OUR LADY OF TRIUMPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tugas St. Balangasan Pagadian City Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines

Document Title:

ISO 9001:2015

COURSE MODULE IN

Research 1

MODULE 1

INTRODUCTION

This module begins by describing what we understand by the term ‘research’.

Research is considered as a process and the key stages that provide a basic plan for
conducting research are identified. Discussions then move on to the role of research in both
the natural and social sciences. These discussions explore how data, information, knowledge,
decision-making, and the research–client relationship relate to research. Having provided
this grounding, the unit then focuses on the theoretical considerations involved in the first
stage of the research process: formulating the research problem and research questions,
hypotheses or objectives. Tips on writing research questions and developing hypotheses are
provided.
Additionally, the research process has to adhere to some ethics that you have to keep
in mind. You cannot undertake research until you have read and reviewed literature. A
thorough reading of related literature helps you select a research problem. Based on the
literature, you formulate your research question/problem for building your logical
framework. Here you are also briefed as to how to access resources and use them for your
research with proper citations and references. The research outcomes have to be measured
for which you need reliable and valid tools for collecting data from your sample selected from
the population. After your data collection you are ready for its analysis using either
descriptive or inferential statistics with or without the statistical package of SPSS. In the
course of data collection you will need to write various letters for which we give you exposure
to forms of academic writing. Putting everything together is the final activity of research
where you learn to prepare the research report/manuscript.

OBJECTIVE
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
a. demonstrate knowledge of the concept of research, reasons for conducting
research, where it is conducted, how it is done, and by whom, why research, the
attributes of quality research, qualitative and quantitative research, and ethics of
research; and

GENERAL OVERVIEW
I. Meaning and Characteristics of Research
a. What is research?
b. Characteristics of Research
c. Qualities of a Good Researcher
d. Characteristics of the Researcher
e. Characteristics of Research
f. Values of Research to Man
g. Types of Research
h. The Variable
i. Components of Research Process

II. Research Problem and Objectives

a. Characteristics of a Research Problem
b. Sources of Research Problem
 OUR LADY OF TRIUMPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tugas St. Balangasan Pagadian City Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines

Document Title:

ISO 9001:2015

COURSE MODULE IN

Research 1

c. Criteria of a Good Research Problem

d. Th
e

Hypotheses
Lesson 1: Meaning and Characteristics of Research

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be to:
a. identify the given statements about research and its variables; and
b. discuss briefly the values of research to man, and the qualities of a good
researcher.

What is research?
Research has different meanings to different people. If you understand the concept of
research at an early stage, it would be easy for you to deal with more concepts in the
research process. The following definitions will help you in understanding the research
concept.
⮚ According to Oxford English Dictionary (2002), research is defined as “the
systematic study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new
conclusions.”
⮚ McMillan and Schumacher (1997) define research as “a systematic process of
collecting and analysing information (data) for some purpose.”
⮚ Kerlinger (1986) defines scientific research as, “Systematic, controlled, empirical, and
critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypotheses about
the presumed relations among such phenomena.”
⮚ Lastly, research is a scientific inquiry aimed at learning new facts, testing ideas, etc.
It is the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data to generate new
knowledge and answer a certain question or solve a problem.

Research in our everyday lives

We all encounter research in our daily lives. The results of research on many topics
are presented to us in the form of newspaper articles, books, reports, and television
programs. For example, crime level figures are presented to us by television news reports and
some topics, such as diet and health, are very popular with magazines as well as television
programs. Thus, through various media we have become accustomed to seeing, reading and
hearing about research and although we may not be aware of it, we are used to making our
own judgments about research findings. If we take the example of diet and health, many of
 OUR LADY OF TRIUMPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tugas St. Balangasan Pagadian City Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines

Document Title:

ISO 9001:2015

COURSE MODULE IN

Research 1

us have taken into consideration information that has been presented on ‘healthy eating’ and
have made our own choices about diet within the context of our own lives. We assess the
information with which we are presented, form an opinion as to the validity and relevance of
the research, and come to our own conclusions based on considerations such as:
1. what we understand is the question or problem to be answered
2. how the findings are presented
3. why the research was conducted
4. what we know about who conducted the research
5. what other people think about the information
6. how the research findings relate to us
Why do research?
We conduct research because we want to explore ideas and find solutions that make
sense. In doing so a person thinks, constantly assesses, reassesses and makes decisions
about the best possible means of obtaining information that is trustworthy. We may like to
call this process a person’s thinking game or 3 whole brain activity and the psychologists call
it right and left brain attributes (Cherry et.al. 1993). 2.1.2

What do we research?
We research people and their behavior, opinions, attitudes, trends and patterns, also
politics, animals, health and illness. Research can be conducted either informally for our own
benefit, through asking questions, watching, counting or reading and formally, for medical or
academic purposes, as a marketing strategy, to inform and influence politics and policy.
Research may be carried out in our own lives, through the media, in our place of work, with
our friends and family or through reading past research. Our views – personal, social,
community and worldwide and our own identities are socially constructed through our own
theorizing.

Where does research occur?

Research is conducted in many settings: educational institutes, laboratories,
classrooms, libraries, the city streets, foreign cultures, etc. Some research is of short
duration. Other research is spread over a long period of time. Research is usually done at
universities at graduate or undergraduate levels as a required course. It can be done in
various formats which fall under the categories of qualitative and quantitative research, the
details of which will follow later in the module. Research is done by researchers, who are
professors from education, natural sciences or social sciences, experts, and students of
graduate or undergraduate programmers from related and multiple disciplines.
 OUR LADY OF TRIUMPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tugas St. Balangasan Pagadian City Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines

Document Title:

ISO 9001:2015

COURSE MODULE IN

Research 1

Characteristics of research
1. Empirical - research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher.
2. Logical - research is based on valid procedures and principles.
3.  Cyclical -research is a cyclical process because it starts with a problem and ends
with a problem.
4. Analytical - research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data,
whether historical, descriptive, experimental and case study.
5. Critical - research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
6.  Methodical - research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using
systematic method and procedures.
7. Replicability - the research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to
enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.

Qualities of a Good Researcher

1. Research-oriented
2.      Efficient
3.      Scientific
4.      Effective
5.      Active
6.      Resourceful
7.      Creative
8.      Honest
9.      Economical
10.  Religious
 OUR LADY OF TRIUMPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tugas St. Balangasan Pagadian City Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines

Document Title:

ISO 9001:2015

COURSE MODULE IN

Research 1

Characteristics of the Researcher

1.      Intellectual Curiosity. A researcher undertakes a deep thinking and inquiry of the
things, and situations around him.
2.      Prudence. The researcher is careful to conduct his research study at the right time
and at the right place wisely, efficiently, and economically.
3.      Healthy Criticism. The researcher is always doubtful as to the truthfulness of
the results.
4.      Intellectual Honesty. An intelligent researcher is honest to collect or gather data
or facts in order to arrive at honest results.
5.   Intellectual Creativity – A productive and resourceful investigator always creates new
researches.

 Values of Research to Man

1.      Research improves the quality of life.
2.      Research improves instruction.
3.      Research improves students’ achievement.
4.      Research improves teacher’s competence.
5.      Research satisfies man’s needs.
6.      Research reduces the burden of work.
7.      Research has deep-seated psychological aspects.
8.      Research improves the exportation of food products.
9.      Research responds to the economic recovery and austerity measure of the country.
10.  Research trains graduates to become responsive to the economic development of the
country and to compete globally.

Types of Research
1.      Basic Research - This is also called as “fundamental research” or “pure
research”. It seeks to discover basic truths or principles.
Examples: Boyle’s Law
 Charles’ Law
   Archimedes’ Principle
Hooke’s Law
 Newton’s Law
 OUR LADY OF TRIUMPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tugas St. Balangasan Pagadian City Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines

Document Title:

ISO 9001:2015

COURSE MODULE IN

Research 1

2. Applied Research. This type of research involves seeking new applications of scientific
knowledge to the solution of a problem, such as a development of a new system or
procedure, new device, or new method in order to solve the problem.
3.      Developmental Research. This is a decision-oriented research involving the
application of the steps of the scientific method in response to an immediate need to
improve existing practices.

Classification of Research
1.      Library Research. This is done in the library where answers to specific
questions or problems of the study are available.
2.      Field Research. Here, research is conducted in a natural setting.
3.   Laboratory Research. The research is conducted in artificial or controlled conditions
by isolating the study in a thoroughly specified and equipped area.
The purposes are:
(1) to test hypotheses derived from theory
(2) to control variance under research conditions, and
(3) to discover the relations between the dependent and the independent.

THE VARIABLE
 Meaning of Variable
A variable is defined as a quantity susceptible of fluctuation or change in value or
magnitude under different conditions.
Types of Variable
1. Independent Variable. This is the stimulus variable which is chosen by the
researcher to determine the relationship to an observed phenomenon.
Example:
SURVIVAL RATE AND WEIGHT OF CATFISH CULTURED IN BACKYARD
FISHPOND USING SHRIMP MEAL AND BREAD MEAL AS SUPPLEMENTAL
FEEDS

The independent variables of the foregoing research problem are catfish, shrimp
meal, and bread meal because they are stimuli variables that are manipulated or
operated.
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Tugas St. Balangasan Pagadian City Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines

Document Title:

ISO 9001:2015

COURSE MODULE IN

Research 1

2. Dependent Variable. This is the response variable which is observed and measured
to determine the effect of the independent variable.
Example:
EFFECTIVENESS OF TEACHING MATHEMATICS AS PERCEIVED BY K-12 STUDENTS
OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN ILOILO CITY

Independent Variables Dependent

Variables

Teaching Mathematics Effectiveness

K to 12 Students of Public and Mean Scores

Private Schools

SURVIVAL RATE AND WEIGHT OF CATFISH CULTURED IN BACKYARD

FISHPOND USING SHRIMP MEAL AND BREAD MEAL
AS SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDS
Independent Variables Dependent
Variables

Catfish Survival Rate

Shrimp Meal Weight (Shrimp Meal)

Bread Meal Weight (Bread Meal)

3. Moderator Variable. This is a secondary or special type of independent variable

chosen by the researcher to determine if it changes or modifies the relationship
between the independent and dependent variables.
4.      Control Variable. This is the variable that is controlled by the investigator in which
the effects can be neutralized by eliminating or removing the variable.
5.      Intervening Variable. This is a variable which interferes with the independent and
dependent variables, but its effects can either strengthen or weaken the independent
and dependent variables.
Example:
EFFECTIVENESS OF TEACHING MATHEMATICS AS PERCEIVED BY K TO 12
STUDENTS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN ILOILO CITY
 OUR LADY OF TRIUMPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tugas St. Balangasan Pagadian City Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines

Document Title:

ISO 9001:2015

COURSE MODULE IN

Research 1

Independent Variables Intervening Variables

Dependent Variables

Catfish Qualities of Teachers Effectiveness

Shrimp Meal Instructional Facilities Mean Scores

Bread Meal Classroom Facilities

Components of the research process

1.      Problem/ Objectives
2.      Hypotheses
3.      Theoretical/ Conceptual Framework
4.      Assumptions
5.      Review of Related Literature
6.      Research Design
7.      Data Collection
8.      Data Processing and Statistical Treatment
9.      Analysis and Interpretation
10.  Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

ACTIVITY 1.1
Score

A. Identify the following statements. Write your answer on the blank provided.
1. It is a response variable or an effect that is observed or measured.
__________________
2. It is a stimulus variable to determine the relationship of an observed phenomenon.
__________________
3. It is a variable which interferes with the independent and dependent variables, but
its effects can either strengthen or weaken the independent and dependent
variables. ____________________
4. It is a decision-oriented research involving the application of the steps of the
scientific method in response to an immediate need to improve existing practices.
__________________________
5. A research is based on valid procedures and principles. ____________________
 OUR LADY OF TRIUMPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tugas St. Balangasan Pagadian City Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines

Document Title:

ISO 9001:2015

COURSE MODULE IN

Research 1