METHODS OF RESEARCH

ME 326
Meaning Of Research

• Research is defined as the scientific investigation of phenomena which includes

collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of facts that links an individual’s
speculation with reality.

• Research is the systematic study of trend or event which involves careful collection,
presentation, analysis and interpretation of quantitative data or facts that relates man’s
thinking with reality.

VALUES OF RESEARCH TO MAN

1. Research improves quality of life.

2. Research improves instruction and student’s achievements.

3. Research reduces the burden of work.

4. Research satisfies man’s needs.

5. Research improves the exportation of food products.

6. Research improves teacher’s competence.

7. Research responds to the country’s effort as economic recovery.

8. Research trains graduates to respond to the socioeconomic development of the

society and to compete globally.

9. Research makes the country great again.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD RESEARCHER

10 QUALITIES OF A GOOD RESEARCHER

1. R esearch-Oriented

2. E fficient

3. S cientific

4. E ffective

5. A ctive

SOURCE: Methods of Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics Computer Application by L. Paler-Calmorin
 6. R esourceful

7. C reative

8. H onest

9. E conomical

10. R eligious

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESEARCHER

1. Intellectual Curiosity

2. Prudence

3. Healthy Criticism

4. Honesty

5. Creativity

6. Inventiveness

7. Productivity

INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY

A Researcher undertakes deep thinking and inquiry of the things, problems, and
situations around him.

PRUDENCE

The researcher is careful to conduct his research study at the right time and at
the right place wisely, efficiently, and economically.

7M’s

• Manpower

• Money

• Materials

• Method

• Machinery

• Moment of time

SOURCE: Methods of Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics Computer Application by L. Paler-Calmorin
 • Marketing

HEALTHY CRITICISM

The researcher is always doubtful as to the truthfulness of the results. Normally,

the investigator always doubts the authenticity or validity of his findings even if the data
are gathered honestly.

HONESTY

An intelligent researcher is honest to collect or gather data or facts in order to

arrive at honest results.

CREATIVITY

A productive and resourceful investigator always creates new researches.

INVENTIVENESS

An intelligent investigator must be inventive and innovative in his research. Not

only should his research be the first kind of its kind, but the result should also be
patentable.

PRODUCTIVITY

An intelligent researcher must be productive and resourceful in conducting

research that has return on investment (ROI), by applying the invest-harvest principle.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

1. Empirical

Research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher. The

collection of data relies on practical experience without giving consideration to scientific
knowledge or theory.

2. Logical

Research is based on valid procedures and principles.

3. Cyclical

Research is a cyclical process because it starts with a problem and ends with a
problem.

4. Analytical

Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data, whether

historical, descriptive, experimental, and case study.

SOURCE: Methods of Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics Computer Application by L. Paler-Calmorin
  DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

- Is most common among the four research designs conducted by

graduate students.

 EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

- Is seldom applied by graduate students due to time consuming

 HISTORICAL RESEARCH

- Is least conducted by researchers.

 CASE STUDY

- Is commonly conducted by guidance counselors.

5. CRITICAL

Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.

6. METHODICAL

Research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using systematic

method and procedures.

7. REPLICABILITY

The research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to enable the
researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.

KINDS OF RESEARCH

3 KINDS OF RESEARCH:

1. Basic Research

2. Applied Research

3. Developmental Research

• BASIC RESEARCH

Basic research is also called fundamental research or pure research. It aims to discover
basic truths or principles. The result of basic research is theoretical knowledge.

Examples of basic research:

a. Hooke’s Law

SOURCE: Methods of Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics Computer Application by L. Paler-Calmorin
 b. Newton’s Law

c. Boyle’s Law

d. Archimedes’ principle

e. Charles’ Law

• APPLIED RESEARCH

Applied research is seeking new application of scientific knowledge of developing a new

system or procedure, a new device, and a new method in order to solve a problem. In this type
of research, the problem is identified and a new system or new method is applied in order to
solve the problem.

• DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH

Developmental research is decision-oriented research involving the application of

scientific methods in response to an immediate need to improve existing practices. If the
researcher finds practical applications of the theoretical knowledge and uses this to produce
useful products.

CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH

RESEARCH IS CLASSIFIED INTO:

1. Library Research

2. Field Research

3. Laboratory Research

• LIBRARY RESEARCH

Library research is ideal for descriptive research, the study of the present, and historical
research, the study of the past. Answers to specific questions or problems can be found in the
library because it carries primary and secondary sources of information relevant to any
research subject.

• FIELD RESEARCH

Field research is conducted in a natural environment. No changes are made in the

environment. Field research is applicable to both descriptive and experimental researches,
provided that the study is conducted in its usual surroundings.

SOURCE: Methods of Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics Computer Application by L. Paler-Calmorin
 Field and laboratory researches also make use of library research especially for the
review of related literature.

• LABORATORY RESEARCH

Laboratory research is conducted in artificial and controlled conditions by isolating or

separating the study in a specified thoroughly operationalized area. The Purposes are to:

a. test the hypothesis derived from theory;

b. control variance under research conditions; and

c. discover the relations between and dependent and independent variables.

THE VARIABLE

A variable is defined as a quantity susceptible or liable to fluctuation or change in value,

level, degree, scale, or magnitude under different conditions. These quantities represent
numerical values, groups, classes, kinds, or categories.

KINDS OF VARIABLES

Five kinds of Variables:

1. Independent Variable

2. Dependent Variable

3. Moderator Variable

4. Control Variable

5. Intervening Variable

• Independent Variable

Independent variable is the stimulus or cause variable chosen by the researcher to

determine the relationship of an observed phenomenon.

• Dependent Variable

Dependent variable is response variable or effect that is observed or measured to

determine the effect of the independent variable. It changes when the independent variable
varies.

SOURCE: Methods of Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics Computer Application by L. Paler-Calmorin
 • Moderator Variable

Moderator variable is a special kind of independent variable chosen by the researcher to

determine if it changes or modifies the relationship between the independent and dependent
variables.

• Control Variable

Control variable is a variable that is managed by the researcher in which the effects can
be neutralized by eliminating or removing the variable.

• Intervening Variable

Intervening variable hinders the independent and dependent variables, but the effects
can either strengthen or weaken the independent and dependent variables.

SOURCE: Methods of Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics Computer Application by L. Paler-Calmorin