The Research Problem

By a large, majority of the thesis writers and neophytes in research find difficulty in searching for a research problem. Once a problem is found, they still find difficulty in formulating specific problems and objectives. Sometimes, they do not see that a simple question may actually be a research problem stated in an interrogative form. Likewise, they are misled into thinking that research objectives are the same as instructional objectives.

It is a must that thesis/dissertation writers and neophyte researches should know how to choose a researchable problem, formulate specific problems and objectives. They should also see that even simple questions are research problems stated in interrogative forms. Moreover, they should see the difference between research objectives and instructional objectives.

The Research Problem

There are five factors to consider determining whether that a problem is researchable or not. These factors are as follows: the problem is existing in the locality or country but no known solution to the problem; the solution can be answered by using statistical methods and techniques; there are probable solutions but they are not yet tested; the occurrence of phenomena requires scientific investigation to arrive at precise solution;  and serious needs/problems of the people where it demands research.

Based on the foregoing factors, the investigator can choose a researchable problem. The research must be stated vividly and explicitly expressed in interrogative form for “questions have the virtue of posing a problem directly.”

A good research problem should respond to the economic recovery of the country wherein the research output can be converted into small and medium enterprises (SMEs) . Descriptive research is held in abeyance in developing country, like the Philippines, because the budget is exhausted due to no return of investment (ROI) at all. Research should focus on INVEST-HARVEST principle. That is, if a researcher invests or spends money in research, he harvests or gains money. By so doing, the budget is not exhausted and the profit can contribute to the economic recovery of the country in the form of tax because the researcher/ entrepreneurs pays his taxes.

For example, an experimental research problem with return of investment is “Utilization and Commercialization Of Fish Bone Meal as Offal of Boneless Milkfish, Goatfish Tapa, and Tilapia Fillet into Luncheon Meat.” The specific
problems are as follows:

1. What is the acceptability of the quality attributes of fish bone meal as offal of boneless milkfish, goatfish tapa, and tilapia fillet into luncheon meat?
2. What is the gross sales and profit of luncheon meat from bone meal and with highest return in investment
3. Which of the products is most acceptable, salable, profitable, and with highest return of investment?
4. Is there a significant difference on the acceptability of the quality attributes of these product?
5. What is the percentage of protein and calcium contents of fish luncheon meat from bone meal of milkfish, goatfish, and tilapia?

Another example of experimental research problem wherein the research output can be converted into small and medium enterprises based on the results of the study is “Cultivation of Eucheuma Using Lantay and Hanging Methods in Municipal Waters of estancia, Iloilo, Philippines.” The specific problems are as follows.

1. What is the mean growth increment of Euchema cultured in municipal waters of Estancia, Iloilo, Philippines using lantay and hanging methods?
2. Which of the two methods, lantay or hanging is more effective in cultivation of Euchema?
3. Is there a significant difference on the mean growth increment of Euchema cultured in municipal waters of Estancia, Iloilo, Philippines using lantay and hanging methods?

Another example of experimental research is “Yield of Tomatoes Planted in Pots Using night Soil and chicken. Dung as Fertilizers.” This study is applicable in urban areas wherein there is no enough space to plant. The specific problems are as follows:

1. What is the yield of tomatoes planted in pots using night soil and chicken dung as fertilizers?
2. Which of the fertilizers, night soil or chicken dung, is more effective in planting tomatoes in pot?
3. Is there a significant difference on the yield of tomatoes planted in pots using night soil and chicken dung?

An example of descriptive research problem: The major problem is “Achievement and Nutritional Intake of Teacher Education Students Who Reside at Home and Boarding Houses.” The specific problems are as follows:

1. What is the achievement and nutritional intake of teacher education students who reside at home and boarding houses?
2. Which of the teacher education students, residing at home boarding houses, have higher achievement?
3. Is there a significant difference on the achievement and nutritional intake of teacher education students who reside at home and boarding houses?

Another examples of descriptive research problem is “Educational Qualification and Performance of Teachers in the city and Province of Iloilo, Philippines,” The specific problems are as follows:

1. What is the mean educational qualification of teachers in the city and province of Iloilo, Philippines?
2. What is mean performance of the teachers in the city and province of Iloilo, Philippines?
3. Is there a significant difference on the educational qualification and performance of teachers in the city and province
of Iloilo, Philippines when they are classified as to age, gender, civil status, experience, and academic rank?