OPOL NATIONAL SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
TABOC, OPOL , MISAMIS ORIENTAL
SY. 2017-2018
IDENTIFYING PROBLEM AND ASKING
QUESTIONS
RG Cabahug, DTE
Mr. MELVIN H. MADROñAL EST-2
OUTLINE
• What is a research problem?
• Characteristics of a Research Problem
• Criteria for Evaluation of a Good Research
Problem
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM ?
• It is a statement about an area of concern, a
condition to be improved upon, a difficulty to
be eliminated,
• or a troubling question that exists in scholarly
literature, theory, or practice that points to
the need for a meaningful understanding and
deliberate investigations (Clemente et al.,2016).
What is the purpose of a problem
statement ?
• Defining a research problem is the fuel that drives the
scientific process, and it is the foundation of any research
method and experimental design, from true experiment to
case study.
• The problem statement is therefore a very important device
for keeping you on track with your research.
• It is also one means by which your research will be
evaluated - does the research address the problem as
stated. ( https://www.soas.ac.uk/ )
CHARACTERISTICS OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM
• A research problem is not just answerable by yes or no. It
should imply that explanations and justifications regarding
the true situation or observation are required.
• A research problem implies relationship between the
variables of the study.
• The problem should be stated in clear, unambiguous
manner.
• A research problem must imply interpretation and analysis of
data.
Criteria for Evaluation of
a Good Research Problem
• A good research problem should have the
following criteria:
• Novel
• Interesting
• Practical
• Innovative
• Cost-effective
Criteria for Evaluation of
a Good Research Problem
• A good research problem should have the
following criteria:
• Novel
• A good research problem should be something
that is new. It may be a new process, product,
or principle.
• Interesting.
• A good research problem should draw attention
and interest form other people.
Criteria for Evaluation of
a Good Research Problem
• A good research problem should have the
following criteria:
• Practical.
• The aim of research is to improve people’s quality
of living. A good research problem then should be
useful and beneficial to its target population.
• Innovative.
• A good research problem should improve the
current state of existing technology.
Criteria for Evaluation of
a Good Research Problem
• A good research problem should have the
following criteria:
• Cost-effective.
• A good research should provide a good value for
money, time, resources, and manpower while
conducting the study.
Criteria for Evaluation of a
Good Research Problem
• Another thing to consider and remember is that a research
problem should be SMART, whether it is qualitative or
quantitative research.
• Specific. The research problem must be specifically stated.
• Measurable. The research problem should be quantifiable
or observable. This may include interviews, surveys, or
recorded observations such as videos and audio
recordings.
• There should be instruments that will help the researchers
gather data from their respondents.
• Attainable. A research problem should be easily achieved,
solved, or answered by the researcher after all valid
procedures had been carried out.
Criteria for Evaluation of a Good Research
Problem
• Realistic. It should be possible for the researchers to
perform the experimentations or observations needed to
solve their problems.
• Time-Bounded. Researchers should also consider the time
allotment for their research. They should think of a
research problem that could be carried out in the given time
period.
Example of the Flow of Ideas in the Problem
Statement
• Topic. it is introduced in the first paragraphs.
• includes the general subject matter.
• must be introduced so that the reader can relate to it.
• Topic Selection Considerations
• Personal interest
• Ethical issues
• Relevance of the study
• Contribution to the field
• Time constraint
• Economic factors
Stating the Research Problem
• State the problem in the opening paragraph (i.e.,
something that needs a solution)
• Identify an issue
• Reference the problem using the literature
• More often, specific problems are stated in
interrogative form, while research objectives are
stated in declarative form.
• Specific problems need to answered by
statements of hypothesis, while research
objectives may not be followed by a hypothesis.
Stating the Research Problem
• Example:
• Research Title: Dust and chlorophyll contents of
selected plant species along the major access
road in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
• General Problem: Plant leaves in thoroughfares
are in direct contact with air pollutant, and may act
as stressors for these pollutants, hence to be
examined for their biomonitoring potential.
Stating the Research Problem
• Specific Problems:
• How the dust deposition affects the leaf
morphometry?
• How much the chlorophyll content in the leaves of
these species of plants ?
Justification for the Importance
of the Problem
• Justification based on what other researchers have found
• To produce the review of related literature, the researcher
examines the central issues and problems discussed in
previous studies as well as the findings.
• The related literature can be local or foreign, provided
however, every related literature has explanation to the
bearing of the proposed study.
• Calmorin ( 2016,pp.242-243) a related literature presented
without explanation on the relationship of the proposed
study is unscientific.
Justification for the Importance
of the Problem
• In our study, the utilization of plants to monitor the air
pollutants in the environment is used to mitigate one of the
problems of air pollution.
• Plants are especially useful as biological indicators to
assess air pollution because of their wide distribution
(Kardel et al., 2012).
• Consequent to the increasing population in Cagayan de
Oro City is the increase of vehicle use in the city.
• The increase of vehicle use contributes 65% of the
pollutants present in the air (Clean Air Initiative for Asian
Cities Center, 2009).
Deficiencies in the Knowledge
about the Problem
• In our research, previous studies done on Cagayan de Oro
City are those concerning its morphological leaf
characteristics of some selected trees and leaf nutrient
analysis ( Saberon et al., 2016 and Medina et al., 2016).
• However evaluating the leaf morphology of shrubs, dust
deposition on leaves, and the chlorophyll content of
common roadside plants species as indicators of air quality
• has been overlooked thus, this study was conducted to find
out how the dust deposition affects the leaf morphometry
and the chlorophyll content of the plant
Audiences That May Benefit
• Ask the following question: Who will benefit in your study?
• Other researchers
• Practitioners
• Policy makers
• Special populations (e.g., parents and students )
Audiences That May Benefit
• In our research, the results of this study provided reference
to determine if dust deposition has direct impact to plants
especially its leaf morphometrics.
• This may provide a rationale for urban planting and
greenbelt development and as a baseline study which can
be used as reference for future related studies.
Practice: Research Problem
• Research Problem: The need to have a safer,
comfortable, and healthful walk or transfer of
students from place to place in the ONSTS
campus.
• Research Topic: The construction of a Covered
Pathway in the ONSTS Campus
• General Question: What kind of covered path
should ONSTS construct in its campus?
Practice: Research Problem
• Make five specific questions about
the research problem given.
Practice: Research Problem
• Possible questions
• 1. What materials are needed for the construction of the
covered pathway in the ONSTS campus?
• 2. What roofing material is appropriate for the covered
path?
• 3. In what way can the covered pathway link all buildings in
the campus?
• 4. What is the width and height of the covered path?
• 5. How can the covered path realize green architecture ?
