Understanding Research Methods

Research Characteristics

• Research involves a systematic investigation to find answers to questions
• It involves gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data
• Research is a structured process, with defined steps and methods
• Research is focused and aims to solve a specific problem or address a specific question

Defining Research

• Research is not simply gathering information
• Rearranging facts or combining information from different sources does not equate to research
• Research requires critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information
• Research methods for information gathering, analyzing, and reporting are essential for meaningful conclusions

Selecting and Limiting a Research Topic

• Effective research requires a focused topic, avoiding broad or too narrow subjects
• Factors to consider for limiting/focusing: geographic region, cultural context, time frame, discipline, population group
• Examples include: renewable energy solutions in a city, social media's influence on Filipino culture, women's rights movements in the 1960s, climate change's impact on agriculture, mental health awareness campaigns for Grade 10 students.
• Combining these criteria can narrow a topic, making it more manageable
• Example combination: "The influence of traditional Japanese culture on business practices in the 20th century" or "psychological effects of social media use on teenagers in urban India"

Keywords for Research Topics

• Create a list of keywords to improve research effectiveness
• Include descriptive words from various sources, encompassing broad, narrower, and synonymous terms
• The keywords can be used to search in various academic databases, including Google Scholar or JSTOR
• Examples: "video games" related to "cognitive development" also includes "educational games" or "violent video games"

Flexibility and Modifications

• Research topics may need adjustment throughout the process
• Consider constraints like the assigned length of the research paper, project or similar
• Modifications are a normal part of the research process

Defining Research Question

• Every research topic has a primary question that it needs to answer
• A good research question should be clear, focused, feasible, and complex
• Examples: "How has climate change influenced renewable energy development?" or "What renewable energy technologies are most effective in mitigating the effects of climate change in coastal cities?"

Formulating a Thesis Statement

• Thesis statements summarize the core argument of research questions in one or two sentences
• A thesis statement must be answerable or provable given sufficient evidence.
• Example: "Social media significantly impacts teenagers' mental health by increasing cyberbullying, promoting unrealistic body image expectations, reducing face-to-face interactions, ultimately contributing to greater rates of anxiety and depression among adolescents."
• This may also be an answer to the question posed, or a way to state the purpose of the research process

Summary of How to Select and Limit a Research Topic

• Brainstorm ideas
• Identify general background information sources
• Focus on a specific topic
• Make a list of keywords
• Define the topic as a focused research question
• Formulate a thesis statement