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6. Climate change specifically on the issue of global

MERE1 warming

7. Future ASEAN

8. Peace process and conflict resolution

National Higher Education Research Agenda – 2 (2009-

2018)

General Principles on Higher Education Research

1. Research is the ultimate expression of an

individual’s innovative and creative powers. The
higher education sector shall ensure that the
academic environment nurtures and supports
Filipino research talents. Research Priorities
2. Research thrives in an environment characterized The research agenda seeks to:
by free flow of information, honest and analytical
exchange of ideas, and supportive policy and 1. generate new knowledge and advance the
administrative structures. Higher education frontiers in the various disciplines;
policies shall enhance the institution’s and the
individual’s capacity to conduct independent, 2. research in aid of policy/plan formulation and
collaborative and productive research. implementation particularly in education;

3. Research is one of the main functions of the higher 3. producing/adapting education technologies and
education sector. Universities in particular, are developing education programs in cutting edge
expected to lead in the conduct of discipline- fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, ICT,
based, policy-oriented, technology-directed and materials science, etc.
innovative/creative researches that are locally 4. aid of national/regional development.
responsive and globally competitive.

Nature of Inquiry and Research

Priority themes for multidisciplinary/ multi-sectoral
research • Inquiry is a learning process that motivates you to
obtain knowledge or information about people,
In light of the realities that the country is now experiencing things, places, or events by investigating or asking
and will face in the future, research on the following questions.
themes shall be encouraged:
• Research is a systematic process of solving a
1. Food safety and security problem or finding answers to an inquiry;
2. Enhancing indigenous renewable energy source in • is an organized method of finding of relatively new
the domestic energy mix ideas from the existing body of knowledge;
3. Development of vaccines and diagnostic kits using • a systematic study of trend or event.
indigenous materials

4. Disaster risk management

5. Pollution control

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What is Research? Types of Research

• In accordance to Oxford Concise Dictionary, • Applied Research involves seeking new

research is defined as systematic investigation into applications of scientific knowledge to the solution
and study of materials, sources, etc, in order to of a problem, such as the development of a new
establish facts and reach new conclusions. system or procedure, new method in order to
solve the problem.
• It is an endeavor to discover new or collate old
facts by scientific study of a subject or course of • It refers to the application of theory to the solution
critical investigation. of problems.

• The common definition of Research is: • It is conducted for the purpose for the purpose of
applying, or testing theory and evaluating its
“RESEARCH is a systematic and refined technique usefulness.
of thinking, employing specialized tools, instruments and
procedures in order to obtain a more adequate solution to a
problem than would be possible under ordinary means” • Action Research is a feature of applied research,
which is a decision-oriented research involving the
application of the steps of the scientific method in
Purpose of Research response to an immediate need to improve
existing practices.
• is a vehicle for mobility, a contribution towards the
attainment of national goals; • Action research focused on immediate application,
not on the development of a theory or on
• explains an issue or controversy; generalization of applications.
• advances human knowledge and satisfies curiosity; • The researcher is required to do some “action”
such as teaching the respondents how to use a
• improves instruction and student achievements.; particular device, teaching the importance of a
• improves quality of life; particular subject.

• satisfies man’s needs;

• Pure Research aims to discover basic truths or
• has deep-seated psychological aspect; and principles.
• reduces the burden of work. • It is intended to add to the body of knowledge by
exploring the unknown, to extend the boundaries
of knowledge, as well as to discover new facts.
Characteristics of Research • It is conducted primarily to test or arrive at a
• Empirical – research is based on direct experience theory.
or observation by the researcher. • Its main objective is to establish general principles
• Logical – research is based on valid procedures without known or intended practical application of
and principles. the findings.

• Cyclical – research starts with a problem and ends

with a problem. Research Methods
• Analytical – research utilizes proven analytical • Research methodology defines what the activity
procedures in gathering data, whether historical, of research is, how to proceed, how to measure
descriptive, experimental, and case study. progress, and what constitutes success.
• Critical – research exhibits careful and precise 1. Descriptive Research
judgment.
2. Historical Research
• Methodical – research is conducted in a
methodical manner without bias using systematic 3. Experimental Research
method and procedures.
4. Ex post Facto Research
• Replicability – research design and procedures are
repeated to enable the researcher to arrive at 5. Case Study Research
valid and conclusive results.

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Descriptive Research Case Study Research

• It is define or give a verbal portrayal or picture of a • According to Bromley (1990), it is a systematic

person, thing, event, group, situation inquiry into an event or a set of related events
which aims to describe and explain the
• It describes what is. phenomenon of interest.
• It involves the description, recording, analysis and • “A case study is an empirical study that
interpretation of the present nature, composition investigates a contemporary phenomenon in
or processes of phenomena. depth and with its real-life context” (Yin, 2009)
• The focus is on prevailing condition. • Case study is a bounded system,

ex. Learning situation/group = case

Historical Research Explanatory Case Studies
• A process of selecting the area or topic to write • aim to answer ‘how’ or ’why’ questions with little
the history about, collecting data about events control on behalf of researcher over occurrence of
that occurred in the area or about the topic, events. This type of case studies focus on
collating the data, sifting the authentic from non- phenomena within the contexts of real-life
authentic, and then making an interpretative situations.
narrative about or critical inquiry into the whole
truth of the events. Example: “An investigation into the reasons of the global
financial and economic crisis of 2008 – 2010.”
• It describes what occurred in the past and makes a
critical inquiry into the truth of what occurred. Descriptive Case Studies

Experimental Research • This aims to analyze the sequence of interpersonal

events after a certain amount of time has passed.
• A problem-solving approach that describes the Studies in business research belonging to this
effect when certain variables are carefully category usually describe culture or sub-culture,
controlled or manipulated. and they attempt to discover the key phenomena.
• It focuses on the past, present and future Example: “Impact of increasing levels of multiculturalism on
conditions. marketing practices: A case study of McDonald’s
Indonesia.”

Ex post Facto Research

• It is also known as “After-the-fact research” Exploratory Case Studies

• It is a category of research design in which the • aim to find answers to the questions of ‘what’ or
investigation starts after the fact has occurred ‘who’. Exploratory case study data collection
without interference from the researcher. method is often accompanied by additional data
collection method(s) such as interviews,
• In this method, the researcher investigates a questionnaires, experiments etc.
problem by studying the variables in retrospect.
Example: “A study into differences of leadership practices
• It is a research in which the dependent variable is between private and public sector organizations in Atlanta,
immediately observable and the main concern is USA.”
to find out the antecedents that gave rise to this
consequence.

Example Type of Research

• For example, a researcher who is interested in According to Type of Data

determining the effectiveness of a particular • Quantitative Research
television advertisement on consumer behavior
may recruit a group of participants who saw the – Research that utilizes numerical method
advertisement and a group of participants who did of measuring or ascertaining the variable.
not, yet the researcher has no control over which It uses an objective method of measuring
specific people actually viewed the advertisement. the variable and data are treated using
statistical tools.

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• Qualitative Research Research and Design

– Research that do not utilize numerical • Ashley Karr (2013) distinguished research and
data but instead data are presented design in this wise, thus:
through elaborate word descriptions of
what is observed. Interpretation and • To research something is to investigate it
analysis relies on the researcher’s systematically. We do this in order to reach new
personal judgement and critical analysis conclusions, establish new facts and learn
of the event, condition or behavior • as much about the truth as possible. Research also
observed under investigations. This is gives us a chance to find problems that we can
usually utilized with case studies. potentially fix. We research to understand the
world.

What is Design? • To design something is to create the form and

function of an object, system or interaction. We do
• In the area of Engineering, design is the process of this in order to make our experience here on earth
devising a system, component or process to meet (or in space) better, safer, healthier, more
desired needs. comfortable, more fun – and we can create
solutions to the problems we found during our
• It is a decision-making process(often iterative), in research. We design to change the world.
which the basic sciences, mathematics and
engineering sciences are applied to convert We research to explain WHY THINGS happen; we design in
resources optimally to meet these needs. order TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

• In the area of Computing and Information

Technology (IT), the term design includes:
Design and Research
• Application development that focuses on
effective software engineering process • Design is not research, which may be defined as “a
careful investigation or study, especially of a
• Application design that focuses on scholarly or scientific nature. A design task may
effective testing procedure require research to accomplish a task, but it
typically involves the integration of knowledge, not
• A study on application development the creation of knowledge.”
processes in which basic sciences,
mathematics and computing are applied • Design is different than research. Design considers
to meet the stated needs. alternative solutions by selecting the optimal
solution with a fixed goal or specifications in mind.
• The keyword in design is the word “optimum.” Design is often results in a commercial product
• Good designs convert and/or uses IT resources being developed.
optimally to meet the needs. • Research has an open-ended goal and is
• CHED defines BSCS/BSIT program as the study of exploratory, with no set specifications in mind and
“utilization of both hardware and software does not necessarily result in a product or service.
technologies in planning, installing, customizing,
operating, managing, administering and
maintaining IT infrastructure that provides Research vs Design Problem
computing solutions to address the needs of
organization.” • A research problem is commonly defined as
significant, perplexing and challenging situation,
• According to Reeves (1992), part of the design real or artificial, the solution of which requires
process: coding is design, testing and debugging reflective thinking.
are parts of design and software is design is still
part of design. • A good research problem should be:

• A software design must be complete and correct in 1. Specific

all its aspects, or all software builds based on the 2. Measurable
design will be erroneous.
3. Achievable / Feasible

4. Realistic

5. Time Bound
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Design and programming are human activities; forget that
and all is lost. RESEARCH DESIGN

-Bjarne Stroustrup
It must be new. It does NOT need to be
Lesson2 new.

RESEARCH TOPIC
It does not have to be It has to be good.
good.

In sum, research does not In sum, design does not

have to be good but it have to be new, but it
must be new. must be good.

It is done to understand It is done to change the

the world. world.

What is a Capstone Project?

• It is an undertaking appropriate to a professional

field.

• It should significantly address existing problem or

What is a Thesis? need.

• It is defined as the report of a scholar upon some • IS-CP - focuses on business processes and the
piece of research which he/she has completed. implications of introducing a computing solution to
a problem.
• It is the culmination of a devious process
extending from the initial insight into the • IT-CP – focuses on the infrastructure, application
opportunity for investigation to the insertion of or processes involved in implementing computing
final footnote (Cole and Bigelow, 1935) solution to a problem.

• In the area of computing, it is defined as a • A capstone project is the design completed by a

technical report on a systematic investigation of a student which results in an optimum use of the
problem that can be solved using Computing. resources demonstrating his competencies gained
from his educational experiences.
• It may include a solution to an approximate or
partial solution, a scientific investigation or
development of results leading to the solution of
Research Topic
the problem.
• A research topic or problem is an intellectual
stimulus calling for an answer in the form of a
scientific inquiry.

• Topics or problems are general questions about

relations among variables, or characteristics of
the phenomenon which a researcher undertakes.

Sources of Research Topic

• Prevailing theories or philosophy

• Observations, intuitions or combination of both

• Fields of interest or specialization or event from

related fields

• Existing problems in classroom / school/ campus /

university

• Existing needs of the community or society

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• Repetition or extension of investigations already • When typed or encoded in the title page, all words
conducted in the title should be in capital letters

Selecting the Research Topic • If possible, the title should not be longer than 15
substantive words
In choosing a research topic, the researcher must take into
consideration the 4Ns: • Use no punctuation at the end of the title

• It provides a Novel contribution or discovery • Do not underline the title of the research or
enclose it in quotation marks
• It addresses a Need in the field or society

• It fills in a Niche or Gap

Information Technology Topics
• It is borne of the researcher’s Noteworthy Interest
• Software Development
Selection Criteria
– Software Customization

– IS Development for an Actual Client (with

pilot testing)

– Web Applications Development (with

alpha testing on live servers)

– Mobile Computing Systems

• Multimedia Systems

– Game Development

– E-Learning Systems
Research Title – Interactive Systems
• The title is the part of a paper that is most read, – Information Kiosks
and it is usually read first.

• Hence, the title must not just convey the idea, but
also attract the readers. Computer Science Topics

• Current Computer Science Topics

Guidelines in the Formulation of Research Title – Software and Development Theory

The title must contain the following elements: – Mobile Computing Systems

• the subject matter or research problem – Software Extensions or Plug-ins

• the setting or locale of the study – Expert Systems and Decision Support
Systems
• the respondents or participants involved in the
study – System Software (software tools/utilities,
interpreters, simulators, compilers,
• the variables or theoretical issues under security aspect)
investigation and the relationship between them;
and – Intelligent Systems

• the time or period when the study was conducted – Game Development

*but if the title becomes too long, some of the elements – Computer Vision
may be omitted
– Image/Signal Processing
• It must be concise, simple, and with style
– Natural Language Processing
• If the title contains more than one line, it should
– Pattern recognition and data mining
be written in inverted pyramid.
– Bioinformatics

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– Graphics application Lessson3

– Cloud Computing WRITING CAPSTONE PROJECT PROPOSAL

– Parallel Computing

– Embedded System OUTLINE OF CAPSTONE PROJECT / THESIS PROPOSAL

ANNEX A OF CMO 25 s. 2015
– Emerging Technologies
• The proponent shall use the CHED prescribed
• Foundations of Computer Science outline below for research proposal.
– Automata and Formal Languages • The number of pages of research proposals shall
– Data Structures and Algorithm Design and be a maximum of twenty (20) pages, double-
Analysis space, using an Arial font of 12.

– Web Semantics • The research proposal should contain the

following:
– Coding Theory
Outline of Research Proposal
– Programming Languages
• General Subject Area
– Visualization Systems
• Specific Topic
– Computer and Architecture
• Specifics of Research
– Modeling and Simulation
A. Introduction
– Grid Computing
B. Background of the Study
– Pervasive Computing
C. Research Description
• Human Computer Interaction
• Statement of the Problem
– Usability
• Objectives (General and Specific)
– Affective Computing
• Manageability (Scope and
– Emphatic Computing Limitations)

• Importance of the Study

Sample Research Title • Specifics of Research
• A Perspective of Pioneer Senior High School • Research Design (Methodology)
Teachers in the Division of Cavite Province on
Challenges and Opportunities Towards Lifelong • Schedule of Activities (Activities
Learning and Timelines)

• Development and Evaluation of a Visual Room • Resource Requirement

Scheduler for the Technological Institute of the • Reading Resources
Philippines using Artificial Intelligence
• Software
• Development of iCOOP: Customizable Credit
Management System for Cooperatives • Hardware

• Development of Strategic Local Government • Expected Output

Unit(LGU) Project Mapping System
• References
• Student Evaluation System
• General Subject Area
• Impact of Online Scholarship Management
Information System A. Web Application Development in
Transaction Processing

B. Application of Software Customization in

Transaction Processing

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C. Application of Augmented Reality using
Pattern Recognition

• Specific Topic

A. Development of Web-Based Examination

Scheduling System for City College of
Tagaytay

B. OJT Daily Time Record System for the

Provincial Government of Cavite

C. 3D Visualization using Augmented Reality

for City College of Tagaytay for Science
Laboratory and Library
3. The existence of an unsatisfactory condition; a felt
• Specifics of Research
problem that needs a solution. A solution that
A. Introduction involves development of a system software.

B. A good introduction of an IT capstone

projects and thesis should contain a
discussion of the following:

• Presentation of the importance

of the system software ,
algorithms, processes or an
enterprise resource plan to be
designed and/or developed.

“Development and Evaluation of a Decision Support System

for the JIL Church – Calamba City Using Transaction
Processing as Perceived by its Administrators and Workers
for the year 2015”

4. A desire to find a better way of doing something or

improving the present system.
1. Introduction – Sample

A good introduction of a CS thesis:

1. Presentation of the importance of the software to

2. Research Locale be developed. Suppose we have a CS thesis
- Tell something about the organization or group entitled:
where the research will be conducted. This organization “Battleship: An Artificial Intelligence for Battleship Game
usually is the target beneficiary of the proposed system using Genetic Algorithm”
software.

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2. Each specific question must be clear and
unambiguous.
3. Answers to specific questions must contribute to
the development of the whole research problem
or capstone project.
4. The number of specific questions should be
enough to cover the whole problem or case under
study.
5. Generally, there should be a general statement of
2. A description of the Area in Computer Science the problem and then broken up into as many
under Study. specific questions as necessary

Sample Illustration of SOP for an

IT Capstone Project

3. A statement indicating that an improvement can

be done.

4. A desire to find a better way of doing something or

improving the present.
In observing the illustration in the previous slide,
problem statements do not refer to the problems being
experienced by the organization under study nor the gaps
in the theoretical aspects of computing. Rather, the
statement of the problems refers to the challenges, goals or
objectives which are needed to be accomplished by the
proponents. It has been observed that one of the common
errors manifested in some capstone projects of computing
students is that the SOP, they put herein those
B. Background of the Study unsatisfactory conditions that needs solutions. These
unsatisfactory conditions should be mentioned under
Formulating the Statement of the Problem / Objectives of
introduction coughed in general terms and discussed in
the Project
details under the project context.
• There be a general statement of the whole
problem followed by the specific questions or sub
problems into which the general problem is C. Research Description
broken up.
• Objectives of the Study
Guidelines in formulating the general and specific
questions: – The objectives of the study guide
the researcher and the reader to
1. The general statement of the problem and the know what the proponents need
specific questions should be formulated first to do.
before developing the software program.

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– These usually follow the panel examiners which is not clearly stated in this
chronological sequence of the section, will be justifiable.
statement of the problem and its
specific questions. • It is suggested that the proponents/students
should be open, transparent and honest in writing
– Objectives are written by either his thesis or capstone project proposal.
beginning with an action verb or
an infinitive. Significance of the Study and the
Purpose and Description
– There are usually three to five
objectives of the study. • As per suggested by CHED for thesis/capstone
project, significance of the study is only included
in CS theses concerning foundations of computer
science.
Objectives of the Study
• Other topics in CS as well as those of capstone
For example: projects require purpose and description.
• determine the efficiency of the system as • The statement of significance is an important part
perceived by the employees; or of a scientific report in computer science theses
• Identify possible problems encountered with the involving foundations of CS.
present system. • The significance of the study will assert and
explain to the reader why the study is vital and
essential.
Notice that the Objectives of the Study is the same as
the SOP. The only difference is that the latter is written in • This part of the thesis will provide the contribution
an interrogative form while the former is in the declarative of your study to the field of computing science.
form (researcher may use either of the two). In technical • This part of thesis is termed as “Contributions.”
research like Computing, CHED’s template strongly
suggested that we use Objectives of the Study instead of
Statement of the Problem for capstone project and for CS
dealing software development. SOP shall be used only for Purpose and Description
theses in CS dealing with foundations and mathematical • The purpose and description as part of the outline
aspects of CS. for Capstone Project as well as that of a computer
science thesis involving software development is
similar but not identical to Significance of the
Scope and Limitation of the Study Study of a CS thesis involving foundations of CS.

• The Scope and Delimitation of the Study should • The proponent must state the function of his
include a brief statement of the general purpose of capstone project.
the study, the target users/beneficiaries of the
study, the period of the study and the features of • It should not attempt to claim that the project will
the proposed software. add to the body of knowledge.

• The Limitation of the study includes the • It is for the reason that the authors humbly
weaknesses of the study beyond the control of the submit, that the members of the panel of
researcher. examiners should not ask the proponents:

• If the above delimitation was expressly stated “What is the contribution of your capstone project to the
during the proposal stage and was accepted and body of knowledge?”
approved by the panel of examiners, then fairness, • This is because IT capstone projects generally, do
justice and equity dictates that any member of the not contribute to the body of knowledge but
panel of examiners cannot impose additional focuses on the contribution of the project to its
features during the final defense which was specific beneficiaries.
expressly stated in the Scope and Delimitation of
the project. The importance of capstone project must contain
explanations or discussions of any of the following:
• Conversely, if the student did NOT reveal this
delimitation in the Scope and Limitation and • The rationale, timeliness and relevance of the
during oral examination, any suggestion of the study.

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• Possible solutions to existing problems or
improvement to unsatisfactory conditions.

• The beneficiaries and how they are going to be

benefited.

• Possible contribution to the fund of knowledge(if

any)

• Possible implications.

• In writing the “Purpose and Description”, the

features and capabilities should be written in such
a way that it would highlight the significance of the
project.

• It should be written using general language and

non-technical terms.

• This is to distinguish it from the “Requirement

Documentation” that states what the software will
do in greater details.

• After enumerating the project’s features and

capabilities , the last paragraph should explain
project’s rationale, timeliness and relevance by
illustrating that it will solve existing problems.

• For example involving an IT Capstone Project

entitled: “Acceptability of the Multipurpose
Community Information and Telecenter (MCIT)
prototype towards E-Governance and Bridging the
Digital Divide”

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