PRACTICAL RESEARCH

LESSON 1: NATURE OF RESEARCH feasible, etc. so that smooth conduct

AND INQUIRY of the study will be achieved.

WHAT IS RESEARCH? DATA COLLECTION APPROACH

● It is a systematic, controlled, empirical, Structured response category approach
and critical investigation of hypothetical - Choices are already given for the respondents
propositions about the presumed relations to choose from like that of a Likert Scale
among natural phenomena
(Kerlinger, 1973)
1. I am interested in SA A D SD
WHAT IS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH solving number and
● systematic or step by step investigation of equations
observable phenomena by gathering
quantifiable data (numbers) and 2. I enjoy using SA A D SD
performing statistical, mathematical or calculators
computational techniques.
● results are in the form of numbers which
were gathered from selected respondents Legend:
through on line surveys, online polls, SA - Strongly Agree A - Agree D - Disagree
questionnaires, etc. SD - Strongly Disagree

CHARACTERISTICS Type of data collected

PURPOSE: Number and statistics-descriptive data are
➢ test of hypothesis given corresponding numerical values.
➢ look at cause and effect Ex. SEX:
➢ make predictions STRAND:
➢ to seek common, representative Male 1 ABM - 1 GAS - 2
features Female- 2 HUMSS - 3 STEM - 4
SAMPLES
Form of data collected
➔ Large and randomly selected samples
➔ Quantitative data are collected based
to produce generalizable results.
on precise measurements using
➔ The respondents are randomly
structures and validated data
selected (Equal chance of each
collection instruments
member of a population to be
➔ The data collected are in the form of
selected as one of the respondents)
numbers since textual descriptions
using the appropriate sampling
were given numerical values.
technique. Ex. 185 respondents were
➔ Ex. Out of 185 respondents, 92 are
randomly chosen to participate in the
females and 93 are males.
study
◆ 54 females strongly agree
CRITERIA TO IDENTIFY RESPONDENTS
that they enjoy using
➔ Only the representative or part of the
calculators,
entire population will participate in
◆ 21 said that they agree and
the study by determining the sample
◆ 17 answered that they
size.
disagree to enjoy using
➔ Ex. Out of 348 populations in Sitio A,
calculators.
only 185 respondents were randomly
Role of researcher
selected to represent the entire
➔ Their biases are not known to the
population in the conduct of the study.
The sample size was determined using participants in the study, and
the simple random technique participant characteristics are hidden
(fishbowl method). from the researcher.
➔ The researcher is not aware of who
DESIGN OF METHOD
will be the respondents of the study.
➔ Systematic- done in a step by step
He/ She is just aware of the group
manner
and number of respondents who will
➔ The conduct of the study is organized.
participate but not with the specific
Ex. Before performing the laboratory
individuals.
experiment, the researcher should see
Research Independence
to it that the problem is well defined,
➔ Uninvolved observer, results are
the hypothesis to be tested is clear,
objective
the related literature is available and
reliable, the materials needed are
Results ★ Logical/Systematic
➔ Generalized findings that can be ○ Done in an orderly manner
applied to other application. Ex. The ○ e.g. In conducting research, Joy
result of the study conducted to 185 followed correct and reliable
procedure to come up with
respondents can be true to 348 total
precise and accurate result.
members of the population Source:
★ Critical
Arcinas, M. M., (2016). Applied
○ Exhibits careful and precise
Research: An Introduction to
judgment
Quantitative Research Methods and
○ e.g. After thorough analysis of
Report Writing. Quezon City: Phoenix data gathered, Joy came up
Publishing House Inc.p6-8 with the result of the study. She
drew conclusion and made some
recommendations based on the
SUMMARIZED CHARACTERISTICS results and not from theory
★ Cyclical
OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
○ Research starts with a
★ Replicability problem and ends in a
○ Use of the same problem.
○ e.g At the beginning, Joy came
instruments to different
up with a research gap/
subjects and venue problem that she wanted to find
○ e.g research instrument used to solution. After conducting the
determine the attitude of STEM experiment, finding the result,
students towards Math can be drawing conclusion, and making
used to ABM students to some recommendations,
measure also their attitude another problem arises that
towards Math needed to be solved.
★ Empirical
○ Based on direct experience
or observation. The data STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
gathered are from actual (QUANTITATIVE)
conduct of the study, not
from theory or logic.
○ e.g. Joy conducted a study on
STRENGTHS
the attitude of G11 ABM 1. It can be REPLICATED or repeated in
students towards Math. other contexts.
Whatever data will be gathered Conducting a previous study to the
by Joy will be used in analyzing, present with the same methodology
finding the result, and drawing
but with different subjects or
conclusions.
respondents
★ Objective
2. It provides findings that are
○ Unbiased
○ e.g. During the distribution and GENERALIZABLE to large population.
answering of the instrument, the The results do not only represent the
researcher should not influence samples but also the population at a
the respondents with his/her larger scale.
personal feelings or opinions by 3. It can establish CAUSALITY more
convincing the respondents to
answer what the researcher conclusively.
wants. It looks at the connections between
★ Controlled variables (independent and
○ Variables being studied are dependent) and establishes
within the scope of the unquestionable cause and effect
study. relationships.
○ e.g. If Joy’s study is about the Independent variable - cause
attitude of ABM students variable/being manipulated
towards Math, she should focus Dependent variable - effect variable/
only on the attitude towards
being measured.
Math. No need to include other
variables like difficulties 4. It can MAKE PREDICTIONS based on
encountered, academic numerical, quantifiable data. It can
performance and others. create forecasts based on the data
★ Analytical gathered expressed in numbers and
○ Utilize proven analytical not from a theory.
procedures. a. Data analysis using statistical
○ e.g. In analyzing the data software is faster. Analysis of
gathered by Joy in her study, data can be done by using
she can use appropriate
statistical tools like mean, or
computer software such as
standard deviation in order to SPSS or PASW. Data-gathering
come up with the correct techniques are typically less
result/answer to the research demanding compared with
questions
 those in qualitative research. KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE
Data gathering can be done
simultaneously to the selected RESEARCH
respondents of the study.
Common quantitative methods ➔ Survey Research
in data collection are used like ◆ most fundamental research tool
telephone interviews, online ◆ used to ask questions to a
surveys, etc. sample of respondents, using
5. It has a LOW DEGREE OF various types such as online
SUBJECTIVITY. polls, online surveys, paper
Respondents are randomly selected to questionnaires, web-intercept
avoid bias. The researcher should surveys, etc.
remain neutral as possible and ◆ an organization can ask
distanced from what he/she studies multiple survey questions,
so findings depend on the nature of collect data from a pool of
what was studied rather than on the customers and analyze this
personality, belief and values of the collected data to produce
researcher. numerical results
6. Its VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY CAN ◆ It is important that the people
BE MEASURED. questioned are sampled at
random. This allows for more
WEAKNESSES accurate findings across a
1. It cannot adequately provide in-depth greater spectrum of
information necessary for describing respondents.
and explaining a complex ➔ Descriptive Research
phenomenon. Since the questionnaire ◆ Used to determine the extent or
and responses are structured or given direction of attitudes or
already, no further explanation is behaviors
required to justify the chosen answer ◆ Gathers more information on
of the respondent.
certain characteristics within a
2. It lacks the ability to provide a
particular field of study
comprehensive textual description of
◆ Use of rating scales and other
human experiences. Quantitative
means to measure the variables
research focuses on collected data
as they occur
and findings that are in the form of
◆ Provides a picture of a situation
numbers about a specific
as it naturally happens
phenomenon from potential
respondents. ◆ May be used to develop
3. Numerical data may be insufficient in theories, identify problems with
analyzing intangible factors, such as a current practice, justify
gender roles, socioeconomic status, current practices, aid in making
and social norms of a given professional judgments or
population. Numbers are not enough determine what other
to analyze some factors especially practitioners in similar
those intangible or those which situations are doing
cannot be touched like feelings or Variables: Variables are
emotions. measured as they occur.
4. It has less flexibility in terms of study Experimental
design. Responses of participants are Manipulation: is not used.
strictly limited to what has been Data Collection Technique:
asked. These responses may not be Questionnaire, Observation
extensive in some cases. Responses
are based only on what is provided in
the questionnaire.
5. Self-reported data may not be very
accurate as respondents may have
the tendency to underestimate or
overestimate their skills and behavior
during self-assessment tasks. The
manner of gauging or appraising
themselves honestly and accurately is
hampered due to personal reasons.
Thus, respondents should be informed
of the high degree of confidentiality
of the information and the importance
of the information they divulged
 Sample Studies: ➢ The dependent and independent
★ Assessing Nurses’ Attitudes variables will always exist in a group
Toward Death and Caring for
Dying Patients in a For example, a researcher is interested in how
Comprehensive Cancer Center weight influences self-esteem levels in adults. So
(Lange, Thom, & Kline, 2008) the participants would be separated into
★ The Level of Academic differing groups (underweight, normal weight,
Achievement of Young Adults overweight) and their self- esteem levels
from Dysfunctional Families measured. This is an ex post facto because a
pre-existing characteristic (weight) was used to
➔ Correlational Research form the groups.
Goal: To determine the nature of
relationship between variables
Variables: Groups exposed
without looking into the cause.
to the presumed
cause are
Characteristics: Used to investigate compared with
the direction and magnitude of those who
relationships among variables in a are not exposed
particular population. to it.

Correlation, association, relationship.

Experimental is not used.
Manipulation:

Variables: Variables are Experimental Questionnaire

measured as Manipulation:
they occur.

Experimental is not used.

Manipulation: Sample Studies:
❖ Comparison of Personal,
Experimental Questionnaire, Social and Academic
Manipulation: Observation, Variables Related to
Tests University Drop-out rate
and Persistence (Bernardo,
et al., 2016)
❖ Effects of Instagram on the
Sample Studies: Visual Literacy of Teenager
❖ The Relationship Between
Service Quality and Customer
satisfaction in the
Telecommunication Industry: ➔ Quasi-experimental Research
Evidence from Nigeria (Ojo, ◆ Respondents are not randomly
2010) assigned; Intact (established)
❖ Relationship Between School groups are used.
Stressors and Personality of ◆ Provides limited conclusiveness in
Senior High School Students establishing causal relationship
between variables
◆ Match-paired is a form of
➔ Ex post facto quasi-experimental assignment of
(Causal-comparative Research) subjects.
◆ Mainly depends on the factor of
comparison
Variables: At least one variable
◆ The independent variable is is manipulated to
established but not determine the effect
manipulated and its impact on of the manipulation.
the dependent variable is
observed.
Experimental Limited use
◆ Conducted irrespective of the
Manipulation:
type of relation that exists
between two or more variables
Experimental Questionnaire
➢ Variables or groups must be formed Manipulation:
as they exist in the natural set up.
Sample Study:
❖ The Impact of Smoking Bans on
Smoking and Consumer Behavior:
Quasiexperimental Evidence from
Switzerland (Boes, Marti, & Maclean,
2014)

➔ Experiment Research
◆ Also known as true
experimentation
◆ this research method is reliant
on a theory/ies.
◆ Analysis is done around proving
or disproving the statement.
This research method is used in
natural sciences. There can be
multiple theories in
experimental research. A theory
is a statement which can be
verified or refuted.
◆ Intact groups are not used;
Individual subjects are
randomly assigned to the
treatment and control groups.
◆ The random assignment of
individual subject provides
more conclusiveness as to the
causal relationships between
the variables.

Sample Studies:
❖ Effects of Mobile Technology Use on
Walking (Perlmutters, et al., 2014)
❖ Problem-based Learning Approach
Effect in the Performance of
Learners in Biology 1
KINDS OF VARIABLES AND THEIR USES
3. Ordinal variables
VARIABLE - are variables that exhibit the
➔ Any element or entity which can be characteristics of both quantitative
measured for quantity or quality. and qualitative types;
➔ In conducting a research study, it is i. has values that can be ranked or ordered;
important to identify the variables or ii. These values can be numerical or can be
factors that affect the study. arranged into specific non-numerical classes.
Ex.: frequency is described as rare, seldom,
QUANTITATIVE VARIABLES sometimes, almost always, or always; values of
➔ A variable is defined as a quantity ratings are denoted as A+, A, B+, or B; and high,
susceptible of fluctuation or change in medium, & low.
value or magnitude under different
conditions.
Levels of Measurement:
➔ Can be measured numerically.
1. Nominal Scale – denotes qualitative
➔ A “target measurement” or “outcome”
attributes of the variables. There are no
of your problem statement.
numbers associated with these variables
because they are categories or
Two Types of Quantitative Variables: classification. Ex. Religion, favorite movie,
and brand of shirt
Discrete variables – can be counted; denoted by
2. Ordinal Scale - refers to the order or rank
positive whole numbers and not described in
of a measurement. It is best used when
ranges.
measuring non-numerical concepts like
Ex.: frequency of behavior and group
happiness or satisfaction. However, ordinal
sizes; number of children in the family;
scales are limited in the sense that the
number of absences in the workplace;
difference between each measurement
number of tardiness in the class.
cannot be quantified. Ex. size of shirt and
level of depression
Continuous variables – measured in ranges; can
3. Interval Scale - are numerical scales in
be denoted by non-whole numbers; can have
which the exact difference between two
positive or negative values; can be expressed in
values is known. It is often used to account
fractions.
for the differences between each value.
1. Interval variables
Researchers often times construct or
The difference between two points on a
devise equal-interval scales of
scale is the same. Can have a negative
measurement for opinions and attitudes.
value.
i. Ex. Test scores in range, This is done so that data obtained from
temperature in Fahrenheit equal – interval scales can be subjected to
2. Ratio statistical procedures such as calculating
variables are a special type of continuous means and standard deviations. Ex. Test
variable; can’t have a scores in range and age in range
negative value. Zero means none of that 4. Ratio Scale - has the properties of
variable. nominal, ordinal, and interval scales. It
i. Ex.: age, height, weight, also possesses a true zero scale. A true
distance, and test scores. zero is the point where none of the
qualities being measured exists. Ratio
QUALITATIVE VARIABLES scales can be meaningfully added,
subtracted, multiplied, and divided. A wide
Referred to as categorical variables despite
array of statistical procedures can be
lacking numerical values, these variables can still
applied to ratio data such as the
be used in quantitative research by assigning
calculation of mean, median, and
values to specific categories or groups (e.g.,
standard. Ex. height, weight, and distance
blood type, color)
VARIABLES classification according to purpose
Three types of categorical variables:
or role ……evident in Experimental Research
1. Dichotomous(binary) variables
- are those that have two distinct
1. Independent Variable
categories or values.
- This is the stimulus variable
- e.g. “yes/no question”.
which is chosen by the
2. Nominal variables
researcher to determine the
- are those variables with more than two
relationship to an observed
categories.
phenomenon. The variable
- e.g.: hair color, marital status, blood
consider to affect the dependent
type, mode of transportation, source of
variable (cause).
income, and citizenship.
2. Dependent Variable
 - This is the response variable can influence the results of an
which is observed and experiment. Know these variables in
measured to determine the the study to lessen its effect.
effect of the independent
variable. The variable 5. Confounding Variable.
examined for changes (effect). - It is a special type of extraneous
NOTE: in non-experimental variable that the researcher fails to
research kinds of control and threatens the validity of an
quantitative research refrain experiment’s procedure. It might have
from using the terms: IV and a relationship with the DV not the IV.
DV.
Example: A study on the
effects of using Microsoft
DESIGNING RESEARCH USEFUL IN EVERY L
Word on the writing Keen observation of any topic that captures your
performance of the students. interest is a potential source of a researchable
Independent Variable: Use topic. Below are some instances that can give
of Microsoft Word you an idea that something is researchable:
Dependent Variable: Writing 1. No solutions are available to answer the
Performance of Students research gap or the problem assessed.
Example: A drug that can kill a virus.
OTHER TYPES OF VARIABLES
1. Moderator Variable. 2. Tentative solutions are available but not yet
- This is a secondary or special type of tested and not known by the practitioner.
independent variable chosen by the Example: Effective therapy for the complete
researcher to determine if it changes treatment of cancer
or modifies the relationship between 3. Answers, solutions, or results are seemingly
the independent and dependent not tested or are factually contradictory.
variables. Example: Contradiction on the use of
2. Control Variable. anti-malaria drug as possible treatment to
- This is the variable that is controlled by COVID-19 disease.
the investigator in which the effects 4. A phenomenon exists which requires
can be neutralized by eliminating or explanation.
removing the variable. Example: Effect of quarantine to the mental
3. Intervening Variable. health of people
- This is a variable which interferes with 5. There are several possible and plausible
the independent and dependent explanations for the existence of an undesirable
variables, but its effects can either condition.
strengthen or weaken the independent Example: COVID-19 modes of transmission
and dependent variables.
4. Extraneous Variable.
- It is not categorized as IV or DV in a
study. It is the undesired variable that

Barrientos –Tan (1997) identified different criteria for choosing a research problem:
These factors are detailed guide in zeroing your topic to the final details. It will help you consider if the topic
of choice is within the bound of realizing it without possible compromise or major error that can lead to possible
threats to its validity.

CRITERIA DESCRIPTION

1. Novelty Newness of the topic and its variables that will inspire a
researcher

2. Availability of subjects/respondents Choose participants who are within your reach.

3. Ethical considerations Activities and undertakings are all legally and morally
right.

4. Time Factor The study will be pursued in a given time frame

 5. Costs and returns Funding (expense) which can be affected by sample size
and distance of data collection

6. Availability and adequacy of facilities of Devices such as computers, internet connection, etc.
equipments

SOURCES OF A RESEARCHABLE TOPIC

SOURCES DESCRIPTION

1. Trend ● Prevalent topic in the present time

2. Phenomena ● Problems encountered by organizations, agencies,

community, etc.

3. Personal experience ● Researcher’s direct encountered

4. Social issues ● Society’s current problems such as economic,

political, and others

5. Interest ● Excites your curiosity of attention as a researcher

6. Peer Consultation/Brainstorming ● Interaction of team in research

7. Research Gap ● Missing information or inconsistency, discrepancy

in previous research studies

8. Experts in the field ● Persons with broad and deep competence of the
topic

9. Problem that needs solution ● Facts or situation the currently existing of

happenings that need a solution explanation

10. Literature review ● Summary, recommendations, and suggestions of

scholarly articles and journals