Research: An Introduction

What is Research?
the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish
facts and reach new conclusions

Why study Research?

⦁ To improve and develop new methods.
⦁ To contribute knowledge and progress.
⦁ To develop a better understanding of published works.
⦁ To develop independent critical thinking skills along with oral and written communication skills

Qualities of a Good Inquirer or Researcher

Care - distinct characteristics of a researcher
Utility Competency – the ability to troubleshoot during unexpected scenarios
Technical Competency –the ability to use available technologies
Effort - time and skill
Service – the willingness of the researcher to serve others, to do good
Patience - intra (within) and extra (outside) group
Guts and Risk - considering options

Philosophical Worldviews in Research

Post-positivist – researchers subscribe to the idea that everything should be quantified
to produce meaningful concrete results.
Constructivist – researchers believe that experience expressed through words can paint
a better picture of a certain phenomena.
Transformative – researchers supports the idea that research should be conducted to
increase quality of life and produce
Pragmatic –researchers promotes the use of both qualitative and quantitative data in
expressing research findings.

RESEARCH PROCESS (CDEAD)

Conceptualization Phase – concept making
Design Phase - planning
Empirical Phase – data collection
Analytical Phase – data analysis/interpretation
Dissemination Phase -utilization

Research Approaches
Qualitative Research – approach for exploring and understanding the meaning
individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem.
Quantitative Research – approach for testing objective theories by examining relationship
among variables.
Mixed Approach – inquiry involving collecting both quantitative and qualitative data and
integrating the two forms of data.
 Research Format:
Traditional - Manuscripts are written in by- chapter.
International – manuscripts are written in Introduction-Method-Results-Discussion (IMRAD)
format and content based on American Psychological Association (APA, 6th Ed.Standards).
Our Lady of Fatima University Research Development and Innovation Center
(OLFU-RDIC) – promotes the use of APA style and content, use of 6,000-9,000 word range for

OLFU-RDIC Section/ Outline of the Manuscript:

1.0 Introduction – Contextual 4.0 Results – Substantial
2.0 Literature Review – Contextual 5.0 Discussion – Substantial
3.0 Methods – Procedural 6.0 Recommendation
 Lesson 2: Quantitative research
Quantitative Research Approach
What is Quantitative Research?
- Statistical, mathematical or computational methods
- Aim is to find the relationship between one variable to another
- Expressions are in numerical forms. Objectivity of data

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE APPROACH

▧ clearly defined research question
▧ generalize concepts more widely, predict future results, or investigate causal relationships
▧ gathered using structured research instruments
▧ Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires
▧ The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the population.
▧ Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables, charts,
figures, or other non-textual forms.
▧ can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH DESIGN

True Experimental
Quasi Experimental

NON-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH DESIGN

SURVEY RESEARCH - most common method used for quantitative study and be in a
form of questionnaire or interview.
COMPARATIVE RESEARCH - Comparisons are based on descriptive data, showing that
a difference exists but does not imply causation.
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH - determine the relationship between two variables.
 LESSON 3: VARIABLES
WHAT ARE VARIABLES?
- defined as anything that has a quantity or quality that varies.
- They are anything that takes on different values, typically numerical values.
Examples: The age of an individual, their gender, their height, weight, hair color, health
parameters like vital signs, hobbies and a lot more.

Two Major Types of Variables

Independent variable
• This is the presumed cause.
• The independent variable is the variable that is being manipulated by the researcher.
• It is stable and unaffected by the other variable that you are trying to measure.
• It is commonly known as the X variable.

Dependent variable
• This is the presumed effect.
• This variable assumes the change brought about by the other variable (independent
variable).
• This is the variable that is being measured by the researcher.
• It is commonly known as the Y variable.

Extraneous or Erroneous variables

- Defined as unwanted variables.
- They are also called confounding variables because their presence influences the
outcome of the experiment in an undesirable way, they add error to an experiment.
- A major goal in a quantitative research design is to limit or control the influence of
extraneous variables as much as possible.

LESSON 4: RESEARCH TITLE

HOW TO MAKE A RESEARCH TITLE?

3 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN MAKING A RESEARCH TITLE:

1. Should embody the main idea of the research paper.
2. Can stand alone on its own, with any further explanation needed.
3. Concise.

Springer (2014) stated that the readers browse a manuscript in this manner:
Title – Abstract – Results (Tables and Figures) – Full Paper.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD TITLE
- Contain as few words as possible: many journals limit titles to 12 words
- Be easy to understand
- Describe the contents of the paper accurately and specifically
- Avoid abbreviations, formulas, and jargon
- NOT include any verb
- NOT contain low-impact words such as ‘‘Some notes on ...,’’ ‘‘Observations on ...,’’
‘‘Investigations on ...,’’ ‘‘Study of... ,’’ and ‘‘Effect of ... ’’
- Not be flashy as in newspapers (e.g., avoid statements like ‘‘Agroforestry can stop
deforestation’’)
- Report the subject of the research rather than the results

SOURCES OF RESEARCH TOPIC

OWN EXPERIENCE AND INTEREST - Identify your own interests and formulate a
problem that reflects them; familiarity in your territory and terminology.
COLLEAGUES - Brainstorming with friends about problems they have encountered
may help clarify research ideas.
CRITICAL FRIENDS - Experts are good sources of research problems
LITERATURE - Previous studies and research findings in which gaps were identified

RESEARCH QUALITATIVE
Research Problem
- a clear statement of an inquiry or gap that needs to be addressed through a systematic
approach.
- a definite or clear expression [statement] about an area of concern, a condition to be
improved upon, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly
literature, in theory, or within existing practice that points to a need for meaningful
understanding and deliberate investigation. A research problem does not state how to do
something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or present a value question.University of
southern California (2023).

Types of Research Problems

Descriptive problems
These problems involve describing or documenting a particular phenomenon, event, or
situation. For example, a researcher might investigate the demographics of a particular
population, such as their age, gender, income, and education.
Causal research problems
Causal research problems focus on identifying the extent and nature of cause-and-effect
relationships. Such research problems help in assessing the impact of some changes on
existing norms and processes.

Relational research problem

This research problem states that some sort of relationship between two variables needs to
be investigated. The aim is to investigate the qualities or characteristics that are connected
in some way.

Predictive Problems
These problems involve making predictions or forecasts about future events or trends. For
example, a researcher might investigate the factors that predict future success in a
particular field or industry.

Guidelines in Making a Research Problem

S-pecific, Formulate a Research Do not state Make sure Formulate a

M-easureabl research can be stated your research that the research
A-ttainable, problem that in a problem/ quantitative problem that
R-ealistic, reflects the declarative questions research is aligned
T-ime-bound significance or that is problem is with
of seeking interrogative answerable answerable your
solutions manner. by yes or no. by an research
and answers. appropriate topic.
statistical
method.

Purpose of Research Problems

to identify an area of study that requires further investigation and to formulate a clear,
concise and specific research question. defines the specific issue or problem that
needs to be addressed and serves as the foundation for the research project.

Characteristics of a Research Problem

Clarity: A research problem should be clearly defined and stated in a way that it is easily
understood by the researcher and other readers.
Relevance: A research problem should be relevant to the field of study, and it should
contribute to the existing body of knowledge. The problem should address a gap in
knowledge, a theoretical or practical problem, or a real-world issue that requires further
investigation.
Feasibility: A research problem should be feasible in terms of the availability of data,
resources, and research methods. It should be realistic and practical to conduct the study
within the available time, budget, and resources.
Novelty: A research problem should be novel or original in some way. It should represent a
new or innovative perspective on an existing problem, or it should explore a new area of
study or apply an existing theory to a new context.
Importance: A research problem should be important or significant in terms of its potential
impact on the field or society. It should have the potential to produce new knowledge,
advance existing theories, or address a pressing societal issue.
Manageability: A research problem should be manageable in terms of its scope and
complexity. It should be specific enough to be investigated within the available time and
resources, and it should be broad enough to provide

SO WHAT!
Note that answering the "So What" question requires a commitment on your part to not only
show that you have researched the material, but that you have thought about its

RESEARCH PROBLEM
The first step in research is to outline the research problem –this might be an area of
concern, a gap in the existing knowledge or a deviation in something that has been
previously established, which warrants further investigation.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
A final and more refined form will emerge as you reflect more deeply over the topic and
delve into the literature. The current status of the topic, including what is known and
what is not.

Dos and dont’s of writing a problem statement

- Write the actual problem statement as a declarative statement or as a question.
- Ensure the statement is lucid and to the point, without any distracting information
- Don’t leave out any element of the proposed research question (e.g. study
subjects/variables and the relationships in question).
- Explain in the statement how previous studies have not addressed the issue or have fallen
short due to certain limitations.
- Outline in your statement how you plan to overcome or circumvent previous roadblocks to
fill these deficiencies.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

What is a Review of Related Literature?
- It is an analysis and synthesis of articles related to the research topic being studied
- Involves the systematic identification, location, and analysis of documents containing
information related to the research problem. The term is also used to describe the written
component of a research plan or report that discusses the reviewed documents.

The processes involved are

- searching relevant articles
- reading and analyzing research reports
- writing the description of the existing information on a topic in a manner that is ethical and
based on standards.

Why a review of related literature in research is important?

- Identify gaps in the knowledge
- Avoid duplication of research efforts
- Provide an overview of disparate and interdisciplinary research areas
- Highlight researcher’s familiarity with their topic

Types of Literature

Research literature Non-research references

based on research findings. these are literature which are not based on
Example: journal articles, literature reviews, research findings.
abstracts of research studies Example: literary or artistic works, opinion
articles, brochures,
magazines, anecdotes.
 Sources of Literature
Primary source
these refer to description of studies written by the researchers themselves.
Example: researches published in a journal, abstract prepared by the researcher(s),
dissertations, thesis, undergraduate researches, presentation done by the researcher.

Secondary source
these are description of studies written by someone else, other than the researchers who
conducted them. Example: literature review, abstract prepared by a reviewer, presentation
of research done by someone else other than the researcher

Tips on how to write a review of related literature in research

I. Define your topic, audience, and purpose:

You will be spending a lot of time with this review, so choose a topic that is interesting to
you. While deciding what to write in a review of related literature, think about who you
expect to read the review – researchers in your discipline, other scientists, or the general
public – and tailor the language to the audience.

II. Conduct a comprehensive literature search:

While writing your review of related literature, emphasize more recent works but don’t
forget to include some older publications as well. Cast a wide net, as you may find some
interesting and relevant literature in unexpected databases or library corners. Don’t forget to
search for recent conference papers.

III. Review the identified articles and take notes:

It is a good idea to take notes in a way such that individual items in your notes can be
moved around when you organize them. For example, index cards are great tools for this.
Write each individual idea on a separate card along with the source. The cards can then be
easily grouped and organized.

IV. Determine how to organize your review:

A review of related literature should not be merely a listing of descriptions. It should be
organized by some criterion, such as chronologically or thematically.
V. Be critical and objective:
Don’t just report the findings of other studies in your review of related literature. Challenge
the methodology, find errors in the analysis, question the conclusions. Use what you find to
improve your research. However, do not insert your opinions into the review of related
literature. Remain objective and open-minded.

VI. Structure your review logically:

Guide the reader through the information. The structure will depend on the function of the
review of related literature. Creating an outline prior to writing the RRL in research is a good
way to ensure the presented information flows well.

CITATION
- a reference to the source of information used in your research. Any time you directly
quote, paraphrase or summarize the essential elements of someone else's idea in your
work, an in-text citation should follow.
- An in-text citation is a brief notation within the text of your paper or presentation which
refers the reader to a fuller notation, or end-of-paper citation, that provides all necessary
details about that source of information.
- Direct quotations should be surrounded by quotations marks and are generally used when
the idea you want to capture is best expressed by the source.
- Paraphrasing and summarizing involve rewording an essential idea from someone else's
work, usually to either condense the point or to make it better fit your writing style.
- You do not have to cite your own ideas, unless they have been published. And you do not
have to cite common knowledge, or information that most people in your audience would
know without having to look it up.

PROPERLY CITING SOURCES

IMPLICIT EXPLICIT
STATEMENT_(AUTHORS, YEAR). AUTHOR_(YEAR)_VERB_STATEMENT
An e-learning system with higher Taylor and Todd (1995) suggested that Social
educational compatibility is believed to Influence (SI) affects other people’s opinion,
effectively facilitate the learning processes superior influence, and peer influence.
of students (Xu & Wang, 2006)
VERB_AUTHOR_(YEAR)_STATEMENT.
As suggested by Taylor and Todd (1995)
Social Influence (SI) affects other people’s
opinion, superior influence