Developing
Research
Problem
PREPARED BY:
MA’AM TAM
Constructing and formulating research
questions is one of the most critical aspects of all
research. A carefully grounded research question
is a fundamental step in the theory development
(Alvesson & Sandberg, 2013).
Arrange Me!
SOCUDFE
FOCUSED
Arrange Me!
CHARSEEARBEL
RESEARCHABLE
Arrange Me!
CIPESICF
SPECIFIC
Arrange Me!
NAVLERET
RELEVANT
Characteristics of a good
research
RELEVANT SPECIFIC
FOCUSED Appropriately
RESEARCHABLE Complex
5 W’s in Research
What Where
Why When
Who
STEPS IN RESEARCH PROBLEM
Choose an Do some Consider your
preliminary
interesting research on your audience.
general topic. general topic.
Begin your Evaluate your Start asking
research. questions. questions.
1. Choose an interesting general topic.
Most professional researchers focus on topics they are
genuinely interested in studying.
Writers should choose a broad topic about which they
genuinely would like to know more.
2. Do some preliminary research on your general
topic.
Do a few quick searches in current periodicals and journals on
your topic
After searching see what’s already been done and to help you
narrow your focus.
What questions occur to you as you read these articles?
➢ For example: What herbal plant can be used to cure patients
afflicted by COVID-19?
3. Consider your audience.
Would that particular audience be interested in the
question you are developing?
4. Start asking questions.
Taking into consideration items 1-3, start asking yourself
open-ended “how” and “why” questions about your general
topic.
5. Evaluate your questions.
After you’ve put a question or even a couple of
questions down on paper:
- evaluate these questions to determine whether
they would be effective research questions or whether
they need more revising and refining.
Is your research question clear?
[Link]
so much research your
available onquestions.
any given topic;
➢ research questions must be as clear as possible in order to be effective in
helping the writer direct his or her research
• Is your research question focused?
➢ Research questions must be specific enough to be well covered in the space
available.
• Is your research question complex?
➢ Research questions should not be answerable with a simple “yes” or “no” or
by easily-found facts.
➢ They should, instead, require both research and analysis on the part of the
writer.
➢ They often begin with “How” or “Why.”
6. Begin your research.
• After you’ve come up with a question, think about the possible
paths your research could take.
➢ What sources should you consult as you seek answers to your
question?
➢ What research process will ensure that you find a variety of
perspectives and responses to your question?
Activity 1: Mind Map List down the environmental problems found on the drawing
inside the six circles. Answer the questions that follow.
Guide Questions:
1. What is your topic?
2. What interests you about this topic?
3. List three questions you have about this topic:
4. From among the three questions you’ve listed, change it to a more complex
question by using the words like cause, effect, compare, impact, change, and
influence to make it a good research question.
5. Evaluate your question. Is it clear? Is it focused? Is it arguable? Reword and
rewrite your questions in number 4.
6. Based on your main research question, list three sub-questions. These should be
questions that will help you find the answer to your research question in number 5.
1. What is your topic?
Sample answers)
(
Water pollution
Chemical waste
Radioactive waste
Deforestation
Greenhouse effect
Air pollution
What interests you about this topic?
We have the
same problem in
our barangay.
List three questions you have about this topic:
(1) Why is the water
polluted?
(2) How can the people help
in cleaning the water?
(3) How can I minimize
water pollution?
Look at the above questions. Increase the complexity of ONE of these questions, to make a good research question. Use words like cause, effect, compare, impact, change, influence.
(Why is the water polluted?)
What are the effects of water pollution
to the health of the nearby
residents/baranggay?
Evaluate your question. Is it clear? Is it focused? Is it arguable? Reword and rewrite your question below.
Yes, it is clear but the group of people were not
specified.
What are the effects of water pollution to the
residents situated along the river?
Based on your main research question, list three
sub-questions below. These should be questions
that will help you find the answer to your
research question.
How did water pollution affect the
health of the residents situated
along river (you can specify the
place)?
What are the effects of water
pollution to the quality of marine
organisms harvested from river
(you can specify the place)?
EVALUATING RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
Practice writing strong research questions by
making them clear, focused, and arguable. Use
strong words to make your questions more complex:
cause, effect, compare, impact, change, influence.
EVALUATING RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
1. How do artificial sweeteners affect people?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of cell phone
use in schools?
3. Does owning a pet improve quality of life for older people?
4. Has the population of the world increased in the past
century?
EVALUATING RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
1. How do artificial sweeteners affect people?
How does aspartame affect hypertensive people?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of cell phone use in schools?
How does restricting cell phone use in school affect student social interaction?
EVALUATING RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
3. Does owning a pet improve quality of life for older people?
In what ways does owning a pet improve quality of life for older people?
4. Has the population of the world increased in the past century?
What factors have influenced population growth in the fastest growing
countries?
