Chapter One

Research Basics
Definition
a. Research is the systematic and objective analysis and recording of
controlled observations that may lead to the development of
generalizations, principles, or theories, resulting in prediction and
possibly ultimate control of events.
b. Research is a systematic effort made as an attempt to find out facts or
information that support certain views about a specific point in a subject,
or to discover new rules that govern the different relationships between a
number of variables in a phenomenon.
This means that:
 Research is a systematic process that requires certain planning and preparation
of the steps that should be followed.
 Such a process is performed to achieve a certain end, which we may call
product.
 The research is conducted on the assumption that there is a problem that needs
to be solved, and the research is taken to solve this problem.
c. Research is a systematic process of collecting and analyzing data that will
investigate a research problem or question, or help researchers obtain a
more complete understanding of a situation. The goal of research is to
describe, explain, or predict present or future phenomena.
More specifically, research should be:

 Systematic: a study has a clear structure with definite procedural rules that
must be followed. There are rules for designing a study, for controlling
different problems that may adversely influence the study, and for choosing
and applying statistics (if necessary). It is these rules that make such studies
systematic and that can help us read, interpret, and critique studies. It is these
rules that underlie the logic of research.
 Logical research: the rules and procedures underlying these studies form a
straightforward, logical pattern—a step-by-step progression of building blocks,
each of which is necessary for the logic to succeed. If the procedures are
violated, one or more building blocks may be missing and the logic will break
down like any other logic.
 Tangible research: research is tangible in that it is based on the collection (and
sometimes manipulation) of data from the real world.
The set of data may take the form of scores, subjects’ ranks on course
grades, the number of language learners who have certain characteristics, and
so forth. It is the manipulation, or processing, of these data that links the study
to the real world.
  Research should also be replicable: the researcher’s proper presentation and
explanation of the system, logic, data collection, and data manipulation in a
study should make it possible for the reader to replicate the study. If the study
is clearly explained and if we can understand it well enough to replicate it, then
we probably have enough information to judge its quality. Perhaps then, we
should consider replicability to be one of the first yardstick when critiquing
any such article.
 Reductive research: research can reduce the confusion of facts that language
and language teaching, for example, frequently present, sometimes on a daily
basis. Through doing or reading such studies, we may discover new patterns in
the facts. Or through these investigations and the eventual agreement among
many researchers, general patterns and relationships may emerge that clarify
the field as a whole.

Importance of research
The importance of research in education is very vital. This is because of
various reasons like:

1. It is a systematic analysis:

In education, research is essential as it gives the systematic analysis of the

topic. Also, the objectives are clearly defined through the research
process. One needs to study in a systematic and controlled manner, and
this is exactly what the research work provides an individual.

2. Leads to great observations:

In the field of education, the research helps in coming to one conclusion.

That conclusion can be achieved by observing the facts and figures in
depth. So, such in-depth knowledge is provided by following various
research methods only. In this way, research also assists in leading to
greater observations.

3. Results in predictions, theories, and many principles:

The researchers come up with the valid predictions, theories and great
results through the observations, hypothesis and the research queries. So,
this way also it helps researchers to come up with the great conclusions.
4. Improving practices:

The educational research is important for the students to improve

practices and at the same time, it helps in improving those individuals
who really wish to bring improvement in those practices. So, this
way educational research helps in overall improvement of the individual.
Be it a student or any teacher who is researching on some topic, it is of
great help to them. It acts as a lighthouse and empowers the individual.

5. Develops new understanding related to the learning, teaching etc:

The educators are benefited through various research as it helps them in

having a better understanding of the subject. Along with this, it develops
greater understanding related to the teaching, learning and other
educational administration. The new knowledge further helps in
improving educational practices of the teachers and the professors.

6. Helps in initiating the action:

The research you do should result in performing some action or practice.

So, the research should aim to produce the highest result which
compliments the study. Also, you should make sure your study ensures
the applicable findings so as to match the result. Research helps in
performing well and also sheds away all the problems. This way, you are
able to understand the role of research which further helps in the
decision-making process.

7. Helps in decision making:

The good research requires proper time and effort. It prepares the person
for taking essential decisions which further necessitates the same from all
the participants involved in the process. For better results, it is important
for the participants to consider the required consequences and all the risks
involved in the whole process.
 8. Brings consistency in the work:

When the work is done with full in-depth analysis, it tends to be right and
accurate. The process of research help brings consistency in the work,
which lessens the flaws and mistakes in the final outcome of the process.
The consistency is needed in all sorts of work or you might have to end
up getting the wrong and inaccurate result. The research takes lots of time
and effort, so it is the duty of the researcher to be specific and sure with
the facts so that the end result is clean and without any silly mistakes.

9. Motivates others:

The educational research builds patience because it is a lengthy process.

In order to get fruitful results, you need to build patience and only then
you will be able to motivate others. Also, if your research is full of the
right facts and figures, it will ultimately motivate others. Not just this, an
accurate research assists in enhancing the reader’s knowledge which
might not be possible for any other person. So, above are some of the
benefits which research provides in the field of education. Every kind of
research, every kind of method has been always useful and gives a
positive result. In case, you find something fishy during the research
work, it is advisable to consult someone superior to you, or some expert.
Research is useful in all the fields and is used by all the departments,
whether public or private. The research work is done by all age groups,
whether the students or the teachers and even the humankind in order to
understand the society, it’s rules and other policies.

Objectives of research
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the
application of scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the
truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet. Though each
research study has its own specific purpose, we may think of research objectives
as falling into a number of following broad groupings:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it
(studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or formulative
research studies).
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or
a group (studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research
studies).
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else (studies with this object in view are known as
diagnostic research studies)
 4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are
known as hypothesis-testing research studies).

Features of research:
In education, research is characterized by the following:
 It is directed towards the solution of a problem.
 It emphasizes the development of generalizations, principles or theories that
will be helpful in predicting future occurrences.
 It is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence.
 It requires accurate observation and description.
 It involves gathering new data from primary sources or using existing data for
a new purpose.
 It demands expertise.
 It strives to be objective and logical.
 It is carefully recorded and reported.

Types of Research Methods

Types of research methods can be broadly divided into
two quantitative and qualitative categories.
Quantitative research “describes, infers, and resolves problems using numbers.
Emphasis is placed on the collection of numerical data, the summary of those
data and the drawing of inferences from the data”
Qualitative research, on the other hand, is based on words, feelings, emotions,
sounds and other non-numerical and unquantifiable elements. It has been noted
that “information is considered qualitative in nature if it cannot be analysed by
means of mathematical techniques. This characteristic may also mean that an
incident does not take place often enough to allow reliable data to be collected”

1. Types of Research Methods According to Nature of the Study

Types of the research methods according to the nature of research can be
divided into two groups: descriptive and analytical.
 Descriptive research usually involves surveys and studies that aim to
identify the facts. In other words, descriptive research mainly deals with
the “description of the state of affairs as it is at present”, and there is no
control over variables in descriptive research.
 Analytical research, on the other hand, is fundamentally different in a
way that “the researcher has to use facts or information already available
and analyses these in order to make a critical evaluation of the material”.
 2. Types of Research Methods According to the Purpose of the Study
According to the purpose of the study, types of research methods can be
divided into two categories: applied research and fundamental research.
 Applied research is also referred to as an action research.
 The fundamental research is sometimes called basic or pure research.
The table below summarizes the main differences between applied
research and fundamental research. Similarities between applied and
fundamental (basic) research relate to the adoption of a systematic and
scientific procedure to conduct the study.
Applied Research Fundamental Research

1. Aims to solve a problem by adding to

1. Tries to eliminate the theory by adding to
the basics of a discipline
2. Problems are analyzed from the point of
one discipline
3. Generalizations are preferred
4. Forecasting approach is implemented
5. Assumes that other variables do not change
6. Reports are compiled in a language of
technical language of discipline
the field of application of a discipline
2. Often several disciplines work together
for solving the problem
3. Often researches individual cases
without the aim to generalize
4. Aims to say how things can be changed
5. Acknowledges that other variables are
constant by changing
6. Reports are compiled in a common
language

3. Types of Research Methods according to Research Design

On the basis of research design the types of research methods can be divided
into two groups – exploratory and conclusive.
 Exploratory studies only aim to explore the research area and they do
not attempt to offer final and conclusive answers to research questions.
 Conclusive studies, on the contrary, aim to provide final and conclusive
answers to research questions.
 Table below illustrates the main differences between exploratory and
conclusive research designs:

Exploratory research Conclusive research

Well-structured and systematic

Structure Loosely structured in design in design

Has a formal and definitive

Is flexible and investigative in methodology that needs to be
Methodology methodology followed and tested

Most conclusive researches are

Does not involve testing of carried out to test the
Hypotheses hypotheses formulated hypotheses

Findings might be topic

specific and might not have Findings are significant as they
much relevance outside of have a theoretical or applied
Findings researcher’s domain implication