PR 1 | Topic of Inquiry

Identifying the Topic of Inquiry

done through selecting a research topic and conducting preliminary research

Selecting a research topic

based on one’s research interest and the problem of concern

Conducting preliminary research

identify the keywords to find relevant literature and explore what does said literature say about your topic and any related or similar studies done

Types of SHS Research

• Explore the potential of a new product, method, software, and device

• Investigate the impact of a certain solution, device, or approach

• apply or adapt existing solutions to new domains

• collects and describes new data/datasets

• understand preferences, behavior, and contexts

• systematic literature reviews

Support Structures

• research themes

• discipline-based mentors

• research centers and labs

• research ethics and data privacy

• intellectual property

• grants and collaborations

Background of the Study

provides a concise synthesis of current developments in your research field through a review of related work/literature and leads the readers towards the problem statement and research question and supports you in formulating them

How to Write the Background of the Study

1. Give a general context of your research area.

2. Highlight problems and situations on a global scale.

3. Give a more specific or local context regarding one’s specific area of study, narrowing or focusing the problem to a local situation.

4. Support the study with a summary of approaches and findings from prior studies.

Parts of the Background of the Study

1. Domain/General Research Topic

2. Sub-domain/Specific Research Topic

3. Related Studies/What Others Have Done

4. Gaps/Findings and Limitations

5. Opportunities/Statement of the Research Problem