INQUIRIES,

INVESTIGATION,
& IMMERSION
Identifying the Problem and Asking Questions
LESSON 2

BACKGROUND OF THE
PROBLEM
 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.
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.
 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 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
ACTIVITY
Among the titles you optioned to
select, why do you think that your
selected research title should be
addressed. Kindly, explain further
on this matter.
ACTIVITY
• In the above topic/problem you have created, identify at
least three research problem and explain why you choose it.
• Propose Research Title:______________________________________________
• Background of the Problem:
• _____________________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________________
• _______________________________________________________________________________

• Reasons:
• _____________________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________________
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
• 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.
Conduct a Literature Review
Create a Flow Chart
Write a Narrative
Return and Revise
 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
• Asyou 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
• Dependent variable - is the variable being tested and measured
in an experiment, and is 'dependent' on the independent
variable. An example of a dependent variable is depression
symptoms, which depends on the independent variable (type of
therapy). 

• The independent variable is the variable the experimenter

manipulates or changes, and is assumed to have a direct effect on the
dependent variable. For example, allocating participants to either drug
or placebo conditions (independent variable) in order to measure any
changes in the intensity of their anxiety (dependent variable).
 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
( Q U A N T I TAT I V E R E S E A R C H )

• 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.
• 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.
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.
ACTIVITY
Make your Research Hypothesis
• Directions: Go back on the sample given. Based on the topic that you’ve chosen, write a statement
on the Research Hypothesis on your chosen topic.
• Question:
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
• Research Hypothesis:
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
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 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 world-changing 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…
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
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.
ACTIVITY
Writing Exercise: Make your Statement of the Problem
Go back on the sample given. On the topic that you have
chosen, write a specific statement or inquiry showing the
following:
Statement of the Problem:
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
• ________________________________________________________
 IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY
• Thisportion 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.
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
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 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.
ACTIVITY
• Writing Exercise: Writing a statement on the Significance or the
Importance of the Study
• Directions: On the topic you’ve chosen, write a specific
statement regarding the Significance or the Importance of the
study.
• Significance of the Study:
• ______________________________________________
• ______________________________________________
• ______________________________________________
 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF
THE STUDY
• 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.
ACTIVITY
• Writing Exercise: On the Scope and Limitation of the Study
• Directions: Go back in the sample given. On the topic that
you’ve chosen, write a specific statement showing the Scope
and Limitation of your study.
• Scope and Limitation::
• __________________________________________________
• __________________________________________________
• __________________________________________________
 DEFINITION OF TERMS
• 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.
Commonly used terms and concepts when
reading, interpreting, and evaluating scholarly
research in the social sciences.
Types and Functions
➢ Conceptual Definition
Refers to the dictionary meaning.

➢ Operational Definition
The meaning of the concept or terms as
used in a particular study.
ACTIVITY
• Writing Exercise: Defining a Term
• Directions: Directions: On the topic chosen, write a
specific statement using the different Types and
Functions of the Definition of Terms.
• Conceptual Definition:_______________________________
• Operational Definition:______________________________