Writing a Research Title

DENNIS M. CHUMACERA
SHS Teacher
 Research Title
• Not like “manna” that will fall from heaven
• Product of real world observations, dilemmas,
wide reading, selective viewing, meaningful
interactions, and deep reflections
• The research problem or inquiry in capsule
form
• Must clearly reflect the topic of investigation,
original, clear, concise or specific
Broad Topics VS
Specific Topics
 Broad Topics
• Should always be narrowed down.
• EXAMPLES:
1. blended learning in Science class
2. Presidential Election Results
3. Agri-business
4. Social Networking
5. Vegetarianism
 Specific Topics
• Are researchable
• EXAMPLES:
1. A Correlation Study on the Use of Blended
Learning in Freshmen English Classes and Student
Achievement
2. The Impact of Agribusiness on the Philippine
Economy
3. Campaign Events and Materials and their
Impact on Presidential Election Results
4. The Cause-Effect Relationship of Social
Networking and Online Selling
5. Effects of Vegetarianism on Physical Health
Techniques In Narrowing Down a Topic
• 1. Examine the literature. Published articles
are an excellent source of ideas for research
questions. They are usually at an appropriate
level of specificity and suggest research
questions that focus on the following:
A. Replicate a previous research project
exactly or with slight variations
B. Explore unexpected findings discovered in
previous research
C. Follow suggestions an author gives for
future research at the end of an article
Techniques In Narrowing Down a Topic
• 1. Examine the literature.

D. extend an existing explanation or theory to

a new topic or setting
E. Challenge findings or attempt to refute a
relationship
F. Specify the intervening process and consider
linking relations
Techniques In Narrowing Down a Topic
• 2. Talk over ideas with others.
a. ask people who are knowledgeable about
the topic for questions about it that they have
thought of
b. Seek out those who hold opinions that
differ from yours on the topic and discuss
possible research questions with them
Techniques In Narrowing Down a Topic
• 3. Apply to a specific content.
a. focus the topic on a specific historical
period or time period
b. narrow the topic to a specific society or
geographical unit
c. consider which subgroups or categories of
people/units are involved and whether there
are differences among them
Techniques In Narrowing Down a Topic
• 4. Define the aim or desired outcome of the
study
a. will the research question be for an
exploratory, explanatory, or descriptive study?

b. will the study involve applied or basic

research?
 Other Topics of Interest
• 1. body, health and lifestyle issues
• 2. traffic and economy
• 3. mobile hospitals
• 4. popular culture and popular music
• 5. credit unions
• 6. corporate social responsibility
• 7. flood control
• 8. endangered species
• 9. success indicators of entrepreneurial ventures
• 10. friendship and its impact on person’s well-being
• 11. neighbourliness as a prime factor in a
community’s peace and order situation
Choosing a Topic for A Research Study
• It is important to select a topic that interests
and motivates you (Layder, 2013)
• Should be “doable” with the resources at your
disposal and within the required time frame
• Must be clear, objective
• Must not allow personal views, ideas, opinions
and prejudices cloud your thinking