THE RESEARCH PROCESS Identifying the Research Problem Formulating

THE RESEARCH PROCESS

• Identifying the Research Problem • Formulating Research Problem and Hypothesis • Planning the Research Design

Meaning v. Research is an endeavor to discover answers to intellectual and practical problems through the application of scientific method. v“Research is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge”. -Redman and Mory. v. Research is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information (data) in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon about which we are concerned or interested.

8. Formulation of the conclusion 1. Identification of a research problem 7. Analysis and Interpretation of processed data 2. Formulation of a hypothesis Research Process 6. Data collection, organization and processing 3. Review of related literature 5. Actual experimentatio n 4. Preparation of a research design

STEPS IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS • Essentially the same as with the scientific method • SCIENTIFIC METHOD is a sequence of problem-solving skills that scientists use in answering questions or problems

IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

RESEARCH PROBLEM What is a research problem? v. The term ‘problem’ means a question or issue to be examined. v Research Problem refers to some difficulty /need which a researcher experiences in the context of either theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PROBLEM • A “ researchable” problem is one that can be investigated through the collection and analysis of data • it has theoretical or practical significance.

• It must be a problem that you can adequately investigate given ; Your current level of research skill Available resources Time and other restrictions

SOURCES OF PROBLEMS @ @ @ @ Reading Academic Experience Daily Experience Exposure to Field Situations Consultations Brainstorming Research Intuition

Checklist of the Guidelines in Selecting a Research Topic Criteria 1. Is the problem interesting? 2. Will the research contribute to the solution of socioeconomically important problems? 3. Will the research generate new information? 4. Is the research novel? 5. Do I have the skills or knowledge necessary to conduct the research or can I learn them within the time I have? 6. Is the research feasible in terms of: a. Time required to finish the research? b. Expense involved in conducting the research? c. Availability of materials? d. Accessibility of materials? e. Risks and hazards involved? 7. Is the research reproducible? Yes/ No

LETS ANALYZE THIS…. In looking for a topic for investigation, a studentresearcher first conducted a survey on the existing problems in the community. He interviewed community officials and observed the community. From the interviews and observations, the following problems were identified: • absence of an irrigation system; • lack of farm-to-market roads; • abundance of farm pests like locusts and rats; • laziness of the farmers; and • high cost of farm inputs particularly fertilizer.

ANALYSIS: v The first two problems are not within the capacity of the student-researcher to study. v The third problem covers a very wide scope that involves the simultaneous conduct of many other researches and requires expertise beyond the ability of the studentresearcher. v The fourth one is a social problem, which is very difficult for the student-researcher to handle. v Only the last one remains feasible to be worked on.

FORMULATING RESEARCH PROBLEM

Characteristics of a Good Research Problem • clear and unambiguous • empirical • verifiable • interesting • novel and original • availability of guidance

For the research problem to be a significant one, it must Ø help answer a problem/need of the people/ community/ country; Ø contribute to the generation of new information; Ø develop or improve an existing process; and Ø contribute to the development of the scientific skills of the student-researcher.

Example: Response of Okra to Horse Manure and Urea: A Comparative Study Problem: Compare the effect of horse manure and urea on the growth of okra.

Statement of the Problem

• Statement of the problem must be clear, organized and specific • It must define the scope and limits of the problem • It must identify or specify the variables to be measured and observed • It must set the objectives and goals of the study • It must also state the sub problems

Response of Okra to Horse Manure and Urea: A Comparative Study Problem: Compare the effect of horse manure and urea on the growth of okra. 1. How will the use of horse manure and urea affect the following: a. Height of the okra plants? b. Time of flowering per okra plant? c. Number of pods per okra plant? d. Total weight of pods per okra plant?

2. How will the effect of horse manure and urea on the growth of okra plants differ in terms of: a. Average height per plant; b. Time of flowering per plant; c. Number of pods per plant; d. Number of leaves per plant; and e. Total weight of plants per plot.

q. The formulated research problem defines the scope and sets the limits of the problem. ØIn the statement of the problem, the factors/ variables to be observed and measured must be identified or specified.

VARIABLES Æ Anything that can vary can be considered as a variable. ÆA variable is anything that can take on differing or varying values. For example; Age, Production units, Absenteeism, Sex, Motivation, Income, Height, Weight etc. Note: The values can differ at various times for the same object or person (or) at the same time for different objects or persons.

Types of Variables Æ Explanatory vs Extraneous Variable The variables selected for analysis are called explanatory variables and all other variables that are not related to the purpose of the study but may affect the dependant variable are extraneous. Æ Dependant vs Independent Variable The variable that changes in relationship to changes in another variable(s) is called dependant variable. The variable whose change results in the change in another variable is called an independent variable. OR An independent variable is the one that influences the dependant variable in either a positive or negative way.

Example: Response of Okra to Horse Manure and Urea: A Comparative Study Independent Variable: q kind of fertilizer used v horse manure v urea

Dependent variable: q. Response of okra (growth) v plant height v time of flowering v number of pods v. Final weight of the plants

Extraneous variable: § quality of okra seed planted in the three plots. § sources of the horse manure and urea

SAMPLE PROBLEM: Effects of Varying Temperatures and Concentrations on the Index Refraction of Sugar Solution OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study is to find the effects of temperature and concentration on the index refraction of sugar solutions Specifically, this study seeks to find the effects of (a) varying temperatures on the index of refraction of sugar solution, and (b) varying concentrations on the index of refraction of sugar solution Reference: Caintic, H. E. Scientific Manual, pp. 34 -38

Formulating Hypothesis

FORMULATION OF A HYPOTHESIS • Hypothesis serves as a tentative solution to the problem prior to any experiments • It also serves as a guide to the research work plan or design • It is tested by conducting the actual experimentation • Hypothesis is an educated guess • It can be based on factual knowledge, experiences and observations • It can be defined as a possible answer to a problem

A Hypothesis is based on the objectives of the study. It may be stated in any of the following forms: q. Null form states that there is no significant difference between the results of two conditions being tested. “There is no significant difference between the effects of horse manure and urea on the following variables: average height per plant; time of flowering per plant, etc. ”

q Alternative form States that there is a significant difference between the results of the two conditions being tested. “There is a significant difference between the effects of horse manure and urea on the following variables: average height per plant; time of flowering per plant, etc. ”

q cause and effect statement States that if a certain condition (cause) is true, then a supporting observation (effect) occurs. “If there is a difference between the effects of horse manure and urea, then the growth of the plants will differ significantly in terms of: average height per plant, time of flowering per plant, etc. ”

TRY THIS ONE! Based on the given problem, try to construct your own hypotheses (null, alternative, cause and effect) Null Hypothesis Alternative Hypothesis Cause and Effect Hypothesis EFFECTS OF VARYING TEMPERATURES AND CONCENTRATIONS ON THE INDEX 1. REFRACTION 1. Varying temperatures If temperature is. OF varied, temperatures have a significant effect then the index of refraction of SUGAR SOLUTION no significant effect on the index of refraction a sugar solution is affected on the index of of a sugar solution refraction of a sugar solution 2. Varying concentrations have no significant effect on the index of refraction of a sugar solution 2. Varying concentrations have a significant effect on the index of refraction of a sugar solution 2. If concentration is varied, then the index of refraction of a sugar solution is affected

Planning the Research Design

What is a research design? q a complete sequence of steps to be fallowed for data gathering q. Provide structure to the research q. Enhance the validity of the research

The research design is being prepared to systematize the work during actual experimentation

Considerations in Making the Design v objectives of the study v. Independent variables v. Dependent variables v. Treatment and control v. Subject of the study v. Sample groups v. Replicate trials v. Statistical analysis

Campbell and Stanley Experimental Design for Research 1. One shot pretest/posttest Experimental design T= one test T 1 x= a treatment X T 2

§ one group is tested, exposed to a treatment and then tested again. § applicable in physical sciences § It has no control v. How does blanching affect the activity of enzymes in vegetables? v. How does stress affect the strength of PVC? v. What is the effect of a mordant on the action of a fabric dye?

Randomized control group design Experimental design: T 1 X T 2 Experimental T 2 Control

Ø this is a standard design for biology projects. Ø students compare the pretest (initial condition) and the posttest (final condition) with a control group. Ø the design provides data for the student’s t-test ( to determine the difference between sample means) or for chi-square analysis (for data in frequency form)

v. How does electronic radiation affect the flight of honeybees? v. How does calcium affect the geotropism in plants? v. How does zinc affect the growth of rice?

Variables in series Experimental design: T 1 T 1 Varying Strengths Xa Xb Varying treatment T 2 T 2 Varying strengths

üVariables is applied in a series of strength, duration or form. üANOVA ØWhat is the relationship between the concentration of fertilizer and the growth of plants? ØWhat is the effect of solution p. H on the color imparted by a dye?

TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN SINGLE GROUP DESIGN Composed of only 1 group CONTROL GROUP Uses 2 – 3 groups, experimental and the control groups PARALLEL GROUP DESIGN 3 or more group; 1 experimental and 2 kinds of control group COMPLETELY RANDOMIZED DESIGN Concerns itself with the different effects of treatments as they are applied randomly on the materials COMPLETE BLOCK DESIGN Intended to be used when 2 sets of variables are being studied

HOW TO CONSTRUCT A SINGLE GROUP DESIGN Conduct a pre-test. A pre-test measures the quantity you're going to test for the experiment. For instance, imagine an experiment to see if a new drug would cause weight loss in people who didn't actively exercise. The pre-test would be to weigh each member and then record that weight as the value before the experiment happens. Administer the treatment. If you're giving out a drug that's supposed to affect weight loss, then administer the drug in the proper dosage to all participants in the group. Record who is given how much of the drug and how often. Record the results. In this example you would weigh all of the participants again to see if their weights changed.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE A good procedure is so detailed and complete that it lets someone else duplicate your experiment exactly! Repeating a science experiment is an important step to verify that your results are consistent and not just an accident. For a typical experiment, you should plan to repeat it at least three times (more is better). If you are doing something like growing plants, then you should do the experiment on at least three plants in separate pots (that's the same as doing the experiment three times).

KEY ELEMENTS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Description and size of all experimental and control groups, as applicable A step-by-step list of everything you must do to perform your experiment. Think about all the steps that you will need to go through to complete your experiment, and record exactly what will need to be done in each step. The experimental procedure must tell how you will change your one and only independent variable and how you will measure that change

KEY ELEMENTS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The experimental procedure must explain how you will measure the resulting change in the dependent variable or variables If applicable, the experimental procedure should explain how the controlled variables will be maintained at a constant value The experimental procedure should specify how many times you intend to repeat your experiment, so that you can verify that your results are reproducible. A good experimental procedure enables someone else to duplicate your experiment exactly!

PREPARATIONS Know what to do. Read and understand your experimental procedure. Are all of the necessary steps written down? Do you have any questions about how to do any of the steps? Get a laboratory notebook for taking notes and collecting data. Be prepared. Collect and organize all materials, supplies and equipment you will need to do the experiment. Do you have all of the materials you need? Are they handy and within reach of your workspace? Think ahead about safety! Are there any safety precautions you should take? Will you need adult supervision? Will you need to wear gloves or protective eye gear? Do you have long hair that needs to be pulled back out of your face? Will you need to be near a fire extinguisher?

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