Inquiries, Investigations, and Immersion

Quarter 1 – Module 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking the Question

What I need to Know?

It deals with identifying the inquiry and stating of the problem. It walks the students towards designing a
research project related to daily life, describing justifications or reasons for conducting the research stating
the background of the problem, presenting the Conceptual Framework, stating the Research Hypothesis,
presenting a written statement of the problem, asserting the definition of terms, stating the Importance of the
study, and determining scope and delimitation of the study.

This module has 7 lessons:

1. Background of the problem
2. Conceptual Framework
3. Research Hypothesis (for Quantitative Research)
4. Statement of the Problem
5. Importance of the study
6. Scope and limitations of the study
7. Definition of terms

Lesson Background of the Problem

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.

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
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 about the environmental concerns, specifically the solid waste which
includes the biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Waste can be defined to be as those materials that are no
longer needed at some point. Biodegradable waste are those that can be easily decomposed while non-
biodegradable waste are those that cannot be broken and decomposed in which these will remain stable
indefinitely. Moreover, non-biodegradable waste brings problem to our environment

Conceptual Framework
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 in order 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.

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How to make a Conceptual Framework
As written by Maria Magher, 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.
a. Conduct a Literature Review
Before you can have your own 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.
b. Create a Flow Chart
Conceptual frameworks are frequently visual in nature 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.
c. Write a Narrative
Conceptual frameworks don’t have to include a diagram or graphic. You can always present the same
information and evidences 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.
d. Return and Revise
As you begin your research, you may discover that certain elements of your conceptual framework 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 own theory and ideas. You should return to
your framework and revise it if necessary.

Sample Schematic Diagram:

Fig. 1 Schematic Diagram showing the perimeter of the study.

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Research Hypothesis
Research Hypothesis is vital to all research endeavours, whether qualitative or quantitative, exploratory or
explanatory. In developing a testable research hypotheses 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.
1. Be certain to read on the subject matter to explain with it before making a final decision
2. 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 a outcome of your
research, you will arrive at a conclusion, a theory, or understanding that will be useful or applicable beyond
the research itself.
3. Avoid judgmental and critical words in your hypothesis.
4. Your hypothesis must involve an issue or question that cannot be answered exclusively by the discipline of
law.
5. Be certain that each term I your hypothesis is clearly understood and defined, do not deal in generalities or
assume that the reader knows the meaning of the technical term.
6. Specify, if appropriate, whether you will be dealing with state or federal law or both on a comparative basis
if appropriate.
7. Know that your hypothesis may change over time as your research progresses.

You must obtain the professor’s approval of your hypothesis, as well as any modifications to your hypothesis,
before proceeding with any work on the topic.
You will be expressing your hypothesis in 3 ways:
1. As a one-sentence hypothesis.
2. As a research question.
3. As a title for your paper.
Your hypothesis will be part of your research proposal.
Sample on Research Hypothesis:
Null Hypothesis:
1. There is no significant relationship between respondents profile in the academic achievement.

Presentation of Written Statement of the Problem

Purpose of the statement of the Problem
Marshall and Rossman (1995) explain clearly the purposes of the problem statement or inquiry.
1. To describe the substantive focus of the research study
2. To frame it as
a. A larger theoretical policy
b. A practical problem and thereby, develop its significance
3. To pose initial research questions
4. To forecast the literature to be discussed in the second section and
5. To discuss the limitations of the study.
Let us suppose that in the course of your reading a newspaper, you come across inthe article that interested
you that you decided to do a qualitative research on the problem discussed in the article. This is a preliminary
procedure which will lead you to a statement of the problem.
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Significance of the Study
the section on 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.
In actual fact, the section on 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.
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 potential,
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 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 helps 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.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope and delimitation of the study sets borders and limitations of the problem inquiry and narrows
down the scope of the inquiry.
Examples of Delimitation of Research
1. This study covers only those families in Barangay San Jose, Pasig City, benefited by the government’s
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
2. This study includes only those English freshman classes that use both Blended Learning and standard ways
of Language teaching.

Definition of Terms
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

a. Conceptual Definition
Refers to the dictionary meaning.
b. Operational Definition
Is the meaning of the concept or terms as used in a particular study.

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POST TEST
Multiple Choice: Encircle the letter of the best answer
1. The part of your study is intended to assist you in understanding
commonly used terms and concepts when reading, interpreting, and
evaluating scholarly research in the social sciences.
A. Background of the Study
B. Scope and delimitation of the study
C. Glossary of Research Terms
D. Significance of the study
2. The part of your study that will provide context to the information
discussed throughout the research process.
A. Background of the Study
B. Scope and delimitation of the study
C. Operational Definition
D. Significance of the study
3. The section of the study that provides information to the reader on
how the study will contribute.
A. Significance of the study
B. Scope and delimitation of the study
C. Operational Definition
D. Glossary of terminology
4. A part of research that is necessary in the theoretical and conceptual
framework.
A. Dependable Variable
B. Independent Variable
C. Dependent Variable
D. Independent Variable and Dependent Variable
5. According to her a conceptual framework is a bit like a recipe or a
blueprint..
A. Maria Marie Florenda
B. Maria Magic
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C. Maria Magher
D. Maria June Mandela
6. The portion of your study that will provide evidence of academic standards
and procedure.
A. Theory Framework
B. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
C. Concept Framework
D. None of the above
7. It will provide information to the reader on how the study will contribute
A. Significance of the study
B. Scope and delimitation of the study
C. Operational Definition
D. Significance of the study
8. The part of your study that sets boundaries and parameters of the
problem inquiry and narrows down the scope of the inquiry.
A. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
B. Background of the Study
C. Scope and delimitation of the study
D. Scope and delimitation of the study
9. It is the meaning of the concept or terms as used in a particular study.
A. Conceptual Definition
B. Conceptual Definition-Operational
C. Operational Definition
D. All of the above
10.It is considered as dictionary terminologies.
A. Operational Definition
B. Conceptual Definition
C. Operational-Conceptual Definition
D. All of the above
11.They explain clearly the purposes of the problem statement or inquiry.
A. Marshall and Rossman
B. Marshall Leu and Rose Man
C. F.J. Espania and R. E. Fernandez
D. None of the above
12.In processing your conceptual which is not included in the steps stated
below.
A. Conduct a Literature
B. Create a Flow chart
C. Write a Narrative
D. Do not return and revise
13.The part of your states what the researcher expects to find- it is the
tentative answer to the research question that guides the entire study.
A. Research Significance
B. Research Truth
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C. Research Hypothesis
D. Research Operation Definition
14.An analytical tool with several variations and contexts.
A. Scope and delimitation of the study
B. Conceptual Framework
C. Significance of the study
D. Operational Definition
15.The part of your study that will provide context to the information
discussed throughout the research process.
A. Background of the Study
B. Scope and delimitation of the study
C. Operational Definition
D. Significance of the study

A. Library Visit and Internet exploration

a. Go to a library or do a research in the internet
b. Read at least two research
c. Do a report on each research.
d. End your library visit with the Actual learnings that you have during your library visit and internet
exploration.
B. Directions:
1. Go back to the writing exercises on the different lessons.
2. On the topic that you’ve chosen, write a specific statement showing the following:

A. Background of the Problem/Introduction

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
B. Conceptual Framework
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
C. Research Hypothesis
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
D. Statement of the Problem
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
E. Importance of the Study
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
F. Scope and limitation of the study
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
G. Definition of Terms
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

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