Research in Higher Education Philippines

Understanding Research Basics

• Research is defined as a systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomena (Kerlinger, 1992).
• Research involves identifying possible solutions to complex problems.
• Research seeks direction through hypotheses based on clear assumptions.
• The goal of research is to discover new knowledge or to gain support for existing knowledge.
• Research may involve observation, data gathering, analysis.

Philippine Constitution & Research

• The Philippine Constitution prioritizes research, development, innovation, invention and their use in science and technology.
• The Constitution mandates the State to support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the productive systems and national life.

Priority Discipline Clusters

• Science & Mathematics
• Education & Teacher Training
• Health & Health Profession
• Information & Communication Technology
• Engineering, Maritime & Architecture
• Agriculture
• Environmental Science
• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Other disciplines (as identified by CHED)

Why Have a Research Subject?

• Higher education curricula often incorporate research as a requirement for Bachelor's degrees.
• Thesis writing is frequently a prerequisite for graduation in some programs.

Vital Components of the Research Process

• Research Problem Formulation/Question & Design
• Review of Related Literature
• Refining the Research Problem
• Research Design
• Research Methodology
• Developing Research Proposal
• Data Gathering & Processing
• Writing Research Report

Cooperative Research Agenda (CSSD)

• The CSSD Department of Cooperatives and Social Development responds to local, regional, national, and global community needs, particularly those of the cooperative sector.
• National Higher Education Research Agenda (NHERA) 2023-2028
• National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 2023-2028
• Cooperative Development Authority
• Polytechnic University of the Philippines Research Agenda & Priorities (PUPRAP)

DCSD Research Goals

• Provide research services aligned with the curriculum development of the DCSD Academic Program.
• Build high-level research capacity in cooperatives.
• Promote cooperative research and development consciousness among schools, cooperatives, and government bodies.
• Develop and enhance instructional materials.
• Establish a Cooperative Data Bank and research arm specializing in cooperatives.
• Enhance access to the College Learning & Research Resource Center

Cooperative Research Agenda

• Business, Economics, and Cooperative Management: Cooperative Strategies & Enterprise Development for Poverty Alleviation and Food Security, 17 Sustainable Development Goals, Distributive economics development and promotion, Impact Studies on agri and non-agri-based cooperatives, Incubation, commercialization, and up-scaling of cooperative production.
• Social Sciences, History, Culture & Governance: Cooperative and disaster preparedness, environment, sustainable communities, Filipino coop culture, family and cooperatives, community-academe relations, leadership and management in Philippine/Asian context, cooperative best practices, and impact of cooperatives on social cohesion.

Education and Institutional Research

• Evaluation of learning strategies in curricular offerings related to cooperatives.
• Tracing studies for bachelors and post-baccalaureate programs in cooperative management.
• Assessing quality and effectiveness of cooperatives education and training.
• Analyzing community-industry-university partnerships for cooperative development.
• Evaluating immersion, coop practice, and internship programs.
• Supporting technological development for people-based enterprises within cooperatives.

Dissemination and Publication (Cooperative Research)

• DCSD disseminates research outputs to intended audiences through fora, and other appropriate mediums like the CCSD website.

Defining Research (additional points)

• Research is the discovery of truth.
• Research gathers data to solve problems.
• Research aims to develop solutions to problems.

Three Types of Research

• Pure/Basic Research
• Original Research
• Secondary Research

Pure/Basic Research

• The goal of pure research is to advance knowledge, theories, and principles.
• It does not focus on immediate economic or social benefit.

Original/Primary Research

• Original research is discovering information that others haven't found before.
• Types include: tests, observations, experiments, etc.
• To begin original research, one must already understand what is known about the topic/subject.

Secondary Research

• Secondary research involves gathering information discovered by others and analyzing it to draw new conclusions.
• It is crucial to carefully reconcile conflicting viewpoints and conclusions by reconciling information from various related studies

What Research Is Not

• Information gathering alone.
• Simple transportation of facts from one place to another.
• Merely rummaging for information.
• A catchphrase to gain attention.

Criteria in Selecting a Research Problem/Topic

• Novelty and avoidance of duplication
• Importance to the field and immediate need for implementation
• Interest, intellectual curiosity, and drive
• Training and personal qualifications
• Availability of data and feasibility of method
• Special equipment and working conditions
• Sponsorship and administrative cooperation
• Costs and returns
• Hazards, penalties, and handicaps
• Time factor

Characteristics of a Good Research Topic/Title

• Relevant to current needs
• Within the researcher's interest and capabilities
• Clear, specific, and attainable within a given timeframe
• Avoids harm to people and society
• Original and new
• Provides information for planning, development, legislation, and theory formulation.
• Avoids redundancy in titles.
• Directed towards solutions to identified problems.
• Supported by observable experience and accurate empirical evidence.
• Requires expertise.
• Strives to be objective and logical
• Carefully recorded and reported.
• Patient and unhurried, recognizing the need for time, courage, and effort

Creating a Research Working Title

• Accurately indicates the subject and scope of the study.
• Avoids abbreviations.
• Uses words that create a positive impression and stimulate interest.
• Employs current nomenclature from the field.
• Identifies key variables (dependent and independent).
• May reveal how the paper will be organized.
• Suggests a relationship between variables that supports the major hypothesis.
• Limits itself to 10 to 15 substantive words.
• Avoids phrases like "study of," "analysis of."
• Follows grammar and capitalization rules.
• May be in the form of a phrase or a question, rarely an exclamation mark in a title or subtitle.

Sources of a Research Problem

• Dissatisfaction with services or information.
• Problems encountered in classrooms or the workplace
• Breakthroughs in science and technology.
• Research thrusts and priorities of organizations.
• Misconceptions about culture (other things)

Examples of Research Titles for Cooperatives

• The Effects of Utilizing E-commerce on Business Operations of Online Micro Sellers Marketing Cooperative Amidst Pandemic
• Digital Transformation of Selected Multi-Purpose Cooperatives in Metro Manila
• Cooperatives' Succession Planning
• Adhering to the 2030 Development Agenda: Cooperatives' Role in Alleviating Poverty
• The Impact of Succession Planning
• The Role of Cooperatives on Empowering Employees
• The Impact of Strategic Planning
• Cooperatives Business Continuity Planning
• COVID-19 Pandemic Implications
• Factors Affecting Digitalization in Accounting
• Factors Contributing to Success

This quiz explores the key aspects of research and development as outlined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and its significance in higher education. It delves into the role of priority discipline clusters, congressional support for private scientific research, and the goals of the Department of Education's research agenda. Test your knowledge of the essential components of the research process and relevant policies.