Chapter III

Methodology
Outlines the entire research plan,
describing what will be done, how it will
be done, what data will be needed, what
data-gathering devices will be used, how
samples will be selected, and the
method of analyzing the data
Basic Content of Chapter 3
Research Design and Method
Sampling Design
Instrumentation
Data Gathering Procedure
Data Analysis Plan
Research Design
The arrangement of conditions for the
collection and analysis of data that is
relevant and will best address the
research purpose

Types of Research Design
Descriptive - provides an accurate
description of a situation or an
association between variables from
which one can make some statements
about a certain group or population.

e.g. purely descriptive, comparative and
correlational
Types of Research Design
Experimental - a problem-solving approach
that determines what will be the effect
when certain variables are controlled or
manipulated. It is a research wherein one
manipulates or controls one or more
variables.

Characteristics:
a. Manipulation b. Control
c. Randomization (assigning participants)



Variables
a characteristic or attribute of an
individual or organization that can be
measured or observed by the
researcher and that varies among
individuals or organizations studied
(i.e. weight, anxiety level, age, height..
Etc.)

Types of Variables
Independent - anything which is
controlled and manipulated and
applied on another thing (dependent
variable)

Dependent - anything exposed to or
upon which treatments or actions from
the independent variables are applied
Research Methods
Techniques researchers use to structure
a study and to gather and analyze
information relevant to a research
question.

Types of Research Methods
Quantitative - a research method where
the researcher decides what to study;
asks specific questions; collects
quantifiable data from the participants;
analyzes these numbers using statistics;
and conducts the inquiry in an unbiased,
objective manner.

Types of Research Methods
Qualitative - a research method where
the researcher relies on the views of the
participants; asks broad and general
questions; collects data consisting
largely of words (texts) from participants;
describes and analyzes these words for
themes; and conducts the inquiry in a
subjective, unbiased manner.

Sampling Design
Includes explanation of how the
researcher selected his sample.

Sampling - process of selecting
individuals who will participate in the
study.


Population and Sample
Population - a group of individuals who
have the same characteristics. (e.g. all
Nursing students)
Target population - a group of individuals
with some common defining
characteristics that the researcher can
identify and study
Sample - is a sub group of the target
population. Any group in which
information is obtained.
Sampling Design
Define the population.
Describe the size and characteristics of
the sample that will be drawn from the
population.
Explain the sampling techniques which
will be used and the rationale behind
each.
Describe the sampling procedure,
including the actual computation of the
sample.
Sampling Techniques
Probability Sampling - researcher
selects individuals from the population
who are representative of that
population.

Non-probability Sampling - where the
researcher selects individual because
they are available, convenient and
represent some characteristics the
investigator seeks to study.


Types of Probability Sampling
Simple Random - most popular and
most rigorous of all. It is when every
individual has an equal chance of
being selected from the population as
sample.
Systematic Sampling where the
researcher chooses every nth
individual until the researcher reaches
the desired sample size.
Types of Probability Sampling
Stratified Sampling - where the
researcher divides the population on
some specific characteristics (e.g.
gender) and then use simple random
sampling on each group.
Multistage Cluster Sampling - where
the researcher chooses a sample in
two or more stages because either the
researcher cannot easily identify the
population or the population is
extremely large.
Types of Non-Probability
Sampling
Convenience Sampling - the researcher
selects participants because they are
willing and available to be studied.
Result will likely be biased.
Snowball Sampling - the researcher
asks participant to identify others to
become members of the sample
(referral).
Types of Non-Probability
Sampling
Purposive sampling - where the
researcher sets criteria based in
selecting sample.
Instrumentation
Includes a detailed explanation and
step by step process the researcher
took and underwent to come up with a
valid and reliable instrument for
collecting data.

Data Gathering
Instruments
Questionnaire Free-answer, Multiple
Choice or Rating Scale
Set of questions for interview
Checklist
Anecdotal records
Cumulative records
Psychological Tests
Biophysiological records (results of
laboratory exams)

Instrumentation
Describe the instrument to be used, its
parts and how it will be validated.
Indicate whether its standardized or
researcher-made/non-standardized.
If the instrument is patterned after an
instrument designed by a researcher in
another study, the researcher must be
acknowledged and the modifications
made must be described.
Instrumentation
In case of experimental type of
research, the materials and equipment
to be used for the experiment should be
described.
If the tool is researcher-made, describe
how it was formulated.

Steps in Instrumentation
Identify variables from Statement of
the Problem
Brainstorm on questions to be asked
to answer minor problems in the
Statement of the Problem
Arrange questions
Decide on the type of instrument to be
used (e.g. whether questionnaire,
checklist, etc. )
Steps in Instrumentation
Subject Instrument for Content
(Psychologists) and Technical
Validation (English Expert)
Revise Instrument
Conduct Pre-test
Final Revision
Data-Gathering Procedure
Present the steps to be followed in data
collection.
Discuss the rationale for choosing the
method.

Data Gathering Procedures
Interview
Survey
Business Correspondence (letter)
Observation

Data Analysis Plan
Indicate the statistical treatments to be
used to answer each research question.
Tests of hypothesis must also be
specified.
Dummy tables may be included if
desired.

Criteria for Evaluating Chapter
3
The method of research should be
appropriate to the problem.
The sampling procedure should be
described clearly.
The sampling design should be
appropriate to the problem.
The data analyses plan should be
appropriate.


Criteria for Evaluating Chapter
3
The researchers should design an
instrument appropriate to the study.
The ethical considerations in conducting
the study should be explained.
The data gathering procedure should be
clearly explained.