Pagadian Diocesan Schools

SACRED HEART DIOCESAN SCHOOL, INC.

Molave, Zamboanga del Sur

SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE IN

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

EVERYTHING IS ABOUT RESEARCH WRITING

Introduction to Research

What is Research?
Research pertains to any systematic investigation of any social or natural phenomena where results and
conclusions are aimed at contributing to generalized knowledge. As a systematic investigation or inquiry, research
requires data that are collected, analysed, and interpreted in order to understand, describe, predict, or control, a
phenomenon to empower individuals in particular contexts.
Research becomes scientific if it satisfies two requirements. First, research contributes to a body of science.
Second, research follows the scientific method. (Bhattacherjee 2012)

What are the different types of Research design? (Question Pro 2021)
1. Qualitative: are researches using method such as participant observation or case studies which result in a
narrative, descriptive account of a setting or practice. (Parkinson) It involves any research that uses data
that do not indicate ordinal values.
Example: Unstructured interviews which generate qualitative data through the use of open questions. This
allows the respondent to talk in some depth, choosing their own words.

2. Quantitative: is for cases where statistical conclusions to collect actionable insights are essential. Numbers
provide a better perspective to make critical business decisions. Quantitative research methods are
necessary for the growth of any organization. Insights drawn from hard numerical data and analysis prove
to be highly effective when making decisions related to the future of the business.
Example: A survey conducted to understand the amount of time a doctor takes to tend to a patient when the
patient walks into the hospital.

3. Mixed (Qualitative and Quantitative): The mix method combine the interpretation and understanding of
the data with the strict size that breaks the phenomenon into its component parts using measurement
processes.
Example: The researcher collects data to assess people’s knowledge and risk perceptions about genetically
modified food by using a survey instrument that mixed qualitative (open ended response) and quantitative
(close ended response) questions, and both forms of data are integrated and analyzed.

Table 1: Some Common Contrasts between Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Quantitative Qualitative
Numbers Words
Point of view of Researcher Point of view of Participants
Researcher distant Researcher close
Theory Testing Theory Emergent
Static Process
Structured Unstructured
Generalization Contextual understanding
Hard, Reliable data Rich, deep data
Macro Micro
Behavior Meaning
Artificial Setting (You select sample from Natural Settings
population)
Adapted from: Bryman, 2008, p. 393
Qualitative and quantitative researches also have their methodological weaknesses or limitation. These limitations
are derived from their unique ontological and epistemological foundations and distinct focus of inquiry.

Table 2: Critique of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Quantitative Qualitative
Failure to distinguish people and social Too subjective- qualitative findings rely too much
institutions from the world of nature. on the researcher’s often unsystematic views and
close personal relationship with the people being
studied.
Artificial and Spurious sense of precision Difficult to replicate- unstructured nature of
and accuracy of the measurement process. qualitative data and no standard procedures to be
followed; interpretation profoundly influenced by
the subjective learning’s of a researcher.
Heavy reliance on instruments and Problems of generalization- the scope of the
procedures that hinders connection between findings of qualitative investigators is restricted;
research and everyday life. impossible to know how the findings can be
generalized to other things.
Less focus on the meanings of events to Lack of transparency- sometimes difficult to
individuals and tendency to create a static establish what the researcher actually did and s/he
view of social life that is independent of arrived at the study’s conclusions.
people’s lives.

FIVE CHAPTERS OF A RESEARCH PAPER

(for both Qualitative and Quantitative Research)
(Note: This is the Official Format that the Pagadian Diocesan Schools will be using)

CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Note: “The Problem and Its Background” is used when the research is mere observation or description research.
“The Problem and Its Setting” – if the research is done through experimentation
Introduction (Background of the Study)
The background of the study is one of the key aspects you need to get right when you are writing a
research paper. It is the key to introducing your readers to the topic of your research, and it is different from
the lead part. Here is how to write background of the study in research studies.
This is a compilation of adequate information that is based on the analysis of the problem or
proposed arguments, the steps and methods needed to arrive at the design and the implementation of the
results achieve and feasible solution.

Writing Format:
1. Begin by giving a general overview of your thesis topic and introduce the main ideas you will be
making throughout your study.
2. Then give the detailed and precise information about all the methodologies used in the research.
This can take up to several paragraphs depending on the individual and research question or thesis
topic.
3. Cite your sources to avoid plagiarism.
4. Then you can introduce your design by describing your choice of methodology briefly. Why you
have decided to use this methodology instead of others and the objective of the methodology.
Example:
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The development of many countries is determined in part by the quality and usefulness of scientific discoveries and
advancements that result from the important works in laboratories that employ the skills and knowledge of leading scientists,
researchers, and engineers of that country (Olasehinde & Olatoye, 2014). In these laboratories, disease-fighting drugs are
formulated, garments are engineered that are capable of monitoring human vital signs during physical activity, and digital
devices are constructed to track and enhance the nature of one's health. A wealth of other products and services are developed
with the aim of increasing the quality of life for citizens nationally and internationally. These advancements cannot happen
without science, the practice of science, and disciplines closely related to science. There were 7.6 million STEM (Science
Technology Engineering and Math) related workers in the American workforce in 2010, and by the year 2018, the need for
STEM-related professionals will grow by 17% (Langdon, McKittrick, Beede, Khan, & Doms, 2011). To prepare for this
growth, educational institutions must implement innovative pedagogical practices that promote independent thinking, self-
guided learning, and intuitive application of skills and knowledge.
Source: HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS' ATTITUDES TOWARD, BELIEFS ABOUT, AND IMPLEMENTATION
OF INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE METHODS By Kevin Lutrelle Gaylor
Statement of the Problem
A research problem may be defined as an area of concern, a gap in the existing knowledge, or a
deviation in the norm or standard that points to the need for further understanding and investigation.
Although many problems turn out to have several solutions (the means to close the gap or correct the
deviation), difficulties arise where such means are either not obvious or are not immediately available. This
then necessitates some research to reach a viable solution. Writing a statement of the problem should help
you clearly identify the purpose of the research project you will propose. Often, the statement of the
problem will also serve as the basis for the introductory section of your final proposal, directing your
reader’s attention quickly to the issues that your proposed project will address and providing the reader with
a concise statement of the proposed project itself. (Editage Insights 2021)

What are the key characteristics of a statement of the problem? (Editage Insights 2021)
A good research address problem should have the following characteristics:
1. It should a gap in knowledge.
2. It should be significant enough to contribute to the existing body of research.
3. It should lead to further research.
4. The problem should render itself to investigation through collection of data.
5. It should be of interest to the researcher and suit his/her skills, time, and resources.
6. The approach towards solving the problem should be ethical.

Example:
Statement of Problem
The United States is currently on the cusp of transforming the way science education is thought of and talked
about. With the development and possible systemic implementation of The Next Generation Science Standards
(NGSS), the definition of science literacy is poised to take on new meaning, new thinking, and new understandings.
Educators and other stakeholders are discussing the promises of STEM education. This national move forces
educators to take a closer look at science and how it is delivered to students. In addition, this focus lends itself to 6
the aims and goals of the NSES which are written to promote a scientifically literate society. Therefore, it is
important to gain a better understanding of issues that surround science literacy and science achievement.
Source: HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS' ATTITUDES TOWARD, BELIEFS ABOUT, AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE METHODS By Kevin Lutrelle Gaylor

Significance of the Study

The significance of the study is a written statement that explains why your research was needed. It’s
a justification of the importance of your work and impact it has on your research field, its contribution to
new knowledge and how others will benefit from it. The significance of the study, also known as the
 rationale of the study, is important to convey to the reader why the research work was important.
Your academic writing should make clear to the reader what the significance of the research that you
performed was, the contribution you made and the benefits of it. (DiscoverPHDS)
When writing this section, first think about where the gaps in knowledge are in your research field.
What are the areas that are poorly understood with little or no previously published literature? Or what
topics have others previously published on that still require further work. This is often referred to as the
problem statement. (DiscoverPHDS)
The introduction section within the significance of the study should include you writing the
problem statement and explaining to the reader where the gap in literature is.
Then think about the significance of your research and thesis study from two perspectives: (1) what
is the general contribution of your research on your field and (2) what specific contribution have you made
to the knowledge and who does this benefit the most. (DiscoverPHDS)

Example:

Significance of Study
According to various national assessments aimed at measuring the progress of the nation's educational system,
Mississippi continues to rank in the lowest brackets. The Science and Engineering Readiness Index (SERI) puts Mississippi in
last place in terms of preparing students for future careers and studies in the science and engineering fields. The SERI goes on
to label Mississippi as "the worst in the nation". There have been several studies centered around the importance ofthe role
elementary school teachers play in the development of students' attitudes towards science (Choi & Ramsey, 2009; Kirik,
2013; Nadelson et al., 2013). The details of these research efforts suggest that elementary teachers' attitudes lead to teaching
behaviors and practices that either nurture a positive or a negative attitude towards science in students. Research does not
heavily support the impact of high school science teachers' attitudes on teaching practices and behaviors in the high school
science classroom. Furthermore, attitudes of science teachers teaching in high school warrant great attention due to the nature
of Mississippi's national position in last place with respect to science performance. This research examined the status of
attitudes held by high school science teachers. The aim of the research was to reveal knowledge that can be shared with
educational leaders and teachers throughout Mississippi. With this knowledge, teacher training programs can be designed to
provide teachers with relevant professional development centered around understanding the NSES, inquiry-based lesson
planning and implementation. Targeted and 10 focused professional development and effective teacher training and
preparation programs promote changes in teachers' attitudes towards science which ultimately changes their attitude towards
teaching science (Van Aalderen-Smeets & VanDer Molen, 2015).

Source: HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS' ATTITUDES TOWARD, BELIEFS ABOUT, AND IMPLEMENTATION
OF INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE METHODS By Kevin Lutrelle Gaylor

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope of a study explains the extent to which the research area will be explored in the work and
specifies the parameters within the study will be operating. Generally, the scope of a research paper is
followed by its limitations. (Mvorganizing.org)

How do you write a good scope and limitation?

You will need to clearly define what you intend to study as well as what you do not. Be very specific in both
areas for your reader to clearly understand your intents on both levels. Limitations by contrast are what elements
will affect the ability for your study to generalize the results. (Mvorganizing.org)

Example:
Limitation
The instruments used in this study are specifically designed to measure attitudes toward teaching scientific-
inquiry and beliefs about and practice of implementing inquiry-based methods according to NSES. Therefore, these
are the dependent variables of interest along with the frequency of implementing inquiry-based classroom lessons.
Only high school science teachers in the central Mississippi region were of interest as data from and about this sample
population would contribute to research concerning the topic of this study. No generalizations can be made about
outside factors including, financial factors, administrative factors, district factors, community factors, or any other
factor this not measured by the scope of the data collection instruments.
Source: HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS' ATTITUDES TOWARD, BELIEFS ABOUT, AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE METHODS By Kevin Lutrelle Gaylor
 Conceptual Framework of the Study
A conceptual framework is an analytical tool that is used to get a comprehensive understanding of a
phenomenon. It can be used in different fields of work and is most commonly used to visually explain the
key concepts or variables and the relationships between them that need to be studied. (Creately)

Example:

Conceptual Framework
The underlying concept of critical thinking emanates from Bloom’s theory of hierarchical thinking
(1956) later known as “Bloom’s Taxonomy”. Bloom’s Taxonomy represents the conceptual foundation for
identifying learning attainment in three major domains—Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor
(Krumme, 2001; Clark, 1999). Dr. Bloom and the committee of colleges (1956, 1984) are most noted for
developing a taxonomy of learning for the Cognitive Domain to aid teachers, administrators, curriculum
developers, and educational research workers in communicating behavior descriptors for student learning.
Bloom (1956) listed six levels of progressively more sophisticated and complex manifestations of thought
in the Cognitive Domain. They are “Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and
Evaluation” (p. 18). The latter three 26 levels of the taxonomy are generally identified as higher levels of
learning and are most often associated with critical thinking (Ennis, 1992).

Source: CRITICAL THINKING AS AN OUTCOME OF DISTANCE LEARNING: A STUDY OF

CRITICAL THINKING IN A DISTANCE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT by Rowan Whitfield Bronson

Statement of Hypotheses
A hypothesis represents what the researchers think will happen in an experiment. The scientific method
involves the following steps:
1. Forming a question
2. Performing background research
3. Creating a hypothesis
4. Designing an experiment
5. Collecting data
6. Analyzing the results
7. Drawing conclusions
8. Communicating the results
 The hypothesis is a prediction, but it involves more than a guess. Most of the time, the hypothesis begins with
a question which is then explored through background research. It is only at this point that researchers begin to
develop a testable hypothesis. Unless you are creating an exploratory study, your hypothesis should always explain
what you expect to happen.

In a study exploring the effects of a particular drug, the hypothesis might be that researchers expect the drug
to have some type of effect on the symptoms of a specific illness. In psychology, the hypothesis might focus on
how a certain aspect of the environment might influence a particular behavior.

Remember, a hypothesis does not have to be correct. While the hypothesis predicts what the researchers
expect to see, the goal of the research is to determine whether this guess is right or wrong. When conducting an
experiment, researchers might explore a number of factors to determine which ones might contribute to the ultimate
outcome. In many cases, researchers may find that the results of an experiment do not support the original
hypothesis. When writing up these results, the researchers might suggest other options that should be explored in
future studies. (verywellmind.com)

Example:
Research Questions and Hypotheses
With the aid of a working definition for critical thinking, the study more pointedly addressed the following
questions:
1. Would students’ critical thinking skills improve after participating in a resident based course with
critical thinking as a core element? This question set up the following hypothesis: H-1: Students’
critical thinking skills will improve after they participate in a resident based course with critical
thinking as a core element.
2. Would students’ critical thinking skills improve after participating in an Internet-based distance
learning course with critical thinking as a core element? This question set up the following
hypothesis: H-2: Students’ critical thinking skills will improve after they participate in an Internet-
based distance learning course with critical thinking as a core element.
3. Would changes in students’ critical thinking skills ability differ across delivery modes? This
particular research question set up the following hypothesis: H-3: There will be no statistically
significant difference in the changes of critical thinking skills ability between students in resident
based courses and students in the Internet-based distance learning courses.
Source: CRITICAL THINKING AS AN OUTCOME OF DISTANCE LEARNING: A STUDY OF
CRITICAL THINKING IN A DISTANCE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT by Rowan Whitfield Bronson

Definition of Terms
Definition of terms refers to a detailed explanation of the technical terms and measurements used
during data collection. This is done to standardize the data. Whenever data is being collected, it is necessary
to clearly define how to collect the data. Data that is not defined runs the risk of being inconsistent and
might not give the same results when the study is replicated. Often we assume that those collecting the data
understand what to do and how to complete the task. However, people may have differing views and
interpretations of the same thing, and this will affect the data collection. The only way to ensure that
the data is consistent is by means of a detailed definition of terms. (Editage Insights 2021)
Example:
Definition of Key Terms
Branch of Science- Area of science is defined as one of the major branches of science which include the
following:
• Life Science - disciplines of science dealing with living organisms, their life processes of living
organisms, and the interrelationships of living organisms such as biology, medicine, or ecology. • Physical
Science - disciplines of science dealing with inanimate matter or with energy such as physics, chemistry,
and astronomy.
• Earth Science- disciplines of science dealing with the earth, the composition of earth, or the changing
aspects of earth such as geography, geology, or meteorology.

Attitude. Attitude is defined as the tendency to react favorably or unfavorably to situations, persons, or
events as measured by the Revised Science Attitudes Scale (Munck, 2007) Attitude Object A person,
place, thing, idea, or event from which one forms a negative or positive judgement (Jain, 2014).

Beliefs. Beliefs are defined as a person's trust or confidence in the implementation and use of inquiry in
the classroom (DiBiase & McDonald, 20 15), as measured by the Inquiry Beliefs and Practices Scale.

Inquiry. Inquiry is defined as the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose
explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Inquiry also refers to the activities of students
in which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, and an understanding of how
scientists study the natural world (National Committee on Science Education Standards and Assessment &
Council, 1996).

Inquiry-Based Instruction (Teaching and Learning)- A pedagogical approach to teaching science that
invites students to explore academic content by using the process of inquiry (Towns & Sweetland, 2008).
Source: HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS' ATTITUDES TOWARD, BELIEFS ABOUT, AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE METHODS By Kevin Lutrelle Gaylor

CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
A literature review is a comprehensive summary of previous research on a topic. The literature review
surveys scholarly articles, books, and other sources relevant to a particular area of research. The review should
enumerate, describe, summarize, objectively evaluate and clarify this previous research. It should give a theoretical
base for the research and help you (the author) determine the nature of your research. The literature review
acknowledges the work of previous researchers, and in so doing, assures the reader that your work has been well
conceived. It is assumed that by mentioning a previous work in the field of study, that the author has read,
evaluated, and assimiliated that work into the work at hand.
A literature review creates a "landscape" for the reader, giving her or him a full understanding of the
developments in the field. This landscape informs the reader that the author has indeed assimilated all (or the vast
majority of) previous, significant works in the field into her or his research.
"In writing the literature review, the purpose is to convey to the reader what knowledge and ideas have been
established on a topic, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. The literature review must be defined by a
guiding concept (eg. your research objective, the problem or issue you are discussing, or your argumentative
thesis). It is not just a descriptive list of the material available, or a set of summaries.
Source: (http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review)
 What is a citation and citation style?
A citation is a way of giving credit to individuals for their creative and intellectual works that you utilized to
support your research. It can also be used to locate particular sources and combat plagiarism. Typically, a citation
can include the author's name, date, and location of the publishing company, journal title, or DOI (Digital Object
Identifer).
A citation style dictates the information necessary for a citation and how the information is ordered, as well
as punctuation and other formatting.
How to do I choose a citation style?
There are many different ways of citing resources from your research. The citation style sometimes depends
on the academic discipline involved.
1. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is used by the Humanities
- With MLA style, you must include a Works Cited page at the end of your paper. A Works Cited
page is an alphabetical listing of the resources cited in your paper. Below are some examples of
MLA style citations. Note: Some instructors may require access dates for websites or other pieces of
information. Please check with your instructor if you have any questions.
Examples:

Source: https://pitt.libguides.com/citationhelp/mla8thedition

2. Chicago/Turabian style is generally used by Business, History, and the Fine Arts.
- Chicago is a documentation syle that has been published by the Chicago University Press since
1906. This citation style incorporates rules of grammar and punctuation common in American
English. Typically, Chicago style presents two basic documentation systems: (1) notes and
bibliography and (2) author-date. Choosing between the two often depends on subject matter and the
nature of sources cited, as each system is favored by different groups of scholars.
- The notes and bibliography style is preferred by many in the humanities, including those in
literature, history, and the arts. This style presents bibliographic information in notes and, often, a
bibliography.

Source: https://pitt.libguides.com/c.php?g=12108&p=64732
 3. IEEE Style- The Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a professional
organization supporting many branches of engineering, computer science, and information technology. In-
text citing it is not necessary to mention an author's name, pages used, or date of publication in the in-text
citation. Instead, refer to the source with a number in a square bracket, e.g. [1], that will then correspond to
the full citation in your reference list.
 Place bracketed citations within the line of text, before any punctuation, with a space before
the first bracket.
 Number your sources as you cite them in the paper. Once you have referred to a source and
given it a number, continue to use that number as you cite that source throughout the paper.
 When citing multiple sources at once, the preferred method is to list each number separately,
in its own brackets, using a comma or dash between numbers, as such: [1], [3], [5] or [1] - [5].
Example of IEEE Style:

4. APA (American Psychological Association) is used by Education, Psychology, and Sciences Research
(The Pagadian Diocesan Schools will be using this format)
- In-text citations are citations within the main body of the text and refer to a direct quote or
paraphrase. They correspond to a reference in the main reference list. These citations include the
surname of the author and date of publication only. Using an example author James Mitchell, this
takes the form:
Example: Mitchell (2017) states… Or … (Mitchell, 2017).
- The structure of this changes depending on whether a direct quote or parenthetical used:
 Direct Quote: The citation must follow the quote directly and contain a page number after
the date, for example (Mitchell, 2017, p.104). This rule holds for all of the variations listed.
 Parenthetical: The page number is not needed.
- If there are two Authors: the surname of both authors is stated with either ‘and’ or an ampersand
between. For example: Mitchell and Smith (2017) state… Or …(Mitchell & Smith, 2017).
- If there are 3 or more Authors: Write the authors surname and the year of publication. - Mitchell,
Smith, and Thomson (2017) state… Or …(Mitchell, Smith, & Thomson, 2017). Further cites can
be shorted to the first author’s name followed by et al: Mitchell et al (2017) state… Or …(Mitchell
et al, 2017).

Examples of Review of Related Literature with APA citation style: (The highlighted word/s shows the APA
Citation)
 CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHOD

Research Design
Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a researcher. The design
allows researchers to hone in on research methods that are suitable for the subject matter and set up their studies up
for success.
The design of a research topic explains the type of research (experimental, survey, correlational, semi-
experimental, review) and also its sub-type (experimental design, research problem, and descriptive case-study).
The type of research problem an organization is facing will determine the research design and not vice-versa. The
design phase of a study determines which tools to use and how they are used.

Example:
Research Design
This study used a quasi-experimental quantitative research design to compare performance outcomes by learners
with various learning styles using dual- and multiple-channel technologies in a proceduralized instructional design
presented in a virtual learning environment (VLE). Specifically, this research compared the learning effects on