Understanding Research: Inquiry, Characteristics & Purpose

• Research is discovering/examining facts to prove claims accurate
• Research applies the scientific method of inquiry in natural and social sciences

Inquiry vs. Research

• Both involve investigation
• Inquiry is simple, raising questions about a topic
• Research is complicated, following a particular sequence

Cooperative Learning

• Both approaches involve cooperative learning and demand inferential, analytical, critical, creative, scientific, experimental or inductive thinking skills

Characteristics of Research

• Accuracy
• Objectivity
• Systematic approach
• Relevance
• Timeliness
• Clarity

Importance/Purpose of Research

• Promotes independent learning
• Cultivates scientific work
• Encourages critical thinking
• Establishes research foundations
• Enhances efficiency
• Improves reading and writing abilities

Classification of Research

• Based on application, purpose, and type of data

Pure Research

• Discovers truths
• For intellectual pleasure

Applied Research

• Applies to societal issues
• Finds ways to make positive changes

Descriptive Research

• Aims to define and give a verbal portrayal

Historical Research

• Studies and analyzes the past

Correlational Research

• Shows the relationship between two factors (variables)

Explanatory Research

• Elaborates reasons and ways such relationships or outcomes exist

Exploratory Research

• Studies a research topic not previously studied in depth

Action Research

• Studies ongoing practice
• Brings improvement in the system

Qualitative Data:

• Descriptive
• Relates to words and languages
• Subjective
• Open to interpretation

Quantitative Data:

• Countable
• Measurable
• Relate to numbers
• "Factual"
• Fixed and universal

Primary Data:

• New information collected directly

Secondary Data:

• Public/existing information collected by others

Approaches of Research

• Scientific/Positive (quantitative) expresses data through numbers
• Naturalistic (qualitative) understands how people behave in their surroundings
• Triangulation combines both approaches giving freedom to use multiple methods

Parts of a Research Paper: Chapter 1

• Problem and Its Background which includes the introduction, background of the study, conceptual framework, research paradigm, problem statement, null hypothesis, the study's significance, scope and delimitation and definition of terms

Research Title

• Summarizes the main ideas of the study
• Consists of 10-15 substantive words excluding "the", "on," etc.
• Captures the reader's interest

Introduction

• Introduces the topic
• Aims to interest the readers

Background of the Study

• Brief origin of the problem statement
• Sets forth history and background information

Types of Background of the Study

• Argumentative
• Empirical
• Original papers

Theoretical Framework

• Theories to guide the research
• Theories applied to interpret and understand data

Conceptual Framework

• Graphical representation of ideas and concepts

Research Paradigm

• Discusses the interplay of variables
• Includes the Input-Process-Output Model

Statement of the Problem

• Guides
• Provides focus on the topic's significant aspects
• The general problem statement indicates main research purpose

Research Questions

• States the specific issue
• Outlines the task

Hypothesis

• Prediction about the study's outcome

Significance of the Study

• Explains how the study adds to scholarly research
• How it helps to improve practice or policy

Scop and Delimitations

• Limitations identify potential weaknesses
• Delimitation narrows the scope

Review of Related Literature and Studies (RRL)

• Reviews summarize and paraphrase
• Includes only related, associated or connected items
• Includes books and journals as sources

RRL Types

• Traditional is methodically unclear and uncertain as a digital/systematic approach is methodical involving sequential acts

Research Design

• The blueprint for a research

Types of Research Design

• Case, ethnography, historical, phenomenology and ground theory studies

Population

• The larger group

Sample

• The Chosen group of respondents from population

Probability Sampling

• Selects respondents "by chance" using pure chance (simple), a pattern (systematic), dividing the population into groups (stratified) or clusters

Non-Probability Sampling

• Selects respondents "by purpose" meaning it could be susceptible to bias

Quota Sampling

• Chooses specific respondents according to population characteristics

Voluntary Sampling

• Respondents very willing to participate

Purposive Sampling

• Involves respondents with background knowledge or enthusiasm

Availability Sampling

• Involves respondents that are easy to find and willing

Snowball Sampling

• Involves respondents from alternative samples

Research Locale

• Introduces the research setting and its history, vision, mission and affiliations

Research Instruments

• Specific techniques in gathering and collecting data based on the research design

Types of Instruments

• Observation which can be direct or participant based

Interview

• Asks respondents questions
• May be structured/close-ended or unstructured/open-ended

Questionnaire

• Presented as a prepared set of opinionated or factual questions

Data Gathering Procedure

• Outlines how the data was gathered

Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data

• Includes a table number, title, graphical presentation, interpretation, and support from pertinent RLS to strengthen data analysis

Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation

• Outlines the summary of study and findings, conclusion, recommendations, references/bibliography and appendices

Summary of the Study

• Presents how Chapter 3 was utilized (design, methods, sampling, etc)

Summary of Findings

• Presents overall data interpretation in numerical form from Chapter 4

Conclusion

• Presents data interpretation in descriptive form from Chapter 4

Appendices

• Presents surveys, questionnaires and interview transcripts