Methods of Research

Lesson 1: Research a Way of Thinking

Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte
 Expectation Setting

• Expectation on the course/module

• Expectation on the facilitator
• Expectation on the class
From Phenomenon to Inquiry

Phenomenon

Answer Knowledge Curiosity

Inquiry
 The Conduct of Inquiry
• inquiry" means the systematic,
disciplined ordering of experience
that leads to the development of
knowledge.

• A cycle where each question leads

to exploration which will then lead
to more questions to investigate

• Inquiry involves planned method

and expected outcome
The Conduct of Inquiry

Asking

Reflecting Inquiry Investigating

Creating
 Stages of Inquiry

Asking Formulate
Significant Observe Answer: Theory
Question Building
 Scientific vs. Humanistic Scholarship

• Often associated with objectivity.

• Standardization and replications are
important.
• Assume that the world has observable
form, and they view their task as seeing the
world as it is.
• Believe that the world sits in wait of
discovery. “out there” activity.
• The goal of science is to observe and
explain the world as accurately as possible
• They rely on agreement among observers.
If all trained observers report the same
results, there is a confident that the object
has been accurately observed.
 Scientific vs. Humanistic Scholarship

• Often associated with subjectivity.

• Seek creative individuality.
• It aims to understand individual
subjective response.
• Interested in individual cases than
generalized theory.
• Stress the “in here” activity.
• Focus on discovering person.
• Seek alternative interpretations
• Especially well suited to problems
of art, personal experience and
values.
Scientific vs. Humanistic Scholarship
Research is a way of looking at reality…
 What is research?

• “to search for, to find out”

• “Re” (again) and “cercier” (to search)
[Latin]
• “Chercher” “seek” [French]
• “Looking for information about
something”
 What is research?

• Investigation or experimentation aimed to the discovery

of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light
of new facts or practical application of such new or
revised theories or laws (Babbie, 1998).
 What is research?

• A careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in

some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts
or principles (Grinnel, 1993)
 What is research?

• Structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific

methodology to solve problem and create new
knowledge that is generally applicable (Grinnel, 1993)
 What is research?

• A systematic, controlled, empirical and critical

investigation of propositions about the presumed
relationships about various phenomena (Kerlinger,
1986).
 What is research?

• A systematic investigation to find answer to a problem

(Burns, 1994).
 What is research?

• Is primarily committed to establishing systematic,

reliable, and valid knowledge about the social world
(Bulmer, 1977).
 Research in a nutshell

• Application of scientific method to

study a problem.
• A way to acquire dependable and
useful information.
• To discover answer to meaningful
questions through the application of
scientific procedures.
 Characteristics of Research

• Controlled • Empirical
• Rigorous • Valid and Verifiable
• Systematic • Critical
 Scholarly Research vs. Everyday Research

Everyday Research Scholarly Research

Intuitive Theory Based
Common Sense Structured
Casual Systematic
Spur of the Moment Planned
Selective (often) Objective
Magical Thinking Scientific Thinking
Flawed Thinking at Times Logical to the Extent Possible
Focus is Personal Decisions Focus is Knowledge About Reality
 Scholarly Research vs. Everyday Research

• Scholarly research is more systematic, more

careful and more concerned about correctness
and truthfulness (Berger, 2000).

Research
Data—Information—Knowledge
 Types of Research

• Application of the research study

• Objectives in undertaking the research
• Inquiry mode employed
Types of Research
 Types of Research

• According to application of the research study

• Pure Research-involves developing and testing theories
and hypothesis that are intellectually challenging to
the researcher but may or may not have practical
application at the present time or in the future.
 Types of Research

• Applied Research-involves the application or

proposition to solve a problem; It has a purpose of
acquiring knowledge for useful ends
 Types of Research

• According to objectives in undertaking the

research
• Descriptive Research-attempts to describe
systematically a situation, problem, phenomenon,
service or program
 Types of Research

• Correlational research-aims to discover or establish the

existence of a relationship /association/
interdependence between two or more aspects of a
situation.
 Types of Research

• Explanatory research-attempts to clarify and why and

how there is a relationship between to aspects of a
situation or phenomenon
 Types of Research

• Exploratory research-it is undertaken with the objective

either to explore an area where little is known or to
investigate the possibilities of undertaking a particular
research study.
• Feasibility study
• Pilot Study
 Types of Research
• According to inquiry mode
• Structured approach (Quantitative Research)-
everything that forms the research process (objectives,
design, sample, and questions) is predetermined
Quantitative research/studies
 Comes from the Latin “quantitas” meaning “how great”
“how much” “how many”
 Numbers, magnitude and measurement
 Types of Research
• Unstructured approach (Qualitative Research)- allows
flexibility in all aspects of the research process.

Qualitative research/studies
 Comes from the Latin “qualitas” meaning “of what kind”
 Evaluation, judgment and taste
 Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

• Quantitative Research—the interest is in generalizing to

more than just the individual; Concerned with the
recurrence of data that can be translated or reduced to
numbers; Focuses on counting.

• Qualitative Research—no intention of going beyond—just

deep into—the individual; Concerned with occurrence of
the communication event ; Focuses on the phenomenon
and the process involved.
 Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

Quantitative Qualitative
Counts, Measures Evaluates
Processes data collected Uses concepts to explicate
Statistical Theoretical
Describes, explains and predicts Interprets
Leads to hypothesis or theory Leads to an evaluation
Methodology can be attached Interpretation can be attacked
 Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

Quantitative
Accused of being too narrow,
basing their research on what
they can count, measure and
observe and neglecting other
matters.
Qualitative
Accused of being “reading into”
texts things that are no there
or having opinions or making
interpretations that seem odd,
excessive or even
idiosyncratic.
 When to use Quanti or Quali?

• Aim of the inquiry- exploration, confirmation or

quantification
• Use of the findings- policy formulation or process
understanding
 End!
Thank you
Lesson 1: Research a Way of Thinking
Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte
Mind Exercise
Lesson 1: Research a Way of Thinking
Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte
 Identify the research problem as to
Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

1. Socioeconomic characteristics of students of

Mataas na Kahoy Elementary School.
 Identify the research problem as to
Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

2. Impact of internet on students academic

performance
 Identify the research problem as to
Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

3. How to maternal and child health services affect

infant mortality?
 Identify the research problem as to
Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

4. Impact of incentives on teacher’s productivity

 Identify the research problem as to
Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

5. Why do some students transfer to other schools

while others do not?
 Identify the research problem as to
Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

6. Number of teachers and students in Sacred

Heart of Jesus Elementary School.
 Identify the research problem as to
Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

7. Students’ likes and dislikes on teaching methods

 Identify the research problem as to
Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

8. How does technology create

employment/unemployment?
 Identify the research problem as to
Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

9. Effectiveness of an immunization program in

controlling infectious disease.
 Identify the research problem as to
Descriptive, Correlation, Explanatory Research

10. Problems faced by newly hired teachers

 Workshop
Lesson1: Research a Way of Thinking
Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte
Identify 3 questions related to your own academic
field or professional area that could be answered by
undertaking each of the following:

1. Descriptive Research
2. Correlational Research
3. Explanatory Research

Consider how quanti or quali approaches to research

could be applied.