RESEARCH DEFINITIONS
— Research is about using established methods to
investigate a problem or question in detail with the aim
of generating new knowledge about it (DiscoverPhDs)
— Research is a vital tool for scientific advancement
because it allows researchers to prove or refute
hypotheses based on clearly defined parameters,
environments and assumptions. Due to this, it enables
us to confidently contribute to knowledge as it allows
research to be verified and replicated.
— Research is a process and steps used to collect and
analyze information to increase our understanding of
the topic or issue (Creswell, 2012).
— Research is an orderly, careful, and patient study and
investigation of a subject matter for the purpose of
adding to the body of knowledge (Frankael and Wallen,
2008)
— Research involves a systematic process of gathering,
interpreting and reporting information (McMillan,
2012).
— Research for architecture is a systematic investigation of
phenomena in the build environment which includes
the collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation
of data or facts that link man’s speculation of reality
(VPCodia, 2021)
METHODOLOGIES
RESEARCH DESIGN
— Before beginning research paper, the researcher needs
to decide how to design the research study.
— It refers to the overall strategy chosen to integrate the
different components of the study in a coherent and
logical way, thereby ensuring to effectively address the
research problem; it constitutes the collection,
measurement and analysis of the data.
TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN
1.0 Action Research
¡ is a method of systematic enquiry that teachers
undertake as researchers of their own practice.
You will draw on the findings of other researchers
to help develop actions and interpret the
consequences. As an action researcher, or teacher-
researcher, you will generate research.
2.0 Case Studies
¡ aim to analyze specific issues within the
boundaries of a specific environment, situation or
organization.
3.0 Descriptive Research
¡ used to compare how different demographics
respond to certain variables.
¡ A descriptive research design can use a wide
variety of research methods to investigate one or
more variables.
¡ The three main types of descriptive studies are
case studies, naturalistic observation, and
surveys.
¡ A researcher can conduct descriptive research
using specific methods like observational method,
case study method, and survey method. Varied:
Since the data collected is qualitative and
quantitative, it gives a holistic understanding of a
research topic.
4.0 Experimental Research
¡ is research conducted with a scientific approach
using two sets of variables. The first set acts as a
constant, which you use to measure the
differences of the second set. Quantitative
research methods, for example, are experimental.
The research should establish a notable cause and
effect.
5.0 Exploratory Research
¡ defined as a research used to investigate a
problem which is not clearly defined. It is
conducted to have a better understanding of the
existing problem, but will not provide conclusive
results.
¡ Such a research is usually carried out when the
problem is at a preliminary stage.
6.0 Historical Research
¡ a qualitative technique.
¡ Historical research studies the meaning of past
events in an attempt to interpret the facts and
explain the cause of events, and their effect in the
present events.
7.0 Observational Research
¡ a way to gather data by watching people, events,
or noting physical characteristics in their natural
setting.
¡ Observations can be overt (subjects know they are
being observed) or covert (do not know they are
being watched). Participant Observation.
SAMPLING DESIGN
— Sample Design
¡ is the framework or road map that serves as the
basis for the selection of a survey sample and
affects many other important aspects of a survey
as well.
— Survey researchers are interested in obtaining some
types of needed information through a survey of some
population, of interest, etc.
— When conducting a research about a group of people, it
is rarely possible to collect data from every person in
that group. Instead, the researcher selects a sample.
 The sample is the group of individuals who will actually
participate in the research.
Two Types of Sampling Design
1.0 Probability Sampling
— involves random selection, allowing the researcher to
make strong statistical inferences about the whole
group.
2.0 Non-probability Sampling
— involves non-random selection based on convenience or
other criteria, allowing the researcher to easily collect
data.
POPULATION VS SAMPLE
— Population is the entire group
that the researcher wanted to
draw conclusions about.
— Sample is the specific group of
individuals that you will collect data from.
PROBABILITY SAMPLING METHODS
Probability Sampling
— means that every member of
the population has a chance of
being selected.
— It is mainly used in quantitative research. If you want to
produce results that are representative of the whole
population, probability sampling techniques are the
most valid choice.
Four Main Types of Probability Sample
1.0 Simple random sampling
— In a simple random sample, every member of the
population has an equal chance of being selected. Your
sampling frame should include the whole population.
— To conduct this type of sampling, you can use tools like
random number generators or other techniques that
are based entirely on chance.
— Example
¡ You want to select a simple random sample of 100
employees of Company X. You assign a number to
every employee in the company database from 1
to 1000, and use a random number generator to
select 100 numbers.
2.0 Systematic sampling
— similar to simple random sampling, but it is usually
slightly easier to conduct. Every member of the
population is listed with a number, but instead of
randomly generating numbers, individuals are chosen at
regular intervals.
— Example
¡ All employees of the company are listed in
alphabetical order. From the first 10 numbers, you
randomly select a starting point: number 6. From
number 6 onwards, every 10th person on the list is
selected (6, 16, 26, 36, and so on), and you end up
with a sample of 100 people.
3.0 Stratified Sampling
— involves dividing the population into subpopulations
that may differ in important ways. It allows you draw
more precise conclusions by ensuring that every
subgroup is properly represented in the sample.
— To use this sampling method, you divide the population
into subgroups (called strata) based on the relevant
characteristic (e.g. gender, age range, income bracket,
job role).
4.0 Cluster Sampling
— also involves dividing the population into subgroups, but
each subgroup should have similar characteristics to the
whole sample. Instead of sampling individuals from each
subgroup, you randomly select entire subgroups.
NON-PROBABILITY SAMPLING METHODS
— In a Non-Probability Sample,
individuals are selected based
on non-random criteria, and
not every individual has a
chance of being included.
1.0 Convenience Sampling
¡ A convenience sample simply includes the
individuals who happen to be most accessible to
the researcher.
2.0 Voluntary Response Sampling
¡ mainly based on ease of access. Instead of the
researcher choosing participants and directly
contacting them, people volunteer themselves
(e.g. by responding to a public online survey).
3.0 Purposive Sampling
¡ also known as judgement sampling, involves the
researcher using their expertise to select a sample
that is most useful to the purposes of the research.
4.0 Snowball Sampling
¡ If the population is hard to access, snowball
sampling can be used to recruit participants via
other participants. The number of people you have
access to “snowballs” as you get in contact with
more people.
Data Collection Methods
1. Interviews
2. Observation
3. Documents and Records
4. Focus Groups
5. Oral Histories
6. Questionnaires and Surveys
— Data Processing and Tabulation
 ¡ The method of converting raw data into
meaningful statements includes data processing,
data analysis, and data interpretation and
presentation.
— Data reduction or processing
¡ mainly involves various manipulations necessary
for preparing the data for analysis. The process (of
manipulation) could be manual or electronic. It
involves editing, categorizing the open-ended
questions, coding, computerization and
preparation of tables and diagrams.
BASIC STATISTICS
— Statistics play a vital role in researches.
— Statistics can used as in data collection, analysis,
interpretation, explanation and presentation.
— Use of statistics will guide researchers in research for
proper characterization, summarization, presentation
and interpretation of the result of research.
Basic Statistics in Research
— Descriptive Statistics
¡ are used to describe the basic features of the data
in a study. They provide simple summaries about
the sample and the measures.
¡ typically distinguished from inferential statistics.
With descriptive statistics you are simply
describing what is or what the data shows.
— Data Analysis and Interpretation
¡ Makes informed decisions and not just through
guessing or predictions. The insights obtained can
be used to set and identify trends in data. Data
interpretation and analysis is an important aspect
of working with data sets in any field or research
and statistics.
¡ the process of assigning meaning to the collected
information and determining the conclusions,
significance, and implications of the findings. The
standard deviation, in conjunction with the mean,
provides a better understanding of the data.
Preparation of RMA Proposal
— Chapter 1 - The Problem and Its Background
¡ Its purpose is to introduce the problem and clarify
important variables, its delimitations and its
significance of the field of study.
¡ It has the following essential elements:
® Introduction
® Statement of the Problem
® Scope and delimitation
® Significance of the stud
¡ Notes in the Chapter I
® It should also be noted that the researcher
has to introduce the different elements to the
first chapter by giving a brief description of
each elements, so that the reader knows
what to expect from the chapter
— Chapter 2 - Review of Related Literature
¡ A literature review is a comprehensive summary of
existing structure with the same function of the
research under study and/or with the previous
research on a topic.
¡ The review should have at least five local and five
foreign related literatures enumerate, describe,
summarize, objectively evaluate and clarify this
previous research.
— Chapter 3 - Research Methodology
PRELIMINARIES
— These are the first pages in a research paper & may
include the ff:
¡ Title Page
¡ Approval Sheet
¡ Acknowledgment Sheet
¡ Abstract
¡ Table of Contents
¡ List of Tables
¡ List of Figures
— Title Of The Research Paper
¡ should be specific & concise statement of the topic
and should refer to the major variables or
theoretical issues investigated.
¡ Its principal function is to inform the reader about
the study.
¡ It should be explanatory by itself.
— TITLE PAGE
¡ Exact title of the paper
¡ Full name of the researcher/s
¡ Degree for which the paper is presented
¡ Name of the department & the college to which
the paper is submitted
¡ Month and year the research paper is defended
— APPROVAL SHEET
¡ Follows the title page
¡ It generally contains a statement of acceptance of
the research report.
— ACKNOWLEDGMENT SHEET
¡ Contains the writer’s expression of appreciation for
the assistance and encouragement given him in the
course of his research
— ABSTRACT
¡ A brief summary of the research.
 ¡ It gives a short description, or a condensation of
the problem, the methodology used, and the
findings and conclusions.
¡ It allows the readers to survey a research’s content
quickly.
— TABLE OF CONTENTS
¡ Lists the preliminary parts, the chapter titles along
with the subdivisions of the body of the reports,
and the supplementary materials in the appendix
— LISTS OF TABLES & FIGURES
¡ Contain the tables and figures (pictures, graphs,
charts, and other illustrative materials) used in the
research, with their titles
— TEXT
¡ Introduction
¡ Review of Related Literature
¡ Methodology
¡ Presentation & Interpretation of Data
¡ Summary, Conclusions & Recommendations
INTRODUCTION
— This follows the preliminaries.
— It is usually marked as CHAPTER 1
— it may include the following:
¡ Background of the study
¡ Conceptual Framework
¡ Statement of the Problem
¡ Hypothesis/es
¡ Significance of the Study
¡ Scope & Delimitation of the Study
¡ Definition of Terms
— Background of the Study
¡ contains the origin of the problem. It is an account
describing the circumstances which suggested the
research. It includes the justification of the
selection or choice of the study.
— Conceptual Framework
¡ is a scheme for the research problem and central
focus of the study. It specifies the key variables,
showing their relationships. This is usually
represented by a diagram
— Statement of the Problem
¡ refers to the problems and sub-problems raised in
the study
¡ It must be based on a situation of need or of
unresolved difficulties
¡ it should be stated precisely, accurately and clearly
¡ can either be declarative or interrogative
¡ Can either be one main statement/question, or a
series of statements/questions, or a combination
of these forms
¡ the problem should be defined in terms that data
can be obtained.
— Hypothesis/es
¡ is/are the statement/s as tentative answer/s to
one or more research queston/s but of which
answer/s is/are subjected to a statistical test.
— Significance of the Study
¡ is the justification for making the study. It should
state why the problem investigated is important
and what significance does it have once the results
come out. It should include a statement relevant to
the needs felt and the contribution to new
knowledge, and policy implications and other
possible uses for its results.
— Scope & Delimitation of the Study
¡ consists of the scope and limit of the study. It
consists of what additional population, concept,
content, or time the researcher includes in the
study. Who are included in the study and who are
the respondents?
¡ Delimit means to cite who are not included in the
study and why. It is delineating the study by
specifying what aspects of the problem will be
dealt with and what are the limitations in the
sampling concept, content, and the period of time.
— Definition of Terms
¡ includes conceptual and operational definition of
important terms used in the study.
¡ Any term that is not commonly used by a potential
reader which may have several meanings but is
used with specific meaning in the study should be
clearly defined.
¡ List down all the key terms to be used in the study
which may not be familiar to someone who would
read the research paper. It must be arranged in
alphabetical order.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE & STUDIES
— The purpose of this section is to show the significant
bearing of other literature and studies to the present
undertaking.
— This includes the ff:
¡ Foreign Literature
¡ Foreign Studies
¡ Local Literature
¡ Local Studies
¡ Synthesis and Relevance to the Studies
 Foreign Literature – books, articles, etc. which are
authored by foreign writers
 Foreign Studies – researches, theses, dissertations of
foreign authors
 Local Literature & Studies – books, articles, etc., and
researches, theses, dissertations written in the
Philippines
— once all foreign & local literature are gathered, the
researcher has to collate & synthesize them to show
their relevance to his undertakings
METHODOLOGY
 This includes the following:
¡ Method of Research to be Used
¡ The population frame and sample size
¡ Instrumentation
¡ Data – gathering procedure
¡ Statistical Treatment of Data
— Research Method
¡ the design that is to be used in the research like
survey, descriptive, and experimental
— Population Frame & Sample Size
¡ refers to the target respondents & the size of the
population. It describes the sample profile, how to
get the sample size, and the sampling procedure.
— Instrumentation
¡ refers to the description of the adoption,
construction, and administration of instruments.
These include tests, questionnaires, interview,
apparatuses, devices, and laboratory equipment
— Data-Gathering Procedure
¡ the description on how the researcher will gather
his data. The whole process of gathering data
should be described accurately & precisely from
the distribution of questionnaires and other
instruments, to the retrievals of the same. This
section tells the readers what the researcher did
and how he did it.
— Statistical Treatment of Data
¡ the statistics to be used in computing the data
gathered for data analysis like frequency,
percentage, etc. that would suit the study
PRESENTATION , ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION OF DATA
— Done after the statistical treatment of data
— Summarizes the collected data and presents the results
— The central part of the study
— Results and implications should be present in a straight-
forward way
— The presentation must be geared to the research
questions and research hypotheses
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, & RECOMMENDATIONS
— Usually the last chapter of the research
— Contains the summary of the study, conclusions based
on the findings, and recommendations based on
conclusions
— Summary
¡ brief recapitulation of the entire content of the
paper. It shows the important points of the study –
from the problem to the description on how the
researcher arrived at the result & findings.
¡ It includes a brief statement of the objectives and
problems of the study, the method used, the
respondents, the instruments, and the findings.
— Conclusions
¡ points that were actually learned from the study.
They answers to the sub-questions raised in the
statement of the problem.
— Recommendations
¡ based on the conclusions made. These are meant
to improve and solve the problems raised.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
— Sometimes called references or works cited
— The researcher must tell the sources of all materials he
used in his study: the direct quotations and borrowed
ideas in related literature and studies, the visual
materials (maps, charts, diagrams, and pictures);
otherwise he will be cited for plagiarism.
— Entries in the bibliography must be in alphabetical order
of the family name of the authors, in hanging indented
and single-spaced form with double spacing between
references.
APA (American Psychological Association)
1. Surname of the author (if there are more than one
author, put the surname of the 1st author, the
initials of the first and middle name; followed by
the 2nd author in the same manner as the 1st
author) (if there are 3 or more, use et al.)
2. Year of copyright (inside parentheses)
3. Title of the Book (italicized or underlined)
4. Place of Publication
5. Publisher
For Periodicals
1. Author
2. Year of Publication
3. Name of the Article (not italicized)
4. Name of the Periodicals (italicized or underlined)
5. Volume & Page Number
If the entry is unpublished materials like documents, theses,
or dissertations
1. Author
2. Date of Issuance
3. Title of the Document or Research (italicized)
4. The word “unpublished thesis/dissertation
5. Name of the Institution
6. Place of Institution
MLA (Modern Language Association)
— The only difference between the APA and the MLA is the
placing of the year and place of publication in the
bibliography entries.
— Both of them use parentheses in citing sources in the
paragraph, thus, they are called parenthetical
documentation