4.1 getting started on a research

SOUTHERN ISABELAACADEMY, INC.
Spirituality. Ingenuity. Academism
Charles W. Selby St., Centro 1, San Guillermo, 3308 Isabela Molding the youth since 1967!
GETTING STARTED
ON A RESEARCH

A maze is a network of
passages like a puzzle through
which an individual has to
strategize, find a way, and
reach the end goal.

In a maze, the objective is to
find the right path that will
lead out of the complex
pathways.

There may be different
possible routes to the exit
point, but the key is to know
where to begin the journey.

Once the correct starting point is
found, only then can one decide
which path to take. This correct path
should lead you to the end of the
maze – the finish line.

How should a research be started?
Research usually starts from the
researcher’s interests.
Interests may come from any of
the following sources:

1. Daily Life Experiences
Research topics may come from simple
to complex questions that people ask as
they go about their daily lives.

2. Academic Readings
Reading academic material can also
stimulate one’s interest to explore a
particular topic. Usually, the idea that
catches the attention of the reader while
scanning academic paper becomes the
reader’s research topic.

3. Personal Hobbies
Most researchers would like to seek
answers from questions they have
based on the things that they enjoy
doing.

4. Attention-Catching Situations
There are cases encountered by the
researchers that catch their attention.
From there, they can formulate
questions as to how this things became
possible, how that thing is able to do
those, etc.

From these interests, a broad
topic is formed. Subsequently,
specific topic and questions
emerge.

IDENTIFYING A RESEARCH TOPIC
Once interest is recognized, a
particular research topic can be
identified. This idea should be
explored thoroughly by scanning and
reviewing related literature.

Once interest is recognized, a
particular research topic can be
identified. This idea should be
explored thoroughly by scanning and
reviewing related literature. To do
this, the following can be done…

… (a)
Reading books, research articles,
and other professional publications
regarding a given topic of interest

… (b)
Asking help from the experts in the
field for more relevant ideas and
perspectives

… (c)
Observing things for some
experiences about this interest

Research topics can also be
identified from the following:
•Current events or emerging ideas
•Problems that require solutions
•Products that may be tested
•Reports about what scientists are
currently working on

Research topics can also be
identified from the following:
•Problems encountered when using a
new technology
•Specific needs of a certain
community

In selecting a research topic, the following
factors may also be (but not solely)
considered:
a. Personal Factors are related to personal
experiences, professional qualifications,
expertise, motivation, intellectual curiosity,
and perceptiveness of the researcher. Time
element, benefits, and hazards.

In selecting a research topic, the following
factors may also be (but not solely)
considered:
b. External Factors include uniqueness or
novelty, importance or value of the
research, availability of data and materials,
ethical considerations, and department or
unit where the research is to be undertaken.

The following are some reminders in
selecting appropriate research topic:
a. Do not choose a research topic only
because it seems workable and feasible.
Also consider the nature of data that is
required of the research.
b. Have the means of data collection.

c. Consider your technical skills, capability,
and limitations.
d. Consider your interest and support
systems.

e. Do not get spellbound and fascinated
with the allure and attraction of a topic
without considering the possible
consequences that the research may bring
out.

f. Study all possible angles. It will be
difficult to turn back when so much effort,
time, and resources have already been
expended.

NARROWING DOWN A
RESEARCH TOPIC
Once a topic has been identified,
it has to be narrowed down to
specific one. One needs to read
further to find as many
information as possible regarding
the topic.

NARROWING DOWN A
RESEARCH TOPIC
The following reminders need to be
considered:
•What is current and what is new;
•Recommendations of researchers
who have conducted similar studies;
•What has already been studied; and
•New ways of gathering data.

4.1 getting started on a research

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4.1 getting started on a research