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Republic of the Philippines

Northwest SamarState University
GRADUATE SCHOOL
CalbayogCity

Course Outline
in
RESEARCH METHODS

I. Subject Title: Research Methods Course Code:

Number of Units : 3
Time/Duration : 54 hrs
No. of Class Hrs. : 40 hrs
Library/Research Works : 14 hrs

II. Description
This is a study of basic research principles and methods, various types of research and
applications of research in the sciences. Emphasis is given to techniques of thesis writing, use
of library resources and reading of reports to aid the students to set up studies for research
papers.

III. Vision
A provider of relevant and quality education to a society where citizens are competent,
skilled, dignified, and community-oriented.

Mission
An academic institution providing technological, professional, research and extension
programs to form principled men and women of competencies and skills responsive to local and
global development needs.

IV. Course Objectives

General Objectives
This course is aimed at providing the master’s students with a background knowledge on
the basic research principles and methods, various types of research, and applications of
research in the sciences.

Specific Objectives
At the end of the course, the students are expected to:

1. internalize the vision of the Institute, mission, goals, and objectives of the Graduate
School.
2. identify the basic principles and methods in research, various types of research
designs, and applications of research to the different sciences.
3. conduct an evaluative review of an existing thesis/dissertation report.
4. formulate a research problem statement and create a framework for the given problem.
5. organize a literature review based on research questions.
6. design a valid and reliable data gathering instrument.
7. analyze research data using valid statistics and interpret the results.
8. write a research protocol.
9. observe the ethical standards in the conduct of research and the writing of research
report.

V. COURSE CONTENT

1. Preliminaries
Orientation and Information Dissemination
 University Mission and Vision Statements
 Graduate School Mission, Goals, and Objectives
 Other School Concerns
 Dissemination of Research Findings
Documentation Style
Parts/Format of a Research Report
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2. Introductory Topics in Research

What is Research?
The Research Process
Classification of Research
Sources of Research Problem
Characteristics of a good problem
Factors that influence the selection of a good problem
Identifying Variables
Writing the title of the investigation

3. The Research Problem and the Background of the Study

The Introduction
The Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
The Statement of the Problem
The Hypotheses of the Study
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations of the Study
Definition of Terms

4. Review of Literature
Functions of the Review of Literature
How to conduct the Review of Literature
 Conceptual Literature (Related Literature)
 Research Literature (Related Studies)
Sources of Related Literature
Library Resources
CD-ROM’s and the Internet

5. Research Designs
Quantitative Research Designs
Qualitative Research Designs
Mixed Method Designs

6. Sampling
Sample and Population
Sample Selection
Random Sampling Methods
Non-Random Sampling Methods

7. Tools of Research
What are data?
Measurements
 Concepts of measurements
 Levels of Measurements and Scaling
 Validity and Reliability
Research Data Sources
Data Collection Instruments
 Researcher-Completed Instruments
 Subject/Respondent-Completed Instruments
 Unobtrusive Measures
 Instrument validity and reliability

8. Data Analysis
 Statistical theory
 Parametric and Non-Parametric Statistics

9. Internal and External Validity of Research Findings

10. Legal, Ethical, and Human relations issues in research

VI. Methods/Strategies
Lecture/Discussion
Demonstration Method
Small Group Discussion
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Field Work
Seminar/Workshop
Project Method

VII. Instructional Support and Materials

LCD Projector
Powerpoint Slides
Worksheets/Research Exercises
Handouts in CD/E-books
Scientific Calculator
Statistical Software
Scientific Journals
Theses/Dissertation Manuscripts
Laptop

VIII. Course Requirements and Evaluation

Professionalism
Written Examinations
Submission of Assignments
Submission of a Workable Research Title
Preliminary Thesis Protocol/Concept Paper (following the prescribed format and
documentation)
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CAPSULE RESEARCH PROTOCOL/CONCEPT PAPER

Preliminaries:
Title Page (Title, Name & Semester)
Table of Contents

Introduction
Framework of the Study (Theoretical & Conceptual)
Statement of the Problem/Research Question
Review of Literature
Methodology
References

Appendices:
Instruments
Other Documents

NOTES:
 Use Arial 12, double-spaced
 Use short-bond paper (11.5” x 8”)
 Follow the parenthetical-reference format (APA Style) in the
documentation and references
 Produce a PROFESSIONAL OUTPUT
 Use short plastic sliding folder
----------------------------
Hard Copy (due on the Final Examination Schedule)
Soft Copy (send to: [email protected] with filename:
familyname_gradprogram e.g. montecalvo_MAED (no space)

IX. Grading Criteria

Late work will be accepted but will be penalized depending on the degree of lateness
and resulting quality, subject to the following schedule:

 3 days : 25%
 1 week : 50%
 2 weeks : 100%

Grades for this course will be assigned using the following criteria:
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Exercises (25%)
Term Tests (30%)
Preliminary Thesis Protocol (35%)
Attendance (10%)
TOTAL – 100%

X. Course References
Adanza, Estela G. (1995). Research Methods: Principles and Applications. Manila:
RexBookstore, Inc.

Anderson, David R.; Dennis V. Sweeney, and Thomas A. Williams. (1994). Statistics for
Business and Economics.Singapore: Information Access and Distribution Pte Ltd.

Bailey, Kenneth D. (1994). Methods of Social Research. New York: Macmillan, Inc. 10th Ed.

Bautista, Ma. Lourdes S. and Stella P. Go. Eds. (1985). Introduction to Qualitative Research
Methods. Manila: De la Salle University Press.

Best, John W. James V. Kahn. (1998). Research in Education. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Christensen, Larry B. (1988). Experimental Methodology. Boston, Massachussetts: Allyn

and Bacon, Inc. 4th Ed.

Fraenkel, Jack R. and Norman E. Wallen. (1994). How to Design and Evaluate Research in
Education. New York: McGraw-Hill Inc.

Kumar, Ranjit. (1996) Research Methodology- A Step-By-Step Guide for Beginners. Quezon
City: Busy Book Distributors.

MendenHall, William D., Robert J. Beaver and Barbara M. Beaver. (1999). Introduction to
Probability and Statistics.Washington: Duxbury Press. 10th Ed.

ONLINE TUTORIALS and OTHER RESOURCES

Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1669869726612337/

Research Methods in Psychology @

http://allpsych.com/researchmethods/

Research Methods WWW tutorial @

http://sociology.camden.rutgers.edu/main.htm

Research Methods Workshops @

http://www.wadsworth.com/psychology_d/templates/student_resources/workshops/resch_wr
k.html

Educational Research: Quant, Qual, and Mixed @

http://www.southalabama.edu/coe/bset/johnson/dr_johnson/2textbook.htm

Lecture Notes on Research Methods @http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/308/308lects.htm

Research Methods@http://www.csulb.edu/%7Emsaintg/ppa696/696menu.htm#PPA%20696

Cornell Tutorials in Research@http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/tutorial/tutorial.htm

Methods in Behavioral Research, 6th Ed @http://methods.fullerton.edu/

Online Statistics: An Interactive Multimedia Course of Study @

http://onlinestatbook.com/index.html

Statistical Good Practice Guidelines @http://www.rdg.ac.uk/ssc/publications/guides.html

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Methods in Evaluation and Social Research @http://gsociology.icaap.org/methods/

Basic Business Research Methods @

http://www.managementhelp.org/research/research.htm

Prepared by

ENRIQUE B. MONTECALVO, Ph.D.

Associate Professor 5

Professor’s Basic Information:

Name: ENRIQUE BARCENAS MONTECALVO

Educ’l Attainment: Ph.D. in Social Science Research Methods
Faculty Rank:Associate Professor 5
Designation: Dean, Graduate School (GS)
Office Address: CoEd, NwSSU, Rueda St. Ext., Calbayog City
Home Address: P-3, Dagum, Calbayog City
Office Telephone: (055) 2091-368
E-mail Address:[email protected]
(Please use this e-mail address whenever you will submit an exam, a course
requirement, or if you have some inquiries about the topics discussed in the class.)

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Details of Course Requirements

The quality of all your work is expected to be consistent with normal expectations
for a master’s student. All written work must be typed, preferably using a word processing
program (or a standard typewriter, in case the latter is not available). Clear and
appropriate writing skills are essential for the successful completion of this course.

PROFESSIONALISM. You are expected to attend every class session regularly and on-
time. Participate fully in class activities. Please inform me if you will miss a class or
assignment/requirement deadline.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION. The written examination will consist of items covering all
course materials, but emphasizing the application and interpretation of research findings
and analyses.

OUTPUTS IN THE WORKSHOPS/RESEARCH EXERCISES/PROBLEM SETS. Every

after each workshop or exercise, you will be asked to submit an output as evidence of
your participation. Each output will be given a corresponding point which will later be
summed up and given a grade equivalent.

CONCEPT PAPER/PRELIMINARY THESIS PROTOCOL. You will prepare a concept

paper/preliminary proposal for a thesis. It is likely that this concept paper/proposal
will need to be revised or expanded before it meets the expectations of your
supposed thesis adviser the time you are already working on your thesis writing.
Your concept paper/proposal should follow the basic structure as outlined in the class.

If you will decide to submit a thesis protocol, it must include a brief introduction of the
study which should be no more than two pages, statement of the problem, an
appropriate, but not necessarily complete, review of the relevant literature, and a
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description of the data collection and analysis methods or the structure of the proposal.
The proposal must also be written in a clear, active and appropriate language and meet
basic format guidelines, including citations, quotes, references, etc.

N. B.
You may make suggestions for adjustments or modifications of the assignments/activities
you feel will better help you. If you have questions or concerns about the course, please
feel free to contact me.

I try to treat students fairly and provide as much information as I can regarding grading
criteria, expectations and deadlines. However, I am also very strict regarding these
issues. Generally, I will do my best to meet you half-way if you are having problems
meeting deadlines or understanding the material. However, you must also meet me half-
way, by alerting me to potential problems early on and by sticking to any alternative plans
we make. Please feel free to come see me at the office anytime you feel you need extra
help or guidance. I’d like this class to be a positive experience for each of you!