This document provides guidance on identifying a qualitative research problem. It instructs students to start with a general topic of interest and narrow it down to a specific research problem. It emphasizes that a good research problem addresses an unknown aspect of the topic. The document also covers developing a working title, justifying the relevance of the research problem, and includes sample qualitative research problems and a bibliography.

1. Practical Research 1
Senior High School Applied - Academic

2. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
How could you
best describe
the mountain?
2

3. Learning
Objectives
ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
At the end of the
lesson, you should
be able to do the
following:
3
● Identify a qualitative research
problem from a general topic of
interest.
● Develop a working title based on the
research problem.
● Justify the relevance of the research
problem.
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4. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT 4
4
Enumerate three specific areas that
you are interested in based on this
topic: social media.
Activity

5. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Identifying a Research Problem
Studies always start with a problem to solve.
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6. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Identifying a Research Problem
Read available source materials about your
topic to identify what is already known and
what is still unknown about your topic.
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7. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Identifying a Research Problem
Formulate research problems that are SMART!
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8. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Identifying a Research Problem
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9. Tips
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● A good research problem is usually
based on unknown information about
the topic.
● Consider the constraints or limitations,
such as time and budget, when refining
the research problem.

10. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Narrowing Down a General or Broad Topic
10
10

11. With the research problem I have
in my mind, can I solve the
research gap? How am I going to fill
in that gap?
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12. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Qualitative Research Problem
A research problem is considered to be
qualitative when the nature of answering it is
on making meanings from nonnumerical
information.
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13. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Styles of conflict
management in start-
up businesses
Business
Use of instant online
loans among
different age groups
Qualitative Research Problem
Accounting
13

14. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Qualitative Research Problem
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Earth Science
Disaster
management in key
cities
Health Science
Vaccination
confidence across
generations

15. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Creation theories in
Asian countries
Humanities
Identity politics of the
urban poor
Qualitative Research Problem
Social Sciences
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16. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Research Title
To guide you in writing a working study
title, answer the following questions:
● What type of research will it use?
● What is the study all about?
● Who is involved in the research?
● Where will the study happen?
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17. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Relevance of the Research
The relevance of the research
describes the reasons or justifications
for the conduct of the study.
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18. 18
What makes a research problem
relevant?

19. Remember
19
A good research problem has clear
scientific, social, and practical
relevance.

20. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Activity
20
1. Think of a general topic that you are familiar
with and interests you the most.

21. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Activity
21
2. Make a list of three specific areas of
knowledge from your topic of interest.

22. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Activity
22
3. Write a working title for your research on
the chosen specific area of knowledge based
on your answers in #2.

23. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Quick Check
It deals with interpreting nonnumerical data.
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24. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Quick Check
It describes the reasons or justifications for
the conduct of the study.
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25. ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
ENGAGE EXPLORE EXPLAIN EXTEND
EVALUAT
Quick Check
Based on the given general topic, give one
qualitative research problem that can be
studied.
HEAVY TRAFFIC
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26. Wrap Up
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The research problem is the central
basis for the other parts of the
research.
The research process starts with
identifying a broad topic of interest
and narrowing it down to a more
specific topic.

27. Wrap Up
27
Qualitative research deals with
understanding, describing, and
drawing out meaning from
nonnumerical information.

28. Wrap Up
28
The research title describes what the
research is about and is based on
the statement of the research
problem.

29. Wrap Up
29
The relevance of the research
describes the importance and
justification for conducting the
research.

30. Wrap Up
30

31. Bibliography
31
Ballenger, Bruce P. The Curious Researcher: A Guide to Writing Research Papers.
4th ed. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2004.
Ellis, Timothy J., and Yair Levy. "Framework of Problem-Based Research: A Guide
for Novice Researchers on the Development of a Research-worthy Problem."
Informing Science: The International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline
11 (2008): 17-33.
Haggan, Madeline. "Research Paper Titles in Literature, Linguistics and Science:
Dimensions of Attraction." Journal of Pragmatics 36, no. 2 (2004): 293-317.

32. Bibliography
32
Lester, James D. Sr., and James D. Lester. Writing Research Papers: A Complete
Guide. 4th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2012.
Lincoln, Norman K., and Yvonna S. Denzin. The Sage Handbook of Qualitative
Research. 3rd ed. California: Sage, 2005.
McBride, Allan. "Teaching Research Methods Using Appropriate Technology." PS:
Political Science & Politics 27, no. 3 (1994): 553-557.
Schneider, Zevia, and Dean Whitehead. "Identifying Research Ideas, Questions,
Statements and Hypotheses." In Nursing and Midwifery Research: Methods
and Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice, 57-76. Australia: Elsevier-Mosby,
2012.