DL RS 299B

RESEARCH METHOLODOLOGY

Module 1. Meaning of Research

Pre-Test Answer

1. False

2. True

3. False

4. False

5. False

6. False

7. False

8. True

Exercise A.

1. B

2. D

3. F

4. A

5. C

6. J

7. G

8. F

9. I

10. H

Exercise B.

1. Deductive Method
2. Method of Science

3. Inductive Method

4. Aristotle

5. Francis Bacon

6. Scientific Method

7. John Dewey

8. Hypothesis

9. Deductive Method

10. Inductive Method

Post- Test

1. Empirical

2. Critical

3. Logical and Systematic

4. Replicability

5. Reduction

6. Universal

7. Deductive Method

8. Inductive Method

9. Charles Darwin

10. John Dewey

Module 2. Selecting Problem and Preparing a Research Proposal

Pre-Test

1. False

2. True

3. True
4. True

5. True

6. True

7. True

8. True

9.True

10. True

11. False

12. True

13. True

14. True

15. True

Check point:

a. What makes a problem researchable?

A problem is researchable when the following pointers are satisfied: (1) there is
no known answers or solution to it such that a gap in knowledge exists; (2) there are
possible solutions the effectiveness of which is known yet 3) there are answer or
solutions the possible result of which may be seen or may be factually contradicting 4)
there are several possible and plausible explanations for the undesirable conditions,
and when the existence of a phenomenon requires a solution.

b. What are the sources and characteristics of a good research problem?

Foremost, the research problem should be of great interest to the research. If

you have met this criterion you have already “won half of the battle.” If a researcher has
a great interest to the research he will be more motivated and determined to work on it
until its completion.
 Second, a problem should be relevant and useful to a specific group of people.
The knowledge that the result of one’s work will be of much use to a group of people
provides the researcher an input or drive with which to pursue the problem until
solutions to it are discovered or known.

Third, a good problem is novel. This means that the problem should possess the
element of newness or freshness. This implies that there is originality, avoiding doing a
study or topics which have been over studied and pursuing those which were not
subjected to any investigation, or if it were, were not thoroughly studied.

Fourth, a problem should be well-defined or specified. Unless the researcher has

all the time, money, and ability to cover all aspects of social problems, he is expected to
set the scope limits of his study.

Fifth, a problem should be measurable. If the variables involved in the problem

do not allow measurement, the researcher will have an impossible task of reporting the
results or findings, of this study.

Sixth, a problem is time-bound. This means to say that when the researcher
selects a problem he should have his projection as regards the time to complete the
research.

Seventh, a problem is good if the study of it will contribute to the refinement of

certain important concepts, creation, of improvement or research instruments as
analytical system, and will permit generalizations.

Finally, a problem is good and researchable on the basic of the researcher’s

capability to meet what is required: manpower, money, time and expertise.

c. Why define a research problem? How does one go about defining a research
problem?

It is not enough to simply have a good problem in research. What is more

important is to define the problem.
 The first step is for the researcher to see to it that the major concepts or terms
are clearly defined. The concepts must be such that they can be represented by indirect
activities which are feasible towards carrying out such an observation. The next step is
to limit the scope of the study in terms of issues or concerns, area/coverage,
subjects/respondents, period of time, and type of data-qualitative, quantitative or
combination of the two.

Researcher is advised to read literature, both foreign and local, on health and on
poverty groups, with a special focus on the specific concerns of his study. He should
also visit the knowledge about them, through observations and random interviews. He
may also get inputs from members of organizations which have projects for the poor.
Finally, it is advised for the researchers to be resourceful in looking for other mean and
ways that will help refine further and make more explicit his research problem.

d. In justifying a research problem, what considerations are to be remembered?

The next task to the researcher is to justify why he selected it over other probable
ones. Whether he will conduct the study to complete an academic requirement (such as
thesis or dissertation) or propose it for funding by private or government institution, it is
most likely that he will be asked not only to explain why he whose it, but also to
convince the approving committee about the knowledge, to the thrust of the funding
institution, and to the welfare and development of society in general.

e. What are the characteristics of good research objectives?

Good research objectives should not only flow from the identified research
problem but should also have the following characteristics:

1. They should be stated in simple language;

2. they use measurable concepts;

3. they are attainable;

4. they are result-oriented; and

5. they are time-bounded.

f. What are the major types of hypothesis? What is the difference between the two?

A hypothesis may be classified in either of these two major types- the null or the
alternative form. The null hypothesis is a denial of an existence, an attribute, a
relationship or a difference or an effect. As such, it is stated in a negative form of a
statement. In contrast, the alternative hypothesis states the opposite of what the null
hypothesis predicts. Tentatively, it affirms the existence of phenomenon, that this group
of people has such characteristics.

g. What are the characteristics and uses of good hypothesis?

For hypothesis to be considered sound or good, it must possess three major

characteristics. First, it should be reasonable in the offshoots or results of critical though
tentative judgment or explanation of phenomenon that have been formulated with valid
basis.

Second, it should be testable, in that with the use of statistical tools, it would be
known whether there is a relationship or difference between two or more variables, or
whether a variable has an influence or effect on another.

Third, it should conform to the findings of previous study.

h. Why is there a need to define the key terms of one’s research?

It is important to define the key terms of one’s research to give clarity to the
study. It facilitates understanding of the problem investigated for here the key concepts
are defined according to how they are used in particular study. The definition of terms
serves two essential functions. First, it establishes the rules and procedures the
investigator will use to measure variables. Second, it provides unambiguous meaning to
terms that otherwise can be interpreted different ways.

i. what are the major types of definitions? How does one differ from another?

There are two types of definition, the conceptual and the operational. The
researcher has the option to use either types or just the operational type. The
conceptual definition is universal in that it is the meaning understood by people. It is
abstract and most general in nature. On the other hand, operational definition is the
meaning of the concept or term as used in a particular study. Unlike the conceptual
definition, it is concrete in that it is subject to conceptual followed by the operational,
although as mentioned earlier, the researcher may decide to use only the latter type.

j. What are the major types of variables? What is the distinguishing feature of each?

k. In stating the significance or importance of the study, what aspects or contributions of

a study will be emphasized?