Chapter 1
Responds to the economic recovery and
Research
It is the systematic study of trend or event which
involves careful collection, presentation, analysis
and interpretation of quantitative data or facts that
relates man’s thinking with reality.
Research is planned, orderly, and proceeds in a
careful, step-by-step process.
Research Project should be:
 address an important question
 advance knowledge
Characteristics of Research
1. Cyclical – starts with a problem ends with
a problem
2. Logical – valid procedures and principles
3. Analytical - analytical procedures in
gathering data, whether historical,
descriptive, experimental, and case study.
4. Methodical - methodical manner without
bias using systematic method and
procedures.
5. Empirical – direct observation or
experience
6. Replicability - research design and
procedures are repeated.
7. Critical - careful and precise judgment.
Qualities of a Good Researcher
 Research Oriented
 Efficient
 Scientific
 Effective
 Active
 Resourceful
 Creative
 Honest
 Economical
 Religious
Characteristics of the Researcher
 Prudence - careful to conduct his study
 Healthy Criticism - always doubtful as to
the truthfulness of the results.
 Intellectual Curiosity - deep thinking and
inquiry of the things, problems, and
situations around him.
 Intellectual Creativity – resourceful
investigator
 Intellectual Honesty - honest to collect or
gather the data or facts
Values of Research to Man
1. Improves quality of life
2. Satisfies man’s needs
3. Reduces the burden of work
4. Has deep-seated psychological aspects
5. Improves the exportation of food products
6.
austerity measures of the country
7. Trains graduates to become responsive to
the economic development of the country
and compete globally.
Types of Research
Basic Research
 Seeks to discover basic truths or principles.
 Driven purely by curiosity and a desire to
expand our knowledge.
 One that adds further knowledge to the
actual knowledge
Applied Research
 involves seeking new applications of
scientific knowledge to the solution of a
problem such as the development of new
system or procedure, new device, or new
method, in order to solve the problem.
 Produces knowledge of practical use to
man.
Developmental research
 The purpose of developmental research is
to assess changes over an extended period
of time.
 a decision oriented research involving the
application of the steps of the scientific
method in response to an immediate need
to improve existing practices.
 If a researcher continues to find practical
applications from theoretical knowledge
and use this existing knowledge to produce
useful products.
Classifications of Research
Library Research - done in the library where
answers to specific questions or problems of the
study are available.
Field Research - research is conducted in a
natural setting.
Laboratory Research - conducted in artificial or
controlled conditions by isolating the study in a
thoroughly specified and equipped area.
Research Designs
Quantitative Designs
 Correlation - Explore the relationship
between two or more variables. Determine
if and to what degree the variables are
related.
 Casual Comparison - understanding the
reasons or causes for the two groups being
different.
 Experimental - Test an idea, treatment,
program to see if it makes a difference.
There is a pre and post-test for both groups
in a traditional experimental design.
  Quasi-experimental - It is the same as
experiment in that there is a control and
test group. However, current groups are
used as is rather than randomly assigning
people to the two groups. Both group
receive the pre and post-test.
Qualitative Designs
 Case Study - understand a single situation,
which could be a process, program,
activity.
 Narrative - Describe the lives of
individual(s) to get meaning from them.
 Grounded Theory - to develop an
understanding of a phenomenon or
situation in order to be able to develop a
theory/ model for items such as factors, a
form of interaction, or a process.
 Phenomenology - It is about understanding
the essence or meaning of the experience.
Variable in Research - defined as a quantity
susceptible of fluctuation or change in value or
magnitude under different conditions.
Types of Variables
Independent variable - Stimulus variable which
is chosen by the researcher. Presumed to influence
other variable (presumed cause).
Dependent variable - the effect of independent
variable.
Moderator variable - to determine if it changes
or modifies the relationships between independent
and dependent variables.
Control variable - A variable controlled by the
researcher in which the effect can be neutralized
by eliminating or removing the variable. A
variable that is NOT allowed to be changed
unpredictably during an experiment. Example:
Voltage from a power supply. If you are
examining” How electricity affects experimental
subject” you should keep the voltage constant,
otherwise the energy supplied will change as the
voltage will be changed.
Intervening Variable - A variable which interfere
the independent and dependent variables, but its
effects can either strengthen to weaken the
independent and dependent variables. (Factors that
can affect the result)
Schematic Diagram of the Research Process
• Problem/Objectives
• Hypotheses
• Theoretical/ conceptual Framework
• Data Collection
• Research Design
• Review of Related Literature
• Data Processing and statistical Treatment
• Analysis and Interpretation
• Summary, Conclusions, Recommendations
Chapter 2
Reasons for Conducting Research Study
 To fill knowledge gaps (academic
research)
 To address a particular problem
Research problem - refers to identifying what it
is that you want to find out about.
Defining a research problem properly is a
prerequisite for any study and is a step of the
highest importance
Don’t in Selecting the Problem
1. Overdone Subject
2. Controversial subject
3. Too narrow or too vague problems
Do’s in Selecting the Problem
 should be clear
 should be focused.
 should be appropriately complex.
 should be familiar and feasible
 The importance of the subject, the
qualifications and the training of a
researcher, the costs involved, the time
factor are few other criteria that must be
considered
Evaluation of Research Problem
A problem is really researchable when:
 The problem is existing in the locality or
country but no known solution to the
problem;
 The solution can be answered by using
statistical methods and techniques;
 There are probable solutions but they are
not yet tested
 The occurrence of phenomena requires
scientific investigation to arrive at precise
solution;
 Serious needs/problems of the people
where it demands research.
Sources of Research Problem
 Specialization of the researcher
 Current and past researches
 Recommendations from theses,
dissertations, and research journals,
seminars, symposia, conferences
 Original and creative ideas of the
researcher based on the problems met in
the workplace, locality, and country
Techniques Involved in Defining Research
Problem
 Defining a research problem properly
and clearly is crucial part of a research
study and must in no case be
accomplished hurriedly.
 It contains five steps:
1. Statement of the problem in general way
 Study the related subject thoroughly
 Do preliminary survey or pilot survey
When selecting a narrow topic think how it can
contribute towards solving the BIG PROBLEM
2. Understanding the nature of the problem
Best way to understand the problem is through
discussion. Discussion with the people who has
good knowledge about that problem.
3. Surveying the available literature
Survey all the research which are already
undertaken in related problem. It helps to:
 Narrow down the problems
 Identify research gap
 Give new idea in related idea
 Helps for research design
4. Developing ideas though discussion
 Discussion always produces useful
information.
 Various new ideas can be developed
through such an exercise.
 Researcher must discuss his/her problem
with his/ her colleagues and other who
have enough experience in the same area
or in working on similar problems. This is
known as experience survey.
5. Rephrasing the research problem
Rephrase the research problem in to operational
term.
After, the problem has understood, available
literature has taken place and discussion over the
problem has taken place, the question has
rephrased.
Criteria of a good research problem
 Cost-effective
 Relevant to government’s trust
 Interesting
 Measurable and time-bounded
 Innovative
 Relevant to needs and problems of the
people
Research objective
 A declaration statement of your research
problem
 The specific actions/ activities to answer
the research questions.
Importance of research objective
 Gives an indication of the relevant
variables to be considered
 Guides the researcher in the choice of the
research design
 Tells the researcher what data to collect
 Is helpful in planning the analysis of the
data
Convert RESEARCH PROBLEM to a
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE by starting your
statements with phrase like:
 To identify
 To compute
 To compare
 To discover
 To estimate
 To analyze
 To determine to describe
Qualities of a good research objective
 Specific - Variable/s to be observed is/are
indicated and stated in specific terms
 Measurable - Variable can be measured by
research instruments, apparatus, or
equipment
 Attainable or Achievable - Empirical can
be collected, that is, variable can be
observed and achieved using correct
statistical tools to arrive at precise results
 Realistic - Practical methods available for
observing and measuring the variable
 Time-bounded - Specification of time
activity, the shorter the completion of the
project, the better
Research title
 clearly stated, and specifically stated to
serve some purposes
 embodies substantive words or phases that
describe the research study. (the reader
should already know what is your research
about by just reading your research title)
Purpose of Research Title
 It summarizes the content of the entire
study
 It is a frame of reference for the whole
study
 It enables you to claim the study as your
own
 It helps other researchers to refer to your
work as they survey some theories
themselves
Factors to Consider in Writing Research Title
 Catch the reader’s attention
 A good title is short, easy to remember,
index and retrieve.
 Fewest possible words. Bad titles have
generally have more than 15 words.
 Avoid using phrases like “ A study of.. “; “
An Investigation on… “; “ An Analysis of
… “ or words such as ” effects, evaluation,
study, experiments, trials, observations,
investigations, result, test, factors, and
analysis.
Research Hypotheses
 The alternative hypothesis of the statistical
test that you will perform to be able to
answer your research question
Formulate the Hypotheses
Not always necessary
 If your study is only descriptive in nature,
then hypotheses testing is not needed.
Framework
 described as the abstract, logical structure
of meaning that guide the development of
the study.
 based on the identification of key concepts
and the relationships among those concepts
 Can be derived from related concepts
(conceptual) or existing theories
(theoretical).
Theoretical Frame
 Shapes the justification of the research
problem/ research objectives in order to
provide the legal basis for defining its
parameter
 A symbolic construction which uses
abstract concepts, facts or laws, variables
and their relations that explain and predict
an observed phenomenon exists and
operates
Conceptual Framework
 This consist of concepts that are placed
within a logical and sequential design.
 Is the researcher’s understanding of how
the particular variables in his/her study
connect with each other.
 A researcher’s “map” in pursuing the
investigation.
 Your problem statement serves as a
reference in constructing the conceptual
framework.
Significance of the Study
 Must be presented comprehensively to
convince the screening committee the
importance of the study.
 The explanation of the significance of the
study is presented either in the inductive
or deductive perspective.
 Inductive perspective
- The researcher states the importance
of the study from the particular to
general.
- Starts from target beneficiaries, to the
researcher himself, to the people in the
community, province, region, and
nation.
 Deductive perspective
- General to particular
- Presentation of the importance of the
study starts from the national level,
regional, provincial, local,tothe
researcher, and target beneficiaries
Significance of the study
The researcher should prove that the study has
important contributions in relation to:
 Solving the problem and need
 Bridging the gap
 Improving social, economic and health
conditions
 Enriching research instruments, methods
and strategies
 Supporting government thrusts
Scope and limitation of the study
 Equipment or instrument
 Includes the coverage of the study area
 The subjects
 The research apparatus
 The constraints of the study
 Duration of the study
 The research issues and concerns
Definition of terms
 Conceptual Definition - The definition of
terms are based on concepts or hypothetic
ones which are usually taken from
dictionary, encyclopedia, and published
journals.
 Operational - The definition of terms are
based on observable characteristics and
how it is used in the study.
Chapter 3
Definition of Review of Related Literature
 Related - means the legal bases, literature,
and studies which have direct bearing or
relation to the present study.
 Literature – is any written materials
published in book, journal, novel, poetry,
yearbook, and encyclopedia (Calmorinand
Calmorin,2007).
 Review of Related Literature - is “the use
of ideas in the literature to justify the
particular approach to the topic, the
selection of methods, and demonstration
that this research contributes something
new. (Hart,1998)
Three Parts of RRL
1. Related Legal Bases - to determine the
relevance of the study to the government
thrust. The major sources are laws and
department directives that is related to the
study.
 2. Related Literature -sources are taken
from books, journals, magazines, novels,
poetry, and many others.
3. Related Studies - sources are published
and unpublished research studies. Research
studies which have direct bearing to the
present study are segregated into foreign
and local studies.
Two way of looking at the RRL
 From the point of view of the researcher
It helps shape the research:
- earlier studies can help you identify a
research problem
- broaden your knowledge in the
research area
- provides important clues/leads to help
you determine the topic of inquiry
- shows “what is already known” vs.
“what needs to be known”
- provides the foundation and
justification for your research problem
- helps you Framing the valid research
methodologies, approach, goals, and
research questions for your study
- provides clues/leads with regards the
theoretical framework and
methodological approach.
 From the point of view of the reader
It provides the bigger picture:
- shares with the reader the results of
other studies that are closely related to
the proposed study
- relates the proposed study to the on-
going conversation on the topic;
- provides the reader a benchmark for
comparing your study with other
studies;
- helps the reader identify & appreciate
the value-added information of your
study (originality).
A systematic RRL
Tips and toes
 write references in 3x5 index cards in APA
(American Psychological Association)
Style; take note of page #s, keywords, ideas
in each reference so that its easy to go back
to
 group together references from:
a. books
b. journals and periodicals
c. unpublished researches
(dissertation/theses)
d. newspapers/magazines
 Write notes to yourself about article you
are reading regarding issues, thoughts, or
general comments such as “ nice
methodology for___”, “ interesting
definition of ___”, etc.
What to include in the review:
Consider what material is to be extracted from a
previous study or journal article.
Potential points to be “extracted” for RRL:
 problem being addressed
 central topic/purpose or theme of the study
 briefly state information about the sample,
subjects of the study
 review key results/conclusions of the study
 methodology –strengths and/or flaws
To avoid plagiarism:
 review the literature, don’t reproduce it.
 refrain from copying verbatim what
authors and researchers say;
 paraphrasing the literature in your own
Words also helps your analysis of the text
 make sure that the source of text or idea is
also indicated with your notes.
 Present one idea per paragraph
Sourcing from the www
•5Cs of Evaluating Web Sources:
Credibility
Content
Currency
Construction
Connectivity
Delimiting Review
 Provide parameters around your literature
review, so that you don’t review ad
infinitum.
 Parameters may be the variables; the type
of research or the time frame.
Characteristics of the Review
1. The text of the review should be brief and to the
point.
- To ensure brevity and conciseness, you
have to summarize or paraphrase
important points. Avoid direct quotations
of the author’s ideas or the results of the
studies you are reviewing.
2. Have a plan on how you are to present the
review.
- Prepare an outline before finally writing
the review. This will ensure coherence
and unity of ideas presented. The problem
you are going to work on can serve as
your outline for discussion of related
literature and studies that are relevant to
your proposed research.
3. Emphasize relatedness
- Keep the reader aware of the manner in
which the literature you are discussing is
related to your problem.
- Try to point out what that relationship is.
4. Review the literature, don’t reproduce it
- Refrain from copying verbatim what
authors and researchers say. Critically
review and discuss the literature in
relation to your research work.
Approaches to Writing the Review
1. Chronological - literature and studies are
presented according to the year they were written.
Sample outline:
a. Introduction
b. Recent literature & studies
c. Least recent literature & studies
d. Synthesis of the review
2. Thematic - literature and studies with the same
findings are grouped together. Sample outline:
a. Introduction
b. Studies on independent variable
c. Studies on major dependent variables
d. Synthesis of the review
3. Country of origin - literature and studies are
categorized based on the country/continent where
they came from. Sample outline:
A. Introduction
B. Foreign studies
C. Local studies
D. Synthesis of the review
Writing the Review
Some notes:
 It is in the introduction where you make
your readers aware of your approach in
presenting the related literature;
 It is the synthesis where you specify the
uniqueness of your study vis-à-vis the
literature you had just discussed in the
review.
How to Write the Introduction of a Review of
Related Literature
 Identify the general topic of the sources
under discussion. Thus, you will provide
the context of your review of related
literature;
 Discuss what was already presented about
the topic of your paper: conflicts in a
theory, conclusions, gaps in research and
scholarship, etc.
 Explain why the literature used is worth
reviewing
How to Write the Body of a Review of Related
Literature
 Group the sources according to their
common dominators (approaches,
objectives or any specific chronologies);
 Give the examples of how to sort out these
groups. Use quotations, evidences, data,
etc. They will make your review of related
literature more valid.
How to Write the Conclusion of a Review of
Related Literature
 Summarize the contributions of the
literature sources made to the area of study
you investigate. Maintain the central focus
in the Introduction;
 Give a kind of insight into the relationship
between the topic of your review and a
larger study area (e.g. a discipline, a
scientific endeavor, etc.)
Citations
 aka textual citations, References cited,
Literature cited, Works cited, Bibliography
 Immediate/direct mention, remark,
notation, allusion to specific source of
information in the textual part of the
manuscript
 Acknowledge the work of other authors
 Always reflected in the reference list
 follow different styles/format
- Author(s)-year; numbered; etc.
 No-Nos
- No citation at all (plagiarism)
- Copy-pasting
- Citing without reading the original text
 - Deleting citation(s) when reference
can’t be traced
 Citations not listed in the reference list
 Inconsistent style/format
Databases Access:
 IEEE Explore – https://ieeexplore.ieee.org
 ACM – https://dl.acm.org
 eBook Central-
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uniof
southphi-ebooks
 Web of Science- https://webofscience.com
 SAGE Premiere -
https://journals.sagepub.com
Chapter 5
Thesis research proposal
Contents and Structure of Research Proposal
 The Problem: Rationale and Background
Statement of the Problem
- Hypotheses
- Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
- Significance of the Study
- Scope and Limitations of the Study
- Definition of Key Terms
 Review of Related Literature and Studies
- Related legal bases
- Related Literature
- Related studies
- Justification of the proposed study
 Materials and Methods (experimental
design)
- Research Method
- Materials and Equipment
- Procedure
- Evaluation of the Products
- Statistical Treatment
 Schedule of Activities/ Timeline ( includes
the time frame for every activity of the
thesis proposal)
 References
 Appendix
 Curriculum Vitae of the Proponents
Content of Justification of the proposed
study
The proponent has to justify the direct bearing
of the related legal bases, related literature, and
related studies to the proposed study. In like
manner, he also justifies the differences of the
proposed study with the previous related
studies.
Chapter 6
Presentation of Thesis Result
Research Report - a research report is an oral
presentation and/or written statement whose
purpose is to communicate research results,
strategic recommendations, and/or conclusions to
s specific audience. It is an important means for
communicating the whole research project
Methods of Data Presentation
1. Narratives
 Simply presents data as text
 Should be clear, concise, and direct to be
effective
 Make sure that thoughts of each sentence
are complete
 Attention given to details such as grammar,
spelling
 Flow of thoughts should be coherent
 Start with describing the profile of the
respondents, then answer the objectives
one –by-one.
Effective use of graphic aids
 A picture is worth a thousand words
 Graphic aids can clarify complex points or
emphasize a message
 The key to effective use of graphic aids is
to make them an integral part of the text
 May include tables an figures
2. Tables
 Tables should support discussion points in
a research report
 Body of the report should include only
relatively short summary tables
 Comprehensive tables should be reserved
for an appendix
Parts of a Table
1. Table Number
2. Title
3. Column Headings or Box Heads
4. Row headings
5. Body
6. Footnotes
7. Source of Data
 Line Graph
 Portrays trends over time
 Used for depicting two quantitative
variables-with one of these variables
always being time

3. Figures
 Figures or graphs translate numerical
information into visual form so that
relationships may be easily grasped
 Disadvantage is that the accuracy of
numerical data is usually reduced
 Some types of graphs
1. Pie charts
2. Bar graphs
3. Line graphs
4. Box plots
5. Scatter Plots Box and Whisker Plot
Pie Chart  Useful for showing description of a large
 Shows the percentage of the total number quantitative data including the center,
of observations falling into each of the spread, shape, tail length and outliers
categories  Can be presented either horizontally or
 Used for depicting a qualitative variable vertically

Bar Graph
 Used to portray numerical measurements
across categories of a qualitative variable
or a discrete quantitative variable
 Bars should be of equal width and gaps
should separate them to show
discontinuities
Scatterplot
 Presents relationship between two
quantitative variables (correlations)
 Widely scattered points indicate no
relationship between X and Y