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Modules in
MORN01E – Methods of Research

SESSION TOPIC 1: Introduction to Methods of Research

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the session you will:
1. Define methods of research
2. Describe the purpose of research
3. Illustrate the characteristics of good research
4. Describe the difference between research and problem solving
5. Define the kinds and classifications of research
6. Define the Thesis
7.
KEY TERMS
Thesis Methods of research Good research Types of research
Research and Classifications of
Purpose of research Kinds of research
problem solving research

CORE CONTENT
I. Introduction
1. What is Research?
The word research is derived from the Middle French “recherché”, which means “to go about
seeking”, the term itself being derived from the Old French term “recherché” a compound word from “re-
“, again, + “cerchier”, or “searcher”, meaning “search”. Research is a systematic, rigorous investigation of
a situation and study of materials and sources in order to generate new knowledge and validate existing
knowledge (Thompson, 1996). The Western Sydney University online research (2020) defines research is
defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way
so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could include synthesis and
analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcome.
2. Purpose of the research
The purpose of research can be a complicated issue and varies across different scientific fields and
disciplines. At the most basic level, science can be split, loosely, into two types, 'pure research' and 'applied
research'.
a. Basic Research. Pure, basic, or fundamental research is research carried out to increase
understanding of fundamental principles or knowledge enhancement, this research is conducted for
the purpose of adding to knowledge and building a theory or model. It is not intended to yield
immediate commercial benefits; pure research can be thought of as arising out of curiosity. This
research is done for human, animal and plant-kingdom welfare.

b. Applied Research. It is a form of systematic inquiry involving the practical application of science.
It accesses and uses some part of the research communities’ (the academia’s) accumulated theories,
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knowledge, methods and techniques, for a specific, often state-, business-, or client-driven purpose.
Applied research is designed to solve practical problem of the modern world, rather than to acquire
knowledge for knowledge’s sake. The goal of applied research is to improve the human condition.
It focuses on analysis and solving social and real life problems.

Characteristics of Good Research

1. ORDERLY & SYSTEMATIC. A good research is orderly and is conducted in a systematic way. This is
the single most important criterion in a scientific research.
2. BASED ON PROFESSIONAL ISSUES. The fundamental purpose of any research is resolve any current
issues of a profession. Therefore a good research must be based on the current professional issues. A good
research must come up with solutions to professional concerns.
3. BEGIN WITH CLEARLY DEFINED PURPOSE. A good research is begun with a clearly stated
purpose. Only a clearly defined research with a clear purpose can be conducted in an effective manner.
4. EMPHASIZE TO DEVELOP, REFINE & EXPAND PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE. The main
aim of any research is to develop the body of knowledge of a profession or define the existing knowledge.
Therefore a good research is directed towards expansion of professional body of knowledge.
5. DIRECTED TOWARDS OF DEVELOPMENT OR TESTING OF THEORIES. Theory development
& testing is a systematic process of enquiry in any discipline. Only a good research aims and develops or
tests a theory.
6. PROBLEM SOLVING. The first and foremost importance of a good research is finding a solution to
existing problem. A good research is directed towards finding an answer or pertinent solution for the
emerging professional problems.
7. DEDICATED TO DEVELOP EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE. The purpose of a good research is to generate
empirical evidences, which can be used to improve the professional practices. Therefore a good research
strives to develop empirical evidences.
8. STRIVE TO COLLECT FIRST HAND INFORMATION / DATA. A good research is conducted by
collection of data directly from subjects by different methods (Questionnaire, Interviews, and Observation).
9. OBJECTIVE & LOGICAL IN PROCESS. A good and a successful research emphasizes on objective
& logical process. Research conducted through subjective means or in a haphazard manner will never lead
to satisfactory results.
10. GENERATE FINDINGS TO REFINE & IMPROVE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE. A research
cannot be considered successful if it fails to contribute towards professional practice. A good research
strives to refine the elements of a profession as per the need of time.
11. USE APPROPRIATE METHODOLOGY. A good research is conducted following the selection of an
appropriate methodology. Unsuitable methodology will result in wrong findings and contributes to a weak
research.
12. CONDUCTED ON A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE. Generalization of research findings is possible
if the study is conducted on a sample which has characteristics similar to the population of the study.
Therefore a good research is conducted on a representative sample.
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13. USES APPROPRIATE METHODS & TOOLS OF DATA COLLECTION. A good research employs
appropriate methods & tool for the conduct of the study. Methods & tools of data collection varies
depending on the nature & type of research.
14. USES VALID & RELIABLE DATA COLLECTION TOOL. Evidences generated from a research
activity can only be considered valuable if they are generated through valid & reliable research tools. A
good research utilizes a valid & a reliable tool to collect data from the subjects.
15. CAREFULLY RECORDED & REPORTED In the absence of careful recording & reporting, evidences
generated through a research may be covert in nature. A good research employs itself to generate quality
empirical evidences & the evidences thus gathered are duly reported.
16. ADEQUATELY ANALYSED & RESEARCHED. Any research activity is considered to be poor if it
fails to adequately analyses & researched. This activity is done using standardized & accepted methods of
data analysis.
17. PATIENTLY CARRIED OUT. Research cannot be carried out in a hurry. It needs a long time &
patience. Therefore a patient endurance is the most important foundation of a good research.
18. RESEARCHER’S EXPERTISE, INTEREST, MOTIVATION & COURAGE. A good research work
largely needs the researcher’s expertise, interest, motivation & courage of researchers. In the absence of
these attributes, accomplishment of a good research cannot be carried out.
19. ADEQUATELY COMMUNICATED. The new knowledge obtained from a good research remains
useless until and unless it is adequately communicated to it’s users or stakeholders. Therefore a good
research activity strives to communicate findings as widely as possible.

3. Difference between research and problem solving

Characteristics Problem Solving Research
Remove / reduce difference
Develop new knowledge for use
Purpose between current and desired
in a community.
situation.
Agreement or validation that the Acceptance of new knowledge
Goal State
situation is resolved. by peers.
Inconsistencies / incompleteness
Undesirable or uncomfortable
Starting Point of current community
situation requiring change
knowledge
Theory, model or answer to
Remedial action plan that can
End Product research question submitted for
often be generalized
peer review
Time Scale Days – weeks Months – years
Knowledge Base Situational expertise Discipline(s) expertise
Journals, newspaper, personal Archival literature, computer
Resources
networking modelling, data analysis theory
Identify a problem Discover a gap in
Engage/Motivate Knowledge
Define problem Literature
Common Implementation
Explore ideas Research questions
Steps
Plan Solution Develop method
Execute plan Perform study
Validate Peer review
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4. Classifications of Research
Research is classified according to form, purpose and method. The following are the types of
research:
1. According to Form
a. Scientific Research. It relies on the application of the scientific method, i.e., from observation,
data gathering, processing and experimentation. This research provides scientific information and
theories for the explanation of the nature and the properties of a phenomenon or the world.

b. Humanities Research. Research in the humanities generally involves interpreting a phenomenon,

text or a work of art within a historical, philosophical, aesthetic and cultural context, making
connection, exploring meaning, and uncovering contradictions. Research in the humanities are
more likely to draw a material from texts and artefact than from original data gathering and
experimentation. Scholar in the humanities typically use literally resources in at least three ways:

 to obtain primary sources to be interpreted or analysed;

 to find secondary sources to put primary sources in a critical context; and
 to seek answer to specific question that arise during.
2. According to Method or Design
1. Quantitative Research. It is the process of collecting and analyzing numerical data. It can be used
to find patterns and averages, make predictions, test causal relationships, and generalize results to
wider populations. Quantitative research is widely used in the natural and social sciences: biology,
chemistry, psychology, economics, sociology, marketing, etc.

Quantitative research question examples:

‒ What is the demographic makeup of Singapore in 2020?
‒ How has the average temperature changed globally over the last century?
‒ Does environmental pollution affect the prevalence of honey bees?
‒ Does working from home increase productivity for people with long commutes?

2. Qualitative Research. Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data
(e.g., text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. It can be used to gather
in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research. Qualitative research is the
opposite of quantitative research, which involves collecting and analyzing numerical data for
statistical analysis. Qualitative research is commonly used in the humanities and social sciences, in
subjects such as anthropology, sociology, education, health sciences, history, etc.
Qualitative research question examples:
‒ How does social media shape body image in teenagers?
‒ How do children and adults interpret healthy eating in the Philippines?
‒ What factors influence employee retention in a large organization?
‒ How is anxiety experienced around the world?
‒ How can teachers integrate social issues into science curriculums?

3. Mixed Method Research (Multimethodology). It is a procedure for collecting, analysing, and

“mixing” both qualitative and quantitative methods in a single study or a series of studies to
understand a research problem (Creswell and Plano, 2011). is a methodology for conducting
research that involves collecting, analyzing and integrating quantitative (e.g., experiments, surveys)
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and qualitative (e.g., focus groups, interviews) research. This approach to research is used when
this integration provides a better understanding of the research problem than either of each alone.
d. Action Research. It is a research initiated to address a social issue or solve an immediate problem
which focuses upon taking as a result of findings, set within a long-term progressive, cyclical or
reflective process. It consists of a continuous cycle of planning-acting-observing-reflecting. Action
research is a well-known process for guiding applied research.

5. How about the Thesis?

Thesis a formal and lengthy researcher paper, especially a work of original research, written in
partial fulfilment of the requirements for an undergraduate or a graduate degree. It may include a solution,
an approximate or partial solution, a scientific investigation, of the development of results leading to the
solution of the problem.
The thesis is intended to give the student an opportunity to demonstrate his/her ability to conduct
independent or collaborative research on a specific problem within his/her field of specialization. Any of
these researches must have the following:
1. It is a major paper concerning a research topic relevant to their field of study.
2. It must be an individual or group work which should bring out the student’s research and
professional competence within hi/her field of specialization.
3. It must be a discipline-oriented scholarly undertaking and not a purely theoretical piece of research.
4. It must be an original work. This means that it should not duplicate the content, form and conclusion
of any previously study.

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IN-TEXT ACTIVITY

1. Additional Powerpoint and Pdf presentation (lecture) included in the module.

SESSION SUMMARY
Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new
and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This definition of
research encompasses pure and strategic basic research, applied research and experimental development.
When you perform research, you are essentially trying to solve a mystery—you want to know how
something works or why something happened. In other words, you want to answer a question that you (and
other people) have about the world. This is one of the most basic reasons for performing research.
But the research process does not end when you have solved your mystery. Imagine what would happen
if a detective collected enough evidence to solve a criminal case, but she never shared her solution with the
authorities. Presenting what you have learned from research can be just as important as performing the
research. Research results can be presented in a variety of ways, but one of the most popular—and
effective—presentation forms is the research paper. A research paper presents an original thesis, or purpose
statement, about a topic and develops that thesis with information gathered from a variety of sources.
Briefly, good research is based on the scientific method, which involves observation of natural
phenomena, analysis to form a theory or hypothesis, testing that using identified variables, producing
(replica table by others) results and a conclusion explaining regarding the findings, as related to the initial
idea to be tested, including limitations of the methodology. Good research should be peer-reviewed
objectively and thoroughly; again: free of any taint of financial, ideological or political influence. Good
research should be disseminated in a clear, concise and non-melodramatic manner to the general public, so
the public can apply critical thinking to the implications of the research.
The key difference between research and problem solving is that while in problem-solving the
individual already has the necessary information to make the decision or come up with a solution,
in research the researcher needs to gather the information before he answers the research problem.
Most research can be divided into three different categories: exploratory, descriptive and causal. Each
serves a different end purpose and can only be used in certain ways. In the online survey world, mastery of
all three can lead to sounder insights and greater quality information.
A thesis or dissertation is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or
professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings. The thesis sentence is
the main assertion of an essay. Your thesis should tell your reader the main point or idea of your paper. A
good thesis will be clearly identifiable within the paper and will be narrow, purposeful, and specific.
A thesis statement must ALWAYS be a complete sentence.

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SELF ASSESSMENT
ACTIVITY # 1
Introduction to Methods of Research
Name: ________________ Score: ______________
Date: ________________
A. Critical Thinking
1. Define methods of research
2. Describe the purpose of research
3. Illustrate the characteristics of good research
4. Describe the difference between research and problem solving
5. Define the kinds and classifications of research
6. Define the Thesis

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REFERENCES

1. The Western Sydney University online research (2020)

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/research/researchers/preparing_a_grant_application/dest_defi
nition_of_research

2. A Good Research (Slide share)

by: Maheswari Jaikumar, Health Care Professional
https://www.slideshare.net/maheswarijaikumar/a-good-research-108088964

3. Difference Between Research and Problem Solving

by: Polytechnic University of the Philippines
https://www.slideshare.net/JommelMallorca/difference-between-research-and-problem-solving

4. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/qualitative-research/