Research Questions

Nature of Quantitative Research Problem

Once we encounter uncertainty, being
inquisitive, we always find ways for answers or
solution. Ignited by interest, curiosity, or need, we
always find ourselves pondering about the current
problem we are facing. When we are thinking and
behaving this way, we 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
deals more with the precision and specificity of the
problem. Furthermore, the quantitative research
problem describes trends and patterns of a
 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. By this time, you can start
specifying what you want to answer in your study.

Research Problem and Research Questions

The research questions help clarify and specify
the research problem. They are also considered as sub-
problems of your research problem and are informative
in nature. They specify the method of collecting and
•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 their feasibility
and clarity as a quantitative research question.
Then, provide a brief explanation of your rating.
 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
 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
 Clear. The clarity of how the
questions are 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 whosoever are involved
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 of 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 are the various learning styles of the
students? (3) Is there a significant relationship between the
different learning delivery modes of the school and the
 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,
 Research Questions for Descriptive
Research focus on observing, describing,
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?
 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
 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 also 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
 Research Questions for
Experimental and Quasi-experimental
Research suggest 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:
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 you think it is
already good, then write your justification as well.
 Activity 3: Write the Questions
Directions: Write one general research question and two specific
research questions for the given research problem below.
What I Have Learned
Directions: As you have learned from this
lesson, answer each item comprehensively.

[Link] I know about research question is

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2. I have learned that good questions are

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What I Can
Do
In a yellow paper answer the
following:
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
What I Have Learned
What I Can Do
Than
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You