CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Made by: LANDICHO, Vanessa Tricia Wendy C.

METHODS OF RESEARCH
 DEFINITIONS: Research
Research is…
According to Aquino:

“Research is, simply, the systematic search of pertinent

information on a specific topic or problem. After a
careful, systematic search for pertinent information or
data on a specific topic or problem, and after the
research worker has analyzed and interpreted the data,
he eventually faces another essential task ---- that of
preparing the research report.”
 OBJECTIVES
General Objective
• To develop a comprehensive understanding of what research is all about.

Specific Objectives
• To define what is research
• To determine the purpose of research
• To differentiate the classifications of research
 OUTLINE
Introduction Kinds and Classifications
of Research
Definitions of Research
Hindrances to Scientific
Purposes of Research Inquiry
Characteristics of Good The Scientific Method of
Research Research
Differences Between
Research and
Problem-Solving
 INTRODUCTION: Research
What is Research?
Research is a key to progress.
There can be no progress
without research in almost if
not all human endeavors.

Therefore, the methods and techniques must be taught and

learned in graduate as well as in undergraduate
educational work.
 DEFINITIONS: Research
Research is…
According to Good:

“Careful, critical, disciplined inquiry, varying

in technique and method according to the
nature and conditions of the problem
identified, directed toward the clarification or
resolution (or both) of a problem.”
 DEFINITIONS: Research
Research is…
According to Manuel and Medel:

“The process of gathering data or information to

solve a particular or specific problem in a scientific
manner.”
 DEFINITIONS: Research
Research is…
According to Sanchez:

“A systematic study or investigation of something

for the purpose of answering questions posed by
the researcher.”
 DEFINITIONS: Research
Research is…
According to Treece and Treece:

“Research in its broadest sense is an attempt to

gain solutions to problems. More precisely, it is the
collection of data in a rigorously controlled
situation for the purpose of prediction or
explanation.
 DEFINITIONS: Research
RESEARCH IS…
Formulated in a more comprehensive form
Purposive, systematic, and scientific process of gathering, analyzing,
classifying, organizing, presenting, and interpreting data for the solution of a
problem, for prediction, for invention, for the discovery of truth, or for the
expansion or verification of existing knowledge, all for the preservation and
improvement of the quality of human life.
 PURPOSE: Research
“The purpose of research is to serve man,” and “The goal of
research is the good life.”
- Good and Scates
 PURPOSE: Research
“To satisfy man’s craving for more understanding, to
improve his judgment, to add to his power, to reduce the
burden of work, to relieve suffering, and to increase
satisfactions in multitudinous ways --- these are the large
and fundamental goals of research.”
- Good and Scates
 PURPOSE: Research
More specific purposes and goals:

1 To discover new facts about known phenomenon.

- Alcohol is a known
phenomenon and
research may turn it
into a kind of fuel
equal in quality to
gasoline.
 PURPOSE: Research
More specific purposes and goals:
To find answers to problems which are only partially
2
solved by existing methods and information.
- Cancer is a serious disease which is only partially cured by present
methods but due to intensive and continuous research, the disease
may be eradicated later on.
 PURPOSE: Research
More specific purposes and goals:
Improve existing techniques and develop new
3
instruments or products.
- New gadgets and
machines, food products
and others used by man.
 PURPOSE: Research
In relation to #2 and #3, the ff. may be added to the list of purposes:
To improve educational practices for raising the quality of school
products.
 PURPOSE: Research
In relation to #2 and #3, the ff. may be added to the list of purposes:
To promote health and prolong life.
 PURPOSE: Research
In relation to #2 and #3, the ff. may be added to the list of purposes:
To provide man with more of his basic needs --- more and better
food, clothing, shelter, etc.
 PURPOSE: Research
In relation to #2 and #3, the ff. may be added to the list of purposes:
To make work, travel, and communication faster, easier, and more
comfortable.
 PURPOSE: Research
More specific purposes and goals:
To discover previously unrecognized substances or
4
elements.
- Previously, there were only 92 elements but due to research we
now have more than 100.
 PURPOSE: Research
More specific purposes and goals:
Discover pathways of action of known substances and
5
elements.
- Due to research, we
come to know the
dangers from the
abusive use of
unprescribed drugs
and some poisonous
substances.
 PURPOSE: Research
More specific purposes and goals:
To order related, valid generalizations into
6
systematized science.

- The result of this

purpose of research is
the science we are
now studying in
school.
 PURPOSE: Research
More specific purposes and goals:
To provide basis for decision-making in business, industry,
7
education, government, and in other undertakings.

8 To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity.

9 To find answers to queries by means of scientific methods.

To acquire a better and deeper understanding about one

10 phenomenon that can be known and understood better by research.
 PURPOSE: Research
More specific purposes and goals:

11 To expand or verify existing knowledge.

- Usually happens when

researches are REPLICATED.
- Newly discovered facts may
be found to expand
knowledge gained from a
previous research.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:

1 Research is systematic

- Orderly and
sequential procedure
- Leads to the discovery
of truth, solution of a
problem, etc.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:
2 Research is controlled
- All variables except those that are TESTED or being EXPERIMENTS
UPON are kept constant.
- Necessary so that the changes made on the subjects of the study can be
attributed only to the EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLE.
- Especially true in an experimental research
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:

5 Research is objective, unbiased, and logical

- All the findings and conclusions are logically based on empirical
data and no effort is made to alter the results of the research.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:

6 Research employs hypothesis

- Used to guide the investigation process.
- Experimental studies ➔ hypotheses are expressly stated
- Descriptive studies ➔ hypotheses are tested and not proved.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:

7 Research employs quantitative or statistical methods

- Data are transformed into numerical measures and are treated
statistically to determine their significance or usefulness.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:

8 Research is original work

- Data are gathered from primary sources or first-hand sources
and not from secondary sources. (Except in historical
researches)
Original documents such as Usually printed materials
diaries, journals, interviews, such as books, or theses, etc.
speeches, etc.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:

9 Research is done by an expert

- Researcher uses valid and carefully designed procedures, valid
data-gathering instruments, and valid data.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:

10 Research is accurate investigation, observation, and

description
- Every research must be done accurately so that the findings will lead to
the formulation of scientific generalizations.
- All conclusions are based on actual evidence.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:

11 Research is patient and unhurried activity

- To ensure accuracy
- Research that is hurriedly done or conducted carelessly due to
racing against time may lead to shaky conclusions and
generalizations.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:

12 Research requires an effort-making capacity

- Research involves much work and time
- No research can be conducted without the exertion of much
effort.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH
A good research’s characteristics may be summarized as follows:

13 Research requires courage

- Researcher undergoes
hazards, discomforts,
etc.
- Encounters public and
social disapproval
- Disagreements with
colleagues may arise
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESEARCH & PROBLEM-SOLVING
The researcher must be able to distinguish between RESEACH
and PROBLEM-SOLVING.
According to Treece and Treece, Jr., the
differences between the two are as
follows:

Research Problem-solving
1. There may not be a problem,
1. There is always a
only interest in answering a
problem to be solved.
question or query.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESEARCH & PROBLEM-SOLVING

Research Problem-solving
2. A research problem is more 2. A problem to be solved is
rigorous and broader in scope. less rigorous and less broad.
3. The research problem is not 3. The problem to be solved
necessarily defined specifically. has to be defined specifically
4. All research is intended to and identified definitely.
solve some kind of problem, but 4. Problem-solving does not
this is not the primary aim. always involve research.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESEARCH & PROBLEM-SOLVING

Research Problem-solving
5. Research is conducted not 5. Problem-solving is always
primarily to solve a problem intended to solve a problem.
but to make a contribution to 6. Problem-solving in
general knowledge. concerned with specific
6. Research is concerned with broad problem; once the problem is
problems, recurrent phenomena, solved that is the end of it.
and wide application through
generalization; in this process,
research also generates more
problems to explore.
 KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
There are many kinds of research which are classified according to
their distinctive features. Some of the classifications are as follows:
According to purpose
1. Predictive or prognostic research – determining the future
operation of the variables under investigation with the aim
of controlling or redirecting such for the better.
2. Directive research – determines what should be done based
on the findings.
3. Illuminative research – concerned with the interaction of
the components of the variable being investigated.
 KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
According to goal

1. Basic or pure research – for

the development of theories
or principles.
- conducted for the
intellectual pleasure of
learning
- (Much of this kind of
research has been done in
Psychology and Sociology)
KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
According to goal
2. Applied research – application of the results of pure
research.
- Testing the efficacy of theories and principles.
KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
According to the levels of investigation
1. Exploratory research – studies the variables pertinent to a
specific situation.
2. Descriptive research – studies the relationships of the
variables.
KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
According to the levels of investigation
3. Experimental research – studies the effects of the variables
on each other.
 KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
According to the type of analysis
1. Analytic approach – researcher attempts to identify and isolate
the components of the research situation.
2. Holistic approach –
begins with the total
situation, focus
attention on the
system first and then
on its internal
relationships.
 KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
According to scope
- Done on a very limited scope to solve a particular problem
which is not so big.
- Under this category is action research.
 KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
According to choice of answers to problems
1. Evaluation research – all possible courses of action are specified
and identified and the researcher tries to find the most
advantageous.
2. Developmental research – finding or developing a more suitable
instrument or process than what has been available.
 KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
According to statistical content
1. Quantitative or statistical research – inferential statistics are utilized to
determine the results of the study.
- Inferential statistics (i.e. correlation, chi-square, analysis of variance, etc.)
are used to test the hypothesis.
- Usually includes comparison studies, cause-and-effect relationships, etc.
 KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
According to statistical content
2. Non-quantitative research – the use of quantity or statistics is
practically null. Descriptive data are gathered rather than
quantitative data.
 KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS: Research
According to time element

1. Historical research – describes what was.

2. Descriptive research – describes what is.
3. Experimental research – describes what
will be.

These 3 are
the three
major
research
methods.
 SOME HINDRANCES TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (Errors in
Personal Judgment)
These are mostly errors in personal judgment. (Babbie, pp. 6-16)

Tradition
This is accepting that customs, beliefs,
practices, and superstitions are true and
are parts of the daily lives of men.

Authority
This is accepting without question, an opinion
about a certain subject which is given by someone
who is considered an authority on the subject.
 SOME HINDRANCES TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (Errors in
Personal Judgment)
Inaccurate observation
This is describing wrongly
what is actually observed.

Overgeneralization
This is establishing a pattern out of a
few instances.
 SOME HINDRANCES TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (Errors in
Personal Judgment)
Selective observation
This is persisting to believe an observed
pattern from an overgeneralization and
ignoring other pertinent patterns.

Made-up information

This is making up information to

explain away confusion.
 SOME HINDRANCES TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (Errors in
Personal Judgment)
Illogical reasoning
This is attributing something to
another without any logical
basis.

Ego-involvement in understanding

This is giving explanation when one finds

himself in an unfavorable situation.
 SOME HINDRANCES TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (Errors in
Personal Judgment)
Mystification
This is attributing to supernatural
power, the phenomena that
cannot be understood.

To err is human

This is an attitude that admits the

fallibility of man.
 SOME HINDRANCES TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (Errors in
Personal Judgment)
Dogmatism
This is an addition. This is an unwritten policy of certain institutions
and governments prohibiting the study of topics that are believed
to run counter to the established doctrines of such institutions or
governments.
 THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF RESEARCH
One of the characteristics of good research is that, it is systematic.
It follows the scientific method of research which includes the ff.
sequential steps:
1. Determining (recognizing) the problem;
2. Forming a hypothesis;
3. Doing the library search;
4. Designing the study;
5. Developing the instruments for collecting data;
6. Collecting data;
7. Analyzing data;
8. Determining implications and conclusions from the
findings; and
Treece and Treece, Jr. 9. Making recommendations for further research.
 THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF RESEARCH
It should be borne in mind that the researcher goes through all the 9
steps when he/she does his/her research and when he/she writes his/her
research report.
Step/s no.:
1–2 Chapter 1, “The Problem and Its Setting”
3 Chapter 2, “Related Literature and Studies”
4–6 Chapter 3, “Methods of Research and Procedures”
7 Chapter 4, “Analysis, Presentation, and Interpretation of Data”

8–9 Chapter 5, “Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations”

 THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF RESEARCH
Principles of the scientific method

Systematic organization

- Refers to proper and accurate tabulation data as well as

presenting them in statistical tables ready for interpretation.

Rigorous standards
- Setting up of standards or principles which serve as bases for
evaluating the findings of a study.
- Accurate statistical computation and interpretation of quantified
data.
 THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF RESEARCH
Principles of the scientific method

Rigid control
- Manipulation of the research variables.
- Variables vary in quantity and quality which are to be
manipulated.
- Some variables should be controlled rigidly (kept constant)
Objectivity

- There should be no bias or partiality in treating the results of the

inquiry.