Loreto, Isagani Socrates C.

ENGL4
H110

WHAT IS RESEARCH?

Research can be defined as the search for knowledge or as any systematic investigation, with an

open mind, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop

new theories. The primary purposes of basic research (as opposed to applied research) are

documentation, discovery, interpretation, or the research and development of methods and

systems for the advancement of human knowledge. Approaches to research depend on

epistemologies, which vary considerably both within and between humanities and sciences

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH?

In general, research objectives describe what we expect to achieve by a project. Research objectives are

usually expressed in lay terms and are directed as much to the client as to the researcher. Research

objectives may be linked with a hypothesis or used as a statement of purpose in a study that does not have

a hypothesis. Even if the nature of the research has not been clear to the layperson from the hypotheses,

s/he should be able to understand the research from the objectives.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PURE AND APPLIED RESEARCH

The difference between pure and applied research depends on the goal of the research. Pure

research, also known as basic research, has no specific goal, but it advances the knowledge and

contributes to the generation of new theories, principals and ways of thinking. Applied research,

on the other hand, aims to solve a specific and practical problem. Applied research is also based

on the findings of pure research

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

Descriptive research takes up the bulk of online surveying and is considered conclusive in nature

due to its quantitative nature. Unlike exploratory research, descriptive research is preplanned and

structured in design so the information collected can be statistically inferred on a population.

The main idea behind using this type of research is to better define an opinion, attitude, or

behaviour held by a group of people on a given subject. Consider your everyday multiple choice

question. Since there are predefined categories a respondent must choose from, it is considered

descriptive research. These questions will not give the unique insights on the issues like

exploratory research would. Instead, grouping the responses into predetermined choices will

provide statistically inferable data. This allows you to measure the significance of your results on

the overall population you are studying, as well as the changes of your respondents opinions,

attitudes, and behaviours over time.

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

Descriptive research does not fit neatly into the definition of either quantitative or qualitative

research methodologies, but instead it can utilize elements of both, often within the same study.

The term descriptive research refers to the type of research question, design, and data analysis

that will be applied to a given topic. Descriptive statistics tell what is, while inferential statistics

try to determine cause and effect.

CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

In general, a correlational study is a quantitative method of research in which you have 2 or more

quantitative variables from the same group of participants, & you are trying to determine if there

is a relationship (or covariation) between the 2 variables (that is, a similarity in pattern of scores

between the two variables, not a difference between their means). Theoretically, any 2

quantitative variables from the same group of participants can be correlated (for example,

midterm scores & final exam scores, or midterm scores and number of body piercings!) as long

as you have numerical scores on these variables from the same participants; however, it is

usually a waste of time to collect & analyze data when there is little reason to think these two

variables would be related to each other.

EXPLANATORY RESEARCH

Explanatory research is conducted in order to identify the extent and nature of cause-and-effect

relationships. Causal research can be conducted in order to assess impacts of specific changes on

existing norms, various processes etc. Causal studies focus on an analysis of a situation or a

specific problem to explain the patterns of relationships between variables. Experiments are the

most popular primary data collection methods in studies with causal research design.

QUALITATIVE RESEARH

Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an understanding of

underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It provides insights into the problem or helps to

develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research. Qualitative Research is also used

to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dive deeper into the problem. Qualitative data

collection methods vary using unstructured or semi-structured techniques. Some common

methods include focus groups (group discussions), individual interviews, and

participation/observations. The sample size is typically small, and respondents are selected to

fulfil a given quota.

QUANTITIVE RESEARCH

Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or

data that can be transformed into usable statistics. It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions,

behaviors, and other defined variables and generalize results from a larger sample population.

Quantitative Research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research.

Quantitative data collection methods are much more structured than Qualitative data collection

methods. Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys online

surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone

interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations.

The IMRaD format

IMRaD is an acronym for Introduction Method Results and Discussion.

The IMRaD format is a way of structuring a scientific article. It is often used in health care and

the natural sciences. Unlike theses in the social sciences, the IMRaD format does not include a

separate theory chapter.

Theses structured using the IMRaD format are usually short and concise. The language will be as

plain and as unambiguous as possible. There is no place in this type of writing for personal views

and fanciful language.