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This document provides an introduction to research. It defines research as a systematic process of gathering and analyzing data to solve problems and expand knowledge. The document discusses the value of research in obtaining reliable information. It outlines various purposes of research, including discovering new facts, solving problems, and improving life. The document also classifies different types of research according to purpose, goal, level of investigation, and type of analysis. Research is categorized as basic/pure or applied depending on its goal.
This document provides an introduction to research. It defines research as a systematic process of gathering and analyzing data to solve problems and expand knowledge. The document discusses the value of research in obtaining reliable information. It outlines various purposes of research, including discovering new facts, solving problems, and improving life. The document also classifies different types of research according to purpose, goal, level of investigation, and type of analysis. Research is categorized as basic/pure or applied depending on its goal.
This document provides an introduction to research. It defines research as a systematic process of gathering and analyzing data to solve problems and expand knowledge. The document discusses the value of research in obtaining reliable information. It outlines various purposes of research, including discovering new facts, solving problems, and improving life. The document also classifies different types of research according to purpose, goal, level of investigation, and type of analysis. Research is categorized as basic/pure or applied depending on its goal.
Introduction to Research Research plays a vital role in the society. In this increasingly interconnected world, we cannot deny and outdo the role of research in the community most especially in the government, trade, industry, commerce and in the field of education where students are the focus. From ordinary telephone to your cellphone and to your Ipad and Iphones, these are just simple yet fascinating results of thorough research and advance technology. It is imperative therefore, that high school students like you should be taught how to conduct and make your very own research. Hence, this research manual is presented to you. This intends to guide the students make the study of the research methods and techniques as well as thesis writing easier, practical, understandable and comprehensive enough in the high school level. The purpose of research is not only to solve problems but also to serve man and make human life worthwhile and enjoyable. Hence, lets enjoy also studying research as a course. What is Research? There are many definitions that we can use in trying to know what research is. However, to provide a common frame of reference, Calderon and Gonzales (1993) defined research; as a purposive, systematic and scientific process of gathering, analyzing, classifying, organizing, presenting, and interpreting data for the solution of a problem, for prediction, for invention, for the discovery of truth, or for the expansion or verification of existing knowledge, all for the preservation and improvement of the quality of human life. Why research is of value How can students obtain the information they need? Many ways of obtaining information, of course exists. One can consult experts, review books and online articles, question and observe colleagues with relevant experience, 1 St. Pauls School of Ormoc Foundation, Inc. | Year IV Thesis Policies and Guidelines 2
examine ones past experience, or even rely in intuition. All these approaches suggest possible ways to proceed, but the answers they provide are not always trustworthy. Experts may be mistaken; source documents may contain no insights of value; colleagues may have no experience in the matter; and ones experience or intuition may be irrelevant or misunderstood. This is why knowledge of scientific research methodology can be of value. The scientific method provides us with another way of obtaining information information that is accurate and reliable as we can get (Fraenkel & Wallen, 2007). Purpose and Goal of Research The purpose of research is to serve man, and the goal of research is the good life (Good and Scates, p.9). For more specific purposes and goals of research, the following may be mentioned: 1. To discover new facts about known phenomena. (Alcohol is a known phenomena and research may turn it into a kind of fuel equal in quality to gasoline) 2. To find answers to problems which are only partially solved by existing methods and information. (Cancer is a serious disease which is only partially cured by present methods but due to intensive and continuous research, the disease may be eradicated later on) 3. Improve existing techniques and develop new instruments or products. (This goal envisages the invention of new gadgets and machines, food products and others used by man) 4. To discover previously unrecognized substances or elements. (Previously we had only 92 elements but due to research we now have more than 100) 5. Discover pathways of action of known substances and elements. (Due to research we come to know the dangers from the abusive use of unprescribed drugs and some poisonous substances) St. Pauls School of Ormoc Foundation, Inc. | Year IV Thesis Policies and Guidelines 3
6. To order related, valid generalizations into systematized science. Schlotfeldt. (Ibid.) (The result of this purpose of research is the science we are now studying in school) 7. To provide basis for decision-making in business, industry, education, government, and in other undertakings. One approach in decision-making is the research approach. (Gore and Dyson, p.65) 8. To satisfy the researchers curiosity. (Sanchez, p. 3) (Edison was curious about how a hen hatches her eggs and made a research on that and he invented the incubator) 9. To find answers to queries by means of scientific methods. One important question that may be asked which can be answered only by means of research is: In what setting is life expectancy higher, in the city or in the barrio? 10. To acquire a better and deeper understanding about one phenomenon that can be known and understood better by research is why women are generally smaller than men. 11. To expand or verify existing knowledge. This usually happens when researches are replicated. Newly discovered facts may be found to expand knowledge gained from a previous research or verified if the same facts are found. In relation to Purposes Nos. 2 and 3, the following may be added to list of purposes: 12. To improve educational practices for raising the quality of school products. Research surveys often result in the revision of curricula and instructional innovations to maximize the effectiveness of the learning process. 13. To promote health and prolong life. This purpose is very obviously demonstrated in pharmaceutical, nutritional, and medical research. 14. To provide man with more of his basic needs - more and better food, clothing, shelter, etc. The work of the international Rice Research Institute in Los Baos, Laguna is a good example of this purpose. 15. To make work, travel, and communication faster, easier, and more comfortable. Due to research airplanes are made to fly faster, land St. Pauls School of Ormoc Foundation, Inc. | Year IV Thesis Policies and Guidelines 4
vehicles to run faster, labor-saving machines have been invented and improved, radio and television bring news immediately to the remote areas, and more wonders of electricity are making life easier and better. Kinds and Classification of Research There are many kinds of research which are classified according to their distinctive features. Some of the classifications are as follows: 1. According to purpose. As cited by Treece & Treece (1977),Trow identifies three broadly different kinds of research, namely: predictive, directive, and illuminative. a. Predictive or prognostic research has the purpose of determining the future operation of the variables under investigation with the aim of controlling or redirecting such for the better. Predictive research proposed to give the result from one specific educational practice or pattern and seeks to establish a close statistical connection between characteristics of students and a prediction of educational outcome. b. Directive research determines what should be done based on the findings. This is to remedy an unsatisfactory condition if there is any. c. Illuminative research is concerned with the interaction of the components of the variable being investigated, as for example, interaction of the components of educational systems and aims to show the connections among, for example, student characteristics, organizational patterns and policies, and educational consequence. 2. According to goal. According to goal, research may be classified as basic or pure research and applied research. a. Basic or pure research is done for the development of theories or principles. It is conducted for the intellectual pleasure of learning. Much of this kind or research has been done in psychology and sociology (Manuel & Medel, 1976). b. Applied research is the application of the results of pure research. This is testing the efficacy of theories and principles. For instance, a St. Pauls School of Ormoc Foundation, Inc. | Year IV Thesis Policies and Guidelines 5
principle says that incentive reinforces learning. To determine if this is true, one conducts an experiment in which there are two classes. In one class, he uses an incentive but in the other class there is no incentive at all. All other things are kept equal. At the end of the experimental period, he gives the same test to the two classes. If the scores of the pupils in the class with incentive are significantly higher than those in the class without incentive, then the principle is true. 3. According to the levels of investigations French categorizes research according to the levels of investigation into exploratory, descriptive and experimental research (Treece & Treece, 1977). a. In exploratory research, the researcher studies the variables pertinent to a specific situation. b. In descriptive research, the researcher studies the relationships of the variables. c. In experimental research, the experimenter studies the effects of the variables on each other. 4. According to the type of analysis. According to the type of analysis, Weiss classifies research into analytic research and holistic research (Treece & Treece, 1977). a. In the analytic approach, the researcher attempts to identify and isolate the components of the research situation. b. The holistic approach begins with the total situation, focusing attention on the system first and then on its internal relationships. 5. According to scope. According to Good (1963), this type of research is done on a very limited scope to solve a particular problem which is not so big. It is almose problem-solving. 6. According to choice of answers to problems. Ackoff divides research that is concerned with finding answers to problems into evaluation and developmental research. St. Pauls School of Ormoc Foundation, Inc. | Year IV Thesis Policies and Guidelines 6
a. In evaluation research, all possible courses of action are specified and identified and the researcher tries to find the most advantageous. b. In developmental research, the focus is on finding or developing a more suitable instrument or process than has been available (Treece & Treece, J r. 1977). 7. According to statistial content. a. Quantitative or statistical research is one in which inferential statistics are utilized to determine the results of the study. Inferential statistics such as correlation, chi-square, analysis of variance, etc. are used to test the hypothesis. This type of research usually includes comparison studies, cause-and-effect relationships, etc. b. Non-quantiative research. This is research in which the use of quantity or statistics is practically nil. This is especially true in anthropological studies where description is usually used. Descriptive data are gathered rather than quantitative data. 8. According to time element. Best classifies research as historical, descriptive, and experimental. a. Historical research describes what was. b. Descriptive research describes what is. c. Experimental research describes what will be (Treece & Treece, 1977). Historical, descriptive, and experimental are the three major research methods. All other methods, kinds, and types of research whatever they are called fall under these three major methods. What is Year IV Thesis? A Year-IV Thesis is one of the group requirements that students need to finish in the senior year of high school. It provides opportunity for students to pursue original work in a field of their interest. It encourages and challenges students to develop more their interest with the application of the different skills St. Pauls School of Ormoc Foundation, Inc. | Year IV Thesis Policies and Guidelines 7
and knowledge they acquired from the different subjects in order to come up with a valid, reliable, comprehensive and useful study. It is a piece of written work that presents a particular argument, hypothesis, or creative idea using the tools of ones major discipline. It is a more substantial piece of work in terms of effort and length than a typical in-course research paper. What distinguishes a senior thesis from a research paper is the necessity for the student to go beyond what others have written and to think critically, incorporate his or her own ideas, and to reflect on the topic in his or her own way. It should be original in its conception and analysis. Thesis should be the result of serious research, original thinking, and a clear understanding of the issues surrounding a topic. Since in-depth, comprehensive studies are usually preferable to broad surveys, topics should be feasible in terms of the students competencies and the time available. Students are assigned to their respective adviser. As a group, they choose a question or topic to explore before carrying out a research plan. The Year-IV Thesis will be the culminating work of their studies which will represent the students ability to conduct research and write effectively. Purpose of Year IV Thesis As one of the requirements of fourth year high school students in their English subject, it basically aims to let them produce research outputs that can be useful in the educational aspect of St. Pauls School of Ormoc Foundation, Inc. Significantly, it will try to solve certain problems in school and for some community constraints. The studies to be conducted will help as basis for further studies of the next batch of students. These will also serve as a preparation for more extensive research as they go to undergraduate level. Suggested areas of Year IV Thesis The Year IV Thesis must be useful to school. It must not exist or have been proposed by previous Researchers. The proposed study may fall in any of the following categories, but not limited to: Math Problem Solving Skills St. Pauls School of Ormoc Foundation, Inc. | Year IV Thesis Policies and Guidelines 8
Strategies in Teaching Math Science Biology Chemistry Physics English Language Literature Computer Web development E-learning system Information Kiosks