St.

Paul University Philippines

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500
MCC 201: Methods of Research
 Activity 1

Reflect on these questions:

1. How would you personally define research?
2. Do you like conducting research? Why?
3. How does your institution cultivate the culture of
research?
4. Give at least three (3) issues or problems in your
institution which you want to solve through research.
5. Formulate three working titles for your research
proposal.
 UNIT 1
Nature of research
Source:
sciencedaily.com
Source:
sciencedaily.com
Images (with yellow border) from pixabay.com
 Lesson 1:
Definition and purpose of research
 Definition of research

▪ Think of a question.

▪ How would you come up with the solution?

▪ Research is one of the ways to find answers to your

questions.
 Definition of research

Research is an activity designed to provide answers to

questions, even simple ones that relate to day-to-day activities.

Ways of obtaining answers to your question:

▪ The fairly informal
▪ Strictly scientific
 Activity 2

1. Reflect on the following and share your thoughts in five (5)

sentences.
“It is inquisitiveness that best defines what we humans are all
about. We ask endless questions, the answers to which often beg
still further questions. From the darting, curious eyes of a baby
only a few weeks old, to the growing child’s persistent
questioning of ‘tell me why/what/when/where/how/who,’ we
embark on a lifetime’s search to make sense of ourselves and the
world around us. It is curiosity that drives brain growth”
(milestone, 2018).
2. Reflect on what Senator Cynthia Villar said about research and
share your thoughts in five (5) sentences.
 Definition of research

The word research is composed of two syllables: “re-” and

“search.”

▪ Re is a prefix meaning again, anew, over again.

▪ Search (French “cherche”) is a verb which means to
examine closely and carefully, to test and try, or to
probe.

Thus, research means to investigate again.

 Definition of research

“Research is a careful, systematic, and patient investigation in

some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or
principles” (Grinnell, 1993).

Research is a structured inquiry that utilizes an acceptable

scientific methodology to collect, analyze, and interpret
information to solve problems or answer questions and to
create new knowledge that is generally applicable (Burns,
1997; Grinnell, 1993; Kumar, 2011).
 Definition of research

Research is a scientific investigation of phenomena which

includes the formulation of a problem and hypothesis/es, the
collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of facts
that link an individual’s speculation with reality.

Theoretical pole of knowledge --- RESEARCH --- Empirical pole of knowledge

(bridge)
 Definition of research

▪ Research is “searching for a theory or testing a theory, for

solving a problem” (Sevilla, 2000).
▪ Research is “a systematic, scientific process of gathering
data for the solution of a problem, for prediction, for the
discovery of truth, for invention, for the expansion and
verification of existing new knowledge, all for the
preservation and improvement of the quality of life”
(Salmorin, 2006).
▪ “Research is the diligent systematic enquiry or study into
nature and society to validate and refine existing
knowledge and to generate new knowledge” (Naidoo,
2011).
 Definition of research

In summary, research is

searching (verifying existing knowledge, discovering new

knowledge, creating something new),

through systematic and scientific process,

geared towards improvement of man’s quality of life.

 Definition of research

In other words, research is

an organized way of finding new ideas from existing

knowledge with the help of useful tools that will lead to
discover new and useful concepts to improve the quality of
life.
 Definition of research

Reflect on this:

“Research is to see what everybody has seen,

and to think what nobody else has thought.”
~ Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
 Activity 3

How is problem solving a) similar to and b) different from

research? Explain your answer in five to seven sentences only,
with concrete example/s.
 Purpose of research

1. For more explanation

2. For verifying truth (test or prove existing theory)
3. For generating discoveries/inventions (expansion of
knowledge/acquisition of new knowledge)
4. For solving problems (application of new knowledge)
5. For advancing research expertise (professional
development)
 Purpose of research

Reflect on this:

“As known unknowns become known,

unknown unknowns proliferate;
the larger the island of knowledge,
the longer the shoreline of wonder unknown.”
~ Huston Smith
 Lesson 2:
Characteristics of research, qualities of a good researcher,
value of research to humanity, applications of research
 Characteristics of research (Kerlinger, 1986, p. 10)

1. Systematic. Research uses a careful system or method,

presented or formulated as coherent body of ideas or
principles.
2. Controlled. Steps are carefully planned not manipulated.
3. Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or
observation by the researcher.
4. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
A higher level of confidence must be established.
 Other characteristics of research

5. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and

principles; a scientific study is done in an orderly manner
so that the investigator has confidence in the results.
6. Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process because it starts
with a problem and ends with a problem.
7. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures
in gathering and examining data, whether in a historical,
descriptive, experimental, or case study.
 Other characteristics of research

8. Replicable. The research design, procedure, and/or

instrument can be used (replicated/repeated) with a
different set of participants and/or in a different setting.
9. Objective. Research is free from bias.
10. Rigorous. It requires time and patience because it is not
hurried.
11. Timely. Relevant and responsive to current problems
 Qualities of a good researcher

1. Intellectual curiosity. A researcher applies deep thinking

and inquiry of the things, problems, and situations around
him/her.
2. Prudence. A researcher is careful to conduct his/her
research at the right time and at the right place wisely,
efficiently, and economically. In other words, he/she does
the right thing at the right time.
3. Healthy criticism. A researcher is always doubtful as to
the truthfulness of his/her instrument, data, design,
methods, and findings.
 Qualities of a good researcher

4. Intellectually honesty. An intelligent researcher is honest

in collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data
to arrive at honest results and sound conclusion.
5. Intellectual creativity. A productive and resourceful
investigator always embarks on new researches.
6. Social responsibility. A researcher finds ways to improve
certain aspects of life, such as knowledge, products,
processes, systems.
 Qualities of a good researcher

Research-oriented
Efficient
Scientific
Effective
Active/Accurate
Resourceful
Creative/Curious
Honest
Economical
Responsible
 Activity 4

Describe your experience in conducting research.

1. How did you conduct the research?
2. What were the difficulties you encountered?
3. What facilitated the success of the research?
 Value of research to humanity

1. Research improves the quality of life.

- e.g., knowledge, products, processes, systems
2. Research improves instruction.
- e.g., teachers’ competencies and students’ achievements
3. Research satisfies man’s needs.
4. Research reduces the burden of work.
- e.g., from oil lamp to incandescent bulb to CFL’s
5. Research has deep-seated psychological aspects.
- e.g., a sense of fulfillment from the success of a research
 Value of research to humanity

6. Research improves the exportation of food products.

7. Research responds to the economic recovery and
austerity measures of the country.
8. Research trains graduates to become responsive to the
economic development of the country globally.
 Activity 5

Reflect on these questions:

1. How would you figure out man’s life and the world in
the past five centuries if no research has ever been
conducted?
2. How would you figure out man’s life and the world
from now with man’s growing passion for research?
3. Why should we be active consumers of research?
Applications of research

Figure 2. The applications of research (Kumar, 2011)

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Thank you very much!