LESSON 1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH INTRODUCTION Research is

LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

INTRODUCTION Research is a key to progress. There can be no progress without research in almost if not all human endeavors.

DEFINITIONS OF RESEARCH “Careful, critical, disciplined inquiry, varying in technique and method according to the nature and conditions of the problem identified, directed toward the clarification or resolution (or both) of a problem. ” – Good “Research is, simply, the systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic or problem. After a careful, systematic search for pertinent information or data on a specific topic or problem, and after the research worker has analyzed and interpreted the data, he eventually faces another essential task – that of preparing the research report. ” – Aquino

DEFINITIONS OF RESEARCH “The process of gathering data or information to solve a particular or specific problem in a scientific manner. ” – Manuel and Medel “A systematic study or investigation of something for the purpose of answering questions posed by the researcher. ” – Sanchez “Research in its broadest sense is an attempt to gain solutions to problems. More precisely, it is the collection situation for the purpose of prediction or explanation. ” – Treece and Treece

DEFINITIONS OF RESEARCH “A purposive, systematic and scientific process of gathering, analyzing, classifying, organizing, presenting, and interpreting data for the solution of a problem, for prediction, for invention, for the discovery of truth, or for the expansion or verification of existing knowledge, all for the preservation and improvement of the quality of human life. ” – Calderon and Gonzales

PURPOSES OF RESEARCH The main or principal purpose and goal of research is the preservation and improvement of the quality of human life. “The purpose of research is to serve man. ” “The goal of research is the good life. ” “To satisfy man’s craving for more understanding, to improve his judgment, to add to his power, to reduce the burden of work, to relieve suffering, and to increase satisfactions in multitudinous ways – these are the large and fundamental goals of research. ” – Good and Scates

SPECIFIC PURPOSES AND GOALS OF RESEARCH To discover new facts about known phenomena. To find answers to problems which are only partially solved by existing methods and information. Improve existing techniques and develop new instruments or products. To discover previously unrecognized substances or elements. Discover pathways of action of known substances and elements. To order related, valid generalizations into systematized science.

SPECIFIC PURPOSES AND GOALS OF RESEARCH To provide basis for decision-making in business, industry, education, government, and in other undertakings. To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity. To find answers to queries by means of scientific methods. To acquire a better and deeper understanding about one phenomenon that can be known and understood better by research. To expand or verify existing knowledge.

SPECIFIC PURPOSES AND GOALS OF RESEARCH To improve educational practices for raising the quality of school products. To promote health and prolong life. To provide man with more of his basic need – more and better food, clothing, shelter, etc. To make work, travel, and communication faster, easier and more comfortable.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH “Research is simply a systematic and refined technique of thinking, employing specialized tools, instruments and procedures in order to obtain a more adequate solution of a problem that would be possible under ordinary means. It starts with a problem, collects data or facts, analyze these critically, and reaches decisions based on actual evidence. It involves original work instead of a mere exercise of personal opinion. It evolves from a genuine desire t know rather than a desire to prove something, seeking to know not only what but how much, and measurement is therefore a central feature of it. ” – Crawford

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH Research gathers new knowledge or data from primary or first hand sources. It places emphasis upon the discovery of general principles. Research is expert, systematic and accurate investigation. Research is logical and objective, applying every possible test to verify the data collected and the procedures employed. He suppresses feeling and emotion in his analysis.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH Research endeavors to organize data in quantitative terms, if possible, and express them as numerical measures. Research is patient and unhurried. Research is carefully recorded and reported. - According to John Best

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH Systematic Controlled Empirical Analytical Objective, unbiased and logical Employs hypothesis Employs quantitative or statistical methods Original work (except in historical research) Done by an expert

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH Accurate investigation, observation and description Patient and unhurried activity Requires an effort-making capacity Requires courage

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESEARCH AND PROBLEM-SOLVING RESEARCH PROBLEM-SOLVING There may not be a problem, only There is always a problem to be interest in answering a question solved. or a query. A research problem is more rigorous and broader in scope. A problem to be solved is less rigorous and less broad. The research problem is not necessarily defined specifically. The problem to be solved has to be defined specifically and identified definitely. All research is intended to solved some kind of problem, but this is not the primary aim. Problem-solving is always intended to solve a problem.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESEARCH AND PROBLEM-SOLVING RESEARCH PROBLEM-SOLVING Research is conducted not primarily to solve a problem but to make a contribution to general knowledge. Problem solving is always intended to solve a problem. Research is concerned with defining and outlining the properties of phenomena, with forecasting future occurrences sot that they may be predicted and controlled, and with describing the relationship or phenomena by explaining how and why certain events occurred or could have occurred. In this process research also generates more problems to explore. Problem solving is concerned with a specific problem and once the problem is solved that is the end of it.

KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF RESEARCH According to Purpose Predictive or Prognostic Research has the purpose of determining the future operation of the variables under investigation with the aim of controlling or redirecting such for the better. Directive Research determines what should be done based on the findings. Illuminative Research is concerned with the interaction of the components of the variable being investigated.

KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF RESEARCH According to Goal Basic or Pure Research is done for the development of theories or principles. It is conducted for the intellectual pleasure of learning. Applied Research is the application of the results of pure research. This is testing the efficacy of theories and principles.

KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF RESEARCH According to the Levels of Investigation Exploratory Research the researcher studies the variables pertinent to a specific situation. Descriptive Research the researcher studies the relationships of the variables. Experimental Research the experimenter studies the effects of the variables on each other.

KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF RESEARCH According to Choice of Answers to Problems In Evaluation Research all possible course of action are specified and identified and the researcher tries to find the most advantageous. In Developmental Research the focus is on finding or developing a more suitable instrument or process than has been available.

KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF RESEARCH According to Statistical Content Quantitative or Statistical Research is one in which inferential statistics are utilized to determine the results of the study. Non-Quantitative Research in which the use of quantity or statistics is practically nil.

KINDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF RESEARCH According to Time Element Historical Research describes what was. Descriptive Research describe what is. Experimental Research describe what will be.

SOME HINDRANCES TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY Tradition. This is accepting that customs, beliefs, practices and superstitions are true and are parts of the daily lives of men. Authority. This is accepting without question, an opinion about a certain subject which is given by someone who is considered an authority on the subject. Inaccurate observation. This is describing wrongly what is actually observed. Overgeneralization. This is establishing a pattern out of a few instances.

SOME HINDRANCES TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY Selective Observation. This is persisting to believe an observed pattern an overgeneralization and ignoring other pertinent patterns. Made-up Information. This is making up information to explain away confusion. Illogical Reasoning. This is attributing something to another without any logical basis. Ego-involvement in Understanding. This is giving an explanation when one finds himself in an unfavorable situation.

SOME HINDRANCES TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY Mystification. This is attributing to supernatural power, the phenomena that cannot be understood. To err is human. This is an attitude that admits that fallibility of man. Dogmatism. This is an addition. This is an unwritten policy of certain institutions and governments prohibiting the study of topics that are believed to run counter to the established doctrines of such institutions or governments.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF RESEARCH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. One of the characteristics of good research is that, it is systematic. It follows the scientific method of research which includes the following steps: Determining (recognizing) the problem; Forming hypothesis; Doing library search; Designing the study; Developing the instruments for collecting data; Collecting the data; Analyzing the data; Determining implications and conclusions from the findings; and Making recommendations for further research.

PRINCIPLES OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1. 2. 3. 4. Rigid Control refers to the manipulation of the research variables. Objectivity means that there should be no bias or partiality in treating the results of the inquiry. Systematic organization refers to proper and accurate tabulation of data as well as presenting them in statistical tables ready for interpretation. Rigorous standards pertains to the setting up of standards or principles which serve as basis for evaluating findings of a study.

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