CHAPTER 1

Research

Merriam Webster- a studious inquiry or examination

University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) - a systematic inquiry that
investigates hypothesis

John W. Cresswell- a process used to collect and analyze information

Jonathan O’Donnell- the creation of new knowledge

-commonly referred as basic or pure research

Characteristics of Research

1. Research begins with a question in the mind of researcher

2. Research requires a plan
3. Research demands a clear statement of the problem
4. Research deals with the main problem through sub-problems
5. Research seeks direction through appropriate hypothesis
6. Research deals with facts and their meaning
7. Research is circular

Quantitative Research

 Explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data

 A deductive, objective process of inquiry
 Used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data
 Uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in
research.

Quantitative Data- collection methods include various forms of surveys

Qualitative Research

 Seeks to answer questions about why and how people behave in that
way
 Is primarily exploratory research
 A inductive, subjective process of inquiry
 Also called a naturalistic inquiry

Qualitative Data- collection methods vary using unstructured or semi-

structured techniques.
Hypothesis- educational guess

CHAPTER 2
Characteristics of Qualitative Research

1. THE DESIGN

A. Naturalistic- refers to studying the real word

B. Emergent- acceptance of adapting inquiry as understanding deepens

and/or situations change

C. Purposeful- cases for study (people, organizations, cultures, events,

critical incidences) are selected because they are “information rich”

2. THE COLLECTION OF DATA

A. Data- “thick description” captures people’s personal perspective and

lived experiences

B. Personal Experience and Engagement- researcher’s personal experience

and insights are an important part of the inquiry

C. Emphatic Neutrality- seeks vicarious understanding without judgment by

showing openness, sensitivity

3. THE ANALYSIS

A. Unique Case Orientation- being true to, respecting and capturing the
details of the individual case being studied

B. Inductive Analysis- immersion in the details and specifics of the data to

discover important patterns, themes, and inter-relationships

C. Holistic Perspective- the whole phenomenon under study is understood

as a complex system that is more than the sum of its part

D. Context Sensitive- it places findings in social, historical and temporal

context

E. Voice, Perspective, and Reflexivity- the qualitative methodologist owns

and is reflective about her or his own voice and perspective
CHAPTER 3
Research Title- summarizes the main idea

Working Title- encapsulates research study

Final Title- entirety of your research (consists of 5-15 substantive words)

Subtitle- common in social science research paper

Background of Research- previous study on the issue, history on the issue

Research Questions- the fundamental core of a research. Statement that

identifies the phenomenon to be studied

Scope and Delimitations- 2 elements of research paper that inform the

reader what information is included in the research

Scope of the Study- explains what information or subject being analyzed

Delimitation of the Study- the explanation of the scope of the study

Limitations- states the weaknesses of your research study

Delimitations- explains the boundary of your study

Benefits- incremental, minute improvements to the lives of large segments

of the population

Beneficiaries- persons, or group of persons or organization/s or

communities or other legal entity that the researcher/s target to benefit

Significance of the Study- study is very important and necessary

Statement of the Problem- piece of writing that usually comes at the

beginning of a report or proposal to explain problem or issue

General Problem- central question

Specific Problem- sub-questions

CHAPTER 4
Literature- researcher that has already been carried out or published

Literature review- an integrated synthesis drawing upon a select list of

academic sources

Annotated Bibliography- have brief description

LITERATURE REVIEW VS. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

DIFFERENCES IN PURPOSE:

Literature Review- has a thesis or statement of purpose, stated or implied,

at its core

Annotated Bibliography- list of whats available in given field

DIFFERENCES IN FORMAT:

Literature Review- prose document similar to a journal or essay, not a list of

citations

Annotated Bibliography- simply that: a bibliography accompanied by

annotations

American Psychological Association (APA)- commonly used in social

sciences discipline

Modern Language Association (MLA)- author page number

Ethical Writing- the notion that the written work of an author, be it

manuscript for a magazine or scientific journal

Plagiarism- taking and using another person’s work and claiming it

Blatant Plagiarism- the writer tries to deceive the teacher or readers

Technical Plagiarism- the writer is not trying to cheat or deceive but fails to
follow accepted methods of using and revealing sources

Language Use- writer must avoid racially-charged, sexist, offensive language

Fraud- fabricate data and results just to get over the course work or school
requirements

A researcher must observe the ff to avoid fraud:

 a) Honesty- strive for honesty in all scientific communication
b) Objectivity- strive to avoid bias in experimental desin
c) Integrity- strive for consistency of thought and action
d) Carefulness- avoid careless errors and negligence

Definition of Terms- setting the boundaries how certain terms are going to e
used in research or study

4 Main Objectives in RRL

1. Survey- observation in your chosen area

2. Synthesis- info into a summary
3. Critical Analysis- identify of gaps
4. Present- an organized manner

Key Words Searches- big words, important words or ideas in the research
project

Study- 5 years validity

Literature- 10 years validity

Introduction- nature of the problem

Body- supporting details

Conclusion- summary

Landmark/Pilot Study- pioneering study