12 PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

Quarter 1- Module 5
Lesson

5 Background of Research

What’s In
Reading a well-written research title gives the reader an insight of what the research
study is all about. Although it captures the main point of the study, it does not sufficiently
explain all the details of the study. Hence the reader opts to read on for better understanding.

When introducing your study to the readers, you must bridge the gap from what is
known to what is unknown. Establishing the importance of finding the answer to the question
makes the reader feel the need to answer such a question. Thus, it makes the research project
more meaningful and valuable.

What I Need to Know

Choosing a sound research topic entails a considerable amount of time, focus, and
preliminary research. Before a topic was finalized, you may have read and evaluated the
question many times and even consulted professionals or instructors to ensure its validity and
feasibility. How you relay to the reader the implication of the research problem formulated is
what constitutes the background of the study section of your paper. At the end of this lesson,
you should be able to describe the background of research and will learn what salient
information should be included in the background of the study segment of your paper.

What Is It
Background of the Study

The background of the study is the part of your paper where you inform the reader of
the context of the study. When we say context, it means the situation or circumstances within
which your research topic was conceptualized. Ideally, this part is written when you have
already conducted a literature review and has a good perception of the topic so you can
articulate the importance and validity of the research problem. It is also in this part of the paper
where you justify the need to conduct a research study about the topic selected by establishing
the research gap.

A research gap is an under or unexplored area of a topic that requires further

exploration. The gap can be in a form of other variables, conditions, population, methodology,
or test subject. To identify research gaps, an exhaustive literature review regarding the topic
is required. You may have to look for similar or related studies employing quantitative,
qualitative, or mixed-methods from legitimate sources and examine the gray areas. Reading
through the Discussion, Conclusion, or the Recommendations sections of the articles will help
you know potential areas of study that need further attention. Identifying research gaps
sometimes would even make researchers modify their research problem as they get
noteworthy ideas from fellow researchers.

While both the Background of the Study and the Review of Related Literature involves
reading past related studies, they differ in some aspects. The former is at the introductory part
of the paper with the purpose of relaying the importance of your research study; the latter is
more comprehensive and thoroughly discuss the studies mentioned in the background of
research. Moreover, the background of the study will answer the following questions:
1. What is already known about the topic?
2. What is not known about the topic?
3. Why do you need to address those gaps?
4. What is the rationale of your study?

While answering these questions, keep in mind that the studies you include in this part of
the paper are laid down as part of the introduction and should not be discussed in great detail.
The depth and length of the background information largely depend on how much information
you think the reader needs to know to have a full grasp of the topic being discussed.

What I Have Learned

Directions: As you have learned from this lesson, answer each question comprehensively.

1. What is the relevance of the Background of the Study in your research paper?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

2. Compare and contrast Background of the Study and Literature Review.

___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

3. What important components should be included in the Background of the Study?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Directions: Let’s expand the research topic and title you did in the activities from previous
lesson by composing a one to two-page Background of the Study. Print it on a
short bond paper in the format below:

Font: Arial, size 11

Spacing: double
Margin: Normal: 1” all sides

Name: _________________________ Section: ___________________ Date: ___________

Research topic:___________________________________________________________
Research title:____________________________________________________________
Background of the Study
___________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.

Additional Activity
Directions: After you submit your Background of the Study, once it is corrected in accordance
with the guidelines given, you may start incorporating your Background of the Study to your
research manuscript.

Lesson

Research Questions
6
What’s In
In previous lessons of this Module 3, you were taught how to design research that is
interesting and something that you are passionate about. You have learned that research
problems are actually within your environment or area of interest. You are given various
activities to learn how to come up with interesting and useful research problems. Identification
of the research problems and research questions will be furthered explained in this lesson.

You have also learned how to craft qualitative research problems and questions when
you took Practical Research 1 In this lesson, quantitative research problems and types of
quantitative research questions will be elaborated.

What I Need to Know

Nature of Quantitative Research Problem
Once a person encountered uncertainty, being inquisitive, you will find ways for
answers or solution. Ignited by interest, curiosity, or need you will find yourself pondering about
the current problem you are facing. When you are thinking and behaving this way, you are
then confronted by a problem that can be a source of a research problem.

A research problem is simple as a problem you would like to research. Quantitative

Research Problem dealt more with the precision and specificity of the problem. Furthermore,
the quantitative research problem describes trends and patterns of a phenomenon.
 When you have identified your quantitative research problem, you can now state it and
make sure to establish its place in your study. In your written paper, this can be found as
Statement of the Problem, where it formally introduces the problem that you want to investigate
or address. Then you will start specifying what you want to answer in your study.

Research Problem and Research Questions

The research questions help to clarify and specify the research problem. Research
questions are also considered as sub-problems of your research problem. These questions
are informative in nature. It specifies the method of collecting and analyzing data and the type
of data to be collected since you are exploring a quantitative research problem.

What’s New

Activity 1: That’s a Good Question

Directions: Here are some samples of research questions. Rank them on a scale of 1 to 10
(1= lowest, 10 = highest) based on its feasibility and clarity as a quantitative
research question. Then provide a brief explanation of your rating.

Your
Quantitative Research Question Explanation
Rating
1. How many Grade-7 students are
enrolled in blended learning this
School Year?

2. Is modular learning or online learning

more effective in Language or
Science subjects?

3. Is there a significant relationship in the

number of households and COVID-
19 confirmed cases in a Barangay?

What Is It

Characteristics of Good Research Questions

Once you have already enumerated your research questions for your study, it is
important that you consider its quality to answer and explain your research problem. The
following are good characteristics of research questions, as described by Fraenkel and Wallen
(2020).

Feasible. Consider the amount of time, energy, money, respondents, and even your current
situation as a student-researcher. Is the research problem possible? Will it not spend
unreasonable amount? Consider these examples: “How do parents feel about the blended
learning modality for elementary learners?” and “How would giving each learner their own
laptop to be used in this blended learning modality affect their performance tasks?” The first
example is definitely a more feasible research question. Considering the resources, it is more
possible to gather the data needed to answer the question.

Clear. The clarity of how the questions stated lead to agreement of meaning of the readers
of your study. Since your research questions are also considered as the main focus in the
gathering and analyzing the data, it is therefore very important that these are stated clearly.

Significant. Ask if your research questions are relevant or important to ask. Will answering
these questions provide an additional contribution to address the given research problem? In
other words, are the research questions really worth investigating?

At this point, you do not just consider the time and money that you will spend, but more
importantly, the value of what you are trying to investigate. So aside from the reason that your
chosen research problem is within your interest, you should also provide a sound justification
of your choice as a researcher.

Ethical. Always consider the welfare of people, animals or who so ever involve in your study.
Look into ways of answering the research questions without inflicting physical and
psychological harm to persons involved.

Formulating Research Questions

Research questions can be generally classified into two: general and specific. The
general question of the study is derived from the research problem while the specific questions
are anchored on the general research problem.

For example:

This study aims to determine the relationship between the types learning delivery mode and
students’ learning styles. Furthermore, it seeks to answer the following research questions:
(1) What are the different learning delivery modes of the school? (2) What the various learning
styles of the students? (3) Is there a significant relationship between the different learning
delivery modes of the school and the learning styles of its students?

Notice that a general problem was presented first. Then it was followed by the specific
questions considered as research questions of the study.

In stating quantitative research questions, you should also consider the design of your
quantitative research. Quantitative research designs will be elaborated in Module 4. For the
purpose of writing your research question, here’s a quick guide of research questions for
descriptive research, correlational research, Ex Post Facto research, Experimental, and
Quasi-experimental research.

Research Questions for Descriptive Research focuses on observing and reporting

factors or aspects of the research problem. Phrases such as how often/frequently, how
many/much, what is/are, to what extent/degree, and the likes are used in these questions. For
example, you study the use of social media among Senior High School Students, you can ask
the following questions:

What are the various social media platforms used by Senior High Students?

How many hours students spend on social media per week?

Research Questions for Correlational Research aim to determine the relationships

among two or more variables in your research problem. Correlational research questions
usually begin with the phrases “Is there a significant relationship” or “What is the relationship
between/among”. In the study of use of social media and level of digital literacy of students
following questions can be asked:

What is the relationship between the length of hours spent on social media and level
of digital literacy of students?

Is there a significant relationship between the type of social media used and the level
digital literacy of students?

Research Questions for Ex Post Facto Research attempt to identify the causes of
the phenomenon in the context of your research problem. It is also assumed that no control or
manipulation of variable has been done in order to cause the effect. It is understood that the
cause of the problem already exists before you conducted your study. For example, ex post
facto study on family background and digital literacy of students, the following questions can
be asked:

Is there a difference in the literacy level of students between their cultural and
educational family background?

Research Questions for Experimental and Quasi-experimental Research

suggests that answers to these questions are brought about by manipulation or control of a
certain variable during the conduct of the study. These questions provide explanation to the
causal relationship of variables. The following research questions can be asked on studies on
elementary student’s remedial sessions and academic performance of students:

Is there a significant difference in the posttest scores of the control group and
experimental group?

What’s More
Activity 2: The Very Good Questions

Directions: Using the same examples in your Activity 1, rank them on the scale of 1 to 10 (1=
lowest, 10 = highest) based on the given parameters in writing a good research
question. If you find that the questions are not so good, then rewrite the questions
on the last column of the table. If your think it is already good, then write your
justification also.

Quantitative Research Your Rating Revised Question/

Question Justification
Feasible Clear Significant Ethical
1. How many Grade-7
students are enrolled in
blended learning this
School Year?
 2. Is modular learning or
online learning more
effective in Language or
Science subjects?

3. Is there a significant
relationship in the
number of households
and COVID-19
confirmed cases in a
Barangay?

Activity 2: Write the Questions

Directions: Write one general research question and two specific research questions for the
given research problem below.

Research Problem General Question Specific Questions

The Relationship
between Media
Exposure and Health
Anxiety

Organization’s
Leadership Practices
and Employee’s Job
Satisfaction

Effects of Parenting
Style and Children
Study Habits
 What I Have Learned

Directions: As you have learned from this lesson, answer each question comprehensively.

1. What I know about research question?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

2. I have learned that good questions are

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

3. This time, I have learned that when stating quantitative research questions

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

State your Research Questions

Directions: Perform the following task. Referring to your background of the study and research
problem, list your research questions. When formulating these questions, consider
the design of your quantitative research.

1. ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
 Additional Activity
Direction: After you submit your research questions, once it is corrected in accordance to the
guidelines given, you may start incorporating your research questions to your
research manuscript.

Assessment: (Post-Test)
Directions: Read and analyze the statements below. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following is NOT an essential characteristic of a researchable question?

A. The question is answerable by some sort of data that can be collected.
B. Answering the question provides a positive outcome to society.
C. The question is comprehensive.
D. The question is interesting.

2. Which of the following questions is most suitable for quantitative research?

A. Will the colors of the wall affect children’s preference and engagement during play
time?
B. Is there a relationship between soil components and shape of seeds?
C. Do online materials enhance the performance of students?
D. What are the features of herbal plants in the province?

3. If you are going to look for a topic idea for your research study, what is the most
reliablesource you are going to consider?
A. Review of literature C. Wikipedia
B. Folklores D. Blogs

4. Which of the following best describes the development process for a research question?
A. To focus your literature review, research topic must be refined first before doing
apreliminary research.
B. Preliminary research helps trim down a broad topic to a more manageable
question.

C. As specific question can be broadened to make study more significant.

D. A broad topic is trimmed down to make it more interesting.

5. What refers to an issue that has not been fully addressed by previous studies?
A. Research problem C. Research question
B. Research topic D. Research gap

6. Which of the following statements is a characteristic of a good research title?A. Short

but accurate description of the content of the study.
B. Use abbreviations to shorten the number of characters.
 C. All beginning letters of each word is capitalized.
D. Indicates all variables in the study.

7. Which of the following is the most common form of the research title?
A. Interrogative C. Question form
B. Phrase D. Declarative
8. What part of research expresses the context of the problem that will support the
validityand rationale of the study?
A. Research title C. Background of the study
B. Research topic D. Research problem

9. Which of the following characteristics describes a good research question?

A. Feasible, clear, significant and includes a hypothesis
B. Feasible, clear, significant, and ethical
C. Clear, significant, and ethical
D. Feasible, clear, and ethical

10. Which if the following statements is NOT true about the background of research? A. It
elaborates on the findings or information from the literature cited.
B. It explains how the research question was derived.
C. It justifies the need to conduct the study.
D. It establishes the research gap.

11. What part of the research study states rationale of the problem and basic literature
background?
A. Statement of the Problem
B. Significance of the Study
C. Background of the Study
D. Scope and Delimitation

12. Quantitative research problem dealt more with A. description and general explanation
of phenomena
B. description and explanation of situations
C. precision and specificity of the problem
D. trends and patterns of chosen group

13. “What are the various learning modalities offered in Gusa Elementary School for SY
2020-21?” This is an example of research question of what type of quantitative
research?
A. Quasi-experimental research C. Correlational Research
B. Descriptive Research D. Ex post facto

14. “What is the relationship between time spent in texting and spelling ability? This is an
example of research question of what type of quantitative research?
A. Correlational Research C. Experimental research
B. Descriptive Research D. Ex post facto

15. “Is there a difference in the scores of group A from group B after the special tutorial
program? This is an example of research question of what type of quantitative
research?
A. Correlational Research C. Experimental research
B. Descriptive Research D. Ex post facto