Research

Methods
for Food Science
& Technology
Judith J. Cauilan
Bukidnon State University
2022 - 2023
Objectives

1. To define terminologies used in research

2. To discuss the purpose of research
3. To examine the impact of research in the
development of civilization
What is Research?
• Searching for a theory
• Testing a theory
• Solving a problem
• “a careful, critical, disciplined inquiry, varying in
technique and method according to the nature and
conditions of the problem identified, directed toward
the clarification or resolution (or both) of a problem
(Good, 1972)
What is Research?
• “the process of gathering data or information to solve
a particular or specific problem in a scientific
manner”
(Manuel & Medel, 1976)
• “ a scientific process of critical selection of data,
investigation and analysis of such to gain new
knowledge or to complement an existing one”
(Martinez, 1988)
What is Research?
• the systematic investigation into and study of
materials and sources in order to establish facts and
reach new conclusions
(Oxford Languages)

• a term used liberally for any kind of investigation that

is intended to uncover interesting or new facts
(Walliman, 2011)
What is Research?
• a very general term for an activity that involves
finding out, in a more or less systematic way, things
you did not know
• involves finding out about things that no-one else
knew either.
• it is about advancing the frontiers of knowledge.

(Walliman, 2011)
What is Research?
• Research comes from two words, re and search
which implies that research topics are not new or
that such topics have not been discussed before
• The present study serves only as a venue of
confirmation, revision or negation of the previous
findings
• Such results are still new which add knowledge
source: Adanza, 2004
What are the different kinds of research?
1. Basic Research
- consists of those which seek the understanding of a
process or subject with little expectation of a direct payoff
- done for the development of theories or principles
* Studies on the Relationship Between Home Environment
and Academic Performance
* Determining the Predictive Efficacy of Food Technology
Curriculum on the Effectiveness of the Graduates
What are the different kinds of research?
2. Applied Research
- consists of probing the unknown for a specific goal or
reason using directly the results to present a problem
- it is the application of the results of pure research
- It is testing the efficacy of theories and principles
* Studies on Meat Substitutes
* Techniques for Gall Bladder Operation
What are the different kinds of research?

3. Pure Research
- That which arises out of perceived needs of the discipline
and is generally conceived as one which is oriented
towards the resolution or illumination or exemplification of
a theoretical problem
- It is conducted for the intellectual pleasure of learning
e.g. The study on levitation
Parts of a Research Report or Thesis

A research report generally has five main parts or

chapters with subtopics in between.
• Chapter 1 – The Problem and Background of the
Study
• Chapter 2 – Review of Related Conceptual and
Research Literature
Parts of a Research Report or Thesis

• Chapter 3 – Methods of Research and Procedures/

Research Design and Procedures/ Methodology
• Chapter 4 – Presentation, Analysis, and
Interpretation of Data
• Chapter 5 – Summary, Conclusions, and
Recommendations
What is Research Method?
• they are the techniques a researcher use to do
research
• they represent the tools of the trade, and provide the
researcher with ways to collect, sort and analyze
information so that he can come to some conclusions

(Walliman, 2011)
Source: Walliman, 2011
Sources of a Problem for Research
1. Experiences – the researcher may have experiences
which may have an impact on his daily life
2. Problems in the work environment
e.g. a) Efficiency of process in making a certain
food product
b) Ingredient substitution to lower cost
c) Interpersonal relations with co-workers
3. Classroom Discussions – classroom discussions can
generate ideas and problems
4. Technological and Scientific Advancement – technological
and scientific advancement also bring with them
problems
e.g. a) Problems on pollution and waste management
b) Personnel displacement due to automation
c) Need for new equipment to be at par with
competitors and/or globalization
5. Offshoots of Other Researches– at the end of a research
report, recommendations are given for further research
6. Friends’, Adviser’s, Administrators’ Suggestions
Characteristics of a Good Problem
1. It should be of interest to the researcher
2. It should have practical value to the researcher
3. It is a novel or current issue
4. Within the researcher’s experience or orientation, as
well as capability
5. It can be finished within an alloted time
Characteristics of a Good Problem

6. It should not carry moral or legal impediments, nor

should it be controversial
7. Its data are available
8. The variables are clear and separable
9. Expenses for the study are affordable
to the researcher
 Variable
Variable
Is a term ascribed to the characteristic being
investigated, and can take any value in a reasonable
range. For example, blood group, blood pressure, age of
patients being studied.
Dependent variable
Independent variable
The variable which is
The variable which is assumed to respond to the
assumed to determine the values of the independent
values of the dependent (explanatory) variable. For
(response) variable. For example: blood pressure,
example: age, sex, BMI, cholesterol level, blood
diet, health habits (e.g. sugar level could be deemed
smoker/non-smoker) to respond to changes in
independent variable
Writing the Title of a Research
Titles serve some purposes:

1. It summarizes the content of the entire study

2. It is a frame of reference for the whole study
3. It enables the researcher to claim the study as his own
4. It helps other researchers to refer to one’s work as they
survey some theories themselves
Titles should:

• Be clear and specifically stated

* it is much better if the variables included in the study
are written in the title

• Not to exceed twenty (20) substantive words and the

words in the title should be those that can be defined
easily
Before Chapter 1
The following are found before Chapter 1
1. Title
2. Certification
3. Approval Sheet
4. Acknowledgment
5. Abstract
6. Table of Contents
After Chapter 5

The following are included:

1. Bibliography
2. Appendices
3. Curriculum Vitae