Research - scientific and systematic investigation/ synthesis of new knowledge/ includes

collecting, organizing/ and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions;
and finally testing/ scientific reasoning either or both inductive and deductive.

Types of Research
Action Research - applied research aims at solving an identified problem based on recommendations
made to a process.
Creative Research - the development of new theories; new procedures and new inventions.
Descriptive Research - “case –study research” a specific situation to ascertain whether any general
theories
Experimental Research - cornerstone of science is experimental and creative research/ Use of variable
Ex-post facto Research – “from after the fact” data generated from experimental research
Expository Research – “review –type reports” based purely on existing information
Historical Research - Studies on the past to determine cause-effect patterns

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 starts with a problem and ends with a problem.
4. Analytical: research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering data
5. Replicability: research designs and procedures are replicated to arrive at valid and
conclusive results.
6. Critical: Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
7. Objective and ethical: There should be no bias or partiality in treating the results
and no effort is made to alter them.

Approaches of Research Study

Three of the most common and useful purposes, however, are exploration, description,
and explanation
1. Quantitative: It is generally associated with the positivist / post-positivist paradigm.
Collecting and converting data into numerical form.
2. Qualitative: Social constructivist paradigm. Uncover the deeper meaning and
significance of human behavior and experience
 3. Pragmatic approach: Method which appears best suited to the research problem
and not getting caught up in philosophical debates about which is the best approach.
Freedom to use any of the methods, techniques and procedures typically associated
with quantitative or qualitative research. Mix different approaches has the
advantages of enabling triangulation. Triangulation is a common feature of mixed
methods studies. It involves, for example:
i. the use of a variety of data sources (data triangulation)
ii. the use of several different researchers (investigator triangulation)
iii. the use of multiple perspectives to interpret the results (theory triangulation)
iv. the use of multiple methods to study a research problem (methodological
triangulation)
4. Advocacy/participatory approach to research (emancipatory): to research
described so far do not respond to the needs or situation of people from marginalized or
vulnerable groups. As they aim to bring about positive change in the lives of the research
subjects, their approach is sometimes described as emancipatory. The researchers are
likely to have a political agenda and to try to give the groups they are studying a voice.

1. Problem identification: this is the first and foremost task =

Non-research problem: can be solved at the administrative or management level

Research Problem
1. “what it is” and “what it should have been”
2. unclear
 3. two possible answers

Characteristics of a Research Problem

a. Actual problems encountered
b. Technological changes
c. Consultation
d. Scientific Journal
e. Research Agenda of Government Institution and funding agencies
f. University’ s research agenda/priorities
g. Recommendation of a previous study
h. Conferences, symposium and dialog meetings
i. LGU, NGO and industries

The chosen research problem must be SMART.

Specific. The problem should be specifically stated.
Measurable. It is easy to measure by using research instruments in collecting
data.
Achievable. Data are attainable using correct statistical techniques to
arrive precise results.
Realistic. The problem is rational and real results are not manipulated.
Time-bound. Time frame is required in every activity. The faster the completion

2. Literature Review: is a scholarly survey articles or journals, books,

information. It provides an overview of current knowledge, allowing you to
identify relevant theories, methods, and gaps.

Purpose of Literature Review

a. will help you identify the work already done or in progress
b. Will prevent you from duplication
c. Will help you avoid some of the errors
d. Will help you design the methodology
e. Will enable you to identify gaps
Steps in Critical Literature Review

1. Skim the article you have to review to gain a general idea

2. Discuss the article with someone else.
3. Read it again.
4. Check the main points with the article once more.
5. Have a long, hard think about the article.
 6. Read your notes again and look at the diagram you have made
7. . This should be about 10% of the total review.
8. Now you need to write the body of the review.
9. After you have written the body of the review, you need to write the conclusion.
This should be about 10% of the review and should include a brief recap of the
main points raised in the review, noting specifically where you have agreed and
disagreed with the writer.
10. Leave your critique on your desk for a week or two before looking at it again.
Carefully edit and proofread it before submitting it.

IEEE Referencing Style

IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, referencing style is
an extensively acknowledged format of citation in technical fields.
System of Referencing:
 It uses the note system of referencing.
 Using this style, in-text citation is done with a numeric digit

Disciplines Using the Style:

 This citation style is used in the fields of engineering of electric, electronics,
and information technology and computer science.
General Rules for in-text Citation
 A number to each reference is given in square brackets
  The number is positioned either within the sentence or before the
relevant punctuation mark such as full stop, comma etc.
 Space of a single letter precedes the opening square bracket. Whatever
information is provided [1].
 Number to each source is given in the sequence as it appears in your document.
 If you cite the same source again in your document use the same number that
you have used previously for the source in your work.
References in Text
as shown by Brown [4], [5]; as mentioned earlier [2], [4]–[7], [9]; Smith [4] and Brown
and Jones [5]; Wood et al. [7]
NOTE: Use et al. when three or more names are given for a reference cited in the text. or
as nouns:
as demonstrated in [3]; according to [4] and [6]–[9].
Book
Basic Format:
 J. K. Author, “Title of chapter in the book,” in Title of His Published Book, xth ed.
City of Publisher, (only U.S. State), Country: Abbrev. of Publisher, year, ch. x, sec. x,
pp. xxx–xxx.
Example:

L. Stein, “Random patterns,” in Computers and You, J. S. Brake, Ed. New York, NY,
USA: Wiley, 1994, pp. 55–70
Conference Paper (Paper Presented at a Conference)
Basic Format:
 J. K. Author, “Title of paper,” presented at the Abbreviated Name of Conf., City of
Conf., Abbrev. State, Country, Month and day(s), year, Paper number.
Examples:

 D. Caratelli, M. C. Viganó , G. Toso, and P. Angeletti, “Analytical placement technique

for sparse arrays,” presented at the 32nd ESA Antenna Workshop, Noordwijk, The
Netherlands, Oct. 5–8, 2010
 Conference Proceedings in Print (Paper Presented at a Conference)
Basic format:
J. K. Author, “Title of paper,” in Abbreviated Name of Conf., (location of conference is optional),
(Month and day(s) if provided) year, pp. xxx-xxx.

Examples:
 A. Amador-Perez and R. A. Rodriguez-Solis, “Analysis of a CPW-fed annular slot
ring antenna using DOE,” in Proc. IEEE Antennas Propag. Soc. Int. Symp., Jul. 2006, pp.
4301– 4304.

3. Research questions, objectives, and hypotheses: A well-defined statement of

the problem will lead to formulation of research objectives and hypotheses,

An objective is the direction of the research

A hypothesis is an unproven statement or proposition that can be refuted or

supported

4. Study design: The research design is the blueprint or framework. There are four
basic research designs that can be used for the conduct of the study: survey,
experiment, secondary data study, and observational study.

Designs depends primarily on four factors: type of problem, objectives of the

study, existing state of knowledge about the problem that is being studied, and
resources are available for the study.

5. Sample design: refers to the methods to be followed in selecting a sample from

the population and the estimating technique, vis-a-vis formula for computing
the sample statistics.

6. Data collection: the approach for data collection selected depends on the
objectives of the study, the research design, and the availability of time, money,
and personnel. For experimental study design one factor at a time’ (OFAT) or
response surface methodolofy (RSM) are often used.
 7. Data analysis and interpretation: Data analysis involves processing of data,
developing summaries, searching for patterns, and applying statistical
techniques for understanding and interpreting

8. Written Report: the document that transmit the findings and recommendations
to administrators, policymakers, and program managers for the intended
purpose of making a decision.

Concept Mapping

Concept mappingis an essential tool to clarify and map out key research issues in an
area.
 Research Methods

Quantitative Research: gathers numerical data which can be ranked,

measured or categorised through statistical analysis.
Qualitative Research: gathers data about lived experiences, emotions or
behaviours, and the meanings individuals attach to them.
Mixed Methods Research: integrates both Qualitative and Quantitative
Research.
Table 1. Techniques or tools used for gathering research data.*
Qualitative Techniques or Tools Quantitative Techniques or Tools
Interviews: these can be structured, Surveys or questionnaires: which ask
semi-structured or unstructured in-depth the same questions to large numbers of
sessions with the researcher and a participants or use Likert scales which
participant. measure opinions as numerical data.
Focus groups: with several participants Observation: which can either involve
discussing a particular topic or a set of counting the number of times a specific
questions. Researchers can be facilitators phenomenon occurs, or the coding of
or observers. observational data in order to translate it
into numbers.
Observations: On-site, in-context or Document screening: sourcing
role-play options. numerical data from financial reports or
counting word occurrences.
Document analysis: Interrogation of Experiments: testing hypotheses in
correspondence (letters, diaries, emails laboratories, testing cause and effect
etc) or reports. relationships, through field experiments,
or via quasi- or natural experiments.