Research in

Education
(RES 310)
Descriptive
Research
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Decriptive Research
➜ It describes what is. It involves the description,
recording, analysis, and interpretation of the present
time, composition or processes of phenomena.
➜ It is fact-finding with adequate interpretation.
➜ It is concerned with conditions of relationships that
exists; practices that prevail, beliefs, processes that are
going on; effects that are being felt, or trends that are
developing.
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“
Descripitive research is a purposive
process of gathering, analyzing,
classifying, and tabulating data about
prevailing conditions, practices,
beliefs, processes, trends, and cause-
effect relationships and then making
adequate and accurate interpretation
about such data with or without the aid
of statistical method.
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Characteristic of a Descriptive Research

1. Descriptive research ascertains prevailing conditions of facts in a group or

case under study.
2. It gives either a qualitative or quantitative, or both, description of general
characteristics of the group or case under study.
3. What caused the prevailing condition is mostly not emphasized.
4. Comparisons of the characteristics of two groups or cases may be made to
determine their similarities and differences.
5. The variables or conditions studied are not usually controlled.
6. Descriptive studies, except in case studies, are generally cross-sectional.
7. Studies on prevailing conditions may or can be repeated for purposes of
verification and comparison.
Techniques Under the
Descriptive Method of
Research
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“
There are three techniques
under the descriptive
method of reseach: (1) the
survey, (2) the case study,
and (3) the content
analysis.
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Survey Vs. Case Study

Case study is a comprehensive,

Survey, otherwise known as complete, detailed, and in-depth
normative survey, is a fact study and analysis of an
finding study with adequate and individual, institution, group, or
accurate interpretation. It is community.
used demographic data about
people's behaviour, practices,
intentions, attitudes, opinions,
judgments, interests,
perceptions, and then such data
are analysed, organized, and
interpreted.
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SURVEY CASE STUDY

Case study may involve and usually involves one
The group surveyed is usually large.
person, family, small group, or small community.
The number of aspects or variables in the life of Usually all aspects or variables in the life cycle of the
the group surveyed is limited. case under study are included.
Cause-effect relationships are not given
Finding the causes of certain phenomena is always a
emphasis. Aim of a study may only be to
part of a case study.
determine status.
Representativeness is not important. The results of a
Representativeness is important and is given
single case study do not provide certainty that the
emphasis.
case is truly representative.
Curiosity, interest, or just to determine norm or Abnormalities or undesirable traits or conditions
status may initiate a survey. usually initiate a case study.
Only conditions or practices present during the
survey are considered except in comparative Data about the case from birth or origin or even of the
studies when present conditions are compared future are considered.
with conditions in the past.
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Advantages Of The Survey

Approach Over The Case
Study Approach
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Advantages Of The Survey Approach Over The Case Study
Approach
➜ Survey reveals what is typical, average, or normal against which the
behaviour or performance of an individual can be judged or evaluated.
➜ The results of a survey may be used for prediction. This is especially true
in correlation studies or even in status studies.
➜ Survey makes possible the formulation of generalizations because the
sample has a high degree of representativeness.
➜ Survey reveals problems for which timely remedial measures may be
instituted.
➜ It is easy to get respondents for a survey.
➜ The instruments for gathering data are easy to determine, construct,
validate, and administer.
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Disadvantages of the Survey

Approach
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Disadvantages of the Survey Approach

➜ Lack of manipulation over independent variables.

➜ One cannot progressively investigate one aspect after another of the
independent variable to get closer to the real cause.
➜ 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.
➜ Survey approach yields a low degree of control or there is no control at
all over extraneous variables.
➜ The instrument for gathering data may lack validity, reliability or
adequacy.
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types of the Survey Approach

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1. Total population survey 11. Long-term survey

2. Sample survey 12. Longitudinal survey
3. Social survey 13. Cross-sectional survey
4. School survey 14. Job analysis survey
5. Public opinion survey 15. Community survey
6. Poll survey 16. Correlation survey
7. Market survey
8. Evaluation survey
9. Comparative Survey
10. Short-term survey
Case Study and
Case Work
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CASE STUDY
➜ Case study involves a comprehensive and extensive
examination of a particular individual, group or
situation over a period of time.
➜ A comprehensive study of a social unit - be that unit a
person, a social institution, a group, a district, or a
community.
➜ A method which takes account of all pertinent aspects
of one thing or situation, considering all aspects as a
one single unit.
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“
“ an extensive and intensive
investigation of a unit represented
which aimed to identify causal
factors and to find and recommend
a solution, a treatment, or
developmental procedures.
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CASE WORK
➜ Refers to the developmental, adjustment, remedial, or
corrective procedures that appropriately follow
diagnosis of the causes of maladjustment or of
favourable development.
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Information needed in case studies:

1. Demographic profile
2. Identification and statement of the
problem
3. Health and developmental history
4. Family History
5. Educational History
6. Social History
7. Economic History
8. Psychological History
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The cycle of Case Study and Case Work

1. Recognition and determination of the status of the phenomenon.

2. Collecting of data relating to the factors or circumstances associated with
the given phenomenon.
3. Diagnosis or identification of causal factors as basis for remedial and
developmental treatment.
4. Application of remedial and adjustment measures.
5. Subsequent follow-ups to determine the effectiveness of the corrective or
developmental measures applied.