8

Science
Investigatory
Project
Quarter 1 – Module 1A:
The Nature of Research
SSP_RS8-NRS-Ia-1

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

Science Investigatory Project – Grade 8
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 1A: The Nature of Research
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor M. Briones
Undersecretary for Curriculum: Diosdado San Antonio

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Author/Editor: Carlo O. Casumpong
Reviewer: Mercedita L. Crujedo
Illustrator/Layout Artist: Carlo O. Casumpong
Management Team:
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Office Address: Cuambog, Mabini, Davao de Oro

Philippines
Contact Number: 0917 125 8223
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 8
Science
Investigatory
Project
Quarter 1 – Module 1A:
The Nature of Research

This instructional material was collaboratively developed and reviewed by

educators from public and private schools, colleges, and or/universities. We
encourage teachers and other education stakeholders to email their feedback,
comments, and recommendations to the Department of Education at
action@deped.gov.ph.

We value your feedback and recommendations.

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

 Plug In

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you learn the nature of research in preparation for your Science Investigatory
Project. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning
situations or contexts. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of
students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course.
Generally, this module is regarded as a self-learning material, thus, you are
expected to evaluate your own progress throughout the course.
At the end of this module, you are expected to explain the meaning,
characteristics, and importance of research (SSP_RS8-NRS-Ia-I). Specifically:
1. define research;
2. cite the different research characteristics;
3. evaluate the purposes and aims of research; and
4. explain its importance in scientific understanding, inventions, and innovations.

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 Connect

Making Inferences and Cause-Effect Relationship

Matching Type: Match column A with column B. Write the letter that represents
your answer on the space provided.

Column A Column B
_____ 1. The sky was very dark. a. He fell.
_____ 2. The goal was open. b. It was about to rain.
_____ 3. Brielle hit a homerun. c. The other team scored.
_____ 4. Anthony worked hard. d. The spectators cheered.
_____ 5. Tirso was running too fast. e. He succeeded the task.

Prior Knowledge on Research

Fact or Bluff: On the space provided, write FACT if the statement about research
is true and BLUFF if it is a misconception or not true.

________ 1. Research is collecting and retrieving existing information.

________ 2. Research involves the systematic gathering of new information.
________ 3. Research is restating or paraphrasing.
________ 4. Research is synthesizing related information.
________ 5. Research is transferring or transcribing facts.
________ 6. Research is interpreting copied information.
________ 7. Research is going through only one source.
________ 8. Research is analyzing new information.
________ 9. Research is providing available answers to problems.
________ 10. Research is communicating knowledge.

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 Lesson
Research Nature: Its
1 Definition and Purpose
Everyone does research. We use different references to gain information that
will aid us in our studies and in our work. Ranging from periodicals, books, audio-
visual materials, and Internet sources, a vast amount of information is readily
available for us to understand and utilize.

Puzzle In

Source Window. Classify the following information that you access for your
school assignments based on the sources where you usually retrieve/get them.
Write your answers in the corresponding box.
You may refer to the example given.
1. Different laboratory apparatuses

Books Internet

Audio-Visual Materials Periodicals

(CD/DVD/Flash Disk Files) (Newspapers, Magazines,
Brochures)

1. Different laboratory apparatuses

2. Parts of an animal and a plant cell
3. Nobel Prize for Physics awardees
4. How metamorphic rock develops
5. Parts of the atmosphere
6. Science in the action of athletes
7. Urban gardening

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 Based on the activity, what do you think is the definition of research? Well.
Research has numerous definitions based on its specified purpose and area of
discipline.
A. Definitions of Research
A research paper is a long composition that discusses a specific problem. It
is usually conducted within a minimum time frame of one year. A research
proposal, however, can be written within a semester.
According to Creswell (2008), “research is a process of steps used to collect
and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue.” It
consists of three steps: (1) Pose a question, (2) Collect data to answer the question,
(3) Present an answer to the question.
On the other hand, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development defines (2018) states, “research is any creative systematic activity
undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of
man, culture and society, and the use of this knowledge to devise new
applications.”
Further, Shuttleworth (2008) asserts, “in the broadest sense of the word, the
definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the
advancement of knowledge.”
Finally, Armstrong and Sperry (1994) state, “scientific research is a
systematic way of gathering data, a harnessing of curiosity. It provides scientific
information and theories for the explanation of the nature and properties of the
world. It makes practical applications possible.”
Therefore, research is a systematic process of collecting data, analyzing the
information from the data gathered, interpreting it in the means possible, and
making recommendations that contribute to the preservation of the quality of
human life.

Research is a systematic process of collecting data, analyzing the information from the data
gathered, interpreting it in the means possible, and making recommendations.

B. Etymology of Research
The word “research” is derived from the Middle French “recherche”, which
means “to go about seeking”. In addition, the latter term is derived from the Old
French term “recerchier”, a compound word that means “searcher”. Based on
historical research records, it was first used in 1577.

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 Foster

Characteristics and Purpose of Research

C. Purposes of Research
Research is generally conducted to develop a new system or improve an
existing one. For humanity’s sake, it is done to improve or enhance people’s lives
towards the development of the society in different aspects and areas. Hence,
Fernandez et al (2013) cited the following purposes of research in terms of degree of
significance or importance:
1. To be aware of how to use new facts or new truths about known phenomenon for
primal existence;
2. To find solutions to problems in the simplest way possible in the different fields
of study;
3. To provide legal bases for correct action and decision-making to perpetuate the
essence of good life;
4. To identify whether the solution to the specific problem is assumed to be true or
false; and
5. To satisfy human persons’ basic and social needs to improve their quality of life.
Scientific research, on the other phase, has the following specific purposes as
cited by Hale (2018):
1. Description. It refers to all procedures used to define, classify, and categorize
subjects and their relationships. Descriptions allow researchers to establish
generalizations and universals. In science, descriptions are systematic and precise.
Scientific research makes use of operational definitions that further characterize
events, qualities, and concepts in terms of observable operations, or procedures
used to measure them.
2. Prediction. It is sometimes made through a form of hypothesis, which is a
tentative, testable predictions concerning the relationships between or among
variables. It is usually derived from theories, or interrelated sets of concepts that
explain a body of data.
3. Explanation/Understanding. Explanation is achieved when the cause of causes
of a phenomenon are identified. In order to determine cause and effect, there are
three pre-requisites which are deemed necessary:
a. Covariation of events (relationship). The variables must correlate.
Statistical methods are used to measure and test the existence and strength of
relationships between and among variables.
b. Proper time-order sequence (time precedence). For 1 to cause 2, 1 must
precede 2. The cause must precede the effect.

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 c. Elimination of plausible alternative causes (non-spuriousness, or genuine).
For a relationship between A and B to be nonspurious, there must not be a C that
causes both A and B such that the relationship between A and B vanishes once C
is controlled.

Build Up

D. Characteristics of Research
Research is procedure by which the researcher attempts to find systematically and
with the support of demonstrable fact. Ergo, it has eight distinct characteristics:
1. Research originates with a question or problem in the mind of the researcher;
2. Research requires a clear goal;
3. Research requires a specific plan or procedure;
4. Research usually divides the principal problem into more manageable subproblems;
5. Research is guided by the specific research problem, questions or hypothesis;
6. Research accepts certain critical assumptions;
7. Research requires the collection and interpretation of data in an attempt to resolve the
problem that initiated the research; and
8. Research is, by its nature, cyclical or more exactly helical.

Plan/
Procedure
Dividable
to
Goal
subproble
ms

Guided by
Originates research
with problem,
Research
Research questions,
Question and
hypothesis

Cyclical
and Assumption
Helical Requires
collection/
interpreta
tion of Figure 1. Eight Research Characteristics
data

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 Light Up

1. Research is a systematic process of collecting data, analyzing the

information from the data gathered, interpreting it in the means possible,
and making recommendations that contribute to the preservation of the
quality of human life.
2. Etymologically, research comes from Middle French word “recherche” which
means “to go about seeking.”
3. Scientific research has purposes of description, prediction, and explanation
or understanding through covariation of events, proper time-order sequence
and elimination of plausible alternative causes.
4. Research is generally conducted to develop a new system or to improve an
existing one.
5. A researcher attempts to find systematically and with the support of
demonstrable fact.
6. Research has eight characteristics.

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 Try Out

Activity 1. Mirror x Mirror

Based on what you learned, write your own definition of research on the left mirror
and your own research characteristics on the right mirror.

Definition Characteristics

Activity 2: Pie of my Research Start-Up

Draw a pie chart that shows the percentage of how much knowledge you
have acquired based on the following areas:
a. Definitions of research
b. Purposes of research
c. Characteristics of research

My Research Start-Up
Knowledge

25% Definition
50% Purposes
25% Characteristics

Figure 2. Sample of Research Start-Up Pie Chart

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 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Read each item carefully then write the letter of your answer on
the space provided.
_____ 1. Research is a/an _________ process.
a. analyzing c. rummaging
b. clarifying d. systematic
_____ 2. Which of the following is NOT a step in conducting a research according to
Creswell (2008)?
a. Collect data.
b. Comment on an observation.
c. Pose a question.
d. Present an answer.
_____ 3. What purpose of research, in nominal position, is attained in the scenario,
“Researcher A comes up with simple and layman ways to combat Fusarium wilt
disease”?
a. Purpose No. 1 c. Purpose No. 3
b. Purpose No. 2 d. Purpose No. 4

_____ 4. This is a tentative, testable prediction concerning the relationships

between and among variables.
a. assumption c. inference
b. hypothesis d. observation

_____ 5. Which pre-requisite is depicted in the situation, “the researcher identified

the causes or factors first before citing their effects or influences”?
a. covariation of events
b. elimination of alternative plausible causes
c. proper time-order sequence or time precedence

Essay. Answer the following questions comprehensively.

6-10. Why should research start with a question or a problem in mind?

11-15. Explain the cyclical or helical nature of research.

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 Enrich

A. First Step to Research. Pose a researchable question then write it in the

thought bubble below:

B. Advanced Reading/Research. Study the following types of scientific research:

1. Basic/Fundamental Research
2. Applied Research
3. Development Research

Reflect

Reflect on the quote, “Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and
to think what nobody else has thought.” -Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

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 12
Connect Try Out Assessment
Matching Type Teacher-feedback needed Multiple Choice
1. b. 1. d.
2. c. 2. b.
3. d.
3. b.
4. e.
4. b.
5. a.
5. c.
Fact or Bluff Essay
1. FACT Teacher-feedback needed
2. FACT
3. BLUFF
4. FACT
5. FACT
6. BLUFF
7. BLUFF
8. FACT
9. FACT
10. FACT
Key to Answers
References

Armstrong. J. & Sperry. T. (1994). Business School Prestige: Research versus

Teaching. Energy & Environment

Creswell, J.W. (2008). Educational Research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating

quantitative and qualitative research (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

Fernandez, E., Grumo, A., Arpilleda, J, & Musico, A. (2013).

Writing in the Discipline. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Hale, J. (2018). Understanding Research Methodology 3: Goals of Scientific

Research. Psych Central. Retrieved on October 10, 2020, from
https://psychcentral.com/blog/understanding-research-methodology-3-
goals-of-scientific-research/

OECD Glossary of Statistical Terms – Research and development UNESCO

Definition. stats.oecd.org. Archived from the original on 19 February 2007.
Retrieved 11 October 2020.

Shuttleworth, M. (2008). Definitions of Research. Explorable. Explorable.com.

Retrieved14 August 2011.

Vagner, K. W. (2007). Introduction to research methods.[Electronic version]

http://psychology.about.com/od/researchmethods/ss/ expdesintro.htm.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Mabini National High School

Cuambog, Mabini, Davao de Oro, Philippines

Contact Number: 0917 125 8223

Email Address: mabininhs.davaodeoro@deped.gov.ph