DEFINITIONS OF RESEARCH

DEFINITIONS OF RESEARCH

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

~GROUP 2~

Definition:
A problem is any significant,
perplexing and challenging situation,
real or artificial, the solution of which
requires reflective thinking.
A perplexing situation after it has
been translated into a question or
series of questions that help to
determine the direction of subsequent
inquiry.
~GROUP 2~

Elements of
a Research
Problem
~GROUP 2~

Elements:
1. Aim or purpose of the problem for
investigation. This answers the
question Why?
2. The subject matter or topic to be
investigated. This answers the
question What?
3. The place or locale where the
research is to be conducted. This
answers the question Where?
~GROUP 2~

4. The period or time of the study

during which the data are to be
gathered. This answers the
question When?
5. Population or universe from whom
the data are to be collected.
This answers the question
Who? or From whom?
~GROUP 2~

Guidelines in
the Selection
of a
Research
Problem or

~GROUP 2~

1. The research problem or topic

must be chosen by the
researcher himself.
2.It must be within the interest of
the researcher.
3.It must be within the
specialization of the researcher.
This in some way make the work
easier for him because he is
working on familiar grounds.
~GROUP 2~

4.It must be within the

competence of the
researcher to tackle.
5.It must be within the ability
of the researcher to finance,
otherwise he must be able to
find funding for his research.
~GROUP 2~

6. It is researchable and manageable, that is,

a. Data are available and accessible. The
researcher must be sure that the
participants in his investigation possess the
needed data and they are within his reach.
b. The data must meet the standards of
accuracy, objectivity, and verifiability. This
is important. The data gathered must be
accurate, objective and not biased, and can
be verified if there arises a need,
otherwise, the results of the study will not
be valid and the generalizations formulated
will be faulty.
~GROUP 2~

c. Answers to the specific questions

(sub problems) can be found. The
data to be collected must supply the
necessary answers to the specific
questions.
d. The hypothesis formulated are
testable, that is, they can be
accepted or rejected.
e. Equipment and instruments for
research are available and can give
valid and reliable results.
~GROUP 2~

7. It can be completed within a reasonable

period of time unless it is longitudinal
research which takes a long time for its
completion.
8. It is significant, important, and relevant
to the present time and situation, timely,
and of current interest. This means that
the research project must be able to
make a substantial impact upon situations
and people it is intended for or addressed
to. It must be able to arouse the interest
of the people concerned.
~GROUP 2~

9. The results are practical and implementable.

10.It requires original, critical, and reflective
thinking to solve it. To be able to apply these
the research project must be novel, new or
original. The study is considered novel and new
if it has not yet been studied before and the
data are gathered from new and original
sources. However, the study may be a
replication, that is, the study has already been
conducted but in another place, not in the place
where it is intended to be studied again. The
purpose of study replications is to determine if
conditions in one place are also true in other
places so that generalizations of wider
application can be formulated.
~GROUP 2~

11. It can be delimited to suit the resources of

the researcher but big or large enough to be
able to give significant, valid, and reliable
results and generalizations. The area and
population may be reduced but only to such an
extent that the generalizations can be
considered true and useful.
12.It must contribute to the national
development goals for the improvement of the
quality of human life. This is the ultimate aim
of research, to improve the quality of human
life. Research must improve or show how to
improve unsatisfactory conditions.
~GROUP 2~

13.It must contribute to the fund of human

knowledge. All the facts and knowledge
that we have are mostly the products of
research. Any study to be conducted must
add a new bit of knowledge to what we
already have.
14.It must show or pave the way for the
solution of the problem or problems
intended to be solved. Usually, after an
inquiry has been conducted,
recommendations are made for the solution
of problems discovered which, if
implemented, can solve the problems.
~GROUP 2~

15.It must not undermine the moral and spiritual

values of the people. It must not advocate the
promotion of antisocial values such as drug
addiction, cruelty, hatred, divisiveness, multiple
sex mating, etc. as much as possible it must
advocate the promotion of divine values and those
admirable human values such as love, peace,
goodwill, etc.
16.It must not advocate any change in the present
order of things by means of violence but by
peaceful means. It must not advocate subversion,
revolution, or the like to wrest control of the
government or change the form of government. If
there is a needed change, it must be made by any
means but the means must be peaceful and
~GROUP 2~
legitimate.

17.There must be a return of some kind to

the researcher, either one or all of the
following, if research report is
completed:
a. Monetary, either increase in salary or
publication of the results in which there
is some kind of royalty.
b. Advancement of position, promotion.
c. Improved specialization, competence,
and skill in professional work specially if
the research subject is related to the
profession.
~GROUP 2~

d. Enhanced prestige and reputation.

e. Satisfaction of intellectual curiosity
and interest, and being able to
discover truth.
18.There must be a consideration of
the hazards involved, either
physical, social, or legal.

~GROUP 2~

Thank You for

Listening

~GROUP 2~