Identifying a Quantitative Research Problem
Where should we
get our research
problems?
How do we identify
them?
2
Why is identifying topics crucial at the beginning of
research writing?
33
Identifying the Area of Inquiry
The ability to choose a topic is an essential skill to
start a good research paper. It is important that you
pick out a relevant and valuable topic and
maximize the resources that you have.
4
1. Brainstorm for ideas.
Steps in When brainstorming, it is more
Identifying advisable to concentrate on
the Area of topics that interest you. It is also
Inquiry helpful if you focus on your field.
5
Brainstorming helps you in narrowing down the
topics that you are mostly interested in and look at
other perspectives that might be related to it.
6
2. Read, read, and read.
You need to make sure that there are
resources about your topic. It gives you a
preview of the possible availability of related
literature for your topic of interest.
77
2. Read, read and read
Use keywords and concepts related to your
topics and explore on different sources.
88
3. Make your matrix.
Look into the research gaps when reading
different resources and previous researches.
Research gaps are areas of the study that remain
unanswered, hence its openness to be
researched about.
99
Identifying research gaps may prevent the
replication of the exact topics that were already
studied before. It helps you to get over the “so
what” question.
10
Research gaps are helpful in exploring for
potential research topics. For instance, you
may look into the recommendations to future
researchers in previous studies.
It is also useful to review the scope of the study
to help you identify possible research gaps.
11
4. Describe your topic of interest briefly.
Analyze the angle of the topic you are really
interested in. Know the value of the research
topic to focus on the perspective why it is
relevant. Describing your topic briefly may give you
an overview if the topic is feasible to be
researched about.
12
12
5. Read again.
You must check the availability of the literature
of your chosen topic as you may encounter
modification in research writing.
It may include changing the topic itself, the
variables and others as there may be too much
or too little available literature.
13
13
6. Formulate your working title.
Your working title focuses on the direction of
your study. It helps you determine your variables
and may give you a preview of its possible
dynamics within your research.
14
14
Working titles may change as the research writing
also progresses.
15
How do you think variables are related with the
range of topics in the area of inquiry?
16
Designing a
Research
Useful in It is up to you to decide on what
Daily Life interests you and what you view
as relevant and present in your
specific field of specialization.
17
Designing a
Research
Useful in
Daily Life The following are topics in
different fields that may be used
in research writing.
18
Accounting
● Accounting systems
● Forensic accounting
● Collusion in auditing
● Tax minimization
● Accounting practices for
online business
● Financial markets
19
19
Business and Management
● Green marketing
● Online shops
● Working environment
● Marketing strategies
● Budgeting strategies
● Leadership styles
20
20
Environmental and Earth Science
● Marine pollution
● Genetics
● Conservation
● Recycling
● Sustainability
● Soil contamination
● Environmental ethics
21
21
Health Science
● Homeopathy
● Tolerance
● Vaccination
● Stress
● Mental health
● Global health security
22
22
Education
● Grit
● Inclusive education
● Teaching strategies
● 21st century learning
● Homeschooling
● Motivation
23
23
Social Sciences
● Discrimination
● Equality in the
electorate
● Stereotyping
● Patriotic sentiments
● Migration
● Juvenile delinquency
24
24
Humanities
● Taboo
● Symbolisms in art
● Folklore
● Film aesthetics
● Indigenous cultures
● Religious influences
25
25
Identify possible specific topics for
the given broad topics. What
possible areas could be explored in
these topics? Give at least three
Practice areas of inquiry.
1. Sports science
2. Democracy in the Philippines
3. Startup business
26
Quick Check
How do you define research gaps?
27
27
Quick Check
What are the advantages of writing a working title?
28
28
Quick Check
Jason wants to know the best marketing strategy
for their school. He sees the internet and the use
of flyers as specific contexts related to marketing
strategy.
How are the internet and the use of flyers related
to marketing strategy?
29
29
Areas of inquiry are explored in the early phase of
writing the research.
Identifying the areas of inquiry is a vital stage in
research writing. It follows certain steps that will help
you get an overview of what the research will be about
and determine its purpose in a specific area of knowledge.
30
Mastering the skill of finding a good research topic is very
helpful not just in the nature of quantitative research
but also in qualitative research as well.
31
32
