Project MIMs

Grade 12 – Practical Research 2

G12 MIMs LCs 6 - 7

RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Learning Competencies:
• describes background of research;
• state research questions

Objective:
• write the research introduction of a study containing its background and research problems

REMEMBER:

BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH

The background of research/ background of the study is a part of research provided

in the introduction section of the paper. The background of the study is a compilation of
adequate information that is based on the analysis of the problem or proposed argument,
the steps and methods needed to arrive at the design and the implementation of the results
achieved and feasible solutions.

RESEARCH QUESTION

A research question is an answerable inquiry into a specific concern or issue. It is

the initial step in a research project. The 'initial step' means after you have an idea of what
you want to study, the research question is the first active step in the research project.

A metaphor for a research project is a house. Your data collection forms the walls,
and your hypothesis that guides your data collection is the foundation. So, what is the
research question? It is the ground beneath the foundation. It is what everything in a
research project is built on. Without a question, you cannot have a hypothesis. Without the
hypothesis, you will not know how to study what you are interested in.

A research question forms the base of where you are going, so writing a good
research question is essential. If your foundation is built on something shifty, like a house
built on sand, then everything following that will be about correcting that initial issue instead
of on making a good home/ research project.

RESEARCH INTRODUCTION

The introduction of a research paper can be the most challenging part of the paper
to write. The length of the introduction will vary depending on the type of research paper you
are writing. An introduction should announce your topic, provide context and a rationale for
your work, before stating your research questions and hypothesis. Well-written introductions
set the tone for the paper, catch the reader's interest, and communicate the hypothesis or
thesis statement.

ENLIGHTEN:

WRITING BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH/ BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Stage 1. At the beginning stages of formulating your thesis, many of the issues are still very
unclear, and you need to solidify your thoughts, you should conduct preliminary research.
You conduct this preliminary research on the specific topic, and the area of study will help
you to put forward a research question or thesis statement that will finally lead to more
relevant and specific research. You can visit a library, check the Internet and other electronic
databases to find preliminary sources such as scholarly journals and books about your
background of the study.

Stage 2. Read and gather the information you need to develop a thesis statement or
research question that will guide your thesis. You should take notes and also keep an
accurate track of the sources of information you have used up to this point. A lot of people
use note cards, but it is easier and better to use electronic note-taking programs in this
electronic age. Just make sure to use a form or recording that is comfortable and easier for
you. Also, make sure you cite the source of every information you are using on each note
so that you won’t forget where you got the information from, just in case you want to use it
in your thesis.

Stage 3. Develop and pen down research question or thesis statement. Think about the
things you have read and searched for issues or solutions that have been found by other
people and then formulate your stance or opinion on the issue. Write out your position or
opinion as an authoritative statement. You can decide to do more detailed research at this
point and look for more sources that are more relevant to your research question or thesis.

Stage 4. Complete your research using question and thesis statement as your guide. You
should be able to find sources that are relevant to your specific thesis and provide more
insight into your research question. It is critical that your sources provide information on the
history and past researches related to your thesis or research question.

Stage 5. As you create your background study, create relevant sections. When you start
writing, create five different sections that have the key issues, major findings, and the
controversies that are surrounding your research question or thesis and also a section that
provides evaluation and a conclusion.

Stage 6. Identify the further studies that need to be done in the in the conclusion section.
And mention possible solutions to the issue that have not been put into consideration in the
past.

Stage 7. Do a revision and editing of your background of the study. You can write out several
drafts of your work, revising, editing, and adding more information as you do so before
coming up with the final one. Make sure each draft is better than the previous. You can also
ask someone else to help you go through it.

WRITING FORMAT FOR BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH/ BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1. Begin by giving a general overview of your research topic and introduce the main
ideas you will be making use of throughout your research.
2. Then, give the detailed and precise information about all the methodologies used in
the research. This can take up to several paragraphs depending on the individual
and research question or research topic.
3. Cite your sources where necessary to avoid plagiarism.
4. Then you can introduce the research by describing your choice of methodology
briefly., why you have decided to use this methodology instead of others and the
objective of the methodology.

DEVELOPING RESEARCH QUESTIONS

A good research question is essential to guide your research paper. It pinpoints

exactly what you want to find out and gives your work a clear focus and purpose. All research
questions should be:

• Focused on a single problem or issue

• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly
Focused and Researchable
Criteria Explanation
Focuses on a single topic and Your central research question should follow from your
problem research problem to keep your work focused. If you have
multiple questions, they should all clearly relate to this
central aim.
Answerable using primary or You must be able to find an answer by
secondary data collecting quantitative and/or qualitative data, or by
reading scholarly sources on the topic to develop an
argument. If such data is impossible to access, you will
have to rethink your question and ask something more
concrete.
Does not ask for a subjective Avoid subjective words like good, bad, better, and worse,
value judgement as these do not give clear criteria for answering the
question. If your question is evaluating something, use
terms with more measurable definitions.

Is X or Y a better policy?

How effective are X and Y policies at reducing

rates of Z?
Does not ask why Why questions are usually too open to serve as good
research questions. There are often so many possible
causes that a research project cannot give a thorough
answer. Try asking what or how questions instead.

Why does X occur?

What are the main factors contributing to X?

How is X influenced by Y?

Feasible and Specific

Criteria Explanation
Answerable within practical Make sure you have enough time and resources to do the
constraints research required to answer the question. If you think you
might struggle to gain access to enough data, consider
narrowing down the question to be more specific.
Uses specific, well-defined All the terms you use in the research question should
concepts have clear meanings. Avoid vague language and broad
ideas, and be clear
about what, who, where and when your question
addresses.

What effect does social media have on people’s

minds?

What effect does daily use of Twitter have on the

attention span of under-16s?
Does not ask for a conclusive Research is about informing, not instructing. Even if your
solution, policy, or course of project is focused on a practical problem, it should aim to
action improve understanding and suggest possibilities rather
than asking for a ready-made solution.

What should the government do about low voter

turnout?

What are the most effective communication

strategies for increasing voter turnout among
under-30s?
Complex and Arguable
Criteria Explanation
Cannot be answered Closed yes/ no questions are too simple to work as good
with yes or no research questions - they do not provide enough scope
for investigation and discussion.

Has there been an increase in homelessness in

the UK in the past ten years?

How have economic and political factors affected

patterns of homelessness in the UK over the past
ten years?
Cannot be answered with If you can answer the question through a Google search
easily found facts and figures or by reading a single book or article, it is probably not
complex enough. A good research question requires
original data, synthesis of multiple sources, interpretation
and/or argument to provide an answer.
Provides scope for debate and The answer to the question should not just be a simple
deliberation statement of fact: there needs to be space for you to
discuss and interpret what you found. This is especially
important in an essay or research paper, where the
answer to your question often takes the form of an
argumentative thesis statement.

Relevant and Original

Criteria Explanation
Address a problem relevant to The research question should be developed based on
your field or discipline initial reading around your topic, and it should focus on
addressing a problem or gap in the existing knowledge.
Contributes to a topical social The question should aim to contribute to an existing
or academic debate debate - ideally one that is current in your field or in
society at large. It should produce knowledge that future
researchers or practitioners can build on.
Has not already been You do not have to ask something groundbreaking that
answered nobody has ever thought of before, but the question
should have some aspect of originality (for example, by
focusing on a specific location or taking a new angle on a
long-running debate).

In a research paper, you will usually write a single research question to guide your
reading and thinking. The answer that you develop is your thesis statement - the central
assertion or position that your paper will argue for.

In a bigger research project, such as a thesis or dissertation, you might have multiple
research questions, but they should all be clearly connected and focused around a central
research problem.

There are many types of research question that correspond to different types of
research.

STEPS IN WRITING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

The process of developing your research question follows several steps:

Step 1. Choose a broad topic

Step 2. Do some preliminary reading to find out about topical debates and issues
Step 3. Narrow down a specific niche that you want to focus on
Step 4. Identify a practical or theoretical research problem that you will address
 When you have a clearly defined problem, you need to formulate one or more
questions. Think about exactly what you want to know and how it will contribute to resolving
the problem.

Example research problem Example research question(s)

The teachers at school X do not have the
skills to recognize or properly guide gifted
children in the classroom.
Under-30s increasingly engage in the “gig
economy” instead of traditional full-time
employment, but there is little research into
young people’s experiences of this type of
work.
What practical techniques can teachers at
school X use to better identify and guide
gifted children?
What are the main factors that influence
young people’s decisions to engage in the
gig economy? What do workers perceive as
its advantages and disadvantages? Do age
and education level have an effect on how
people experience this type of work?

TYPES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Both qualitative and quantitative research require research questions. The kind of
question you use depends on what you want to find out about and the type of research you
want to do. It will shape your research design.

The table below shows some of the most common types of research questions. Bear
in mind that many academic research questions will be more complex than these examples,
often combining two or more types.

Research question type Formulation

Descriptive research What are the characteristics of X?
Comparative research What are the differences and similarities between X and Y?

Correlational research What is the relationship between variable X and variable Y?

Exploratory research
Explanatory research
Evaluation research
What are the main factors in X? What is the role of Y in Z?
Does X have an effect on Y? What is the impact of Y on Z?
What are the causes of X?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of X? How well
does Y work? How effective or desirable is Z?

Action research How can X be achieved? What are the most effective
strategies to improve Y?

WRITING A RESEARCH INTRODUCTION

Part 1. Introducing the Topic of the Paper

Step 1 - Announce your research topic. You can start your introduction with a few
sentences which announce the topic of your paper and give an indication of the kind of
research questions you will be asking. This is a good way to introduce your readers to your
topic and pique their interest. The first few sentences should act as an indication of a broader
problem which you will then focus in on more closely in the rest of your introduction, leading
to your specific research questions.

• In scientific papers this is sometimes known as an "inverted triangle", where you start
with the broadest material at the start, before zooming in on the specifics.
• The sentence "Throughout the 20th century, our views of life on other planets have
drastically changed" introduces a topic but does so in broad terms.
• It provides the reader with an indication of the content of the essay and encourages them
to read on.

Step 2 - Consider referring to key words. When you write a research paper for publication
you will be required to submit it along with a series of key words which give a quick indication
of the areas of research you are addressing. You may also have certain key words in your
title which you want to establish and emphasize in your introduction.

• For example, if you were writing a paper about the behavior of mice when exposed to a
particular substance, you would include the word "mice", and the scientific name of the
relevant compound in the first sentences.
• If you were writing a history paper about the impact of the First World War on gender
relations in Britain, you should mention those key words in your first few lines.

Step 3 - Define any key terms or concepts. It may be necessary for you to clarify any key
terms or concepts early on in your introduction. You need to express yourself clearly
throughout your paper so if you leave an unfamiliar term or concept unexplained you risk
your readers not having a clear understanding of your argument.

• This is especially important if you are attempting to develop a new conceptualization that
uses language and terminology your readers may be unfamiliar with.

Step 4 - Introduce the topic through an anecdote or quotation. If you are writing a
humanities or social science essay you can find more literary ways to begin your introduction
and announce the topic of your paper. It is common for humanities essays in particular to
begin with an illustrative anecdote or quotation that points to the topic of the research. This
is a variation of the "inverted triangle" technique and can generate interest in your paper in
a more imaginative way and demonstrate an engaging writing style.

• If you use an anecdote, ensure that is short and highly relevant for your research. It has
to function in the same way as an alternative opening, namely, to announce the topic of
your research paper to your reader.
• For example, if you were writing a sociology paper about re-offending rates among young
offenders, you could include a brief story of one person whose story reflects and
introduces your topic.
• This kind of approach is generally not appropriate for the introduction to a natural or
physical sciences research paper where the writing conventions are different.

Part 2. Establishing the Context for your Paper

Step 1 - Include a brief literature review. Depending on the overall length of your paper, it
will be necessary to include a review of the existing literature already published in the field.
This is an important element of your paper which demonstrates that you have a strong
knowledge and understanding of the debates and scholarship in your area. You should aim
to indicate that you have a broad knowledge, but that you are engaging in the specific
debates most relevant to your own research.

• It is important to be concise in the introduction, so provide an overview on recent

developments in the primary research rather than a lengthy discussion.
• You can follow the "inverted triangle" principle to focus in from the broader themes to
those to which you are making a direct contribution with your paper.
• A strong literature review presents important background information to your own
research and indicates the importance of the field.

Step 2 - Use the literature to focus in on your contribution. A concise but comprehensive
literature review can be a very effective way to frame your own research paper. As you
develop your introduction, you can move from the literature to focus in on your own work
and its position relevant to the broader scholarship.

• By making clear reference to existing work you can demonstrate explicitly the specific
contribution you are making to move the field forward.
• You can identify a gap in the existing scholarship and explain how you are addressing it
and moving understanding forward.
Step 3 - Elaborate on the rationale of your paper. Once you have framed your work within
a broader context you can elaborate more fully on the rationale of your research and its
particular strengths and importance. The rationale should clearly and concisely indicate the
value of your paper and its contribution to the field. Try to go beyond saying that you are
filling a gap in the scholarship and emphasize the positive contribution of your work.

• For example, if you are writing a scientific paper you could stress the merits of the
experimental approach or models you have used.
• Stress what is novel in your research and the significance of your new approach, but do
not give too much detail in the introduction.
• A stated rationale could be something like: "the study evaluates the previously unknown
anti-inflammatory effects of a topical compound in order to evaluate its potential clinical
uses".

Part 3. Specifying your Research Questions and Hypothesis (Thesis Statement)

Step 1 - State your research questions. Once you have indicated where your research
sits in the field and the general rationale for your paper, you can specify the research
questions the paper addresses. The literature review and rationale frames your research
and introduces your research question. This question should be developed fluently from the
earlier parts of the introduction and should not come as a surprise to the reader.

• The research question or questions generally come towards the end of the introduction
and should be concise and closely focused.
• The research question might recall some of the key words established in the first few
sentences and the title of your paper.
• An example of a research question could be "what were the consequences of the North
American Free Trade Agreement on the Mexican export economy?"
• This could be honed further to be specific by referring to a particular element of the Free
Trade Agreement and the impact on an industry in Mexico, such as clothing manufacture.
• A good research question should shape a problem into a testable hypothesis.

Step 2 - Indicate your hypothesis. After you have specified your research questions you
need to give a clear and concise articulation of your hypothesis, or your thesis statement.
This is a statement which indicates your essay will make a specific contribution and have a
clear result rather than just covering a broader topic. You should make it clear briefly how
you came to this hypothesis in a way which references your discussion of the existing
literature.

• If possible, try to avoid using the word "hypothesis" and rather make this implicit in your
writing. This can make your writing appear less formulaic.
• In a scientific paper, giving a clear one-sentence overview of your results and their
relation to your hypothesis makes the information clear and accessible.
• An example of a hypothesis could be "mice deprived of food for the duration of the study
were expected to become more lethargic than those fed normally".

Step 3 - Outline the structure of your paper. In some cases, the final part of an introduction
to a research paper will be a few lines that provide an overview of the structure of the body
of the paper. This could simply give an outline of how you have organized the paper and
how it is broken down into sections.

• This is not always necessary, and you should pay attention to the writing conventions in
your discipline.
• In a natural sciences paper, for example, there is a fairly rigid structure which you will be
following.
• A humanities or social science paper will most likely present more opportunities to
deviate in how you structure your paper.
LET’S TRY:

Instructions: Write your comprehensive learning about the following.

1. What are the processes to be considered in writing background of research/

background of the study?
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2. What are the processes to be considered in developing research questions?

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3. What are the processes to be considered in writing the introduction of your

research?
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 REINFORCEMENT:

Instructions: Based on your approved research topic and title, write the background of
research/ background of the study, research question/s and introduction of
your study as part of the final requirement in Practical Research 2 by
considering the learning that you have in this module. Use the format below.

Background of Research/ Background of the Study

Research Question/s

Introduction
 Challenge!

Find four (4) different quantitative research studies and read the background of
research/ background of the study, research question/s and introduction. Critique the
background of research/ background of the study, research question/s and
introduction based on the learning you gained using this module. Follow the format
below.

1. Research Title:

Remarks on Background of Research/ Background of the Study:

Remarks on Research Question/s:

Remarks on Introduction:

2. Research Title:

Remarks on Background of Research/ Background of the Study:

Remarks on Research Question/s:

Remarks on Introduction:
3. Research Title:

Remarks on Background of Research/ Background of the Study:

Remarks on Research Question/s:

Remarks on Introduction:

4. Research Title:

Remarks on Background of Research/ Background of the Study:

Remarks on Research Question/s:

Remarks on Introduction:

Prepared by:

MR. JESTER G. DE LEON

Master Teacher I, MNHS – SHS