1.
The research question is significant as it determines the scope and findings that should guide the researcher in achieving a productive and successful study. A well-established research question is described as relevant to the current times and should possess a "so what" factor indicating the research's importance. The research question should also strike as interesting to the readers and must have a manageable and achievable scope. With this, the devised research question should also be specific in identifying what the paper aims to answer to avoid inconclusive findings. It must also be written with clarity to ensure it is easily comprehensible to the readers. Lastly, the research question should direct the researcher toward a substantial answer and be presented as a singular question.
To formulate a research question, the researcher must first select a subject of interest and gather existing literature on the topic to identify further what aspect or issue would be the paper's focus. Second, the researcher must narrow down the topic by drafting an open-ended how or why question. This question shall be further edited and narrowed down to finally reach a measurable, focused, and achievable research question.
2.
Quantitative research: A Profiling Study on the Experiences and Challenges of the Artists of Paete, Laguna.
Paete, Laguna is known for being the Carving Capital of the Philippines and the home of the most skilled woodcarvers, sculptors, fruit and ice carvers, and paper mâché makers. The creative industries of the town contribute greatly to the local economy of Paete. Due to this, Paete, Laguna also holds the potential to be recognized globally as a Creative City by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (de Guzman, 2020). In order to be declared a Creative City and to ensure that the plans of the local government address the artists' issues and challenges, a profiling study on the town's creative industries artists must be conducted. The study will aim to answer the research question "What are the experiences and challenges of the creative industries' artists of Paete, Laguna?".
The paper will utilize the study by de Guzman (2020) on the profiling of the artists of Baguio City as relevant literature and a blueprint for conducting the study. The same study also included in its recommendation that other creative cities such as Paete, Laguna must be investigated using a profiling study to increase our local data on artists, and for the government to implement policies and programs that are in the artists’ best interests. Upon finding the challenges and issues, the study shall provide recommendations on how to address the problems.
The study shall use a quantitative descriptive research design as it aims to identify and describe the challenges and experiences of the participants. It will also utilize a survey research strategy and will use interviews for its data collection. The data analysis of the paper will include methods such as descriptive statistics, Likert scale interpretation, and content analysis of the responses. The worldview to be adopted by the research is social constructivism as it aims to investigate the perspectives of the participants or artists of Paete, Laguna regarding their experiences as members of Paete's creative industries.
References:
de Guzman, R. S. (2020). A Profiling Study of the Creative Industry Artists of Baguio City, the First Creative City in the Philippines. AgEcon Search, 6(1), 33–56.https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.309440
Qualitative research: Baler, Aurora as a National Heritage Zone: A Feasibility Study
In 2011, then NHCP executive director Ludovico Badoy stated that the town of Baler, Aurora possesses high potential in being declared as a heritage zone, joining other places such as Dapitan City of Zamboanga del Norte and Calle Real, Iloilo in the title (Galvez, 2011). Baler is also the site of multiple historic and significant events such as the Siege of Baler, the tearing of cedulas by the Katipuneros in Dikaloyungan, and the birth site of the former president Manuel L. Quezon (Galvez, 2011). The town is also the home of historical buildings and cultural properties such as the Baler Church, the nipa house of the former First Lady Aurora Quezon, and the Tromba Marina Sculpture situated in Ermita Hill where only seven families of the town survived as they fled from the calamitous tsunami in the 18th Century (Galvez, 2011; Municipality of Baler, n.d.). The town is also known as the home of the theater group Komedya de Baler known for being one of the last groups that still stage the moro-moro and being the only troupe to use real weapons during the performance (“Komedya de Baler” immortalized in book, 2012). In 2023, Baler was recently recognized nationally for being the birthplace of Philippine surfing by Republic Act No. 11957 (Antonio, 2023). The House Bill 1615 that preceded the Republic Act No. 11957 detailed the origins, history, and importance of surfing to the town's tourism and heritage. Lastly, a new National Museum is being erected in Baler, Aurora which would also highlight the town's historical and cultural importance to the nation (National Museum of the Philippines, 2023).
Thirteen years later, there is no news nor update on whether the process of recognizing the town as a heritage zone by the NHCP has started or is ongoing. The study will aim to identify the cultural properties of the town of Baler, Aurora, and to assess whether the historical and cultural properties qualify the town to be recognized as a heritage zone by the NHCP. The paper will also act as a supporting document in the town's application to be declared as a heritage zone by the NHCP.
The study will aim to answer the research question "What are the tangible and intangible cultural properties of Baler, Aurora that would help the town be recognized as a heritage zone by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)?". The research shall have a qualitative research design and use a case study as its qualitative strategy as it entails a deep historical investigation and analysis of the heritage of Baler, Aurora, and a review of its qualifications for being declared as a heritage zone by the NHCP.
The research method of the study shall include document data collection and semi-structured interviews with the local Department of Tourism Officer, and a key person from the Provincial Employment, Sports, Culture and the Arts for Youth Development Office (PESCAYDO) of Aurora, the office that conducts the cultural mapping of the town. Lastly, the worldview adopted by this research is the Social Constructivist view as the research seeks to place Baler into the category of being a heritage zone to recognize its historical and cultural importance both locally and nationally and to find meaning in the declaration.
References:
Antonio, R. (2023, August 9). Baler is now officially the Birthplace of PH Surfing. Manila Bulletin.https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/9/bill-declaring-baler-as-birthplace-of-ph-surfing-lapses-into-law
Galvez, M. (2011, July 2). Baler town eyed as next heritage zone. Philstar.com.https://www.philstar.com/nation/2011/07/03/701709/baler-town-eyed-next-heritage-zone/amp/
“Komedya de Baler” immortalized in book. (2012, July). Bagong Aurora Website Ng Bayan.https://bagongaurorawebsitengbayan.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/komedya-de-baler-immortalized-in-book/
Municipality of Baler. (n.d.). Baler.gov.ph. Retrieved October 1, 2024, fromhttps://baler.gov.ph/history/
National Museum of the Philippines. (2023, June 30). The National Museum of the Philippines Breaks Ground in Baler, Aurora. Facebook.com.https://www.facebook.com/nationalmuseumofthephilippines/posts/%F0%9D%90%93%F0%9D%90%A1%F0%9D%90%9E-%F0%9D%90%8D%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%AD%F0%9D%90%A2%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%A7%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%A5-%F0%9D%90%8C%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%AC%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%A6-%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%9F-%F0%9D%90%AD%F0%9D%90%A1%F0%9D%90%9E-%F0%9D%90%8F%F0%9D%90%A1%F0%9D%90%A2%F0%9D%90%A5%F0%9D%90%A2%F0%9D%90%A9%F0%9D%90%A9%F0%9D%90%A2%F0%9D%90%A7%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%AC-%F0%9D%90%81%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%A4%F0%9D%90%AC-%F0%9D%90%86%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%A7%F0%9D%90%9D-%F0%9D%90%A2%F0%9D%90%A7-%F0%9D%90%81%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%A5%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%AB-%F0%9D%90%80%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%9Aa-simple-gro/660580942763855/