Practical Research Overview

Practical Research

• Research is a systematic inquiry designed to collect, analyze, and interpret data to understand, describe, or predict phenomena.
• Research is carried out for specific purposes to answer questions and solve particular problems.
• It aims to produce verifiable data and expand knowledge.
• Research is derived from the words "RE" (again) and "SEARCH" (examine closely).
• Research is critical for developing critical thinking, understanding situations, explaining observations, and expanding knowledge.
• Research must be accurate with data, documented using footnotes, notes, and bibliography.
• Objectivity is essential, focusing on facts, avoiding opinions or assumptions.
• Relevance of research is crucial for improving society, solving problems, and affecting people's lives.
• Clarity, expressed using simple and direct language, is vital for conveying the core message of findings.
• Systematic research follows an organized process.
• Research is realistic, requiring data gathering and in-depth analysis of the subject.
• Research is analytical, following scientific and structured methods for investigation.
• It provides possible solutions to real-world problems and offers technological advancement.
• Research should contribute to existing bodies of knowledge.
• Ethical research practices are critical, adhering to the highest standards.

Purpose of Research

• Research aims to enable independent and systematic work.
• It enhances higher-order thinking skills.
• Research improves reading and writing skills by studying research methods and techniques.
• It provides tools for gathering and presenting research findings.
• Reducing dependence on single textbooks and professors.

Types of Research

Based on Application of Research Methods

• Pure Research focuses on concepts and principles; aims to increase knowledge about something.
• Applied Research applies chosen research to societal problems; aims to find ways to positively change society.

Based on Purpose of Research

• Descriptive Research creates a detailed portrayal of a person, event, group, or situation.
• Correlational Research identifies relationships between two factors or circumstances.
• Explanatory Research explains the causes and reasons behind relationships between factors.
• Exploratory Research explores the feasibility of a research topic.
• Action Research investigates ongoing practices for improvement.

Based on Types of Data Needed

• Qualitative Research uses words, not numbers, to analyze beliefs, feelings, and lifestyles of participants regarding a study's aim.

Data Collection Types

Qualitative

• Emphasizes experiences through long contact time with participants.
• Uses methods like interviews, focus group discussions.
• Includes open-ended questions for in-depth study.

Quantitative

• Involves a large number of respondents and uses contact time with respondents in short periods.
• Includes survey questionnaires with close-ended questions.
• Employs testing and uses numerical data for analysis.

Ethics in Research

• Ethical research involves moral principles, integrity, respect for participants, environment, and society.
• It encourages truthful research, promotes knowledge credibility, and promotes collaborative qualities.
• Researchers are accountable for their actions.
• It requires public disclosure of study details.

Ethical Codes and Policies

• Honesty and objectivity are critical elements.
• Maintain integrity and keep promises, being careful and avoiding bias and errors.
• Openness in sharing data, results, tools, and ideas is encouraged.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect intellectual property rights.
• Avoid discrimination when studying the subject.

Qualitative Research Methods

• Phenomenology involves studying phenomena relating to human events.
• Narrative Research tells the stories of individuals, highlighting their experiences and perspectives.
• Grounded Theory develops new theories based on data collected in studies.
• Case Study analyzes a particular person, group, institution, or event in detail.