HAND-OUT IN RESEARCH PROJECT 1

What is research?
 RESEARCH is a systematic and exhaustive inquiry, investigation or experimentation with the aim of finding new facts
(knowledge) in explaining the problems associated with our day to day relations with our environments (social, natural,
political, economics, physical) to come up with working solutions in facing them.
 It deals in bringing in something new or novel through analytical reasoning, which the product is an organized knowledge.
 It is the crux of human development—a human product that is generating more and new products / ideas.
 In general, it can be defined as a scientific investigation of phenomena which includes collection, presentation, analysis and
interpretation of facts that links man’s speculation with reality.
Characteristics of researcher
1. Intellectual curiosity
- Undertakes reflective thinking and inquiry of the things, situations and problems around him.
- Eager to get information on these often due to novelty and unusualness.
- Raises questions to seek answer, makes use of his experiences and exercises his creativeness and inventiveness
2. Prudence
- Conducts research study at the right time and at the right place wisely, efficiently and economically.
- Does the right thing at a right time.
- The 4Ms (Man, Money, Materials and Machinery) are used effectively and economically.
3. Healthy criticism
- The investigator is always doubtful as to the veracity of the results.
- The researcher always doubts the truthfulness of his findings even if the data are gathered honestly.
4. Intellectual Honesty
- An intelligent researcher is honest in collecting or gathering data or facts in order to arrive at honest results.
- Honesty is the best policy for an intelligent investigator because the success or failure of his research lies on his hand.
Qualities of a Good Researcher
R – Research-oriented
E – Efficient
S – Scientific
E – Effective
A – Active
R – Resourceful
C – Creative
H – Honest
E – Economical
R – Religious
Values of Research to Man
1. Research improves the quality of life.
2. Research improves instruction.
3. Research improves student’s achievement.
4. Research satisfies man’s needs.
5. Research reduces burden of work.
6. Research has deep-seated psychological aspects.
7. Research improves the exportation of food products
Characteristics of Research
1. Empirical
 Research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher.
 The collection of data relies on practical experience without benefit of the scientific knowledge or theory.
2. Logical
 It is based on valid procedures and principles.
 It is done in an orderly manner so that the researcher has confidence on the results.
3. Cyclical
 It starts with a problem and ends with a problem.
4. Analytical
 It utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data.
Historical
Data gathered focus on the past.
Descriptive
Study focuses on the present situations.
Experimental
Study focuses on the future situations.
 HAND-OUT IN RESEARCH PROJECT 2

5. Replicability
 The research designs and procedures are replicated to enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.
 Similarities and differences of replicated researches can be compared.
 The more replications of researches, the more valid and conclusive the results would be.
6. Critical
 Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
 A higher level of confidence must be established, i.e. at 1.0 percent or 5.0 percent level of confidence.
 Based on these level of confidence, the research is confidently precise in his presentations on whether the results are
significant or insignificant, or whether to reject or accept the hypothesis.
Objectives and Types of Research
Objective of Research Characteristics Research Design or
Method
A. to explore Does not have a specific hypothesis Descriptive
- to become familiar with phenomena (which comes from theory) Historical
- to gain insights
- to formulate a more specific research
problem or hypothesis
B. to describe May or may not have a research Descriptive
- to portray accurately events or incidents, hypothesis but is guided by research Historical
distribution and characteristics of a objectives or questions to be answered Causal-comparative (has a
group or situation hypothesis)
C. to examine relationships between and Begins with a specific hypothesis Correlation
among variables Evaluation
- to discover laws governing events,
phenomena
- to test or verify a theory or law
- to predict relationships
D. to test causal relationships Begins with a specific hypothesis. Experimental
- to identify causes There is control of variables.
- to test effectiveness of a program,
intervention
E. To improve practice Usually begins with a specific hypothesis. Experimental
- to assess a present practice There may or may not be control of Evaluation
- to solve a problem variables, depending of the methods Research & Development
- to develop a new product used. Action Research
Types of Research
A. According to Purpose
1. Basic/Pure/Fundamental Research
- to develop or refine a theory (theory generation)
- not concerned with practical applicability
o e.g. A Theory of Religiosity, Redefining Masculinity
2. Applied Research
- to verify applicability of a theory to a certain situation (theory verification)
- to apply a theory to the solution of a problem
o e.g. Leadership style and teaching performance, Psychological analysis of the characters in F. Sionil Jose’s
novels
3. Evaluation Research
- to determine the worth of something
- to make a decision concerning two or more alternatives
o e.g. Assessment of MTB-MLE Basic Education Program, More classrooms or more home-internet connections
4. Research and Development (R & D) Study
- to develop an effective product to be used or commercialized
o e.g. Research-based modules for introductory commercial cooking, Development of an IT-based preschool
program
5. Action Research
- to arrive at an immediate solution to a problem
- may or may not be guided by theory
- not characterized by control
- not concerned with generalizability
 HAND-OUT IN RESEARCH PROJECT 3

o e.g. Ensuring safety in the little fingers preschool playground, Improving penmanship of high school students
B. According to Method
1. Historical
- to understand, explain past events
- to help explain present events by tracing cause-effect relationships
- to determine trends
o e.g. University of the Philippines: A Century of Academic Excellence, F.E. Marcos, an Epitome of Family
Values
2. Descriptive
- to identify characteristics or determine present status
- to compare, identify similarities and differences
o e.g. Study Habits of Teacher Education Freshmen, Attitudes of Parents and Teachers on Homework in Pre-
school, Problem-solving Techniques of CEOs of Top Ten Corporations
3. Correlation
- to establish a relationship, or lack of it, between or among variables
- to make predictions based on established relationship
o e.g. personal and environmental factors of creativity, Leadership styles, school climate and school
performance
4. Causal-comparative (ex post facto)
- to determine causal relationship between two variables but independent variable is an existing condition and is not
manipulated
o e.g. effect of parental neglect on the speech development of toddlers, breast feeding and motor development
among infants
5. Experimental
- to determine causal relationship between variables (involves the manipulation and control of variables)
o e.g. music as behavior modification tool for ADHD children, effectiveness of multimedia in improving cognitive
skills
Why study research?
1. To become research literate
2. To develop critical thinking
3. To generate knowledge
4. To come up with solutions to a certain problem
Ethical consideration in Research
1. Protection of participants, subject from harm – informed consent is necessary
2. Ensuring confidentiality of research data
3. Avoiding deception of subjects
Types of Characteristics in a Population
Constant – a characteristic that is common to or found in all members of a population
Variable – a characteristic that varies in the population; It is a quantity or a “characteristic that has two or more mutually
exclusive values of properties; Numerical values or categories represent these quantities or characteristics.
Types of Variables
1. Independent variable
This is the stimulus variable which is chosen by the researcher to determine the relationship to an observed
phenomenon.
2. Dependent variable
This is the response variable which is observed and measured to determine the effect of the independent variable
3. Moderate variable
This is a secondary or special type of independent variable chosen by the researcher to ascertain if it alters or modifies
the relationships between the independent and dependent variables.
4. Control variable
This is a variable controlled by the researcher in which the effects can be neutralized by eliminating or removing the
variable.
5. Intervening variable
This is a variable which interferes with the independent and dependent variables but its effects can either strengthen
or weaken the independent and dependent variables.
Components of Research Process
1. Problem/Objectives
2. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
3. Assumptions
 HAND-OUT IN RESEARCH PROJECT 4

4. Hypotheses
5. Review of Related Literature
6. Research Design
7. Data Collection
8. Data Processing and Statistical Treatment
9. Analysis and Interpretation
10. Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendations
Quantitative vs Qualitative Research Designs
Qualitative Quantitative
Subjective Objective
Research questions answer what and why Research questions answer how many or strength of
relationship or difference
Literature review may be done as the study progresses Literature review is usually done before the study
Develops theory Tests Theory
Interpretative Measurable
Reports rich narrative, individual interpretation Reports statistical analysis
Basic element of analysis is words/ideas Basic elements of analysis is numbers
Context dependent Context free
Preference for narrative/literary descriptions of procedures Preference for precisely describing procedure
Preference for narrative descriptions Data reduced to numerical scores
Preference for expert informal samples Preference for random sampling for obtaining meaningful
samples
Preference for narrative summary of results Preference for statistical summary of results

Closer Look to Qualitative Research

 The researcher has an important role in qualitative research.
 Qualitative data are gathered and presented in a form of words, descriptions, pictures or meanings and not in numbers.
 Qualitative researcher is concerned with the process involved.
 Inductive reasoning is used in analyzing qualitative data.
 Qualitative researcher is concerned with meanings and interpretations.
Strengths of Qualitative Research
 Issues can be examined in detail and in depth.
 Interviews are not restricted to specific questions and can be guided/redirected by the researcher in real time.
 Research framework and direction can be quickly revised as new information emerges.
 Data based on human experience that is obtained is powerful and sometimes more compelling than quantitative data.
 Data usually are collected from a few cases or individuals so findings cannot be generalized to a larger population.
Limitations of Qualitative Research
 Research quality is heavily dependent on individual skills of the researcher and more easily influenced by the researcher’s personal biases
and idiosyncrasies.
 Rigor is more difficult to maintain, assess and demonstrate.
 The volume of data makes analysis and interpretation time consuming.
Approaches of Qualitative Research
 Ethnography
 Phenomenology
 Narrative Research
 Grounded Theory
 Case Study
Steps in Qualitative Research
 Identification of the phenomena to be studied.
 Identification of participants in the study.
 Generation of hypothesis
 Data Collection
 Data Analysis
 Interpretations and Conclusions