Methods of Research

Lesson 1: Research a Way of Thinking

Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte

What is research?

to search for, to find out

Re (again) and cercier (to search) [Latin]
Chercher seek [French]
Looking for information about something

What is research?

Investigation or experimentation aimed to the discovery

of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light
of new facts or practical application of such new or
revised theories or laws (Babbie, 1998).

What is research?

A careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in

some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts
or principles (Grinnel, 1993)

What is research?

Structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific

methodology to solve problem and create new
knowledge that is generally applicable (Grinnel, 1993)

What is research?

A systematic, controlled, empirical and critical

investigation of propositions about the presumed
relationships about various phenomena (Kerlinger,
1986).

What is research?

A systematic investigation to find answer to a problem

(Burns, 1994).

What is research?

Is primarily committed to establishing systematic,

reliable, and valid knowledge about the social world
(Bulmer, 1977).

Research in a nutshell

Application of scientific method to study a problem.

A way to acquire dependable and useful information.
To discover answer to meaningful questions through the
application of scientific procedures.

Characteristics of Research

Controlled
Rigorous
Systematic

Empirical
Valid and Verifiable
Critical

Scholarly Research vs. Everyday Research

Everyday Research
Intuitive

Scholarly Research
Theory Based

Common Sense
Casual

Structured
Systematic

Spur of the Moment

Selective (often)

Planned
Objective

Magical Thinking
Flawed Thinking at Times

Scientific Thinking
Logical to the Extent Possible

Focus is Personal Decisions

Focus is Knowledge About Reality

Scholarly Research vs. Everyday Research

Scholarly research is more systematic, more

careful and more concerned about correctness
and truthfulness (Berger, 2000).

Research
DataInformationKnowledge

Types of Research

Application of the research study

Objectives in undertaking the research
Inquiry mode employed

Types of Research

Types of Research

According to application of the research study

Pure Research-involves developing and testing theories
and hypothesis that are intellectually challenging to
the researcher but may or may not have practical
application at the present time or in the future.

Types of Research

Applied Research-involves the application or

proposition to solve a problem; It has a purpose of
acquiring knowledge for useful ends

Types of Research

According to objectives in undertaking the

research

Descriptive Research-attempts to describe

systematically a situation, problem, phenomenon,
service or program

Types of Research

Correlational research-aims to discover or establish the

existence of a relationship /association/
interdependence between two or more aspects of a
situation.

Types of Research

Explanatory research-attempts to clarify and why and

how there is a relationship between to aspects of a
situation or phenomenon

Types of Research

Exploratory research-it is undertaken with the objective

either to explore an area where little is known or to
investigate the possibilities of undertaking a particular
research study.

Feasibility study
Pilot Study

Types of Research

According to inquiry mode

Structured approach (Quantitative Research)everything that forms the research process (objectives,
design, sample, and questions) is predetermined
Quantitative research/studies

Comes from the Latin quantitas meaning how great

how much how many

Numbers, magnitude and measurement

Types of Research

Unstructured approach (Qualitative Research)- allows

flexibility in all aspects of the research process.
Qualitative research/studies

Comes from the Latin qualitas meaning of what kind

Evaluation, judgment and taste

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

Quantitative Researchthe interest is in generalizing to

more than just the individual; Concerned with the
recurrence of data that can be translated or reduced to
numbers; Focuses on counting.

Qualitative Researchno intention of going beyondjust

deep intothe individual; Concerned with occurrence of
the communication event ; Focuses on the phenomenon
and the process involved.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

Quantitative

Qualitative

Counts, Measures

Evaluates

Processes data collected

Uses concepts to explicate

Statistical

Theoretical

Describes, explains and predicts

Interprets

Leads to hypothesis or theory

Leads to an evaluation

Methodology can be attached

Interpretation can be attacked

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

Quantitative
Qualitative
Accused of being too narrow,
Accused of being reading into
basing their research on what
texts things that are no there
they can count, measure and
or having opinions or making
observe and neglecting other
interpretations that seem odd,
matters.
excessive or even
idiosyncratic.

When to use Quanti or Quali?

Aim of the inquiry- exploration, confirmation or

quantification

Use of the findings- policy formulation or process

understanding

End!
Thank you
Lesson 1: Research a Way of Thinking

Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte

Mind Exercise
Lesson 1: Research a Way of Thinking

Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte

Identify the research problem as to

Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

1. Socioeconomic characteristics of students of

Mataas na Kahoy Elementary School.

Identify the research problem as to

Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

2.

Impact of internet on students academic

performance

Identify the research problem as to

Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

3.

How to maternal and child health services affect

infant mortality?

Identify the research problem as to

Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

4.

Impact of incentives on teachers productivity

Identify the research problem as to

Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

5.

Why do some students transfer to other schools

while others do not?

Identify the research problem as to

Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

6.

Number of teachers and students in Sacred

Heart of Jesus Elementary School.

Identify the research problem as to

Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

7.

Students likes and dislikes on teaching methods

Identify the research problem as to

Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

8.

How does technology create

employment/unemployment?

Identify the research problem as to

Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

9.

Effectiveness of an immunization program in

controlling infectious disease.

Identify the research problem as to

Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

10. Problems faced by newly hired teachers

Workshop
Lesson1: Research a Way of Thinking

Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte

Identify 3 questions related to your own academic

field or professional area that could be answered by
undertaking each of the following:

1. Descriptive Research
2. Correlational Research
3. Explanatory Research
Consider how quanti or quali approaches to research
could be applied.