The Research Plan
In its simplest definition, a research plan is a document that includes preliminary and basic information
about the research work that you would like to do. It may contain details about the topic that you intend to
do, its importance or
significance, the steps that you have already done, and the next actions that you are going to do in order to
meet your targets or until you have answered your research questions. Technically, this is not a research
proposal yet but more likely a concept paper.
Although there is no institutionalized formatting of a research plan just yet, the following are its basics:
I. Basic Information
This part of the research plan contains your basic information. For a Senior High School Learner like you, it
would be beneficial to include the following information:
A. Complete Name
B. Learner Reference Number (LRN)
C. School and Address
D. Track and Strand
E. Complete Home Address
II. Background
Short presentation of basic concepts and information about the research topic shall be presented in this
section. Include few relevant readings and literature which serve as major background of your paper. Cite
also your motivation for the topic and the reasons and importance of your study.
III. Objectives and Methods
Cite in this section the long term and short term objectives or targets of your research work. Indicate also
whether you are using quantitative, qualitative or mixed method of research.
IV. Working Framework
Through an illustrative illustrations or diagrams, show the variables or concepts that are involved in your
paper. Show the connections and relationship and role of these important constructs in achieving the
results of the study. The Input-Process-Output Model is commonly used. However, feel free to execute
your creativity and ideas in crafting the framework for your paper.
V. Assumptions
This part contains the expected outcome of the study. What results do you anticipate? It is
better that you construct positive results regarding the research that you plan to
undertake. This can be in numbered form,
bulleted, or in a paragraph or two
VI. Timetable
You may have heard about Gantt Chart of activities. This section contains the same
concept but in simplified and detailed format in order for you to plan things out even
more systematically and productively. A timetable guides you to be able to work on
important activities necessary for you to complete your research. Please study the
example timetable below to get ideas on how a plan looks like and what information can
be included.
FORMULATING CLEAR
STATEMENT OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
FORMULATING CLEAR STATEMENT OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
•A research problem is a statement of a concern in any area, a problem that
needs immediate solution, a recurring difficulty that is necessary to be taken
out of the situation, or a practical question from a scholarly inquiry in
different disciplines.
As an intelligent recall, Clemente, Julaton, & Orleans (2016) noted some
criteria for evaluating whether or not a research problem or statement is good.
May it be quantitative, qualitative, or mixed method research, research
problem
should bear the S.M.A.R.T. characteristics.
Specific. This refers to the quality of being exact or particular. Research problem statement
.should be able to communicate the specific inquiry or question that needs to be answered
Measurable. This is never an issue in a quantitative method of research. However, in terms
of qualitative research method, the measurability of a research statement refers to its
epistemological
aspect or the state of being objectively observable. More than that, instruments of data-
.gathering should be present
Attainable. The research questions should be easily answered or achieved when the
.appropriate procedures are performed
Realistic. The possibility of being carried out should always be observed in formulating the
.research problem especially when there is a need for experimentations and observations
Time-Bound. Time is an important element in the research work. The research questions
.should be narrowed enough to be attained within the set time frame
Meanwhile, Calderon and Gonzales (2014) specified general guidelines in formulating the
general problem and the specific sub-problems or specific questions.
1. The general statement and specific sub-questions should be formulated before carrying out
actions in the conduct of the research work.
2. State the specific sub-problems in interrogative form.
3. The specific question should bear only one clear meaning.
4. Every question should not be dependent apart from other questions that is requiring answers
afar from other questions.
5. It must be based on facts and phenomena.
6. The answers to each specific question should be contributory to the development of the
general problem statement.
Types of Research Questions
The following are the four types of research questions in terms of their
purpose according to Clemente, Julaton, & Orleans (2016).
1. Factor-isolating questions. The major concern of these questions is to categorize, label, or
name factors and situations that exist or those that are
present in the perimeter of the research work.
Examples:
What are the difficulties encountered by Senior High School learners in the New Normal
set-up of educational system in the country?
What are the possible contribution that parents and the community can extend to schools
to overcome the difficulties encountered by Senior High School learners in the New Normal
educational system?
2. Factor-relating questions. Establishing relationships between and among factors that have been identified is the purpose of
these questions.
Examples:
What relationship exists between the socio-economic status of family to the learning ability of students?
Is there a significant relationship between the choice of words of learners in essay writing and the speaking skills of learners?
3. Situation-relating questions. These questions emphasize the observable changes that happen to variable/s involved in the
study as a result of experimentation.
Examples:
What is the effect of the modular distance learning to the learning style and behavior of learners?
What are the impacts of flexible learning options and modalities in the educational system in the Philippines?
4. Situation-producing questions. These questions open the opportunity to create a definite course of action, policies or
conditions in order to accomplish or to achieve a certain goal.
Examples:
What project could be designed to empower parents and the community to be involved in the educational system?
What action plan could be proposed to strengthen the coordination between the family, the community and the school
in achieving relevant education?
QUIZ TIME!
Write the word "MESES" if the statement is correct and write the word "ANTE" if the statement is incorrect.
1. Specific. This refers to the quality of being exact or particular. Research problem statement should be able
to communicate the specific inquiry or question that needs to be answered.
2. Time-Bound. Time is an important element in the research work. The research questions should be
narrowed enough to be attained within the set time frame.
3. Attainable. This is never an issue in a quantitative method of research. However, in terms of qualitative
research method, the measurability of a research statement refers to its epistemological aspect or the state of
being objectively observable. More than that, instruments of data-gathering should be present.
4. Realistic. The possibility of being carried out should always be observed in formulating the research
problem especially when there is a need for experimentations and observations.
5. Measurable. This is never an issue in a quantitative method of research. However, in terms of qualitative
research method, the measurability of a research statement refers to its epistemological aspect or the state of
being objectively observable. More than that, instruments of data-gathering should be present.
6.What relationship exists between the socio-economic status of family to the learning
ability of students? Is an example of Factor-relating questions.
7. What are the difficulties encountered by Senior High School learners in the New
Normal set-up of educational system in the country? Is an example of Factor-isolating
questions.
8. What is the effect of the modular distance learning to the learning style and behavior
of learners? Is an example of Situation-producing questions.
9. What action plan could be proposed to strengthen the coordination between the
family, the community and the school in achieving relevant education? Is an example of
Situation-relating questions.
10. Factor-relating questions. Establishing relationships between and among factors that
have been identified is the purpose of these questions.
11-15 Arrange the Jumble letters.
11. O B U C K A G N D - Short presentation of basic concepts and information about the research topic shall
be presented in this section. Include few relevant readings and literature which serve as major background of
your paper. Cite also your motivation for the topic and the reasons and importance of your study.
12. T R E I I A L C S - The possibility of being carried out should always be observed in formulating the
research problem especially when there is a need for experimentations and observations.
13. P S E C F I I C - This refers to the quality of being exact or particular. Research problem statement
should be able to communicate the specific inquiry or question that needs to be answered.
14. E E M S A R A U L B - This is never an issue in a quantitative method of research. However, in terms of
qualitative research method, the measurability of a research statement refers to its epistemological aspect or
the state of being objectively observable. More than that, instruments of data-gathering should be present.
15. S S U A P I T O N S M - This part contains the expected outcome of the study. What results do you
anticipate? It is better that you construct positive results regarding the research that you plan to undertake.
This can be in numbered form, bulleted, or in a paragraph or two
THANK YOU!!
