Nature and Relevance of

Research
The word research is derived from
the prefix re, which means to repeat
or redo, and the root word search,
which means to find or look for.

 Research is concerned with finding

answers (Mason & Bramble, 1989). It
is a systematic, organized search for
knowledge or answers to questions.

 It is a systematic process of
collecting and logically analyzing
information or data for some purpose
(Macmillan and Schumacher, 1989)

 It is a process of obtaining knowledge

through techniques where truth,
accuracy, validity, reliability, and
other criteria can be ascertained
(Genato et al., 1993)

 It is a critical and exhaustive

investigation of experimentation
having for its aim the discovery of
new facts and their correct
interpretation, the revision of
accepted conclusions, theories or
laws in the light of newly discovered
facts or the practical application of
such conclusions, theories or laws
(Leedy, 1993)

 It is systematic inquiry geared

towards providing information to
solve problems (Emory, 1995)

 It is a systematic and empirical

approach to answering questions. It
is concerned with understanding
phenomenon, within the context of
our theories and experiences
regarding the phenomenon (Bieger
and Gail, 1996)

 It is the continuous discovery and

exploration of the unknown. It entails
an investigation of new facts, leading
to the discovery of new ideas, new
methods, or improvements (Charles,
1998)

 It is evident that research is a

process. As a process, however,
research is systematic, organized,
objective, critical, exhaustive, and
comprehensive.

 It is done for the purpose of solving a

problem or adding to the body of
existing knowledge.

Characteristics of Research
Systematic
Objective
Comprehensive (examining all aspects
and angles)
Critical
Valid ( conclusions based on findings)
Verifiable
Empirical (generalizations are rooted
upon hard evidence)

The Value of Research

There are different ways by which we can
obtain knowledge and information
(Fraenkel & Wallen, 1993). Following are
the different ways of obtaining
knowledge.
Expert opinion
Sensory experience
Agreement with others
Common sense
research

Types of Research
On the basis of who undertakes it:

Academic research is one

conducted by an individual in
fulfilling the requirements for the
conferment of an academic title or
degree.
Baby thesis
Masters thesis
Feasibility studies
Doctoral dissertation

 Research project is a type of

research undertaken by an individual
or group of individuals as part of
their professional work or
assignment.
A market researcher surveying the
preference of housewives for a
particular brand of soap, for instance, is
doing a research project.

 On the basis on final use or application

Pure or Theoretical research is one

done for the purpose of formulating a
theory, principle or law, with no
intended application of results. It is
undertaken for the purpose of
gaining knowledge for knowledges
sake.

 Applied research is an inquiry to

test or evaluate a theory or
knowledge arrived at, in the solution
of a problem or for useful ends.

 On the basis of methodology or research

design

Descriptive research this type of

research seeks to describe
systematically, factually, accurately
and objectively a situation.

 Correlational or Associational
research it tries to probe on the
significance of the relationship
between two or more factors or
characteristics

 Explanatory research it seeks to

clarify why and how a relationship
exists between two or more aspects
of a situation or phenomenon.

 Exploratory research it is
undertaken when the investigator is
after probing or exploring areas
where little is known about the
research problem.

 Experimental research it probes

into the cause of an effect by
exposing one or more experimental
groups to one or more treatments or
conditions.

 Ex-post facto or Causal-Comparative

research it delves on analyzing the
possible effect of a factor which
cannot be manipulated and
controlled.

 Historical research it attempts to

reconstruct the past objectively and
accurately or to explain an incident
that happened in the past with the
use of data taken from the past.

 Ethnographic research it is done

when the researcher is concerned
with explaining or describing a
phenomenon holistically, with the
use of multiple data collection
techniques.

Research Process
Step 1 Idea-Generating Phase
Identification of topics
Justification of the study
reading of books and articles
Talking with people

 Step 2 Problem-Definition Phase

Refinement of ideas
Identification and definition of variables
Development of theoretical and
conceptual frameworks
Formulation of major and specific
problems
Formulation of hypothesis

 Step 3 Procedures-Design Phase

Selection of the research participants
Decision on what research methodology
to employ
Development and validation of datagathering tools
Specification of the procedures to be
observed
Planning and analysis of the data
gathered

 Step 4 Data-Collection Phase

Collecting data from the subjects of the
study
Implementing the procedures designed
in the previous step

 Step 5 Data-Analysis Phase

Analysis of the collected data using
qualitative and quantitative techniques
and procedures

 Step 7 Communication Phase

Preparation of written or oral report of
the study conducted

 Step 6 Interpretation Phase

Interpretation of the results in terms of
how they aid in responding to the
research problem posed at the
beginning of the study and how this
answer contributes to knowledge in the
field.