Research Methods: Background, Gaps, and Frameworks PDF

**What is a background of the study?** It is the part of your paper where you inform the reader of the context of the study. **What key elements should be included in the background of a study?** The research problem, significance, context, and relevant literature. In writing the background of t...

**What is a background of the study?** It is the part of your paper where you inform the reader of the context of the study. **What key elements should be included in the background of a study?** The research problem, significance, context, and relevant literature. In writing the background of the study, you need to include, the existing literature, the current issues, legal basis, and present problem associated with the study. It includes or presents at least two legal bases. The general or broad objective of the researcher is stated. It also provides description and detailed explanation of the situation, supported by data and statistics. The background of the study informs the reader of the context of the research. The background of the study informs the reader of the context of the research. **What is research gap?** Research gap refers to an area of a topic that has not been researched or explored.  Research gaps can be in the form of other variables, conditions, or populations. **TYPES OF RESEARCH GAP** **CLASSIC LITERATURE GAP** This type of research gap emerges when there's a new concept or phenomenon that hasn't been studied much, or at all. **CONTEXTUAL GAPS** a contextual gap exists when there's already a decent body of existing research on a particular topic, but an absence of research in specific contexts. **A specific population** -- perhaps a certain age group, gender or ethnicity. **A geographic area** -- for example, a city, country or region. **A certain time period** -- perhaps the bulk of the studies took place many years or even decades ago and the landscape has changed. **DISAGREEMENT GAP** the disagreement gap emerges when there are contrasting or contradictory findings in the existing research regarding a specific research. **Theoretical Framework** A theoretical framework is commonly used for studies that anchor on time-tested theories that relate the findings of the investigation to the underpinning relevant theory of knowledge. Picture Word Web: Developing a Virtual Visual Vocabulary Game for ESL Learners Rocky James G. Sarasua, PhD READ Philippine Normal University The theoretical framework for this study comprises *Second Language Acquisition Theory, Multimedia Learning Theory, and Gamification in Education.* **Conceptual Framework** A conceptual framework refers to the actual ideas, beliefs, and tentative theories that specifically support the study. **Concept Map** A concept map is a visual representation of information that helps show the relationship between ideas. Concept maps begin with the main topic and then branch out into sub-topics, reflecting the connection of all the elements in the study. It can also provide and organize new ideas. It can take the form of charts, graphic organizers, tables, flowcharts, Venn Diagrams, timelines, or T-charts. **Dependent Variable** is the *"presumed effect"* of the research problem. It is usually the problem itself or the element that is being questioned. **Independent Variable** is the *"presumed cause"* of the research problem. It is the reason for any "change" or difference in a dependent variable. It can be purposely manipulated by the researcher, depending on the focus of the study. **The Input-Process-Output Model (IPO)** is a conceptual paradigm which indicates the inputs, required process, and the output. This approach is seated on the premise of acquiring essential information by converting inputs into outputs through the required processing steps in obtaining the result. **Input** is usually the independent variable of the study. **Process** is the intervention or solution consist of the instruments and analyses used to acquire the result. **Output** is the findings or outcome of the interventions being made to solve the identified problem. **A. Independent Variable - Dependent Variable Model (IV-DV)** **Definition of Terms** Definition of Terms is also called as ***Operational Definition of Variables (ODV).*** The word operational refers to *"how the word/term was used in the study".* The variables are the elements essential to the study. **Two ways in defining the terms** **The conceptual definition** is the meaning of the term that is based on how it is defined in the dictionary or encyclopedia. **Operational definition**, on the other hand, is the meaning of the term based on how it was used in the study. **Benefits of Having Definition of Terms** 1. It is a useful place to include technical terms in the topic of the research questions. 2. It can clarify the definition of term, especially if it has a different meaning. Define the term according to how it was used in the study. 3. It makes it easier to revisit or check the meaning of a term instead of trying to locate it through the paper. 4. Helps to ensure that the reader can understand the technical terminologies and jargons while reading the paper. 5. **Guidelines on How to Write the Definition of Terms** 1. Write a brief introductory statement. It must shortly describe the content of the definition of terms. 2. List/write the words/terms (which are technical) 3. The terms should be arranged alphabetically 4. Indention should be applied to each term. 5. The term should be followed with a period. 6. It can be underlined or not. 7. It can be bold and italic or not. 8. It does not have to be lengthy (direct to the point). 9. Acronym/initials should be defined clearly. Complete name should be written first, followed by the acronym/initials in open-close parenthesis, then the definition/meaning. 10. Do not overflow with technical terms (only those relevant and significant to the study). 11. Keep the definition brief and basic. You will elaborate on it more in the body of your paper. **VARIABLES** It simply refersto a person, place, thing, or phenomenon that you are trying to measure in some way. A Variable is anything that has a quantity or quality that varies A variable is either a result of some force or is itself the force that causes a change in another variable.  **EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES** These are other factors that may influence the outcome *(dependent variable)* which are not manipulated or pre-defined by the researcher In the example given a while back, the presence of pests and environmental stressors *(e.g. pets, extreme weather) are the extraneous variables* When the researcher fails to control the extraneous variable that it caused considerable effect to the outcome, the extraneous variable becomes a **Confounding Variable.** For example, if the tomato had been infested by pests *(confounding variable)* then you cannot conclude that manipulations in sunlight, water and soil nutrients *(independent variable)* are the only contributing factors for the stunted growth and poor yield *(dependent variable)* of the plant or is it the result of both the independent variables and the confounding variable.  **Quantitative variable** also called numerical variables are the type of variables used in quantitative research because they are numeric and can be measured - **Discrete variables** are countable whole numbers. It does not take negative values or values between fixed points. For example: number of students in a class, group size and frequency. - **Continuous variables** take fractional *(non-whole number)* values that can either be a positive or a negative. Example: height, temperature **Qualitative variables** also referred to as Categorical Variables are not expressed in numbers but are descriptions or categories. ***Dichotomous*** are consisting of only two distinct categories or values. For example, a response to a question either be a yes or no.