Principles of Research

Writing
Intended Learning Outcomes: (ILOs)
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. determine the nature of research writing;
2. describe the qualities of an effective research writer;
3. organize the steps in the writing process;
4. determine strategies in selecting a topic;
5. differentiate in-text citations from reference citations;
6. create a reference list; and
7. use an appropriate citation style in research writing.
As research is inevitable in our daily lives, its importance cannot be ignored.
Research is a continuous, never-ending process, discovering practical solutions to
problems, hence, the reason, why technology and modern science continue to
advance. The technological and scientific advancements of our time
are by-products of research.
The Nature of Research
Research means searching for a theory, testing a theory, or solving a problem.
It means that something exists that needs investigation and inquiry which later has
to be solved.
Research is defined in various ways-for one, “to search again, to take another
more careful look, to find out more”(Selltiz, et.al.,1976). This means that research is a
practical way of discovering answers and solutions to existing problems. As one goes
into the research process, questions arise.
Research may also be defined as simply, “a systematic quest for undiscovered
truth”(Leedy, 1974). Hence, it is the search for an answer to an unanswered question.
“Research is a systematic attempt to provide answers to questions”(Tuckman, 1972). It
is a systematic attempt to obtain adequate solutions to problems.
Purpose of Research
Every scientific and technological advancement of the new millennium is a by-
product of research. With such improvement in science and technology, the quality of
life progresses. Research provides solutions to problems we encounter. Since problems
are endless, research is a continuing process.
Characteristics of Research
Below is a summary of the characteristics of research:
1. Research is logical and objective.
2. Research is expert, systematic, and accurate investigation.
3. Research gathers new knowledge and data from primary and secondary sources.
4. research endeavors to organize data in quantitative (measurable) terms if possible
and to express these data in numerical measures.
5. Researchers require courage.
6. Research is carefully recorded and reported.
Qualities of Effective Researchers
The success of a research paper depends on the ability of researchers who write it.
Below are some of the qualities that researchers must possess:
1. They must be organized.
2. They must be highly motivated and creative.
3. They must read often to get new ideas and identify knowledge gaps.
4. They must be effective communicators.
5. They must be participative and collaborative.
6. They must be analytical and critical about matters relevant to them, to others, or
to society.
7. They must be open-minded and good listeners.
Types of Research
Attempts have been made to categorize research according to different bases(i.e.,
inquiry, purpose, method). Specific types are (Catane, 2000):
Based on Inquiry
a. Rationalistic
b. Naturalistic
Based on Purpose
The types of research on the basis of purpose refer to the extent to, which the
findings are used.
a. Basic Research b. Applied Research c. Developmental Research
Based on Method
a. Historical Research is the critical investigation of events, developments and
experiences of the past, the careful weighing of evidence of the validity of sources of
information on the past and the interpretation of the weighted evidence. Data are
gathered through the collection of original documents or interviewing eye witnesses.
b. Descriptive Research describes the population’s characteristics. Exploratory or
normative surveys fall under this type of research. Selltiz, et.al.(1979) define it as a
study where the major emphasis is on the discovery of ideas and insights. Qualitative
methods (case studies, content analysis, ethnographic studies) and Quantitative
research (survey research, cross-sectional survey, cohort study, correlational
research, longitudinal survey) are used.
c. Correlational Research involves the collection of two or more sets of data from a
group of subjects in the attempt to determine the subsequent relationship between
those sets of data(Tuckman, 1972).
d. Ex Post Facto Research is a systematic empirical inquiry in which the researcher
does not have direct control of the independent variables.
e. Evaluation Research judges the value, worth, or merit of an existing program.
Formative and summative evaluation are applied in training programs, textbooks,
manuals, or curriculums.
f. Experimental Research is a study conducted in the laboratory. Field experiments
and quasi-experimental research fall under this type. This type of research involves
two groups: the experimental group and the control group.
Measuring Instruments
In research, a measuring instrument is a device used to quantify and record
information that is important to a research study. (Catane, 2000). These measuring
instruments come in the form of interviews, questionnaires, observation, or
unobtrusive methods and these are the tools of data collection.
 There are two types of measuring instruments; Standardized Instruments have
highly refined measurement procedures, carefully developed and designed for
administration under carefully-prescribed conditions for some specific purpose
(Catane, 2000), while Researcher-Developed Instruments are constructed when
standardized instruments cannot match up as tools for specific research. Some
researcher-developed instruments are the interview schedule, observation form,
document analysis form, and questionnaire.
Evaluating the Research Instrument
Evaluating the research instrument places confidence on the results obtained and
draws correct conclusions. Research instruments must be reliable and valid.
Reliability refers to the consistency of scores obtained by the same persons when
they are re-examined with the same test on different occasions or with different sets of
equivalent items or under other variable examining conditions (Anasrtasi & Urbina,
1997).
Validity of the test concerns what the test measures and how well it does so
Catane, 2000). Thus, validity refers to the degree to which a particular instrument is
useful in measuring that which it is designed to measure.
Steps in Writing a Research Report
The following are the steps in research writing:
1. Preparation
a. Identify the context.
b. Identify the purpose.
c. Identify the audience.
2. Generating and Focusing Ideas
a. Choose a topic. Specify it.
b. Check your library or outline catalog for relevant resources and/or references.
c. Prepare a preliminary biography.
* Modeling (when necessary)
a. Get samples of a published paper.
b. Learn paper structure, style, and proper argument structure, among others.
3. Outlining and Thesis Statement Writing
a. Construct a tentative thesis statement.
b. Construct a tentative outline.
 c. Continue generating ideas through reading and discussing with colleagues.
d. Finalize the thesis statement.
e. Finalize the outline.
4. Drafting
a. Write the first draft of the body.
b. Write the first draft of the conclusion.
c. Write the first draft of the introduction.
d. Write the first draft of the abstract.
e. Prepare a draft of a reference list.
f. Put together all parts.
g. Continue generating ideas through reading and discussing with colleagues.
5. Providing Feedback
a. Provide self-feedback.
b. Seek feedback from your peers (at least two).
c. Seek feedback from your teacher/s.
6. Revising
Consider your own feedback and your peers’ and teachers’ as well.
7. Editing/Proofreading
Correct the diction or word choice, run-ons, and fragments, subject-verb
agreement, pronoun usage, prepositions, dangling and misplaced modifiers,
transitions, verb tense, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and other grammatical
and typographical errors.
8. Finalizing
Finalize all parts of the paper.
9. Publishing
a. Submit the paper to your teacher.
B. Seek advice from your teacher on how you can publish your work online or
better still, to a reputable journal.
POWER TIPS FOR WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT
1. Fifty (50) to seventy-five (75) percent of the paper should be devoted to results and
discussion.
2. Be sure to cite all your sources whether they are paraphrased or directly quoted.
3. Use direct quotation sparingly. Paraphrase as much as possible.
4. Strictly follow the required documentation and citation style.
5. Topics should be relevant, interesting, current, and manageable in terms of
resources, skills needed, and time. They should not be too sensitive and
controversial as well.
6. Find a topic of novelty.
7. Check availability of materials and resources on your chosen topic.
8. Research questions should directly address the given topic or thesis statement.
9. Consider the length of the report and the length of time needed to complete the
report.
10. Consider the age level, interest, and occupation of your expected readers.
Activity 1. Write five qualities every researcher should have in order to write an
effective research report.
1. ___________________________
2. ___________________________
3. ___________________________
4. ___________________________
5. ___________________________
Activity 2. Arrange the following steps in their correct sequence by writing 1-10(1 being the
first step) on the blank. Then, identify the stage (preparation, modeling, etc.) each statement
describes.
_____1. After I submitted my paper to my teacher, I uploaded it on my blog.
_____2. I chunked general ideas into smaller ones.
_____3. I asked my classmates and my teacher’s comment to improve my paper.
_____4. I checked my paper’s grammar, punctuation marks, spelling, and
capitalization among others.
_____5. I identified the characteristics of my target audience, my purpose, and the situation
in which I would use my paper.
_____6. I improved my paper based on the comments of my teacher and my
classmates.
_____7. I organized my ideas.
_____8. I looked for sample research papers to check the structure and style of
writing.
_____9. I selected one possible topic and narrowed it down to a topic-specific enough
for my document.
_____10. I prepared the first draft of my paper.