What is Research?

Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict and control the observed
phenomenon.

Research is also defined as a systematic inquiry that investigates hypotheses, suggests new
interpretations of data or texts, and poses new questions for future research to explore.

According to Babbie, 1998, Research involves inductive and deductive methods.

Inductive methods analyze the observed phenomenon and identify the general principles,
structures, or processes underlying the phenomenon observed;

We call the single-case approach inductive reasoning

A method in which we go from studying a case to generating a hypothesis.

Inductive reasoning makes broad generalizations from specific observations... From specific to general

Inductive reasoning means that the conclusion is likely to be true... no certainty, it works on
predictability.

deductive methods verify the hypothesized principles through observations.

Deductive reasoning starts with a hypothesis and examines the possibilities, to reach a specific logical
conclusion... from general to specific

The purposes are different:

one (inductive method) is aimed at or directed to develop explanations,

and the other (deductive method) is aimed at or directed to test the validity of the
explanations

The following are the types of knowledge that research contributes to education:

1. Description: Results of research can describe natural or social phenomenon, such as its
form, structure, activity, change over time, relationship to other phenomena, etc.

The descriptive research results in our understanding of what happened.

2. Prediction: Prediction research is intended to predict a phenomenon that will occur at time
Y from information at an earlier time X.

It could also be to predict parameter A (dependent variable) based on parameter B

(independent variable).
3. Improvement: This type of research is mainly concerned with the effectiveness of
intervention.

It is aimed at providing improvement on an already established research or fact.

4. Explanation: This type of research subsumes the other three:

What are the Purposes of Research?

Patton (1990) classified four types of research based on different purposes:

1. Basic Research: The purpose of this research is to understand and explain, i.e. the research
is interested in formulating and testing theoretical construct and propositions that ideally
generalize across time and space.

2. Applied Research: The purpose of this research is to help people understand the nature of
human problems so that human beings can more effectively control their environment

Research Design
Leedy (1997:195) defines research design as a plan for a study, providing the overall
framework for collecting data

The selection of a research design is based on the nature of the research problem or issue being addressed, the
researchers' personal experiences, and the audiences for the study.

THE THREE TYPES OF DESIGNS

three types of designs: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.

Qualitative and quantitative approaches should not be viewed as polar opposites or dichotomies;

instead, they represent different ends on a continuum (Newman&Benz, 1998).

A study tends to be more qualitative than quantitative or vice versa.

Mixed methods research resides in the middle of this continuum because it incorporates elements of
both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

.....

Often the distinction between qualitative and quantitative research is framed in terms of using words
(qualitative) rather than numbers (quantitative),
or using closed-ended questions (quantitative hypotheses) rather than open-ended questions
(qualitative interview questions).

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Quantitative research is a research approach aimed at testing theories by examining the

relationship between variables.

These variables can be measured typically on instruments, so that numbered data can be analyzed
using statistical procedures.

those who engage in this form of inquiry have assumptions about testing theories deductively.

Quantitative research uses methods that are designed to ensure objectivity, generalizability
and reliability.

Qualitative research

Qualitative research is a research approach aimed at the development of theories and

understanding.

The process of research involves emerging questions and procedures.

data typically collected in the participant's setting.

data analysis inductively building from particulars to general themes.

and the researcher making interpretations of the meaning of the data.

Qualitative research implies an emphasis on the qualities of entities and on processes and
meanings that are not experimentally examined or measured

Mixed methods research

is an approach to inquiry that combines or associates both qualitative and quantitative forms.

It involves the use of qualitative and quantitative approaches, and the mixing of both approaches in a
study.

Thus. it is more than simply collecting and analyzing both kinds of data;

it also involves the use of both approaches in tandem so that the overall strength of a study is greater
than either qualitative or quantitative research
What is the difference between Research Design and Research Method?

Research design is a plan to answer your research question.  A research method is

a strategy used to implement that plan.  Research design and methods are
different but closely related, because good research design ensures that the data
you obtain will help you answer your research question more effectively.