8

Research I
Quarter 3 - Module 1:
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

AIRs - LM
 Target

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Discuss Descriptive research

Specifically, you should be able to:

a. differentiate survey from case study;
b. enumerate the advantages of survey over case study; and
c. Answer all the activities from the module correctly.

Jumpstart

I. IDENTIFICATION
Instructions: Write A if the statement describes Survey; and
B if the statement describes Case Analysis. 2 points each
(12 points)
_______ 1. The group surveyed is usually large
_______ 2. The number of aspects or variables in the life of the group
surveyed is limited.
_______ 3. Cause-effect relationship are not given emphasis. Aim of the
study may only be to determine status
_______ 4. Representativeness is important and is given emphasis
_______ 5. Curiosity, interest, or just to determine norm or status may
initiate a survey.
_______ 6. Only conditions or practices present during the survey are
considered except in comparative studies when present
conditions are compared with conditions in the past.
_______ 7. Case study may involve and usually involves one person,
family, small group, or small community.
_______ 8. Usually all aspects or variables in the life cycle of the case
under study are included.
_______ 9. Finding the causes of certain phenomena is always a part of a
case study.
_______ 10 Representativeness is not important. The results of a single
. case study do not provide certainty that the case is truly
representative
11 Abnormalities or undesirable traits or conditions usually
. initiate a case study.
12 Data about the case from birth or origin or even of the future
. are considered.
 Explore

Techniques under the Descriptive Method of Research

There are three techniques under the descriptive method of research:
(1) the survey, (2) the case study, and (3) content analysis.
Survey, otherwise known as normative survey, is a fact-finding study
with adequate and accurate interpretation. It is used to collect demographic
data about people’s behavior, practices, intentions, beliefs, attitude,
opinions, judgments, interest, perceptions, and the like and then such data
are analyzed, organized, and interpreted.
Case study is a comprehensive, complete, detailed, and in-depth study
and analysis of an individual, institution, group, or community.

Advantages of the Survey Approach Over the Case Study Approach

There are certain advantages of the survey approach of research over

the case study approach among which are the following:

1. Survey reveals what is typical, average, or normal against which the

behaviour or performance of an individual can be judged or evaluated. For
instance, if survey reveals that the typical kind of mirage is monogamy, then
a man with two wives deviates from the standard.
2. The results of a survey may be used for prediction. This is especially true
correlation studies or even in status studies. For example, studies show that
there is a significant correlation between NCEE percentile ranks and collage
grades. Hence, a student with high NCEE percentile rank is expected to
have high grades in college work.
3. Survey makes possible the formulation of generalizations because the
sample has a high degree of representativeness. This is especially true if the
sample is adequate and proper sampling procedures are used in the
selection of the samples.
4. Survey reveals problems for which timely remedial measures may be
instituted.
5. It is easy to get respondents for a survey
6. The instruments for gathering data are easy to determine, construct,
validate, and administer. The survey instruments are usually the interview
schedule as well as the questionnaire and they are very similar if not the
same in structure.
Disadvantages of the Survey Approach or Technique. Although there are
advantages of the survey approach there are also disadvantages such as the
following, the first three being given by Simon (Treece and Treece Jr, p 150)
1. Lack of manipulation over independent variables
2. One cannot progressively investigate once aspect after another of the
independent variable to get closer to the real cause.
3. Statistical devices are not always able to separate the effects of several
independent variables when there is multivariable causation, especially
when two independent variables are themselves highly associated.
4. Survey approach yields a low degree of control or there is no control at all
over extraneous variables.
5. The instrument of gathering data may lack validity, reliability, or
adequacy

Types of survey technique approach. The following are the types of

survey from which the researcher may select one depending upon the
situation, has interest and goal, professional competence to tackle the work,
and financial capability
1. Total population survey. The entire population is involved in the survey.
2. Sample survey. Only a sample or portion of the population is involved in
the survey
3. Social survey. The investigator researches on the attitudes and behaviors
of different group of people.
4. School survey. This is used to gather data for and about schools and to
assess educational achievement and education itself. (Some or all aspects of
the school may be surveyed: qualifications of teachers, methods and
techniques of a teaching, facilities, achievements of the pupils in the
different subjects, administration and supervision, curriculum, teacher-
pupil ratio, and the like)
5. Public opinion survey. This is use to gauge the reactions of people
towards certain issues or persons. (For instance, people may be asked in a
survey how much they agree with the way the President is running the
government)
6. Poll survey. This is a survey in which the respondents are asked if they
are voting for a certain candidate in an election. This survey is used to
predict the chance of winning of a certain candidate in an election.
7. Market survey. This is aimed at finding out what kinds of people
purchase which products, and how packaging, advertising, and displaying
affect buying, prices, and so on. Allied to this is the motivation survey in
which the subjects are asked why they purchase certain commodities.
8. Evaluation survey. The researcher looks back to see what has been
accomplished and, with critical eye, evaluates the results whether they are
satisfactory or not, with the end in view of making improvements.
9. Comparative survey. In this survey, the result from two different groups,
techniques, or procedures are compared. This may be used also compare
the effectiveness of a new procedure may be compared.
10. Short term survey. In this survey, data are collected over a period of
weeks, months, or even years but the period should be less than five years.
11. Long-term survey. Any survey conducted for more than five years is a
long term survey. The best example is the survey made by Terman about
exceptional children. It lasted nearly thirty years. Terman studied his
subjects during their academic careers on through their academic life to find
if gifted children accomplish more than normal children. The difficulty with
this type or survey is the attrition of the subjects through sickness, death,
moving other places, refusal to participate any longer, and other causes.
Change of attitude due to maturation and education has to be considered
also as a difficulty, plus, the high cost involved.
12. Longitudinal survey. This is almost the same as the long-term survey.
An example of this is the practice of economists to use time-series analysis
in which they compare data collected at present with data that were
collected sometime in the past. The researchers may carry out such studies
by asking their subjects questions about a past events and compare their
responses to the present affairs of things.
13. Cross-sectional survey. In this type of survey, several groups in various
stages of involvement are studied simultaneously. In studying the effects of
smoking for a period of twenty years, if we use the longitudinal survey, we
start with the subjects who have just started smoking and study them for
twenty years before the results could be determined. In the cross-sectional
survey, we do not wait for the end of years and another group who had not
smoked for the last twenty years and another group who had not smoked at
all and subject both groups to a rigid physical diagnosis to find out the
physical conditions of the smokers and non-smokers.
14. Job analysis survey. This provides information on the general duties and
responsibilities of workers, their education, training, experiences, salaries,
types of knowledge and skills, and others that help administrators or
managers in setting up training programs and recruitments policies.
15. Community survey. This survey provides information on the various
aspects of the community; health, employment, housing, education,
economic resources, delinquency, family, population, other social problems,
and so on.
16. Correlation study. This is a study that shows the relationship between
two or more variables, that is, how a variable varies with another. (Good
defines correlation as the tendency for corresponding observations in two or
more series to vary together from the averages of their respective series, that
is, to have similar relative positions. For example, if two tests have a high
correlation, one who gets high in one test will also get high score in the
other.
Differences between Survey and Case Study
Survey Case Study
1. The group surveyed is usually 1. Case study may involve and
large usually involves one person, family,
2. The number of aspects or small group, or small community.
variables in the life of the group 2. Usually all aspects or variables in
surveyed is limited. the life cycle of the case under study
3. Cause-effect relationship are not are included.
given emphasis. Aim of the study 3. Finding the causes of certain
may only be to determine status phenomena is always a part of a
4. Representativeness is important case study.
and is given emphasis 4. Representativeness is not
5. Curiosity, interest, or just to important. The results of a single
determine norm or status may case study do not provide certainty
initiate a survey. that the case is truly representative
6. Only conditions or practices 5. Abnormalities or undesirable
present during the survey are traits or conditions usually initiate a
 considered except in comparative case study.
studies when present conditions are 6. Data about the case from birth or
compared with conditions in the origin or even of the future are
past. considered.

Deepen

STRUCTURED-RESPONSE TEST
Compare and contrast Survey from Case Study using the Venn
diagram. Write at least three (3) similarities and three (3) differences of each.
(10 points)

SURVEY
CASE STUDY
 Gauge

I. STRUCTURED TRUE OR FALSE

Write A if S1 is CORRECT and all the other statements are INCORRECT;
B if S2 is CORRECT and all the other statements are INCORRECT;
C if S3 is CORRECT and all the other statements are INCORRECT;
D if S4 is CORRECT and all the other statements are INCORRECT;
E if S1 and S2 are CORRECT and S3 and S4 are INCORRECT;
F if S3 and S4 are CORRECT and S1 and S2 are INCORRECT;
G if ALL the statements are CORRECT; and
H if ALL the statements are INCORRECT; on the line before each
number. 3 points each*20 (30 points)

_____ 1. S1 Survey, otherwise known as normative survey,

S2 It is a fallacy-finding study with adequate and accurate
interpretation.
S3 It is used to collect demographic data about people’s behavior and
disorders, malpractices, and solicitations.
S4 Case study is a simple and brief study and analysis of an individual,
institution, group, or community.
_____ 2. S1 Case study reveals what is typical, average, or normal against which
the behaviour or performance of an individual can be judged or
evaluated.
S2 For instance, if survey reveals that the typical kind of mirage is
monogamy, then a man with two wives deviates from the standard.
S3 Moreover, the results of a survey may be used in the study of
history. This is especially true correlation studies or even in
spatial studies.
S4 For example, studies show that there is a biased correlation
between NCAE percentile ranks and collage grades.
_____ 3. S1 Case Analysis reveals problems for which timely remedial measures
may be instituted.
S2 It is easy to get respondents for an interview.
S3 The instruments for gathering data are easy to determine, construct,
validate, and administer.
S4 The survey methodologies are usually the interview schedule as well
as the questionnaire and they are very similar if not the same in
structure.
_____ 4. S1 In sample population survey, the entire population is involved in the
survey.
S2 On the other hand, population survey will use only a sample or
portion of the population is involved in the survey
S3 In school survey, the investigator researches on the attitudes and
behaviors of different group of people.
S4 Moreover, school survey is used to gather data for and about schools
and to assess educational achievement and education itself.
_____ 5. S1 Public opinion survey.
S2 This is use to gauge the reactions of people towards certain issues or
persons.
S3 Full survey is a survey in which the respondents are asked if they are
 voting for a certain candidate in the comelec.
S4 This survey will not be used to predict the chance of winning of a
certain candidate in an election
_____ 6. S1 In poll survey, the researcher looks back to see what has been
accomplished and, with critical eye, evaluates the results whether
they are satisfactory or not.
S2 With the end in view of making changes and destruction from the
results of the survey.
S3 On the other hand, comparative survey. In this survey, the result fro
two different groups, techniques, or procedures are compared.
S4 This may be used also compare the effectiveness of a new procedure
may be compared.
_____ 7. S1 Long-term survey is any survey conducted for more than five years is
a long term survey.
S2 The best example is the survey made by Terman about
exceptional children. It lasted nearly thirty years.
S3 An example of this is the practice of economists to use time-series
analysis in which they compare data collected at present with data
that were collected sometime in the past.
S4 Longitudinal survey is almost the same as the long-term survey.
_____ 8. S1 Inter-sectional survey is a type of survey, several groups in various
stages of involvement are studied simultaneously.
S2 Job analysis and Longitudinal survey is interchangeable
S3 Case analysis survey provides information on the general duties and
responsibilities of workers.
S4 Also with their education, training, experiences, salaries, types of
knowledge and skills, and others that help administrators or
managers in setting up training programs and recruitments policies.
_____ 9. S1 Community survey provides information on the various aspects of the
community;
S2 Example of which attitude, comfort and behaviors toward on that
specified time.
S3 School study is a study that shows the relationship between two or
more variables, that is, how a variable varies with another
S4 Moreover, school study as the tendency for corresponding
observations in two or more series to vary together from the averages
of their respective series, that is, to have similar relative positions.
_____ 10. S1 The group surveyed is usually small.
S2 Lack of manipulation over independent variables and One cannot
progressively investigate once aspect after another of the independent
variable to get closer to the real cause are some of the disadvantages
of Survey Approach.
S3 In the case analysis, representativeness is not important. The
results of a single case study do not provide certainty that the
case is truly representative
S4 Moreover, data about the case from birth or origin or even of the
future is not considered.