What is Research?

What is Research?
• It is a systematic approach to the discovery
and validation of knowledge.
• It involves finding answers to questions or
solutions to the problems, discovering and
interpreting new facts, testing theories to
revise accepted theories and/or laws in the
light of new facts and formulating new
theories.
What is Research?

• It is an ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC

way of FINDING ANSWERS to
QUESTIONS.
• ORGANIZED because there is a structure or
method in going about doing research.
• SYSTEMATIC because there is a definite set
of procedures and steps which you will follow.
• FINDING ANSWERS is the end of all
research.
• QUESTIONS are central to research. If there
is no question, then the answer is of no use.
Two Large Categories of Research

1. Experimental
2. Non- experimental
Experimental Research

• It involves manipulating a condition or

conditions, and then observing the effects. In
the simplest sort of experimental research, two
conditions are studied, namely, an
“experimental condition” and “a control
condition”.
Experimental Research

• In the experimental condition, the researcher

intervenes or manipulates the condition by
introducing something into it. The researcher
then observes the results arising in both the
experimental and the control conditions, and
then compares and analyzes the difference, if
any, between the two.
Experimental Research

• it differs from other types in that it

involves (1) comparison of treatments
, and (2) the direct manipulation of
one or more independent variables.
The Variables
The Variables

• A variable is defined as a quantity

susceptible or liable to fluctuations or
change in value, level, degree, scale,
or magnitude under different
conditions.
Kinds of
Variables
Kinds of Variables

1. Independent variable is the stimulus

or cause variable chosen by the
researcher to determine the relationship
of an observed phenomenon.
Kinds of Variables

2. Dependent variable is response

variable or effect that is observed or
measured to determine the effect of the
independent variable. It changes when
the independent variable varies.
Kinds of Variables

3. Moderator variable is a special kind

of independent variable chosen by the
researcher to determine if it changes or
modifies the relationship between the
independent and dependent variable.
Kinds of Variables

4. Control variable is a variable that

is managed by the researcher in
which the effects can be neutralized
by eliminating or removing the
variable.
Kinds of Variables

5. Intervening variable hinders the

independent and dependent
variables, but the effects can either
strengthen or weaken the
independent and dependent
variables.
Classification
of Research
Classification of Research

1. Library research- is ideal for

descriptive research, the study of
the present, and historical research,
the study of the past.
Classification of Research

2. Field research – is conducted in a

natural environment. No changes
are made in the environment.
Classification of Research

3. Laboratory research – is conducted in

artificial and controlled conditions by
isolating or separating the study in a
specified thoroughly operationalized
area.