Research

Quarter 1 – Module 9
The Research Problem
Research – Grade 8
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 9: The Research Problem
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work
of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or
office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit.
Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of
royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders.
Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from
their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim
ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – DepEd RO7 - Division of Tagbilaran City

Office Address: Dampas District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Telephone Nos.: (038)427-1702; (038)427-2506; (038)544-2147

E-mail Address: [email protected]

Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
Welcome to the Research 8 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module The Research
Problem !
This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators
both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.
In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage

2
their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

Welcome to the Research 8 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on The
Research Problem!
The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.
This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:
This will give you an idea of the skills or
What I Need to Know competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

This part includes an activity that aims to

What I Know check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.
This is a brief drill or review to help you link
What’s In the current lesson with the previous one.

In this portion, the new lesson will be

What’s New introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.
This section provides a brief discussion of
What is It the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.
3
 This comprises activities for independent
What’s More practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.
This includes questions or blank
What I Have Learned sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.

This section provides an activity which will

What I Can Do help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real life situations or concerns.

This is a task which aims to evaluate your

Assessment level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

In this portion, another activity will be given

Additional Activities to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.
This contains answers to all activities in the
Answer Key module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in
developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4
 4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you with
Research 8. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different
learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of
students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course.
The module is divided into two lessons, namely:
● Lesson 1 – The Research Problem Categories
● Lesson 2 – Identifying a Research Problem
● Lesson 3 – Formulating Research Problem

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. determine what is a research problem;
2. state the main problem and sub-problems of the research;
3. apply guidelines/criteria in the selection of research topic/problem; and
4. participate in the answering the modules actively

What I Know

Read the questions carefully. Choose the letter of your best choice.
1. What should be your first step when choosing a research topic?
a. Do a Google search
b. Choose the first topic that you think of
c. Ask your friends or parents for ideas for your topic
5
 d. Brainstorm ideas that are interesting to you and that are related
to your assignment
2. What is the difference between research questions and research
objectives?
a. No difference, they are the same.
b. One of these is proposed by a supervisor.
c. The question is worded by the researcher, the objective is not.
d. The wording of one is likely to be more specific than the other.
3. Ideally, your title should be informative enough that anyone who
reads it will have some idea what your paper is about.
a. True
b. False
4. What is the reason for consulting handbooks, yearbooks,
encyclopedias, or reviews in the initial stages of identifying a research
topic?
a. They are readily available.
b. They are primary sources.
c. They provide an overview of the issues related to a topic.
d. They avoid reporting statistical data so one can interpret the
results more readily.
5. Which of the following is a criterion for a good research question?
a. Questions should sound contemporary.
b. Questions should be long and use complex terms.
c. Questions should show where my research biases are.
d. Questions should connect with established theory and research.

6
Lesson
1 The Research Problem Categories

What’s In
One of the most fundamental components of a study is the research
problem. In fact, the research problem drives the entire study; if you do not have a
research problem, you do not have a study. Yet, beginning researchers sometimes
do not understand the importance of the research problem or understand exactly
what a research problem is.

What is It
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. In some social science disciplines, the
research problem is typically posed in the form of a question. A research problem
does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or present a
value question.
A research problem is a question that a researcher wants to answer or a
problem that a researcher wants to solve.

The Research Problem Categories

In the previous module, you have already learned the kinds of research,
namely: (1) basic/fundamental research, (2) applied research, and (3)
developmental research/project.
In relation, research problems have variety of classifications. This module
specifically includes the following: (a) life sciences; (b) physical science; and (c)
robotics.
Life Science

7
 Life is complex, and there are millions of species alive today. Many millions more
lived in the past and then went extinct. Organisms include microscopic, single-celled
organisms. They also include complex, multicellular animals such as you. Clearly, life
science is a huge science. The life sciences comprise fields of science involving the
study of living organisms such as plants, animals and humans.

Specific fields within life science

Field Focus of Study
Ecology interactions of organisms with each other
and their environment
Botany plants
Zoology animals
Microbiology microorganisms such as bacteria
Entomology insects
Cell biology cells of living things
Physiology tissues and organs and how they function
Genetics genes, traits, and inheritance
Epidemiology causes of diseases and how they spread
Paleontology fossils and evolution

Physical Science
Physical science is the study of the inorganic world systematically. Physical
sciences are those academic disciplines that aim to uncover the underlying laws of
nature - often written in the language of mathematics. It includes broad areas such
as physics, astronomy, chemistry, and the earth sciences. Physical science deals
with mechanics, electricity, energy, magnetism, optics, heat, matter, elements,
molecules, atoms, solar system, etc.

Robotics

Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction,
operation, and application of robots. The goal of robotics is to design intelligent
machines that can help and assist humans in their day-to-day lives and keep
everyone safe. Robotics draws on the achievement of information engineering,
computer engineering, mechanical engineering, electronic engineering and others.
There are many types of robots; they are used in many different
environments and for many different uses. Although being very diverse in
application and form, they all share three basic similarities when it comes to their
construction:
1. Robots all have some kind of mechanical construction, a frame, form or
shape designed to achieve a particular task. For example, a robot designed to
travel across heavy dirt or mud, might use caterpillar tracks. The mechanical
aspect is mostly the creator's solution to completing the assigned task and
dealing with the physics of the environment around it. Form follows function.

8
 2. Robots have electrical components that power and control the machinery.
For example, the robot with caterpillar tracks would need some kind of power
to move the tracker treads. That power comes in the form of electricity,
which will have to travel through a wire and originate from a battery, a basic
electrical circuit. Even petrol-powered machines that get their power mainly
from petrol still require an electric current to start the combustion process
which is why most petrol-powered machines like cars, have batteries. The
electrical aspect of robots is used for movement (through motors), sensing
(where electrical signals are used to measure things like heat, sound,
position, and energy status) and operation (robots need some level of
electrical energy supplied to their motors and sensors in order to activate
and perform basic operations)
3. All robots contain some level of computer programming code. A program is
how a robot decides when or how to do something. In the caterpillar track
example, a robot that needs to move across a muddy road may have the
correct mechanical construction and receive the correct amount of power
from its battery, but would not go anywhere without a program telling it to
move. Programs are the core essence of a robot, it could have excellent
mechanical and electrical construction, but if its program is poorly
constructed its performance will be very poor (or it may not perform at all).
There are three different types of robotic programs: remote control, artificial
intelligence and hybrid. A robot with remote control programming has a
preexisting set of commands that it will only perform if and when it receives
a signal from a control source, typically a human being with a remote
control. It is perhaps more appropriate to view devices controlled primarily
by human commands as falling in the discipline of automation rather than
robotics. Robots that use artificial intelligence interact with their
environment on their own without a control source, and can determine
reactions to objects and problems they encounter using their preexisting
programming. Hybrid is a form of programming that incorporates both AI
and RC functions in them.

Lesson
2 Identifying a Research Problem
Identification and formulation of the research problem is the first step of the
research process. It is the most difficult and challenging phase of the research
process. Selection of the research problem depends on several factors such as
researcher’s knowledge, skills, interest, expertise, motivation and creativity with
respect to the subject chosen.
A good research studies needs a lot of time for selection of research problem.
Initially every researcher faces a predicament of identifying, selecting and
formulating a good research problem.
What’s New
Identifying a problem to study can be challenging, not because there is a lack
of issues that could be investigated, but due to pursuing a goal of formulating a
9
socially relevant and researchable problem statement that is unique and does not
simply duplicate the work of others. To facilitate how you might select a problem
from which to build a research study, consider these three broad sources of
inspiration:
1. Personal or Professional Experience
Everyday personal or professional experience may lead us to identify
a problem for which we would like a solution. Alternatively, we may
encounter a question or questions that we would like to try and answer.
Think critically about your own experiences and/or frustrations with an
issue facing society, your community, or in your neighborhood. This can
be derived, for example, from deliberate observations of certain
relationships for which there is no clear explanation or witnessing an
event that appears harmful to a person or group or that is out of the
ordinary.
For example, on a personal level, you may prefer the taste of
organically produced vegetables and thus wonder if people in general
prefer the taste of organically produced vegetables to those produced
non-organically. The research topic is a study into taste preferences and
the question 'do people in general prefer the taste of organically produced
vegetables to those produced non-organically?' Alternatively, for example,
as a professional nature reserve warden you may want to encourage the
establishment and spread of a particular plant species because you know
it is a food source for a rare butterfly. The research problem may be, 'how
do I encourage the spread of the plant species of interest?'
2. Relevant literature
The selection of a research problem can often be derived from an
extensive and thorough review of pertinent research associated with your
overall area of interest. This may reveal where gaps remain in our
understanding of a topic. Research may be conducted to:
1) fill such gaps in knowledge;
2) evaluate if the methodologies employed in prior studies can be
adapted to solve other problems; or,
3) determine if a similar study could be conducted in a different
subject area or applied to different study sample [i.e., different groups of
people].
Also, authors frequently conclude their studies by noting implications
for further research; this can also be a valuable source of problems to
investigate.
3. Theory
Theories are ideas about how things relate to each other. Theories
may be general, commonly held beliefs (such as, pregnant women should
not go outside if there is an eclipse) or more technical ideas (for example,
that global warming is causing a change to the timing of the seasonal
responses of the flowering mango tree in Cebu City).
There are many ways of expressing theories, some are very formal, others
are informal. Here are some examples:
a. Keynes' statement that ... 'men are disposed as a rule and on average,
to increase their consumption as their income increases, but not as
much as the increase in their income ...' is a theory.
b. The idea that distance learners have different needs than on-campus
students is a theory.

10
 c. A hunch that crossing two particular strains of maize will produce a
more drought-tolerant variety is a theory.
d. The assumption that every species has a fundamental niche, is a
theory.
Theories may be useful in suggesting interesting questions and
generally guiding fieldwork, but should not restrict us from exploring
alternative explanations. The end result of the research process is
knowledge.
4. Interview
The identification of research problems about particular topics can
arise from formal or informal discussions with practitioners who provide
insight into new directions for future research and how to make research
findings increasingly relevant to practice. Discussions with experts in the
field, such as, teachers, social workers, health care providers, etc., offers
the chance to identify practical, “real world” problems that may be
understudied or ignored within academic circles. This approach also
provides some practical knowledge which may help in the process of
designing and conducting your study.
5. Intuition
Intuitions are considered good sources of knowledge as well as source to
find new research problems. It is believed that the reflective mind is a
good source of ideas, which may be used to formulate good research
problem
There are four general conceptualizations of a research problem:
1. Casuist Research Problem -- this type of problem relates to the determination of
right and wrong in questions of conduct or conscience by analyzing moral dilemmas
through the application of general rules and the careful distinction of special cases.
2. Difference Research Problem -- typically asks the question, “Is there a difference
between two or more groups or treatments?” This type of problem statement is used
when the researcher compares or contrasts two or more phenomena.
3. Descriptive Research Problem -- typically asks the question, "what is...?" with the
underlying purpose to describe a situation, state, or existence of a specific
phenomenon.
4. Relational Research Problem -- suggests a relationship of some sort between two
or more variables to be investigated. The underlying purpose is to investigate
qualities/characteristics that are connected in some way.

Some sources of identification of a research topic and problems are the following:
a. Theory of one’s own interest
- The chief motivation in the way of selecting research problem is the
personal inclination of the researcher. If a researcher has personal
interest in the topic, he would select that problem for his research work.
b. Availability of Resources
- During the selection, a researcher will see to the resources available. If
these resources like money, time, accommodation and transport are
available to the selection place, then the selection of the problem is easy.
c. Relative Importance
- The importance and the problem also play a vital role in the selection of
research problem. If the problem is relatively important, then the
researcher tends towards the selection of the problem.
11
 d. Researcher Knowledge
- The researcher knowledge should play a vital role in the selection of the
research problem. The wisdom and experience of an investigator is
required for well collection of the research data. He can bitterly select a
problem.
e. Practicality
- Practicality is also responsible for the selection. The practical usefulness
of the problem is the main motivation for a researcher to attend it.
f. Recent trends/ Urgency
- Urgency is a pinpoint in the way of the selection of research problem.
Urgent problem must be given priority because the immediate solution
can benefit the people.
g. Timeliness
- Some problems take little time for its solution while others take more
time. So, it depends on the time in which we have to complete his
research work.
h. Unexplored areas
- It is one of the things a researcher must identify. If he or she wishes to
explore some areas which are not yet discovered, and wants to be one of
the first person to be the proponent; he may research unexplored area.
However, he or she must consider the do’s and don’ts especially on the
gravity or extent of the research if it can affect others, hazards or
restricted/ prohibited researches (as presented in the international rules
and regulation in the previous modules).
i. Discussion with experts and research supervisor
- It is an advantage of a researcher to have his or her supervisor who will
served as his or her guide in the research. They must possess the right
expertise in the area chosen by the researcher. Discussion on general
topics in meetings, classes, seminar or conferences can be a good source
of research problem. Such forums provide an opportunity to discuss
critical issues on certain areas and the researcher can identify a
researchable problem.
j. Previous research study
- Previous research studies, especially in the field of interest usually
indicate areas of further research. A review of such studies provides the
researchers with the opportunity to be able to build up on previous
research.
k. Replication
- this involves carrying out a research project that had been done
previously. In this case, the problem and the procedure of the research
are identical to the study that was previously done. Replication therefore
is done to find out whether findings hold.
l. Media
- issues which are frequently reported in the media can also from the
basis of a research problem. Such issues are usually discussed in public
forums and are important to the majority of the people.

Guidelines In The Selection Of Research Topic/Problem

In selecting a good research problem.
● Topic of research selected should be within the range your resources and time
● Data should be accessible
● Selected research problem should have a solution
● Research methodology should be manageable and understandable

12
● The research problem should of sufficient magnitude and scope to fulfill the
requirements that motivate the study
● The research problem should have enough variables
● The researcher should have interest in the problem area
● The selected topic should be within the researcher’s knowledge and skills
● The selected problem should be of theoretical importance and fill gaps in literature
● The selected problem should challenge the status quo
● Peer recognition of its importance
● It should contribute to the advancement of knowledge
● It should meet publication standards
● The solution to the research problem should be practicable
● The problem should enhance and broaden researchers’ knowledge and skills in
research.

Formulating Research Title

The title summarizes the main idea or ideas of your study. A good title
contains the fewest possible words needed to adequately describe the content
and/or purpose of your research paper. Consider the following points in formulation
your research title:
Step 1: Ask yourself a few questions about your research paper
▪ The purpose of the research: What is my study all about?

▪ The scope of the research: What or who was the subject of my study?
Where can I do the study? The environment?
▪ The narrative tone of the paper [typically defined by the type of
the research]: Is it experimental? Does it involve laboratory activities? Is it a
case study?
▪ The methods used to study the problem: What methods/techniques did I
use to perform my study?
Step 2: Identify and list keywords and phrases from these responses.
▪ Answer the questions given in the first step, then use key words or
important term that could best describe or represent your ideas.
Step 3: Create a sentence that includes the key words you listed.
▪ After having your key words, link these terms to create a sentence
that most probably would describe what you want to sought.
Step 4: Delete all unnecessary/ repetitive words and link the
remaining.
▪ If there are repetitive words in your sentence, eliminate such for it
would be redundant.
Step 5: Delete non-essential information and reword the title.
▪ It is necessary to delete non-essential information in creating your
title. What is important is that your research title possesses the
following:
a. Make sure your research title describes (a) the topic, (b) the
method, (c) the sample, and (d) the results of your study.
b. Avoid unnecessary words and jargons. Your title should be
comprehensible even to people who are not experts in your field.
13
 c. It is short but everything is understandable to the readers/
panelists.

Lesson
3 Formulating Research Problem
Characteristic of Research Problem
Any research is a difficult task to achieve and research needs to do a great effort.
Selection of research topic is the first step to success.
1. Research topic must be very clear and easy to understand. It should not
distract people.
2. If a topic is well defined is the only way to successful research. The topic
should not create doubt and double impression.
3. Easy language is a key to success. Use technical words if necessary,
otherwise focus of simplicity.
4. Research title should be according to the rules of titling. There are different
rules of titling, a researcher must aware before writing a research title.
5. While selecting a research topic current importance of a researcher should
also be considered. Topic should not be obsolete and it should have great
importance in the current day.

Moreover, there is what we called main problems and sub problems in a

research problem.
The Final Title
Effective titles in academic research papers have several characteristics.
● Indicate accurately the subject and scope of the study.
● Avoid using abbreviations.
● Use words that create a positive impression and stimulate reader interest.
● Use current nomenclature from the field of study.
● Identify key variables, both dependent and independent.
● May reveal how the paper will be organized.
● Suggest a relationship between variables which supports the major hypothesis.
● Is limited to 10 to 15 substantive words.
● Do not include "study of," "analysis of" or similar constructions.
● Titles are usually in the form of a phrase, but can also be in the form of a
question.
● Use correct grammar and capitalization with all first words and last words
capitalized, including the first word of a subtitle. All nouns, pronouns, verbs,

14
 adjectives, and adverbs that appear between the first and last words of the title
are also capitalized.
● In academic papers, rarely is a title followed by an exclamation mark. However,
a title or subtitle can be in the form of a question.
The Subtitle
Subtitles are quite common in research papers. Examples of why you may include a
subtitle:
1. Explains or provides additional context,
2. Adds substance to a literary, provocative, or imaginative title,
3. Qualifies the geographic scope of the research,
4. Qualifies the temporal scope of the research, and
5. Focuses on investigating the ideas, theories, or work of a particular
individual.

What I Can Do
Fill in the table below as a guide in creating a research title and problem:
What is my Is it What or What Key Words
study all about? experimental? / who was methods/techniques
Does it involve the will I use to perform
laboratory subject of my study?
activities? / my
What method I study?
would use?

15
 Assessment
Using your answer in “ What I can do”, link the keywords presented and continue
to fill in the following:
Statement/ Sentence Sample Title Final Title
from the keywords

References
Archives of Science (n.d.). Physical Science. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/36enA5k
(accessed November 2020)
CK12 (2017). 1.2 What Is Life Science?. CK-12 Life Science For Middle School
covers: Cell Biology, Genetics, Evolution, Prokaryotes, Protists, Fungi,
Plants, The Animal Kingdom, The Human Body, and Ecology. Retrieved from
https://bit.ly/2Jjzdzg (accessed November 2020)
DePamphilis, Donald M. (2019). Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Restructuring
Activities (Tenth Edition). Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2VdRTmq (accessed
November 2020)
Enago Academy (2020). 4 Important Tips on Writing a Research Paper Title.
Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3mgrkck (accessed November 2020)
Labare, Robert V. (2020). 1. Choosing a Research Problem on Organizing Your
Social Sciences Research Paper. University of Southern California. Retrieved
from https://bit.ly/36enNWa (accessed November 2020)
Raut, Bhagwat (2018). Sources of Research Problem. Retrieved from
https://bit.ly/3o0FzlW (accessed November 2020)

16
Sacred Heart University (2020). Organizing Academic Research Papers: The
Research Problem/Question. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3mjCBbG
(accessed November 2020)
Study Lecture Notes (2020). Selection of Research Problem. Retrieved from
https://bit.ly/2KOC6J1 (accessed November 2020).

17
18