Research: Nature, Kinds, and Classifications

Module 1: Nature, Kinds, Classifications, and Characteristics of Research

• Module 1 introduces the fundamental concepts of research, its various forms, classifications, and key characteristics.

Lesson 1: Nature, Kinds, and Classifications of Research

• Outlines the different kinds and classifications of research.
• Research methods are techniques used to conduct research, collect data, and analyze information.
• The text emphasizes using the right methods to convince others about the validity of conclusions and newly created knowledge.
• Research is a general term that involves finding out new knowledge in a systematic way, and uncovering interesting or new facts.
• Research advances the frontiers of knowledge and contributes to new discoveries.

Nature and Kinds of Research

• Classifications are based on different criteria.
• Common agreement exists on the basic essentials of research across different classifications.

According to Purpose:

• Predictive or Prognostic Research determines the future operation of variables for better control.
• Directive Research determines necessary actions based on findings for unsatisfactory conditions.
• Illuminative Research examines variable components and their interactions.

According to Goal:

• Basic or Pure Research develops theories and principles.
• Applied Research tests the effectiveness of theories and principles.

According to the Levels of Investigation:

• Exploratory Research studies variables relevant to a specific situation.
• Descriptive Research studies the relationships among variables.
• Experimental Research studies the effects of variables on each other.

According to the Type of Analysis:

• Analytic Approach identifies and isolates the research situation's components.
• Holistic Research focuses on the total situation first, then internal relationships.

According to Scope:

• Action Research solves specific problems on a limited scale.

According to Choice of Answers to Problems:

• Evaluation Research specifies and identifies all potential courses of action to find the most advantageous.
• Developmental Research focuses on finding or developing a more suitable instrument or process.

According to Statistical Content:

• Quantitative or Statistical Research utilizes inferential statistics to determine study results and test hypotheses.
• Non-Quantitative Research makes little use of quantity or statistics.

According to Time Element:

• Historical Research describes "What was."
• Descriptive Research describes "What is."
• Experimental Research describes "What will be."

Classifications of Methods of Research

• Classifications of research methods can vary, but there is common agreement on the basic essentials.
• The Descriptive Method involves fact-finding with proper interpretation of collection data in relation to study objectives and assumptions.
• This method requires the true meaning of data collected to be reported from the point of view of the objectives and the basic assumptions of the study or project under way.

Types of Descriptive Research:

• Research Survey analyzes, interprets, and reports the present status of a social institution, group, or area.
• Its main goal is to obtain categorized and interpreted data for guidance in the immediate future.
• Case-study Research fully analyzes and reports the status of an individual focusing on specific aspects of their personality.
• Job and Activity Analysis studies the details of human activity for improvement.
• The Historical Method interprets past trends of attitude, event, and fact using external and internal criticism.
• External criticism judges the circumstances of a document's origin.
• Internal criticism aims to determine meanings and interpret statements emerging from the textual analysis.
• The Experimental Method controls the observation of change and development in natural and social sciences.
• The Philosophical Type of Research points out the importance of reflective thinking, methods, techniques, and philosophical reasoning.
• The Prognostic Type predicts the future operation of investigated factors; used to intelligently control inevitable things.
• Sociological Types of Research study human group relationships with the goal of improving societal institutions.
• Seeks to define trends, developments and generalizations for human institutions.
• The Creative Type of Research employs reflective thinking in the situation of aesthetic values; uses implicit and stylistic approach in human experience.
• Action Research seeks transformative change through action and research and applies to social sciences.

Lesson 2: Characteristics of Research

• Expounds further the characteristics of good research.
• Research is a systematic process of gathering, analyzing, classifying, organizing, and interpreting data for solutions or new knowledge.

Characteristics of Research Methodology

• Systematic Process focuses on investigating and finding new facts, following a logical sequence.
• Valid and Verifiable conclusions should be logical, based on correct and fair information, and easily verifiable.
• Cyclical Nature begins with a question and concludes with new questions arising from the research.
• Critical study and analysis must involve precise judgement, and the procedures and methods used must be able to withstand critical scrutiny
• Generalization applies outcomes to a large population; generalizing the findings of a sample to the entire population.

Purposes of Research

• Preservation and improvement of life's quality.
• Satisfying man’s crave for understanding, improvement, and progress.

Characteristics of Good Research

• Systematic: follows an orderly, sequential procedure.
• Controlled: variables are kept constant except for those being tested.
• Empirical: procedures and data are commonly perceived by observers.
• Analytical: critical analysis of all data used.
• Objective, Unbiased, & Logical: findings and conclusions are based on data.
• Employs Hypothesis: guides the investigation process.
• Employs Quantitative or Statistical Methods: transforms data into numerical measures.
• Original Work: gathers data from primary sources.
• Done by an Expert: researcher uses data-gathering instruments and procedures.
• Accurate investigation, observation, and description: leads to generalizations.
• Patient and unhurried activity to Ensure accuracy.
• Effort-making capacity which is mandatory.
• Courage to undergoes hazards and discomforts.

Main differences between Research and Problem Solving

• Research might not have an immediate problem, but problem-solving is always for a problem to be solved.
• The scope of research is more extensive compared to problem-solving.
• Research does not necessarily need to be specifically defined when problem-solving has to be specifically defined and identified.
• Research is based on solving some problems, while problem-solving might not always involve research.
• Research is conducted to contribute to general knowledge; problem solving to solve an existing problem.
• Research is concerned with a broad problem, while problem-solving is mostly about a single problem at hand.

Module 2: Research Problems and Review of Related Literature

• Module outlines how you will learn to formulate and analyze problems by other researchers.

Lesson 1: Research Problems and Objectives

• Explores selecting and defining a susceptible research problem.

Purpose of Research

• The research purpose can be complex.
• Sciences are split into 'pure research' and 'applied research'.
• Both types follow same structures and protocols for testing hypotheses and experiments with differences in the purpose behind them.
• An example of the difference is within mathematics.
• Applied mathematics uses the equations to explain the real life phenomena, while pure mathematics is focused on describing and understanding the underlying abstract principles.
• The purpose is about testing theories, applying them to real situations, and being about more than just abstract.
• Applied scientific research finds the answer to a specific problem with rigorous applications of scientific tools.

Three Purposes of Research

• Exploratory, Descriptive and Explanatory.
• Exploratory aims to study problems with a clear definition and is not meant to provide conclusive evidence, also tackling new problems.
• Descriptive concentrates on existing issues, describes the behaviour of sample population, explain and validate its findings.
• Explanatory is called causal research, to understand the impact of the certain changes in procedures, including causal research with experiment.

Developing Research Problems and Objectives

• The term "problem" means anything thrown forward or the question for stated examination.
• A problem represents the information acquired by a researcher and solutions are sought for it.
• A problem exists if its situation is modified will bring the solution in a difficulty.
• It is a disturbing situation that needs a solution including an interrogative sentence or statement that exists between 2 variables.

Sources of Research Problems

• Sources include experiences, studies of literature, previous publications and surveys, theoretical statements, and consumer feedback.
• Day-to-day personal experiments of researcher can serve as good source to formulate problems.
• Problems can be found by critically study of books, research, opinions in articles, etc.
• A body of knowledge should be developed on sound foundations of the previous research.
• Existing theories to be used in developing researchable problems with the feedback of the results of aimed research feedback.

Elements of Research Problem

• Aim for investigation: answer "why?"
• Subject Matter: answer "What?"
• Place: answer "where?"
• Period/time: answers "when?"
• Population / Universe: answers "who?"

Research Objectives and Research Questions

• Research questions must be referred to by the researcher to be answered by proposed study and should be specific, achievable, measurable, relevant and time-bound (SMART).
• These determine questions, data collecting & analysis procedure, and design of proposed study.

Guidelines in Selection of Topics:

• Chosen by the researcher.
• The interest of the researcher.
• Within the researcher expertise.
• Financeable.
• Researchable and manageable.
• Data must be available and meets standards with objectivity.
• The hypothesis testable and acceptable.
• Completed in reasonable time but long in case of longitudinal research.
• Significan,t relevant to situation.
• Contribute National goals/Knowledge /Solve Problems well.
• It must not undermine morals and provide a return for the researcher - Monetary, Advancements etc.
• Consideration of hazards.
• To develop a topic, use:
  • Past experience
  • Theory.
  • Replication. "do better".

How to Brainstorm your Objectives

- State main research question
- Describe the ultimate goals of your study
- Break down goal into sub-categories
- Limit objectives to 3-5 overall
- Divide into general and specific by SMART acronym – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound

• Actions like use, understand are vague but to calculate, compare are strong
• Use easy to follow and understand language
• Don't pack specifics but know exactly what you're studying
• State them as outcomes than a process

Lesson 2: Review of Related Literature

• Discusses the sources and analysis on how to have a "solid" base

Introduction

• Research produces "new knowledge" to be made available
• Essential to know "current state" of chosen area as "waste" to spend months of free knowledge
• First steps - literature review", "trawl through" in order to "track-down", assess importance/controversy

Related Literature & Studies

• Composed of discussion of facts/principles; Classified
  • Local - printed in the Philippines
  • Foreign - printed in other countries Related Studies are studies/queries that link to proposed; classified
  • Local - conducted in the Philippines
  • Foreign - conducted in foreign land

Importance, Purpose & Functions

• Guides researcher for topics
• Understand for better research
• Ensures no duplication
• Locating source information
• Help with designer
• Guides comparison to others - contributing to knowledge

Characteristics related Literature & Studies

• Surveyed material recent
• Objective and unbiased
• Review be relevant
• Materials are originally true in facts
• Be enough to review

Sources of related Literature and studies examples:

• Facilities of Libraries
• Government Departments
• Graduates Theses
• Exibits of Museum and Galleries include printed and electronic information
• Experts advice and library guides

The Internet

• Biggest Source and variable from the world.
• Specialized search engines can filter to Technical papers from proven sources like "Google Scholar"

Literature

• Conceptual review - literature from books, data that links or is relevant
• Research literature - scientific papers from local and foreign, published and unpublished

For Good RRL

• The RRL must be current
  • Studies reviewed must be relevant to the study.
  • Find and review objectively and free from bias.

Framework

• Conceptual Framework- research activity guiding.
• Serves as "rudder" that will help aim the concept or intent
• Researcher understanding - linking to particular variables, it's a map

Things to consider before preparing:

 - Choose topic; specialize within fields
 - Do review from scientific reliable journals
 - Isolate variables - abstracts to find
 - If not in summary, find methodology then findings

Example

• Topic to youths on mobile phone usage & time spent reducing sleeping hours; with thesis statement - LED screens depletes melatonin .
• Has review of literature; can save energy by LED

Lesson 3: Literature Citation and Article Review

• Outlines formatting and referencing to APA formatting.

Introduction

• Use others work for projects and be a good user.
• Citing and reference to prevent copying.

What is Plagiarism?

• From "kidnap", taking somebody's work illegaly with no acknowledgment; serious consequences for illegal copying

What are Citations & References?

• Referencing is adding info to a project.
• Info or take place in own words called paraphrasing; creating in-text sentence
• Short in length, and placed in work's main body

References

• List on last page including information that was in-text in alphabetical form per author.

Example of referencing

• Author name at start of sentence, page number last.
• Parathentical citation (Author, publisher, year)

Important to include

• Its showing to readers is that it found value to other sources and proper thanks

Common ways too copy:

• From misquoting source - words should match and phrasing correct, if not its illegal
• Problems with paraphrasing - using own words, synonyms, and it isn't easy to swap

Information APA

• Association for individuals in phsycology

Why was APA create

• Was developed in 1929 to make standard for scientists, and has various formats.
• Always has last name, first intial
• Includes, using quote, paraphrasing etc