
technical assistance in finishing the paper?
FEASIBILITY OF A RESEARCH STUDY
 newness and freshness

 A review of literature and related studies

presents the gap which your current
research could somehow fill, thus
establishing the need to pursue the study.
A. Enumerate possible problems you may encounter in
the different setting below:
1. Personal Life (Family and Society)
2. School
3. Community
4. Workplace
5. Government
6. Relationship with Significant
7. Other Areas of Concern ,
B. Based on the enumerated possible
problems, identify at least three
researchable problems and explain
why you have chosen them.
Research Made Easier: A Step-by-Step Process
(Amadeo Pangilinan Cristobal, Jr., Maura Consoacion de la Cruz –
Cristobal)