REVIEWER FOR RESEARCH II

I. Nature of Inquiry a& Research

 Research and inquiry are closely related.
 Inquiry is the questioning aspect, whereas research is one of the ways to find the answer. Good research is
systematic, organized and rigorous approach to finding reliable answers to your questions.
 An inquiry is a question, a request for information (or further information), or even a process set in motion to
obtain a specific piece of information.
 A research is a process through which information is obtained, validated, compared to existing data, etc., with
the purpose of either ascertaining that a hypothesis is valid/invalid, gathering information for purposes of
increasing one’s knowledge about a subject.
 Research includes more complex acts of investigation than inquiry because RESEARCH follows a scientific
procedure of discovering truths or meanings about things in this world.

 AIMS OF RESEARCH:
1. VERIFICATION OF EXISTING KNOWLEDGE
2. ACQUISITION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE
3. APPLICATION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE
4. ADVANCEMENT OF RESEARCHER'S EXPERTISE.

II. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

 “Quantitative research is ‘Explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analysed using
mathematically based methods (in particular statistics)
 “Quantitative data is information about quantities; that is, information that can be measured and written
down with numbers.”

 Quantitative data defines whereas qualitative data describes.

 Units:
When we collect data in quantitative educational research, we have to collect them from someone or
something. The people or things (e.g. schools) we collect data on or from are known as units or cases.
 Variables:
The data that we are collecting from these units are known as variables. Variables are any characteristic
of the unit we are interested in and want to collect (e.g. gender, age, self-esteem).
 Quantitative research design is the standard experimental method of most scientific disciplines.
 The control group is defined as the group in an experiment or study that does not receive treatment by
the researchers and is then used as a benchmark to measure how the other tested subjects do.
 Descriptive Research - This type of research describes what exists and may help to uncover new facts and
meaning. The purpose of descriptive research is to observe, describe, document aspects of a situation as
it naturally occurs.
 Correlational research aims to systematically investigate and explain the nature of the relationship
between variables in the real world. Often the quantifiable data (i.e. data that we can quantify or count)
from descriptive studies are frequently analysed in this way.
 Experimental Research -often called true experimentation, uses the scientific method to establish the
cause- effect relationship among a group of variables that make up a study.
 Quasi-experimental research attempts to establish cause-effect relationships among the variables.
These types of design are very similar to true experiments, but with some key differences. It is not the
same as true experimental research because quasi-experimental research studies lack one or both of the
essential properties of randomisation and a control group.
 Characteristics of Quantitative Research

1. The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.

2. The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the population.
3. The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.
4. Researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective answers are sought.
 5. All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.
6. Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables, charts, figures, or other
non-textual forms.
7. Project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future results, or investigate
causal relationships.
8. Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software, to collect numerical data.
9. The overarching aim of a quantitative research study is to classify features, count them, and
construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed.

III. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH DESIGN

 Experimental Research Design- Allows us to determine cause and effect. There is manipulation of
variables.

IV. NON-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH DESIGN

 Non-Experimental Research Method -Describing the collected data about such subject and determining
their relationships or connections with one another. There is no manipulation of variables.
 Correlational Method - a study that assesses the extent to which two variables are related. Defines the
relationship in quantitative terms.
 Descriptive Research Method - Descriptive research methods are used when the researcher wants to
describe specific behavior as it occurs in the environment.
 Survey Research Method - The most used non-experimental research in the field of Sociology, Psychology,
and Humanities.
 survey is defined as a brief interview or discussion with individuals about a specific topic.
 Survey research method is often used to assess thoughts, opinions, and feelings. Survey research can be
specific and limited, or it can have more global, widespread goals.
V. VARIABLES
 Variable - is a measurable characteristic that varies. It may change from group to group, person to person or
within one person over time.
 Experimental Variable - Any property of person or thing that varies and is not fixed; factors affecting the result
of the study.
 Independent Variable - This is the factor manipulated by the researcher, and it produces one or more results,
known as dependent variables.
 Dependent Variable - The factor that is measured or observed; the change that is brought about or is affected
by the change in the independent variable.
 Controlled Variable - The factor that is kept constant all throughout the experiment. They are not measured
in a particular study. Must be held constant so they will not have biasing effect on the other variables.
 Intervening Variable - Are abstract processes that are not directly observable but that link the independent
and dependent variables.

VI. HYPOTHESIS
 Hypothesis - ‘Hypothesis is a tentative prediction or explanation of the relationship between two
variables.’ It implies that there is a systematic relationship between an independent & a dependent
variable.
 Without hypotheses, research would be like aimless wandering.

 Conceptual Clarity - Hypothesis should consist of clearly defined & understandable concepts. It should be
stated in specific terms, the meaning & implication of which cannot be doubted. To facilitate the
conceptual clarity, hypothesis can be stated in declarative statement, in present tense.
 Objectivity - Hypothesis must be objective, which facilitates objectivity in data collection & keeps the
research activity free from researcher value - judgment.
 Specificity -It should be specific, not general, & should explain the expected relations between variables.
For example, regular yoga reduces stress.
  SOURCES OF HYPOTHESIS:
1. Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks
2. Previous Research
3. Real-life experiences
4. Academic Literature
 Simple hypothesis - It is a statement which reflects the relationship between two variables.
 Complex hypothesis -It is a statement which reflects the relationship between more than two variables.
 Associative hypothesis: It reflects a relationship between variables that occurs or exists in natural settings
without manipulation.
 Causal hypothesis: It predicts the cause-and-effect relationship between two or more dependent &
independent variables in experimental or interventional setting, where independent variable is manipulated
by research to examine the effect on the dependent variable.
 Directional hypothesis: It specifies not only the existence, but also the expected direction of the relationship
between variables.
 Nondirectional Hypothesis: It reflects the relationship between two or more variables, but is does not specify
the anticipated direction & nature of relationship such as positive or negative.
 Null hypothesis (H0): It is also known as statistical hypothesis & is used for statistical testing & interpretation
of statistical outcomes. It states the non-existence of a relationship between the independent & dependent
variables.
 Research hypothesis (H1): It states the existence of relationship between two or
more variables.