Nature and Inquiry

of Research
 Research

Why is a course in research

methods part of this
program???

What are your gut feelings

about taking this class???
Are you
excited?
full of dread?
fearful
curious
angry
ready for this whole thing to
be over?!
Research Literate

Having the capacity for critical

thought

Possessing analytical skills

Having the skills to gain access

to relevant research and
evidence

Having critical understanding of

research processes
Research Literate

Being able to read and

critically appraise research
and other types of discipline

Having an awareness of
critical issues related to
research
What is Research???

RE-SEARCH

The word was derived from

old French word cerchier,
meaning to seek or search
What is Research???

The perfix re means again

and signifies replication of the
search

One seeks new knowledge or to

directly utilize knowledge
specific to life situations
 Other Definition

Webster (1971) research is

studious inquiry or examination or
experimentation aimed at the
discovery and interpretation of
facts, revision of accepted
theories or laws in the light of
new facts or practical applications
of such new or revised theories
or law
 Other Definition

Research is a systematic inquiry

that utilizes a formal method of
studying a problem with the goal of
ultimate of expanding an existing
body of knowledge ( Polit and
Beck)
 Other Definition

Research is further defined as

scientific study or investigation
conducted purposely to discover
facts and significance of a condition
or event with an end in view of
obtaining answers to problem
(Webster,1990)
 Other Definition

Kerlinger as cited by Tejero and

Catchillar (2004) defines a research
as a systematic, controlled,
empirical ,and critical investigation
of hypothetical proposition about
presumed relations among natural
phenomena
 Why get excited
about research?
The essence of How can?
all research
originates in Why is?
curiosity - a
desire to find What is the best
way to?
out how and
why things What
happen causes?

What are the

effects of?

I wonder...
 Importance of
Research in daily
life
Accounted for what Research has done
on Information Technology and the other
fields of Science, men now enjoy the
wonders of cellular phones and other
computer software.
 Importance of
Research in daily
life
Research is designed to solve existing
particular problems
 Importance of
Research in daily
life
Through research findings,
psychologists are able to explain
individuals behaviors, including how
people think and act in certain ways.
 Importance of
Research in daily
life
In business, market research helps
companies to make projections and
formulate appropriate strategies to
ensure survival.
 Importance of
Research in daily
life
Research has led to the introduction of
new medical treatments and cures that
have helped counter several diseases
 Importance of
Research in daily
life
Enhance the process of encouraging the
students to convert their research
experiences into a meaning- making
meta- cognitive exercises.
 Importance of
Research in daily
life
Enhance the process of encouraging the
students to convert their research
experiences into a meaning- making
meta- cognitive exercises.
 Sources of
Knowledge
C- ustom and traditions-weve
always done it that way
A- ssembled information (e.g.
quality improvement data
S- cientific research- the most
objective and the source of
knowledge
T- rial and error- if it works , well
use it
L- ogical reasoning (inductive &
deductive)
E- xpert authorities
 Characteristics of
a Research Study

Systematic-Research study
follows a series of stages that
start with the identification of a
problem
 Characteristics of
a Research Study

SCIENTIFIC- It is based upon

principles and methods of Science
Characteristics of
a Research Study

EMPIRICAL- It is based on
experiences or anchored upon
actual experiments
Characteristics of
a Research Study

FORMAL- It is formal for it is

designed with definite form and
format
 Characteristics of
a Research Study

CRITICAL- It is critical for its

tends to manifest careful, precise,
judgments, and analytical
evaluations which may prompt
other researchers to look into the
realm of related problems.
 Desired
characteristics of a
Researcher
As cited by Calmorin and Calmorin
(2000)
o Healthy Criticism

Does he understands or accept

sound suggestions and
constructive criticism?
 Desired
characteristics of a
Researcher
As cited by Calmorin and Calmorin
(2000)
Intellectual Honesty

Is he capable of gaining honest

reflection and fair judgment?
 Desired
characteristics of a
Researcher
As cited by Calmorin and Calmorin
(2000)
o Intellectual Curiosity
Does he posses an ardent desire
to find out what affects one success
or failure?
 Desired
characteristics of a
Researcher
As cited by Calmorin and Calmorin
(2000)
o Prudence
Is he prudent or patient in
pursuing the study on the basis
of available data?
 General
Classification of
Research
BASIC or PURE RESEARCH
It is done for the intellectual
pleasure of learning to search
for knowledge for its own sake
and eventually filter down the
result into real life situation.
 General
Classification of
Research
APPLIED RESEARCH
It is done for the intellectual
pleasure of learning to search
for knowledge for its own sake
and eventually filter down the
result into real life situation.
 General
Classification of
Research
Purposes of Applied Research
To solve a problem

To make a decision

To develop a new program,

product, and methods
To evaluate program and

methods.
 General
Classification of
Research
ACTION RESEARCH
The process involves the study
of certain problem and from
that experience, decisions,
actions and conclusion are
drawn.
Findings are limited to settings
actually studied.
 Classification
according to
Research Design
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
The types of quantitative
research are:
Descriptive
Correlational

Quasi-experimental

Experimental
 Classification
according to
Research Design
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Qualitative research is a
systematic, interactive and
subjective approach used to
describe life experiences and give
them meaning (Marshall &
Rossman, 2006; Munhall, 2001).
It is conducted to describe and
promote understanding of human
experience such as pain, caring
and comfort. It is an interpretative
methodological approach to
produce more of a subjective
science than quantitative research.
 Classification
according to
Research Design
TYPES OF QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH
Phenomenological research

Grounded theory

Ethnographic research

Historical case study

 Quantitative vs.
Qualitative

QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE
Objective data Subjective data
Explanation Explanation
Parts are equal to Whole is greater than the
the whole parts
One truth Multiple truths
Large sample sizes Small sample sizes
Subjects Participants/respondents
Results presented as Results presented as
statistics narrative data
Researcher separate Researcher part of the
from the study study
 Quantitative
Research Methods
 Quantitative
Research Activities
 Quantitative
Research Methods
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
METHODS
Descriptive research provides
accurate portrayal or account
of characteristics of particular
individuals, situations or
groups.
 Quantitative
Research Methods
CORRELATIONAL
Examines relationships
between two or more variables
and determines the type
(positive or negative) or degree
(strength) of relationship.
 Quantitative
Research Methods
QUASI EXPERIMENTAL
Identify causal relationships, to
determine the significance of
causal relationship, and to
clarify why certain events
happen, or a combination of
these.
 Quantitative
Research Methods
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
METHOD
The researcher structures the
situation so there will be a
sound basis for determining the
effect of the dependent
variable in relation to the
independent variable and how
much is due to chance. The
study subjects belong either to
the control group or the
experimental group.
Scientific Inquiry

Observable, verifiable data

collected to:
Describe

Explain

Predict events
 Scientific Method

Select/define a problem

Formulate research
question/hypothesis

Collect data

Analyze data

Report results
Scientific Method
2 Unique Characteristics:

Objectivity distance
research from personal
beliefs, values, attitudes
Why???

EmpiricalData
documenting objective
data through direct
observation = reality
 Scientific Method

Test:
Ideas

Hunches

Guesses

Doesnt that sound like

fun???