Introduction to Research
environment
‘Re’ – again and again
‘Search” – to find out something
-the process of arriving at a dependable
solution to a problem through the planned
and systematic collection, analysis, and
interpretation of data.
-advancing knowledge and promotes
progress to enable man to relate more
effectively to his environment
-process of asking questions and answering
them either by conducting a survey,
observation or experimentation in a
structured logical manner
Purpose of research
-extends knowledge of human beings’ social
life and environment
-reveals mysteries of nature
-establishes generalizations and general
laws and contributes to theory-building in
various fields of knowledge
-verifies and tests existing facts and
theories
-aims to find solution to problem (socio-
economic, health, organizational, and even
human relational problems
Types of Research
 Basic – add to existing body of
knowledge
Ex. Role of gut microbiome in
chronic disease: Narrative review
 Applied – solve an immediate,
practical problem
Ex. Effectiveness of art integrated
strategy on achievement in
mathematics of secondary students
 Obtrusive – manipulates the
 Non-obtrusive –
inconspicuous/discreet
 Qualitative – non-numerical
(summarize, categorize, interpreting,
words, narratives, interviews, FGD,
testing, measurement, objectivity)
 Quantitative – numerical (statistical
analysis, graphs, charts, table,
surveys, questionnaires, checklists,
testing, measurement, objectivity)
Defining Research Project
WHAT is your research? Sum up in one
sentence
WHY do you want to do the research?
WHO will be your participants? Type of
people and possibility for contact
WHERE are you going to conduct your
research? Where to carry out research in
geographic and venue
WHEN are you going to do your research?
Within your time scale
Importance of Research Title
 Attract readers and make visibility
 Provides a concise summary of the
research content
Types of Research Title
1.Descriptive – interprets finding impartially
with open mind
Ex. Effects of natural forest and tree
plantations on leaf litter frog assemblages in
Southern Brazil
2.Declarative – states main finding and
points a bias, hence best avoided
Ex. Novel flight style and light wings boost
flight performance of tiny beetle
3.Interrogative – contains query and the
ability to sensationalize the topic
Ex. Microbial defenses against mobile
genetic elements and viruses: Who defends
whom from what?
A good research title…
-predicts the content
-interests the reader
-uses keywords in a particular field
Research Title answers:
What will be researched?
How will the topic be researched?
With whom? – population
Where? In what context
*SHOULD NOT EXCEED FIFTEEN (15)
SUBSTANTIVE WORDS
AVOID: A study of, An analysis, An
experimental investigation
Elements of Research Introduction
Topic and Context – introduce your topic
giving background them show why the topic
is timely/important
Focus and Scope – geographic, time
period coverage, demographics of
community, themes/aspect
Relevance and Importance – give an
overview of the current research citing rrl
and how you will the address a problem
gap, focus on practical implications
-help solve practical or theoretical problem
-addresses gap in rrl
-builds on existing research
-proposes new understanding of the topics
Questions and Objectives – sets the
expectation for other parts, formulated
depending on discipline, topic and focus
and aim should be clearly stated
Background of the Study
+ establishes context underlying the
research
+ contains rationale, key problem statement
and overview of S.O.P
+ introduce unaware audience to its
importance
+ explores study builds on refutes findings
from previous studies
Points to Consider in Writing B.O.S
1.Start with strong beginning – define
research topic and identify target audience
2.Cover key components – explains
theories, concept, terms and ideas that are
unfamiliar
3.Maintain a balance – b.o.s is focused on
important details and appeals to broader
audience
4.Include historical data – borrows from
historical context and relevant background
5.Explain novelty – provide explanation
that helps understand research better
6.Increase engagement – build a strong
story around central theme
7.Avoid ambiguity – (same with 6)
8.Discard unrelated themes – steer clear
from topics unrelated to key aspects
9.Avoid poor organization – make
background in chronological manner
Literature review
-survey of scholarly sources
-overview of current knowledge, identifying
relevant theories, methods and gaps
Importance of Literature Review
 Familiarizes with current state
 Ensures you are not repeating
 Identify gaps in knowledge and
unresolved problems
 Develops theoretical framework and
methodology
Steps in writing RRL
1.Search for relevant RRL
 make a list of key words,
 search for relevant sources,
 use Boolean operators (and
or not)
2.Evaluate and select sources –
 ask what is the problem,
 key concept and how are
they defined
 what are key theories,
models and methods? does it
use established frameworks
or take innovative approach?
 What are results and
conclusion?
 How does it relate to other
RRL
3.Identify themes, debates and gaps –
 trends and patterns,
 themes,
 debates conflicts and
contradiction0
 look for pivotal publications,
 gaps
4.Outline the structure in Chronological
structure (thematic, methodological,
theoretical, )
5.Write the RRL (introduction, body,
conclusion)
Writing Research Objectives
 Research Aim – main goal or
overarching purpose, broad and
introductory
Ex. Investigate factors associated
with partner violence
 Research Objective – specific
research topics/issue, builds main
theme in research aim
Ex. To examine whether alcohol
consumption is associated with increased
partner violence
 Research Questions – key issues
to be focused stated in form of
questions
Ex. Is alcohol consumption
associated with increased partner violence
 Research Hypothesis – prediction
of relationship between two or more
variables
Ex. Higher consumption of alcohol
will be associated with incidents or partner
violence
Writing Research Objectives
 Identify major focus of research –
describe aim achieved through your
research
 Break down research focus –
narrows scope specifying aspects
you want to examine
 Write S.M.A.R.T. – specific (clearly
defined), measurable (qualify ‘n
quantify), achievable (feasible),
relevant (useful and meaningful),
time-based (stays on track)