PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

An Introduction to Research
OBJECTIVES
• Share research experiences and knowledge.
• Explain the importance of research in daily life.
• Describe characteristics, processes, and ethics
of research.
• Differentiate quantitate from qualitative
research.
• Provide examples of research across different
disciplines.
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Research is…
- the systematic collection and evaluation of
information about a particular subject.
- The manner of answering questions and
generating new knowledge.
IMPORTANCE OF
RESEARCH
Research is characterized as….
• EMPIRICAL – research is based on direct experience
or observation by the researcher.
• LOGICAL – research is based on valid procedures
and principles.
• CYCLICAL – research starts with a problem and ends
with a problem.
• ANALYTICAL – research utilizes proven analytical
procedures in gathering data, whether historical,
descriptive, experimental, and case
Research is characterized as….
• CRITICAL – research exhibits careful and precise
judgment.
• METHODICAL – research is conducted in a
methodical manner without bias using systematic
method and procedures.
• REPLIBICALITY – research design and procedures are
repeated to enable the researchers to arrive at valid
and conclusive results.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE RESEARCHER
Researchers should possess….
• INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY
• PRUDENCE
• HEALTHY CRITICISM
• INTELLECTUAL HONESTY
• INTELLECTUAL CREATIVITY
THE RESEARCH PROCESS
The research process ….
- refers to the series of steps which make up
research from the development of an
idea to the completed research paper.
- is a multi-purpose step process where the
steps are interlinked with the other steps in
the process.
 Ask Questions

Do Background Research

Construct Hypothesis Think! Try Again!

Test with an Experiment

Analyze Results
Draw Conclusions

Hypothesis is False or Partially

Hypothesis is True
True

Report Results
 INITIATE

LOCATE
ASSESS

SELECT
PRESENT

ORGANIZE
The research process includes…
Conceptual Stage
Designing and Planning Stage
Empirical
Oral Defense
Dissemination Phase
ETHICS IN RESEARCH
WRITING
Ethics….
- norms for conduct that distinguish between
acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
- disciplines that study standards of conduct,
such as philosophy, theology, law,
psychology, or sociology.
- a method, procedure, or perspective for
deciding how to act, and for analyzing
complex problems and issues.
REMEMBER…
“People recognize some common ethical
norms but interpret, apply, and balance them in
different ways in light of their own values and
life experiences.”
- Norms promote the aims of research such as
knowledge, truth, and avoidance of error.
- Ethical standards promote the values that are essential
to collaborative work such as trust, accountability,
mutual respect, and fairness.
- Many of the ethical norms help to ensure that
researchers can be held accountable to the public.
- Ethical norms in research also help to build public
support for research.
- Many of the norms of research promote a variety of
other important moral and social values.
- Honesty - Respect for Colleagues
- Objectivity - Social Responsibility
- Integrity - Non-discrimination
- Carefulness - Competence
- Openness - Legality
- Respect for Intellectual - Animal Care
Property - Human Subject Protection
- Confidentiality
- Responsible Publication
- Responsible Mentoring
- Honesty - Respect for Colleagues
- Objectivity - Social Responsibility
- Integrity - Non-discrimination
- Carefulness - Competence
- Openness - Legality
- Respect for Intellectual - Animal Care
Property - Human Subject Protection
- Confidentiality
- Responsible Publication
- Responsible Mentoring
 QUANTITATIVE VS
QUALITATIVE TYPE OF
RESEARCH
Quantitative Research
• This is more often associated with hard data.
• This is used to quantify – that is to put numerical equivalents to findings.
• This generates mathematical data which are transformed into usable
statistics.
• It quantifies altitudes, opinions, behaviors and other defined variables and
other defined variables and generalizes results from a large sample of
populations.
Qualitative Research
• It is based on an approach which sees the individual and the world around him/her
as interconnected.
• It sees social reality as unique and therefore, human behavior can only be
understood by focusing on the events based on their meanings for the people
involved.
• It has its roots in positivism which is considered as a traditional scientific method
involving hypothesis testing and objective data gathering. . (Walker, 2010)
• It is generally associated with research in the natural science.
• Qualitative research aims to understand and interpret
interactions.
• Quantitative research helps to test hypotheses, looks at cause
and effects, and make predictions.

• Subjects for qualitative research are larger and randomly

selected.

• Subjects for quantitative research are larger and randomly

selected.
• Qualitative research is studied as a whole, and does not focus on
specific variables.

• Numbers or statistical figures are the type of data collected in

qualitative research.

• Numbers or statistical figures are the type of data collected in

quantitative research.
• In quantitative research, specific variables are studied.
• Objectivity is critical in qualitative research.
• Quantitative data are based on precise measurements using
structured and validated data-collected instruments.

• Qualitative data include open-ended responses, interviews,

participant observation, field notes, and reflections.
• Subjectivity is expected in qualitative research.
 • In qualitative type of research, researcher and their biases may
be known to the participants in the study, and participant
characteristics may be known to the researcher.
• In quantitative type of research, researcher and their biases are
not known to the participants in the study, and participant
characteristics are deliberately hidden from the researcher.

• In quantitative research, general findings can be applied to other

population.
• In qualitative research, general findings can be applied to other
population.
 • Quantitative research produces statistical reports with
correlations, comparisons of means, and statistical significance
of findings.

• Qualitative research produces narrative report with contextual

descriptions and direct quotations from research participants.

• Qualitative research views human behavior as regular and

predictable.

• Quantitative research describes, explains, and predicts.