CONSTRUCTING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH TITLES, BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AND RESEA

At the end of this lesson the students will be able to;

1. Understand the meaning of a research title.

2. Identify the ways when writing research questions.

3. Construct a good research title and research questions.

What is a Research Title?

A Research Title is the part of a paper that is read the most, and it is usually read first. It is, therefore, the most important element that defines the research problem. A good title contains the fewest possible words that adequately describe the contents and/or purpose of your research paper. It can be revised any time as the research progresses. It just only becomes FINAL upon the final defense before the panel of adjudicators.

What is a Research Question?

A Research Question (Statement of the Problem) is the question around which you center your research. It is a question that a research paper sets out to answer.

Specifying the research question is the first step the researcher has to take when undertaking a research. It helps the researchers focus their research by providing a path through the research and writing process.

RESEARCH QUESTION SHOULD BE:

CLEAR. It provides enough specifics that one’s audience can easily understand its purpose without needing additional explanation.

FOCUSED.  It is narrow enough that it can be answered thoroughly in the space the writing task allows.

CONCISE. It is expressed in the fewest possible words.

COMPLEX. It is not answerable with “yes” or “no” but rather requires synthesis and analysis of ideas and sources prior to composition of an answer.

ARGUABLE. Its potential answers are open to debate rather than accepted facts.

Tips on Constructing Research Questions

1. Specify your specific concern or issue.

2. Decide what you want to know about the specific concern or issue.

3. Turn what you want to know and the specific concern into a question.

4. Ensure that the question is answerable.

5. Check to make sure the question is not too broad or too narrow.

What is a Background of the Study?

A background of the study includes a review of the topic being researched, current information surrounding the issue, previous studies on the issue, and relevant history on the issue. Ideally, the study should effectively set forth the history and background information on your research problem. It is best used to present contextual or prerequisite information that is important or essential to understand the main body of your research paper.

Tips on Doing a Background of the Study

1. Conduct preliminary research in the beginning stages of formulating a research paper, when many issues are unclear and thoughts need to be solidified.

Conducting preliminary research on your area of the study and specific topic will help you formulate a research question that will lead to more specific and relevant research.

2. Read the information and develop a research question that will guide your research topic. You will need to take notes and keep accurate track of the sources that you used up to this point. Be sure to cite the source of the information on the note cards so you don’t forget where each piece of information came from, should you decide to use it in your paper.

EXAMPLE TEMPLATE;

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction (4 paragraphs, deductive approach)

       First paragraph contains the general topic. You have to state facts or general knowledge about the general problem or the dependent variable. See to it that you have citation.

       Second paragraph presents the trends. What is happening in the world, country, or community? Is there an alarming issue that must be solved? Citation

       Third paragraph contains the application of the problem in the present state of the community or environment.

       Last paragraph explains the reason for studying the chosen topic. Rationale. You have to persuade or convince the reader that there is a need for research in the chosen topic.

Statement of the Problem

The general problem of this study is “how ________________________”

Specifically, this study answers the following questions:

1.   Question for independent variable (For STEM and ICT, prepare a question for your proposed Prototype or System).

2.   Question for dependent variable

3.   Hypothesis question (FOR QUANTITATIVE ONLY)

4.   Proposal question after the research?

Significance of the Study

Introductory paragraph. (State the objective of your study) and this will benefit the following:

Significant 1. Explain how the study will benefit the organization, certain group of people etc.

Significant 2.

Significant 3.

Significant 4.

Future Researchers.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

Scope and Delimitation (6 paragraphs)

First paragraph- State the focus of your study.

Second paragraph, Explain your variables and how will it be measured/described.

Third, paragraph- Who are your respondents? Population?

Fourth paragraph- What is your sampling method? And what is your sample size?

Fifth, paragraph- How will you gather your data? And what is the statistical treatment to be used in analyzing the gathered data?

Sixth paragraph- The duration/time frame of your study.