This document outlines the key elements of a research project, including defining the research problem, developing a research topic, formulating a general research question, and identifying specific research questions. It provides examples of how a research problem on flash floods could lead to examining the relationship between neighborhood lifestyle and floods. It emphasizes that specific research questions should investigate distinct aspects of the problem and help determine the appropriate data collection and analysis methods.

1. Elements of a
Research Project

2.  The ultimate goal of the research is not only
to propose ways of studying things, people,
places, and events, but also to discover and
introduce new practices, strategies, or
techniques in solving a problem.
 The word “problem” makes you worry and
pushes you to exert considerable effort in
finding a solution for it.
 You consider research as the remedy for
getting over any problem.
Meaning of Research Problem

3.  When you decide to do research, you begin with a
problem that will lead you to a specific topic to focus
on.
 For instance, you are beset by a problem of year-by-
year flash floods in your community. This problem
drives you to think of one topic you can investigate or
focus on for the solution to your community’s flood
problem. Perhaps, you can research only one aspect
of the flood problem, like examining only the
neighborhood lifestyle in relation to floods in the
area, the need to construct anti-flood structures, or
the practicability of more footbridges in the area.
(Gray 2013)
Meaning of Research Problem

4.  First, spend time getting background
knowledge about the problem that
triggered off your research topic to
discover its relation to what the world,
particularly the experts, professionals, and
learned people know about your topic.
 Also, reading for rich background ideas
about the problem is also another way to
discover some theories or principles to
support your study. (Braun 2014; Woodwell
2014)
Background of the Problem

5.  The research problem enables you to generate
a set of research questions.
 To get a good idea of the problem, you must
have a rich background knowledge about the
topic through the RRL (Review of Related
Literature), which requires intensive reading
about your topic.
 Apart from having a clearer picture of the
topic, it will also help you in adopting an
appropriate research method and have a
thorough understanding of the knowledge
area of your research.
Research Questions

6.  To give your study a clear direction, you have to
break this big, general question into several
smaller or specific research questions.
 The specific questions, also called sub-
problems, identify or direct you to the exact
aspect of the problem that your study has to
focus on.
 Beset by many factors, the general question or
research problem is prone to reducing itself to
several specific questions, seeking conclusive
answers to the problem.
Research Questions

7.  Research questions aim at investigating
specific aspects of the research problem.
 Though deduced from the general or mother
question, one specific question may lead to
another sub-problem or sub-question,
requiring a different data-gathering technique
and directing the research to a triangulation
or mixed method approach.
 Referring to varied aspects of the general
problem, a set of research questions plays a
crucial part in the entire research work.
Research Questions

8.  Through sub-questions, you can precisely
determine the type of data and the method of
collecting, analyzing, and presenting data.
 Any method or technique of collecting,
collating, and analyzing data specified by the
research design depends greatly on the
research questions.
 The correct formulation of research questions
warrants not only excellent collection,
analysis, and presentation of data, but a
credible conclusion as well. (Layder 2013)
Research Questions

9. Research Problem: The need to have a
safer, comfortable, and healthful walk
or transfer of students from place to
place in the UST campus
Research Topic: The Construction of a
Covered Pathway in the UST Campus
General Question: What kind of
covered path should UST construct in
its campus?
Elements of a Research Project

10. Specific Questions:
1. What materials are needed for the
construction of the covered pathway in the UST
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?

11. Research Problem: The role of
different music genre to sili plant
cultivation
Research Topic:
General Question:
Assessment

12. Specific Questions:
1.
2.
3.

13. 1. What demographic profile of the respondents
in terms of:
a. Age
b. Gender
2. What is the average level of students playing
mobile legends?
3. How can playing mobile legends affects their
academic performance?
4. What is the implications of playing mobile
legends to the academic performance of the
respondents?
The Implications of Playing Mobile Legends to the
Academic Performnace of the Grade 12 HumSS
Students