RESEARCH METHOD REVIEWER

The Nature and Characteristics of Research

Meaning of Research

Research is a systematic study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new
conclusions.

Research Process

The actual process of conducting research involves several steps. The first is identifying the problem. The
other steps include reviewing the literature, designing hypothesis, designing and conducting the study,
analyzing data and interpreting the result, and communicating the result.

KINDS OF RESEARCH

1. According to the Application

a. Action Research- a clynical process involving problem identification action planning,

implementation, evaluation and reflection.

b. Applied Research- research that is directed towards a practical aim and is concerned with
working out the solution to a specific problem.

c. Pure Research/ Basic Research- it aims to solve problems of a theoretical nature that have
little direct impact on action.

2. According to Goals and Objectives

a. Correlation Research- is undertaken to discover the existence of a relationship between two

or more aspect of situation to include the degree and direction of a relationship

b. Descriptive Research- attempts to describe a subject often by creating a profile of a group of

problem, people or events through collection of data.

c. Explanatory Research- allows the research to identify the causes that determine when and
why the behavior occurs.

d. Exploratory Research- is undertaken to expand understanding of research dilemma, identify

alternative ways to address a problem, gather information to refine research question and
identify sources for actual research questions and sample frames

3. According to Knowledge Produced

a. Scientific Research- it aims to contribute to a cumulating body of knowledge about some

aspects of the world. Findings are assessed primarily in terms off validity.
 b. Practical Research- It aims to provide knowledge that will be of immediate practical use.
Findings are assessed in terms of relevance and timeliness.

i. Autonomous Practical Research- where researchers play an autonomous role in

producing practically relevant information.

ii. Contract based practical research- a research that is commissioned on the basis of a
contract to produce specific information.

iii. Dedicated Practical Research -The goal is to provide information that is needed by a
specific group of policymakers or practitioners at a particular time.

iv. Democratic Practical Research- to provide information that will be of use to anyone
concerned with a particular, currently pressure issue.

4. According to Methodology

a. Quantitative Research- It is where a researcher explores relationships using numeric data It

emphasizes studies that are experimental in nature, measurement and search for between
variables.

b. Qualitative Research- an empirical research in which the researcher explores a phenomenon

using textual. descriptive narrative rather than numerical data.

Types of Qualitative Research

i. Biography- reports the life of a single individual.

ii. Case Study- a study in which a single person, program, agency or some other unit of analysis
is examined in detail.

iii. Ethnography- a description and interpretation of a cultural or social group or system. The
researcher examines the group's observable and learned patterns of behavior, customs and
ways of life.

iv. Grounded Theory -it refers to an analysis that concentrates on theories that have emerged
from investigating a particular phenomenon.

v. Phenomenology- it uses microanalysis to interpret group behavior and describes the meaning
of lived experiences for several individuals about a concept or phenomenon.

5. According to Proponent

a. Commissioned Research- a research conducted for a fee upon order of interested person,
group or entitles on a certain topic of interest.
 b. Institutional Research- research done at the institutional level to inform campus decision-
making and planning areas. (ex. admissions, financial aid curriculum, staffic, alumni relations,
etc.)

c. Joint or Group Research- research conducted by individuals and groups with the same
research agenda or interest.

d. Personal Research- research conducted by a person based on his/her research interest.

6. According to the Pursuit of Knowledge

a. Theoretical Research -it is concerned with pursuit of theory. It also aims to develop and test
ideas.

b. Substantive Research- by contrast, it is concerned with producing descriptions and

explanations of particular social phenomena. It provides descriptions and explanations of
particular cases relevant to perennial issues of human concern.

Characteristics of Good Research

A good research follows the standard of producing knowledge through a scientific method. The
following criteria according to Stanovich, must be met for an investigation to be considered scientific:
Systematic Empiricism, Public Verification, and Solvability.

Systematic Empiricism- refers to the practice of relying an observation to draw conclusions about the
world. Data obtained through systematic empiricism allow researchers to draw more confident
conclusions that they can draw from casual observation alone

Public Verification- research must be conducted in such a way that the findings of one researcher can be
observed, replicated and verified by others. It requires that researchers reports their methods and
findings to the scientific community in form of articles or presentations conclusions of papers at
professional meetings.

Solvability- Researchers investigate only those questions that are answerable given current knowledge
and research techniques. This criterion means that many questions fall outside the realm of scientific
investigation.

Scientific Method in Research

A research follows the scientific method when it is done in consonance with the criteria of 'materia' and
'forma' (Substance and Form)
It is conducted using the following steps:

1. Defining the Problem

2. Forming the Hypothesis

3. Collecting Data

4. Drawing conclusions

With regard to conformance with the 'materia' of the research, the following are defining characteristics
of scientific method

1. The purpose of the research should be clearly defined

The purpose of the research-the problem involved or the decision to be made- should be clearly defined
and sharply delineated in terms as unambiguous as possible. It should include its scope, its limitations,
and the precise meanings of all words and terms significant to the research.

2. The research process should be detailed

The research procedures used should be described in sufficient detail to permit another researcher to
repeat the research.

3. The research design should be thoroughly planned

The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield results that are as objective
as possible.

4. Highly ethical standards in research are applied

A research design that includes safeguards against causing mental or physical harm to participants and
makes data integrity a first priority should be highly valued.

5. Limitations of the research should be frankly revealed

Researcher should report, with complete frankness, flaws in procedural design and estimate their effect
on the findings. A researcher should be sensitive to the effects of imperfect design and his or her
experience in analyzing the data should provide a basis for estimating their influence.

6. The researcher should have an. Adequate analysis of data for decision maker’s need

Analysis of data should be extensive enough to reveal its significance and the methods of analysis used
should be appropriate. The validity and reliability of data should be checked carefully.

7. Findings of the research should be presented unambiguously

Presentation of data should be comprehensive, easily understood by the decision maker, and organized
so that decision maker can readily locate critical findings.

Scientific Knowledge

Refers to a more organized and rationalized ways of observing the world than people ordinarily do on
their own.
 • It is empirical and theoretical

it is empirical based on direct observation of the world. Without theoretical scientific

knowledge, which puts observed facts into a context to explain why science would just be
glorified way to document the world around us.

• Science is systematic

it is based on generally agreed upon steps that are organized, publicized, and recognized by
other scientists.

• Science is probabilistic

it describes what is likely to occur in most instances when certain factors are present, but it
recognizes that it is not necessary going to occur in all instances.

Thesis VS Dissertation
Thesis

• Thesis is scholarly document that is written for obtaining a Master’s Degree in the candidate's
academic discipline.

• It tackles a particular topic of smaller scope that is expository and consistent with graduate students'
research design and methodology.

• The contribution can be in nature of an incremental improvements or building blocks in an area of

knowledge or the application known techniques in a new area.

Dissertation

• Dissertation on the other hand is a larger scholarly document written and submitted by graduate
students as a requirement in obtaining a Doctoral Degree.

• It investigates a more difficult problem or concern to be resolved.

• It aims to uncover new knowledge through the discovery of new facts, formulation of new theories or
an innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas.

Choosing a Research Topic

The reasons for choosing a research topic for a thesis or dissertation may vary depending on the
academic discipline of the researcher. The ultimate end of this decision of course is that the choice must
not only reflect the ability of the researcher to conduct the study but with more reasons to be able to
finish it as a course requirement in the masters or doctorate degree.

there are 3 reasons relevant to the researcher's choice of a research topic.

A. Personal Reasons. Personal reasons may include but not limited to:

• satisfying the researcher's curiosity of the proposed topic;

• seeing credentials and/or pursuing career goals;

• trying to solve a personal problem; and

• pursuing personal interests and commitment

B. Academic Reasons. It centers around making a contribution to the disciplines in which one works. It
may include but not limited to:

• contributing to knowledge in a particular field;

• seeking answers to current intellectual puzzles;

• participating in intellectual debates; and,

• developing social theory

C. Contribution to Society. In contributing to society, the researcher's motive in choosing the topic may
include:

• contributing to the solution of a social problem;

• helping some group, community or organization achieve its goals;

• assisting in the development of social policy; and

• contributing to public or private sector decision- making