INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH RESEARCH PROBLEM

Characteristics of Researchable
RESEARCH Problems:
 “research” or “re-search” 1. When there is no known answer or
 Implies that a person has "to search solution to the problem such that gap in
again, to take another more careful knowledge exists
look, to find out more" 2. When there are possible solutions to it but
 A systematic, objective & the effectiveness of which is untested or
comprehensive investigation of unknown yet
certain phenomenon which involves 3. When there are answers or solutions BUT
ACCURATE gathering, recording, the possible results of which may seem or
critical analysis & interpretation of factually contradictory
ALL FACTS about the phenomenon 4. When there are several possible and
for theoretical or practical ends. plausible explanations for the undesirable
condition
Basic Stages in the Research Process 5. When the existence of the phenomenon
requires explanation
1. Problem Identification
2. Review of Related Literature Sources of Research Problem
3. Objective Formulation a. Personal Experience
4. Formulation of Hypotheses & b. Common Sense
Assumptions C. Theories
5. Theoretical / Conceptual Framework d. Past Researches
Construction e. Practical Problems
6. Research Design Selection f. Journals, Books, Theses & Dissertation
7. Data Collection DATE
8. Data Processing g. Technological Changes
9. Data Analysis & Interpretation h. Friends, Colleagues, Professors,
10. Report Writing Consultant
i. Conferences, Symposia, Dialogues,
The Researcher Factor Ordinary Meetings
 Objectivity
 Critical Mind Good Research Problem
 Openness  Should be of great interest to the
 Resourcefulness researcher
 Patience  Should be relevant & useful to a
specific group of people
 Logical Thinking
 Novel (Possess the element of
 Ethical
newness or freshness)
RESEARCH PROBLEM, OBJECTIVES  Should be well-defined or specified
& OTHER CONCEPTS  Should be measurable
 Time bound
  Does not cause ethical or moral
violations General Objective:
 It will contribute to the refinement of The general purpose of this study is to find
certain important concepts, creation out the knowledge, attitude & practice of
or improvement of research traditional & modern medicines in two
instruments and analytical systems & progressive provinces in Western Visayas,
will permit generalizations. namely, lloilo & Negros Occidental.
 Should be manageable
Specific Objectives: Specifically this study
Research Objectives aims to know the following:
 Refers to the statements or purpose 1. llonggo's & Negrenses' knowledge of the
for which the investigation to be traditional & modern medicines as indicated
CONDUCTED. by the approach or procedure and materials
 It stipulates the AIMS or GOALS or substances in treating
which are expected to be attained at ill persons;
the end of the research process. 2. Their attitude toward each type of
medicine, that is, whether they take each
Major Classification of Research type with favor or disfavor
Objectives
General Objective Good Research Objectives
 BROAD statement of purpose which (S-M-A-R-T)
uses abstract & non-measurable 1. They should be stated in simple language
concepts 2. They are measurable concepts
3. They are attainable
Example: 4. They are result-oriented
Research Title: Students' Attitudes Toward 5. They are time-bound
their Studies in Relation to their Academic
Achievement
How to State Research Objectives
General Objective:
The general aim of this study is to find out Declarative Form:
the relationship between the attitudes of  To find out the level of administrative
students toward their studies and their competence of school administrators
academic achievement. in the Province of Iloilo.

Question Form:
Specific Objective  What is the level of administrative
Statement or purpose which uses well- competence of school administrators
defined & measurable concepts, the in the Province of Iloilo?
formulation of which should be based on &
logically flow from the general Research Paradigm / Framework
objective
  Useful device in organizing existing to Educatio dge
data meaningfully in a specific area Political n,
of investigations Radio Religion,
Programs Etc.

3 Levels of Research Paradigm /

Framework Hypotheses
1. Theoretical - makes use of theories  An educated or intelligent guess
in explaining WHY a certain because its formulation involves
phenomenon exists and how the critical thinking & decision on the
various factors which brought about basis of well-though-of objectives.
the phenomenon are interrelated  Hypotheses SHOULD ALWAYS
2. Conceptual - same functions as the BE STATED in a DECLARATIVE
theoretical however it uses FORM.
CONSTRUCTS which are well-  Number of hypotheses depends on
defined concepts the NUMBER OR RESEARCH
3. Operational - concepts used are not OBJECTIVES which are
only well-defined as they are used in comparative & relational in nature
the study but are MEASURABLE as  Descriptive Objectives DO NOT
well require hypothesis.
Research Paradigm / Framework 2 Major Categories of Hypotheses
1. Null Hypothesis - statement of
Level Indepen
Interven Depend denial of a relationship, difference an
dent ing ent effect
Variable
Variable Variabl
e Example: There is no relationship between
Theoreti Communi Character Learnin the beliefs of mothers and their utilization of
cal cation istics g their traditional or modern medicines.

Concept Mass Age, Political 2. Alternative Hypothesis - very

ual Media Sex, Knowle opposite of what the null hypothesis
Exposure Civil dge predicts.
Status,  “affirmative statement"
Educatio predicting a single research outcome
n, Example: There is a relationship between
Religion, the beliefs of mothers and their utilization of
Etc. their traditional or modern medicines.

Operati Number Age, Score in Characteristics of Good Hypothesis

onal of Hours Sex, a test on 1. Should be REASONABLE
Spent in Civil political
Listening Status, knowle
2. Should be stated in such a way that it is  The following has been excluded
TESTABLE & found to be probably true or from this study...
probably false
3. Should CONFORM with known FACTS Definition of terms
& THEORIES
4. Should be stated in the SIMPLEST Types & Functions:
possible terms 1. Conceptual Definition - universal
meaning that is attributed to a word or group
Uses of Hypotheses of words & which is understood by MANY
1. They provide guide & directions to the PEOPLE
research  Abstract & most general in nature
2. They indicate the major independent &  Usual Source: Dictionary (Reference
dependent variables being considered Book)
3. They suggest the type of data that must be
collected 2. Operational Definition - meaning of the
4. They also suggest the type of analyses concept or terms AS USED IN A
that must be made PARTICULAR STUDY.
5. They indicate the type of statistical  It is stated in CONCRETE TERM
measures appropriate to various test to be in that it allows measurement
considered
Example:
Scope & Limitations Conceptual Definition:
Stress - a physical, chemical, or emotional
SCOPE of the study defines the coverage or factor that causes bodily or mental tension
boundary of the study in terms of the and may be a factor in disease causation
1. Area or locality (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
2. Population or sample
3. Duration or period Operational Definition:
4. Subjects, Issues or Concerns Stress - is the result of a ten-question
Which are explicitly stated in the specific assessment utilizing the Perceived Stress
objectives of the study Scale (PSS).
LIMITATIONS
Statements which ALERT the reader of the Variables
research report to certain conditions which  Refers to a characteristic that has two
are BEYOND the control of the researcher or more mutually exclusive values or
properties
Example:
Use the below prompts as an effective way
to start writing your 2 Major Types of Variables:
study limitations: 1. Independent Variable
 This study does not cover…
 This study in limited to…
  Object of manipulations or control by of the screening & approving
the researcher committee & the financial support of
 Considered an "predictors" or the the prospective funding institution
factors or dependent variables

2. Dependent Variable
 Influenced by the Independent
Variable
 Outcomes, Effects or Results which
are the focus of investigation

How long you sleep (independent

variable) affects your test score
(dependent variable).

Significance of the Study

 The researcher discusses the VALUE
of his study in as persuasive as
possible in order to get the approval