University of the Philippines Open University

Faculty of Management and Development Studies

Master of Management Program

Student: Mary Grace M. Austria September 18, 2020

PM299.2: Research Methods in Public Management Faculty-in-Charge: Josefina Tayag, DPA

Assignment No. 3

1. How is research different from other means of gaining or obtaining knowledge?

Research is only one of the methods of inquiry to obtains answers or facts in response to
questions raised. Some inquiry on intuition, tradition and religion cannot be answered by a
research because research is based on the investigations of empirically verifiable realm
which can be validated through observation. On the other hand, inquiry on tradition is
answered based on custom and beliefs while inquiry on religion is answered based on faith
in the supernatural being which cannot be validated by research through observation.

2. What are the characteristics of the scientific method?

a. Systematic Process. The scientific method of research follows a logical flow of steps
and stages of procedures which begins in identifying the research problem.
b. Accurate. This research method emphasizes the importance that what you say you
have observed correspond or is accurate to what has actually occurred.
c. Precise. The objective of this research method is to estimate the exact count of the
event that has occurred or may yet occur or if not possible, objective is mainly to
characterize what is happening. Statistics are very helpful to attain both of these
objectives by quantifying the incidence or determining the frequency of the event.
d. Recorded. All methods, procedures and observations are necessary to be documented
and recorded to ensure that the validity of the method applied for a particular
investigation and the quality of the result obtained can be checked and verified by other
researchers or interested parties.
e. Objective Observations. The conduct of investigation and the observation of the
researchers must not be influenced by preconceived notions or personal preferences,
prejudices, biases, attitudes and feelings. “Scientific research is undertaken through an
assessment of what is rather than what ought to be” (Bautista, 1998)
f. Observations are undertaken under Controlled Conditions. The researchers shall
aspire to eliminate other factors or variable that might intrude into the observation of the
major factor or variables that they wished to investigate. These extraneous unnecessary
variables are eliminated through the research designs chosen by the researchers.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the scientific method?

Scientific method of research is it is objective therefore it is reliable. This research method

is controlled and remove all variables other than those under the study. However, this

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 method has difficulty in replicating rea-world scenarios in the lab which may make the
findings not generalizable. Variables cannot be carefully controlled and factors influencing
our behavior cannot be found in the laboratory setting such as internal mental processes of
humans. The scientific method has all its advantages when the abovementioned
characteristics are carefully observed but has all its disadvantages when these
characteristics are tainted by personal preferences, errors, and manipulation of data.

4. Name the qualities of a good researcher. Then make a reaction, can you imbibe and display
such characteristic. Why or why not?

Qualities of a Good Researcher

a. Honesty. A good researcher reports all the information gathered and does not project
his/her preferences in the result of the study. A good researcher shall not modify or
manipulate the data gathered or the implementation of the research design/methods.

b. Skepticism. A good researcher maintains a questioning mind with the truthfulness of

the method, results and interpretations of the data gathered. It must be ensured that the
truth prevails at every step of the research.

c. Openness to Criticism. A good researcher is open to the suggestions of others to

improve his/her methodology, findings, and analysis.

d. Creative Imagination. A good researcher must have a creative imagination to package

the most appropriate combination of approaches and methodologies for gathering
information.

e. Resourcefulness. A good researcher explores many resources of information that are

most reliable resources to consult to.

f. Logical Mind. A good researcher must be able to apply sound reasoning to arguments
raised in the conduct of research and adequately justify the research questions,
research methods and techniques and the conclusion or generalization about some
findings of the study.

g. Patience. Since research is a systematic process that undergo several processes, a

good researcher must have patience while going through these processes.

Yes, I can imbibe the aforementioned good qualities of a good researcher. As a civil
servant, I must possess these good qualities in order to objectively conclude in a research
study and be able to propose an objective policy proposal based on the result of an
unbiased research procedures. As a professional accountant, some of these qualities are
already instill with me as it is required for certified public accounts or auditors to possess
skepticism and honesty. Based on experience, I believe that I possess the openness to
criticism, logical mind and patience but I would like to improve and learn more on the
resourcefulness and creative imagination.

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