Chapter 2: Identifying the Inquiry and Stating the Problem

Lesson 2: Writing Your Tentative or Working Title

Objectives:
Throughout the lesson, the student will:
 Identify how to write a research title,
 Write a working or tentative research title,
 Describes the justifications/reasons for conducting the research.
Introduction
In the previous lesson, you have learned the things that you have to consider in choosing
your topic of interest before conducting a research. You have learned that in choosing a topic, it
may be an interest relevant to the society and the subject matter which should be connected to
your area of specialization. After choosing your topic and once you have narrow it down, it is
now then the time for you to formulate a working or tentative title. Hence in this lesson, you will
learn some tips on how to formulate your research title.
Pre-Lesson Activity
Based on your research groupings, decide on your research topic to be utilized throughout the
semester and describe what would you like to look into and why you want to conduct a study on
it.
Topic: ____________________________
Narrowed Topic: __________________
Description: _______________________
Discussion
Once you have already identified the topic of your interest and narrowed it down, the
next step for you is to draft your working or tentative title. This stage is very important for you to
have a direction in conducting your study. Here are some tips on how to draft your research title:
1. Your title must reflect the kind of your research (qualitative or quantitative).
2. Your research title should give information of which you want to tackle on your
research.
3. Your title must be brief and concise. Avoid unnecessary words (Melegrito &
Mendoza 2016: 38).
4. You may use single or double title.
E.g.
“Drugs and Recovery: A Qualitative Study in Atlantic Canada (double title)
 The Perception of High School Students on the Use of Cellular Phones during classes
(Single Title)

5. Though there is no really a standard guideline on how to formulate a research title,

consider a title with a minimum of 12 words.
Summary
You have learned in this lesson that drafting a title is a very important stage because it
will give you a sense of direction and focus in conducting a research. You learned that a title
may be single or double and it should be brief and concise. It should also reflect what you want
to explain in your research. Lastly, you must consider have a minimum of 12 words in drafting a
working title.

Post Lesson Activity:

Draft your working or tentative research title based on the topic that you have already decided
upon (Research Groupings). Consider the tips that you have learned from the lesson.
Topic: ____________________________________________________________________
Narrowed Topic:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Description:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Tentative Title:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Reference
Melegrito M. F. & Mendoza D. J. (2016) Applied Research: An Introduction to Qualitative:
Research Methods and Report Writing