Research Methods and Characteristics Quiz

Nature of Inquiry and Research

• Learners should be able to share research experiences and knowledge.
• Explain the significance of research in daily life.
• Describe characteristics, processes, and ethics of research.
• Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative research.
• Provide examples of research in areas of interest.

Research

• An organized investigation and study of materials and sources to create facts and reach new inferences.
• Develop appropriate solutions to improve quality of life.
• A universally systematic and objective search for reliable knowledge.
• A verified approach of thinking and employing legalized instruments and steps to obtain an adequate solution to a problem that is otherwise impossible to address using ordinary means.
• Helps society to answer WHAT and HOW questions.
• Should be a proper investigation reaching a valid conclusion to facilitate answers to questions like: How can research affect society? What is the impact of research on daily life?

Basic Research

• Primarily focuses on understanding the nature of a problem.
• Develops scientific theories to be more understandable for readers.
• It does not have direct application, but rather increases understanding.

Applied Research

• Aims to answer a specific question.
• Provides solutions and validation to be applicable in a real setting.

Characteristics, Processes, and Ethics of Research

• Empirical: Based on observations and experiments of theories.
• Systematic: Follows orderly and sequential procedures, based on valid principles.
• Controlled: In research, all variables except those tested/experimented are held constant.
• Employing Hypothesis: A search for facts, answers to questions, and solutions to problems.
• Analytical: Shows analytical procedures in gathering data (historical, descriptive).
• Objective: Unbiased and logical with findings based on real-life situations.
• Original Work: Requires a unique examination and generation of data needed to complete a study.

Processes Involved in Research

• Formulating Research Problem: What is the problem being studied?
• Review of Related Literature: What evidence is available?
• Formulating Hypothesis: How to find answers to questions being studied?
• Research Design: Location and population of the study.
• Collecting Data: Readiness to gather and locate necessary data.
• Analyzing Data: How data answers research questions.
• Interpreting and Reporting: Implications of the results.

Ethical Norms in Research

• Promoting knowledge, truth, and credibility.
• Fostering values essential to collaborative work.
• Holding individuals accountable for all research activities.
• Ensuring researchers are held accountable to the public.
• Public awareness is essential before conducting a study, helping a certain population in a given area.

Ethical Codes and Policies for Research

• Honesty: Maintaining truthful and accurate communication. Data should not be falsified.
• Objectivity: Avoiding biases in experimental designs, data analysis, interpretation and expert testimony.
• Integrity: Keeping promises and agreements. Avoiding careless errors and negligence.
• Openness: Sharing data, results, ideas, and tools to allow criticism and new ideas.
• Confidentiality: Protecting confidential communication.
• Responsible Publication: Avoiding duplication of publications.
• Responsible Mentoring: Helping to educate, mentor, and advise others.
• Respect for Colleagues: Treating all peers fairly to promote social good and avoid harm.
• Non-Discrimination: Avoiding discrimination against colleagues or students based on sex, race, ethnicity, etc.
• Legality: Adherence to relevant laws and institutional policies.
• Respect for Intellectual Property: Giving proper credit to all researchers.
• Human Subjects: Minimizing risks to human lives, dignity, and privacy.

Written Task #1

• Match characteristics of research from Column A to Column B.
• Write answers in Column C.

Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

• Quantitative: Positivist scientific method. Primarily concerned with numerical data and measurement.
• Qualitative: Naturalistic method of research about human difficulty that discovers it directly. Focused on experiences, understanding, and individual words.

Descriptive Research

• Describes a phenomenon being studied.
• Addresses the WHAT question.
• Uses descriptive statistics to analyze data.
• Typically considers one variable at a time.
• Entry level in research.

Correlational Research

• Determines relationships among variables.
• Data gathered from multiple variables using correlational statistical techniques.
• Investigates relationship between variables.
• Aims for relationships and correlations.

Experimental Research

• Researchers manipulate independent variables to observe their impact on dependent variables.
• Includes true experiments (random assignments) and quasi-experiments (predetermined groups).

Historical Research

• Employed by researchers interested in reporting past events and/or conditions.
• Establishing facts to arrive at conclusions about past events or predict future ones.

Market Research

• Organized effort to gather information about target markets or customers.
• Identifying and analyzing customer satisfaction, market needs, market size, competition using statistical and analytical methods.
• Includes social and opinion research.

Feasibility Research

• Analyzes the ability to complete a project considering legal, economic, technical, scheduling, marketing, and environmental factors.
• Explores positive and negative project outcomes before significant investment.

Phenomenological Method

• Investigates people's subjective experiences of a particular phenomenon.
• Involves collecting data (interviews, observations) to understand the phenomenon's essence.
• Focuses on individual experiences rather than objective analysis.

Ethnographic Study

• Used to study cultural practices, behaviors, and beliefs of a particular group.
• Immersing oneself in the culture through participation observation, interviews, and data collection.
• Aims to understand the culture from the inside.

Case Study Research

• Investigates a particular phenomenon or a case in depth.
• Involves collecting data from a single case or a small number of cases.
• Analyzes the data to gain an understanding of specific elements and unique aspects of the case.