Introduction to Methods of Research PDF

INTRODUCTION TO METHODS OF RESEARCH SUBJECT: METHODS OF RESEARCH PROFESSOR: ENGR.BRUCAL/DR.YEMA DATE: SEPTEMBER 23-28, 2024 Learning Objectives At the end of the lesson, the students must be able to: Demonstrate Academic Honesty Display a profound understanding of Research and Cod...

INTRODUCTION TO METHODS OF RESEARCH SUBJECT: METHODS OF RESEARCH PROFESSOR: ENGR.BRUCAL/DR.YEMA DATE: SEPTEMBER 23-28, 2024 Learning Objectives At the end of the lesson, the students must be able to: Demonstrate Academic Honesty Display a profound understanding of Research and Codes of Ethics Understand the sanctions for committing academic dishonesty, including plagiarism Differentiate different types of research What is RESEARCH? Research is an organized investigation and study of materials and sources to create facts and reach new inferences. Research has come up with developing appropriate solutions to improve the individual’s quality of life (Walker, 2010). What is RESEARCH? What is RESEARCH? Research means an objective and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. Examples of Research Assessing the Hydroponics Farming Method as an Alternative to Traditional Soil-Based Farming Method The Challenges in Manual Feeding of Sow Pigs An Arduino-Based Nutrient Dosing System for Hydroponics Farming Two Categories of Research Basic Research - is the type of research that is purely direct application but increasing the nature of understanding about the problem. It develops the scientific theories to be more understandable to the readers. Two Categories of Research Applied Research - is a type of research that needs an answer to a specific question. It provides solutions and validation to apply to the real setting. Characteristics of Research 1. Empirical – based on observations and experimentations of theories 2. Systematic – follows valid orderly and sequential procedures 3. Controlled – all variables, except those that are tested/experimented on, are kept constant. Characteristics of Research 4. Employs Hypothesis – refers to a search for facts, answers to questions, and solutions to problems. 5. Analytical – shows analytical procedure in gathering data 6. Objective – unbiased and logical Characteristics of Research 7. Original – it requires its own examination and produces the data needed to complete the study. Processes of Research (Prieto et al., 2017) 1. Define the Problem 2. Review of Related Literature 3. Formulating Hypothesis 4. Research Design 5. Data Gathering 6. Analyzing Data 7. Data Interpretation and Presentation Objectives of Research To achieve new insights into a phenomenon To know about the existing phenomenon To know the extent of cause or effect variables To establish a relationship between variables Variables in Research Independent Variable – presumed cause and the variable manipulated/studied Dependent Variable – assumed effect Motivation of Research Desiring a solution to the problem/hazard Desire to do a social/national/organizational service Inner satisfaction of a creative job Graduation Types of Research Descriptive Research – means describing the state-of- affairs – Mostly involves primary data – ex-post research Types of Research Analytical Research – means carrying out an analysis on a phenomenon – Mostly involves secondary data – ex-ante research Types of Research Basic Research - is the type of research that is purely direct application but increasing the nature of understanding about the problem. It develops the scientific theories to be more understandable to the readers. Types of Research Quantitative Research - Based on the measurement of quantity or amount Types of Research Qualitative Research - concerned with subjective attitude/ quality/attributes/desires/feelings/e tc. Types of Research Mixed Methods Research - a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to gather data Types of Research Conceptual Research - about abstract ideas or theory Empirical Research - data-based and subject to verification Approaches in Research Quantitative Approach 1. Inferential 2. Experimental 3. Simulation Approaches in Research Quantitative Approach 1. Inferential - uses data to make inferences about a larger population, often through surveys. Approaches in Research Quantitative Approach 2. Experimental - allows researchers to control variables and observe their effects. Approaches in Research Quantitative Approach 3. Simulation - creates artificial environments to study systems or processes under controlled conditions. Approaches in Research Qualitative Approach 1. Ethnographic 2. Narrative 3. Phenomenological 4. Case Study 5. Grounded Theory Approaches in Research Qualitative Approach 1. Ethnographic - provides context and cultural insights into the everyday lives of peoples. Approaches in Research Qualitative Approach 2. Narrative - explore and conceptualize human experience as it is represented in textual form Approaches in Research Qualitative Approach 3. Phenomenological - understand the universal experience through interviews with subjects and examining their views about their experience. Approaches in Research Qualitative Approach 4. Case Study - used to gain concrete, contextual, in-depth knowledge about a specific real-world subject. Approaches in Research Qualitative Approach 5. Grounded Theory - a systematic qualitative research method that collects empirical data first, and then creates a theory 'grounded' in the results. Sources of Problems in Research 1. Personal Experience 2. Pieces of Literature 3. Previous Research 4. Existing Theories 5. Social Issues Characteristics of a Good Problem What is HYPOTHESIS? What is a HYPOTHESIS? an idea or explanation that then tested through study and experimentation. Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis Clear and precise Stating the relationship between variables Simple Types of Hypothesis 1. Simple Hypothesis 2. Complex Hypothesis 3. Directional Hypothesis 4. Non-directional Hypothesis 5. Null Hypothesis 6. Associative Hypothesis Types of Hypothesis Simple Hypothesis - shows a relationship between one dependent variable and a single independent variable. Types of Hypothesis Complex Hypothesis - shows the relationship between two or more dependent variables and two or more independent variables. Types of Hypothesis Directional Hypothesis - shows how a researcher is intellectual and committed to a particular outcome. The relationship between the variables can also predict its nature. Types of Hypothesis Non-directional Hypothesis - used when there is no theory involved. It is a statement that a relationship exists between two variables, without predicting the exact nature (direction) of the relationship. Types of Hypothesis Null Hypothesis - provides a statement that is contrary to the hypothesis. It’s a negative statement, and there is no relationship between independent and dependent variables. The symbol is denoted by “HO”. Types of Hypothesis Associative Hypothesis - occurs when there is a change in one variable resulting in a change in the other variable. RESEARCH ETHICS Research Ethics Ethics are the rules of conduct in research Two perspectives: 1. How you behave 2. How you treat others Research Ethics Intellectual ownership and plagiarism Citation and acknowledgement Responsibility and accountability of the researcher Where do you stand? – epistemology Interpretation of data Plagiarism The University of Oxford defines plagiarism as follows: “Presenting work or ideas from another source as your own, with or without consent of the original author, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. All published and unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is covered under this definition, as is the use of material generated wholly or in part through use of artificial intelligence (save when use of AI for assessment has received prior authorisation e.g. as a reasonable adjustment for a student’s disability). Plagiarism can also include re-using your own work without citation. Under the regulations for examinations, intentional or reckless plagiarism is a disciplinary offence.” Plagiarism Types of Plagiarism Copying - using the same, or very similar, words to the original text (whether in a book, journal, website, or any other source) without either acknowledging the source or using quotation marks. This also applies to images, pictures and melodies. Types of Plagiarism Paraphrasing - changing a few words and phrases from the original but retaining too much of the original structure and expressions Types of Plagiarism Collusion - working with others but passing off the work as your own individual work Types of Plagiarism Duplication - submitting work for one module which had been prepared for another Citation and Acknowledgment To cite a source means to acknowledge the original authorship of any words or ideas taken from it. Citing requires two components: in-text citations and a list of full citations at the end of the paper. There are several styles used for citations, including APA, MLA, and the Chicago Manual of Style. Responsibility and Accountability of a Researcher You have responsibilities to others Honesty is essential in the substance of what you write. Accurate descriptions are required of your work Where do you stand? - Epistemology Make your theoretical perspective, or epistemology, clear at the outset In many subjects it will initially be a challenging task to become aware of and understand all the current and past theoretical underpinnings of relevant research. While doing qualitative research, reflect on the intertwined ethical, methodological, and epistemological Data analysis is an ethical issue Interpretation of Data Do not be too selective Do not reject or ignore evidence Ethics in relation to other people – themes that need to be considered Use of language Presenting yourself- honesty, deception, covert methods Choosing participants Freedom from coercion. Reward or not? Gaining informed consent Potential harm and gain – participant involvement Anonymity Confidentiality Dissemination Dealing with records and disposal Use of Language Be aware of: Ageism Cultural diversity Disability Gender Sexual orientation The words subject, participant, respondent, interviewee Use of Language Be aware of: Ageism Cultural diversity Disability Gender Sexual orientation The words subject, participant, respondent, interviewee Presenting yourself- honesty, deception, covert methods An ethically sound approach to research is based on the principle of honesty. Some kind of information that could be of benefit to society can only be gained by covert methods? If the argument is that of doing good without doing harm, remember that the prediction of the outcomes of the research are speculative. Choosing Participants In some cases, participants choose themselves Pressure, inadvertent or not might be exerted by enlisting friends or relatives When making observations in a public place, the subjects of your study are not in a position to choose whether they are observed or not Take care if the choice of participants is made by others Particular precautions need to be taken with vulnerable subjects e.g. young, old, infirm, disadvantaged etc. Gaining Informed Consent Clarity, brevity and frankness are key attributes There may be several layers of consent required There could be a conflict of interest between the management and those of the employees Make it made clear and agreed at all levels Getting consent from/for vulnerable people The right to terminate their participation at any time Participant Involvement Causing no harm and, if possible, producing some gain Prediction the potential of the research methods and their outcomes for causing harm or gain. The implications of involving people in your research are not always obvious What sort of precautions should be taken? Anonymity and Confidentiality Devise systems to ensure anonymity and confidentiality in the material accessible by other people. Do this by allocating numbers to cases. Dissemination There are standard procedures for making your work available to the public. Publishing the results in the form of conference or journal papers, a web site or other types of publication. Participants might request to be informed about the outcomes of the research. Dealing with Records and Disposal A suitable time and method for disposal should be decided. You might want to keep confidential data for longer than needed for your immediate project One basic policy is to ensure that all the data is anonymous and non-attributable When destroying data, make sure that it is disposed of in such a way as to be completely indecipherable HOW TO WRITE RESEARCH PROPOSAL? Research Proposal A proposal is a compact description of what your dissertation will be about and how you intend to carry out the work involved until its completion. Check that: the subject and suggested format conforms to the requirements of the course it is a feasible project in respect to scope and practicality you have identified some questions or issues that are worth investigating your suggested methods for information collection and analysis are appropriate the expected outcomes relate to the aims of the project Research Title A title should contain the keywords of the dissertation subject, i.e. the main subjects, concepts, or situations. Added to these are normally a few works that delineate the scope of the study. Aims or Objectives of the Research These provide a very succinct summary of the thrust of the research and provide an introduction to the rationale that follows They should be summarised in three or four bullet points Some useful indicative words you can use are – to explore, to test, to investigate, to explain, to compare, to predict If you find this difficult to write, then you have probably not thought sufficiently about what you are going to do Defining the Research Problem Concisely state the research problem/question/hypothesis Explain the main concepts How will these be investigated? Indicators Variables Possibly need to break down problem/questions into sub- problems/sub-questions to make them practical to investigate Research Methods How are you going to investigate these problems/questions? Data collection Do a literature search and critical analysis of sources Consult with experts Identify research population(s), situations, possible case studies Select samples – size of sample(s), location of sample(s), number of case studies Collect data, quantitative, qualitative or combination of both – questionnaires, interviews, study of documents, observations etc. Research Methods How are you going to investigate these problems/questions? Analysis Set up experiments or models and run them Analyse data – statistical tests, enumerating and classifying, data displays for data reduction and analysis Evaluate results of analysis – summarising and coming to conclusions Expected Outcomes Spell out what you hope will be achieved by doing all this work. Since the proposal is a type of contract to deliver certain results it is a mistake to `promise mountains and deliver molehills'. State why the research is important and where it contributes to knowledge Mention the necessary limitations to the research Timetable | Gantt Chart Prepare a chart task/time chart. Fill in how long and in which sequence the work will be done. References Adanza, E. G., Bermudo, P. J., & Rasonabe, M. B. (2009). Methods of Research: A Primer. Quezon City: Rex Printing Company, Inc. Garcia, A. M. (2005). Guide to Thesis Writing (Text and Workbook). Quezon City: Rex Printing Company, Inc. Lavina, C., Monabo, R., Hernandez, G., Hablanida, F., Lacorte, A., & Ebron, J. (2015). Outcomes-Based Practical Guide to Thesis and Capstone Project Writing in Computing. Manila: MindShapers Co., INC Sanchez, C. A. (2005). Methods and Techniques of Research Third Edition. Quezon City: Rex Printing Company, Inc. Thiel, D. V. (2014). Research Methods for Engineers. Cambridge University Press. Walliman, N. (2020). Your Research Project: Designing, Planning, and Getting Started. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.