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The Research Process

I. Unit 4 : The Research Process: The Scientific Approach

II. Course Objectives:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Conceptualize a research study.

2. Write a research study that describes what the study is all about.
3. Write a statement of the problem.
4. Write an appropriate background of the study.
5. Identify the independent and dependent variables.
6. Formulate a hypothesis.

III. Content / Delivery

One of the most difficult aspects of research is how to develop the idea for the research project.
The research process has three phases: the conceptual phase, the empirical phase, and the
interpretative phase. Chapter 4 focuses on the conceptual phase – the process that determines
which questions are to be addressed by the research and how research procedures are to be
used as tools in finding the answers to these questions.

Conceptualization is guided by the theoretical framework, research perspective or approach in

the research study.

Research Topics
Research is a systematic process. The first step in research is identifying a topic. Research topic
broadly defines the area of research. They are not the same as the title of the research study.
And there is need of further work to become feasible research studies.

Conceptualizing research topic according to Moyer, (2011) would include:

1. Finding your focus
1.1 Which aspects of your discipline interest you most?
1.2 What have you observed that you have questions about?
1.3 What articles have you read that have raised questions in your mind?
2. What are the gaps in the literature
2.1 By topic (what is not being looked at?)
2.2 Methods (what is not being done?)
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The Research Process

2.3 Populations (who is not being studied?)

2.4 Comparisons (who is not being compared?)
3. Where to start
3.1 Read
3.2 Detailed literature searches
3.3 Attend seminars, conferences, and presentations
3.4 Discuss subject area with peers
3.5 Listen and ask questions
4. Refining research topics
4.1 Discuss with fellow researchers
4.2 Discuss with stakeholders
4.3 Assess what is most critical to learn
4.4 Assess research sources available
5. Questions to ask yourself
5.1 Is this a good idea?
5.2 Who cares?
5.3 Can it be addressed using appropriate research methods?
5.4 Will it stimulate interest by others and the sponsors?
5.5 Is it feasible/practical/doable?
5.6 Is it fundable?

Introduction to the Research Problem, Purpose, Questions and Hypothesis

1. A research problem is considered a professional situation in need of improvement,
change or a solution. House (2012) considered research problem to be the “why”.
2. The research purpose is the goal or interest of the study. The purpose statement also
investigates how variables (qualities, properties, characteristics) are studied in a setting
and population, (Housers, 2012). Polit and Beck (2012) support that a problem statement
represents and indicates a situation to be studied.
3. Research questions are specific questions that researcher wants to know the intent of
the study. According to Polit and Beck (2012), research questions diret the data to be
collected for the study.
4. A hypothesis is a statement that makes a specific prediction between one or two
variables in a population then tested.
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The Research Process

Concept Mapping
A structured approach that groups can use to map out organize their ideas on any topic is called
concept mapping. This can be used by research teams to help them clarify and map out the key
research issues in an area, to help them operationalize the programs on interventions on the
outcome measures for their study. The concept mapping method isn’t only method around that
might help researchers formulate good research problems and projects. Some of the methods
that might be included in the toolkit for research formulation might be: brainstorming, brain
writing, nominal group techniques, focus groups, etc. (Trochim, 2006).

Writing the Research Title

Here are the basic questions asked about the research title:
 Does the title describe what the study is all about?
 Does the title contain high specificity level?
 Is the title academically phrased and is not verbose?
 Is the title within the twelve (12) substantive word requirement of the American
Psychological Association (APA)?

Writing an Introduction
An introduction answers the following questions:
 What is the problem?
 Why is it a problem?
 How it should be solved?
 What is the purpose of the study?

Stating the Problem

The problem statement is the researcher’s guide during the research process. It is the
verbalization and articulation as well as the analysis of the “questions” in which the researcher
wants to answer. It may be stated declaratively of interrogatively.

Example:
Main problem (Interrogative)
What are the factors that affect the teaching skills of using the Learning Management
System?
Main problem (Declarative)
This study aims to design and develop an online Learning Management System at the
Asian Institute of Computer Studies.
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The Research Process

Writing the Background of the Study

A. What is the purpose of a background study?
One of the preliminary steps to completing a thesis is the background study. The
background study includes: (1) a review of the area being researched, (2) current
information surrounding the issue, (3) previous studies of the issue, (4) relevant history
on the issue, and (5) effectively set forth the history and background information on the
problem.
The purpose of a background study is to help you to prove the relevance of your research
question and to further develop your thesis.

B. Why do a background study?

In addition to gaining general knowledge about your topic area, your goals are to
determine the current state of knowledge and to become familiar with current research.
Gravetter and Forzano (2006) pointed out that once you have a general idea for a
research study, the next step is to go to the library to gather background that you have
identified. Once you have done this, your task is simply to extend the current research
one more step.

C. How do we write a background study?

1. Conduct a primary research at the beginning stages of formulating a thesis/research
study when many issues are unclear. Visit your library, the internet to find primary
sources such as books and scholarly journals for your background study.
2. Read the information and develop a research question on thesis/research study
statement that will guide your research.
3. Write a thesis/research study statement or research question. Think about what
you’ve read and look to issues, problems or solutions that others have found and
determine your own opinion or instance on the issue.
4. Complete your research using your research study statement and research question
as your guide.
5. Create five separate sections that cover the key issues, major findings and
controversies surrounding your research study/thesis as well as sections that
provide an evaluation and conclusion.
6. Conclude by identifying and further study what needs to be done in the area or
provide possible solutions to the issue that haven’t been considered before.
7. Revise and edit your background study.
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The Research Process

Formulating Hypothesis
What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. A
hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study, (Black
& Champions, 1976, cited in Kunmar, 1996).
A hypothesis must be empirically grounded and lead to the main contributor of the investigation.
A research hypothesis is the statement you created when you speculate upon the outcome of a
structure, as the ultimate aim of any experiment. It is a statement that predicts the relationship
between the independent (casual) and dependent (outcome) variables.
A hypothesis (plural, hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. Hypothesis
consists of independent and dependent variables. The dependent variables is the outcome you
are interested in studying-the effect. The independent variable is the variable that is producing a
change in the dependent variable-the cause.

Why hypothesize?
A research hypothesis is a specific statement of expected outcomes of an experiment. It includes
who the subjects are, the experimental conditions, and the statistical test to be applied.
Hypotheses are testable explanations of a problem, phenomenon, or observation.
Quantitative research involves formulating a hypothesis to address the research problem.
Hypotheses that suggest a causal relationship involve at least one independent variable and at
least one dependent variable; in other words, one variable which presumed to affect the other.
An independent variable is one whose value is manipulated by the researcher or experiment. A
dependent variable is a variable whose value are presumed to change as a result of changes in
the independent variable.

How to state a hypothesis

A hypothesis is a statement that researchers can empirically test. It is a statement about how
two variables are related. It is not a question and, to that end, it is different from a research
question that is usually broad and does not specifically link two or more specific concepts.
Because the hypothesis identifies the specific variables and their relationship, it forms the
foundation for the future research study.

Characteristics of a Good Research Hypothesis

1. Logical. A good hypothesis is usually founded on established theories or develop from
the results of previous research. Specifically, a good hypothesis should have two logical
conclusions of a logical argument. Example:
2. Testable. A good hypothesis must be testable. That is, it must be possible to observe
and measure all of the variables involved. The hypothesis must involve real situations,
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The Research Process

real events, and real individuals. You cannot test a hypothesis that refers to imaginary
terms or hypothetical situations.
3. Refutable. A testable hypothesis must be refutable. It must be possible to obtain
research results that are contrary to the prediction. For example, if the research
hypothesis predicts that the treatment will cause all increase in scores, it must be
possible for the data to show a decrease.

Which are not testable or refutable?

Hypothesis: Better knowledge and performance lead to better school leadership.
Hypothesis: Better knowledge lead to better performance.
Hypothesis: If people could fly, there were fewer cases of depression.

The Null Hypothesis

The null hypothesis is a statement about the population or populations being examined that
always states that there is no effect, no change, or no relationship. In general, the null hypothesis
says that nothing happened.
In a study comparing two treatments, the null hypothesis states that there is no difference
between the treatments.
One characteristic of a good hypothesis is that it must make a positive statement about the
existence of a relationship of the existence of a treatment effect.
The null hypothesis is exactly the opposite of the research hypothesis. The research hypothesis
says that the treatment does have an effect, and the null hypothesis says that the treatment has
no effect.

IV. Reference/s:
 Almeida, Adelaida B., Ed.D. Gaerlan, Amelita, Ph.D. Manly, Norita E., Ph.D. Research
Fundamentals from Concept to Output. Adriana Publisher.
 https://libguides.library.cityu.edu.hk/researchmethods/ethics
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V. Formative Assessment

True or False. Carefully read the statement. Write True if the statement is
correct, otherwise, False if the statement is incorrect. Place your answer on
the left-side of the number.

1. Refutable must be possible to obtain research results that are contrary to the prediction
based on the characteristics of a good research.
2. A hypothesis is a prediction about how two variables are related.
3. According to Gravetter and Forzano states that you cannot test a hypothesis that refers to
imaginary terms or hypothetical situations.
4. In a study comparing two treatments, the null hypothesis states that there is no difference
between the treatments.
5. Qualitative research involves formulating a hypothesis to address the research problem.
6. Research hypothesis can be used in a cause and effect analysis.
7. The dependent variables is the outcome you are interested in studying-the effect.
8. A good hypothesis is usually founded on established theories or develop from the results
of present research.
9. One characteristic of a good hypothesis is that it must make a negative statement about
the existence of a relationship of the existence of a treatment effect.
10. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon
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VI. Assignment

Instructions. Identify if the statement given below is a DEPENDENT or INDEPENDENT variable.

Write your answer on the left side of the number with provided underlined.

_____________1. Type of treatment.

_____________ 2. Blood pressure.
_____________ 3. Variable that is changed.
_____________ 4. Variable affected by the changed.
_____________ 5. Amount of water.
_____________ 6. Size of plant.
_____________ 7. Cutting velocity.
_____________ 8. Cutting power.
_____________ 9. Two stores had different display of the same product.
_____________10. One store had higher sale of that product.
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VII. Evaluation
Instructions. Read and understand the statement given. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. A hypothesis that established theories or develop from the results of previous research.
A. Logical
B. Reputable
C. Null
D. Both A and B

2. Stated that once you’ve done to research to go to the library, the next step is to gather
background that you have identified.
A. Gravetter
B. Forzano
C. Black
D. Both A and B
3. A good hypothesis must involve real situations is a:
A. Reputable
B. Logical
C. Testable
D. Null
4. A testable explanations of a problem, phenomenon, or observation.
A. Hypothesis
B. Hypotheses
C. Thesis
D. Theses
5. A research involves formulating a hypothesis to address the research problem.
A. Quantitative
B. Qualitative
C. Applied
D. Action
6. One of the preliminary steps to completing a thesis is the _______________.
A. Null hypothesis
B. Background of the study
C. Introduction
D. Preliminary activity

7. This can be used by research teams to help them clarify and map out the key research
issues in an area.
A. Concept Mapping
B. Background of the Study
C. Problem Statement
D. Rationale

8. It is guided by the theoretical framework, research perspective or approach in the

research study
A. Historical
B. Ethnography
C. Conceptualization
D. Introduction
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9. It is a variable whose value is manipulated by the researcher or experiment

A. Independent
B. Causal
C. Cause
D. Experimental

10. It is the variable that is producing a change in the cause.

A. Dependent variable
B. Independent variable
C. Causal
D. Effect

Prepared by:

Dr. Ronaldo S. Tinio, CCpE/MCP

Consultant, CpE