Definitions of Research

1. Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. Once can also define
research as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific
topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. We all possess the vital instinct
of inquisitiveness for, when the unknown confronts us, we wonder and our
inquisitiveness makes us probe and attain full and fuller understanding of the unknown;
2. Research is an intensive and purposeful search for knowledge and understanding of
social and physical phenomena. Research is a scientific activity undertaken to establish
something, a fact, a theory, a principle or an application;
3. Research in education is a discipline attempt to address questions or solve problems
through the collection and analysis of primary date for the purpose of description,
explanation, generalization and prediction. Research is fundamentally a problem-solving
activity which address a problem, tests a hypothesis or explains phenomena;
4. Research has been defined by various authors in different ways. It always begins with a
question or a problem. Its purpose is to find answers to questions thought the
application of systematic and scientific methods. Thus, research is the systematic
approach towards purposeful investigation. This needs formulating hypothesis,
collection of data on relevant variables, analyzing and interpreting the results and
reaching conclusion either in the form of a solution or a certain generalization;
5. Research is, thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for
its advancements. It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation,
comparison and experiment. In short, the research for knowledge through objective and
systematic method of finding solution to a problem in research. The system approach
concerning generalization and the formulation of a theory is also research.

Purposes of Research
Many do research for various purposes, however, the main purpose of research is to discover
answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures. The purpose of research
is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered so far. While there
are some researchers who so research to counter the challenge in solving the unsolved
problems, there are some researchers who have undertaken research on account of direction
of government, curiosity about a new thing to create social awareness, social thinking and
social awakening.,
We may think of research as falling into a number of following broad grouping:

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve a new insight into it.

To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual situation or a group

To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated
with something else

To test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables.

Types of Research
Descriptive vs. Analytical
Descriptive research includes surveys and fact findings enquiries of different kinds. The major
purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs, as it exists at present. In
social sciences and business research we quite often use the terms ex-post fact research for
descriptive research studies. The main characteristics of this method are that the research has
no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.
Most ex-post fact research is used for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to
measure such items as for example, frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar
data. Ex-post fact studies also include attempts by researchers to discover causes even when
they cannot control the variables. In analytical research, on the other hand, he researcher has
to use facts of information already available, and analyze these to make critical evaluation of
their material.

Applied or Fundamental Research

Research can be either be applied (action) research of fundamental (or basic or pure) research.
Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial business organization, whereas
fundamental research is mainly concerned with generations and with the formulation of a
theory Gathering Knowledges sake is termed pure of basic research.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Quantitative research is based in the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to
phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative research, on the other
hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving
quality of kind. For instance, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human
behavior, we quite often talk of Motivation Research, an important type of qualitative
research. This type of research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires, using in
depth interviews for purpose. Other techniques of such research are word association tests,
sentence, completion tests, story completion test an similar other projective techniques.

Conceptual vs. Empirical

Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) of theory. It is generally used by
philosophers and thinkers to develop a new concept to reinterpret existing ones on the other
hand, empirical research relies on experience of observatory alone, after without due regard
for the system and theory. It is date based research coming up with conclusions which are
capable of being verified by on observation or experimental type of research. Empirical
research is appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect other variables in
some way. Evidence gathered through experiments or empirical studies in today considered to
be most support possible for given hypothesis.

Experimental vs. Non-Experimental Research

Experimental research makes changes in independent variables and studies their effects on
dependent variables under controlled conditions. The variables which is supposed to be the
cause of change is known as the independent variables and the variable that varies as a
consequence of change is called the dependent variable in time. This type of research always

begins with some hypothesis which re research wants to test. Data gathered by this research
are used to establish cause and affect relationship between two variables. On the basis of these
date one can predict changes in the independent variable.
Non-experimental research is one which the research simply measures the present level of the
independent variable. For example, if researcher wants to list the hypothesis whether increased
autonomy of a job increases the level of satisfaction of workers. It is not essential to always
have a hypothesis. All exploratory researcher and descriptive researcher do not have any
hypothesis. Data generated by this type of research are not helpful in establishing the cause
and effect relationships between variables. They can be used only to describe certain
relationships without showing their functional interdependence.

CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
One which collects data about various variables of the sample at one point of a time in oeder to
uncover relationship between existing variables.

LONGITUDINAL STUDY
Panel study is one which collects data about the sample over a period of time so that possible
relationships among variables can be revealed by examining that changes that take place during
that time.

HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Is a critical evaluates and examinations of past events development and experiences. A
historical investigator, also like other investigators, collects data, evaluates the data for validity
and interprets the data.

Characteristics of Research
Objectivity: a good research is objective in the sense that it must answer the research
questions, this necessitates the formulation of a proper hypothesis, otherwise there may be
lack of congruence between the research questions and the hypothesis.
Control: a good research must be able to control all variables. This requires randomization at all
stages, e.g., in selecting the subjects, the sample size and the experimental treatments.
Generalizability: we should be able to almost the same result by suing an identical
methodology so that we can apply the result to similar situations.
Free form Personal Biases: a good research should be free from researchers personal biases
and must be based on objectivity and not subjectivity.
Systematic: a good research study must have various well planned steps, i,e., all steps must be
interrelated and one step should lead to another step.
Reproducible: a researcher should be able to get approximately the same results by using
identical methodology by conducting investigations on a population having characteristics
identical to the one in the earlier study.
Hence, the following points must be ensured:

Purpose clearly detailed

Research design thoroughly planned

Highly ethical standards applied

Limitations frankly revealed

A complete and proper analysis

Finding present unambiguously

Decision based conclusions.

Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
Cavite, Philippines
Website: www.cvsu.edu.ph
Email Address: cvsu@asia.com

Submitted by:

Gatdula, Reiner E.
Bs Architecture 4-1

Submitted to:

Rosette Anne De Guzman

Instructor

December 2015