Module 1: Introduction

to Research

Lesson 1: Overview of Research

Research in Various Disciplines
 Research in Social Science Course
 Research in Natural, Biological and other Science
Courses
 Research in Business
 Research in Education
 Researchin Computer Science, Information Technology
and Engineering
 Research in Mass Communication
 Research in Public Administration
Definition of Research
 To best (1959), research is a “systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled
observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles or theories
resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events.”
 The Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC, 2002) states that “any activity
classified as research and experimental development is characterized by originality; has
investigation as a primary objective and the potential to produce results that are sufficiently
general for humanity’s stock of knowledge” (theoretical).
 Leedy (2002) defines research as a “systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and
interpreting information (data) in order to increase understanding of the phenomenon about
which we are interested or concerned.”
 Kerlinger (1973) considers research as a “systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical
investigation of hypothetical propositions about presumed relations among natural
phenomena.”
 To good (1992), research is ideally, the “careful, unbiased investigation of a problem, based
insofar as possible, upon demonstrable facts involving refined distinctions, interpretations, and
some generalizations.”
 Aquino (1992) says that research is “the systematic search for pertinent information on a
specific topic or problem, by a research worker who after he has analyzed and interpreted the
data, eventually faces another essential task –preparing the research report.”
The Scientific Method in Research
 Scientific Method-To Newton, as stated in the “Rules
for the Study of Natural Philosophy” (1999), refers to
“the body of techniques for investigating phenomena,
acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and
integrating previous knowledge. It is based on
gathering observable, empirical and measurable
evidences subject to specific principles of reasoning.”
 Scientific method as a tool for researchers in an
academic setting, is used to lessen bias of their work
and to improve their efficiency. It is usually a set of
ideas that follows a formal process to increase
efficiency and the effectiveness of research.
 Four Major Steps of Scientific Method
1.Observation – This is not more obtaining of
information through visuals but rather it requires
special knowledge, skills, critical mind, and
introspection of the researcher. Scientific
observation usually includes the formulation of the
problem and the collection of observed data to
solve it.
2.Hypothesis – A hypothesis cannot be proven. It is
usually tested by observing the outcome of an
experiment. If the outcome is inconsistent with the
hypothesis, then the hypothesis is rejected.
 Four Major Steps of Scientific Method
3.Experimentation – the use of controlled and repeatable
experimentation is the very essence of this method.
Experimentation is done either to support or disprove the
hypothesis. This clearly explains that hypothesis testing
like scientific thinking is also a method used in research.

4.Induction – The inductive approach of scientific thinking

moves from specific observations to generalizations and
theories. In inductive reasoning, we start with specific
observations and measures then try to determine patterns,
formulate hypothesis that can be explored, and finally
develop some good conclusions/generalizations.
 Characteristics of a Good Research
1. Research originates with a question or problem . Questions lead to
the research process.
2. Research requires clear articulation of a goal . The ultimate goal of
research must be clearly stated.
3. Research is a specific plan or proceeding . A researcher should plan
the overall research design and methods in a purposeful way so that
he can acquire data relevant to his/her research problem.
4. Research usually divides the principal problem into more
manageable sub - problems . Breaking down the principal problems
into small manageable sub-problems is a good strategy to solve the
main problem.
Characteristics of a Good Research
5. Research is guided by the specific research problem,
question, or hypothesis.
6. Research accepts certain critical assumptions .
7. Research requires the collection and interpretation
of data in an attempt to resolve the problem .
8. Research is, by its nature, cyclical or more exactly
helical . It is said that research begets more research
because in its conduct, it is possible that one
encounters some problems that could be resolved by
another research to be conducted.
 Importance of Research
 people conduct research to acquire more knowledge in a field,
to discover new methods, to generate new knowledge, to study
existing phenomena, to improve research methodologies, and to
clarify facts.
1. Research in the Undergraduate Level
• - as a partial requirement of the course.
• - equips the students with theoretical and
conceptual frameworks and basic methodologies
and techniques in conducting studies.
• - it prepares them for the researches that they have
to do in their next level of studies and career.
 Importance of Research
 2. Research in the Graduate Level.
- Research is basically an integral part of any academic study in
the graduate level.
- -It enables the students to do a more complex and higher
intellectual approach to the solution of a problem. The nature
of the discipline in the graduate level determines the
methodology.
- -The nature of the problem in the field of study also affects the
research procedure. As in the undergraduate level, research in
the graduate level has shortcomings. Graduate students usually
have to do independent researches.
- -They are expected to develop their expertise over
methodology. And to produce more sophisticated research
outputs.
 Importance of Research
3.Research in Career
Most researches related to career is focused
on the jobs in to the business world.
Research is often more analytical like market
surveys and consumerism. The findings are
commissioned by the business establishment
and the results usually affect the plans, new
projects, ways to enhance sales, and other
decision-making functions of the company.
 CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH
 The purpose and objectives of the
research should be clearly defined.
 The common concepts and terms to be
used should be listed and clearly
explained.
 The research design should be planned
well so as to produce objective results.
 Objective reports on irregularities,
constrainsts, limitations, and delimitations
should be reported.
 CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH
The analysis of data should be done
sufficiently and adequately to bring
out significant results.
The method of analysis (statistical
tools/treatment) should be
appropriate.
A good research is ethical.
A good research addresses the issue of
generalizability, that is, its
applicability to the population.
 NEW RESEARCH PARADIGM
Global Trends in Education and Research
Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) development in the
world changes the paradigms in education
and research.
The world-wide-web (www) was invented
for information acquisition, processing,
access, and search in the internet.
 NEW RESEARCH PARADIGM
Education should collectively respond to
these global challenges by organizing an
information society with the following
expectations:
 improvement of the acquisition of
knowledge and skills
 adherence to moral principles of co-
existence
 setting up of life-long learning projects
 NEW RESEARCH PARADIGM
Teachers in this modern information environment
have to be equipped with the following:
 Outstanding level of knowledge and use of ICT
 Versatility as a curriculum manager
 Ability to work as a project leader
 Ability to organize teams with students
 Ability to implement redesigned curriculum to the
fullest
 Capabilityto monitor and use effective strategies
for evaluation
 MEASURING UP SIGMAS OF QUALITY
RESEARCH IN GRADUATE EDUCATION
Research in the academe is vital to its
operation
Graduate education, often the silent
factor of higher education
Graduate education indeed emphasizes
research and creative activity
MEASURING UP SIGMAS OF QUALITY
RESEARCH IN GRADUATE EDUCATION
Evaluation is about judgment, a
means by which the research can
regard if an outcome is “good” or
“bad”.

In the graduate school, there is no

such thing as “leaving the stone
unturned”
 RESEARCH BENCHMARKS
Quality criteria and benchmarks used
in research, are as follows:

1. Extramural funding
2. Refereed publications
3. User requests
 RESEARCH QUALITY
Indicators that can be identified as being
useful in determining the quality of research
programs in the graduate school:
1. Productivity is an indicator to measure
research and its aftermath.
2. Faculty participation is the bedrock of
research.
3. Expenditures and awards are resource
generation indicators.
4. Institutional commitment is focused on the
level of university support and resources
devoted to research.
 RESEARCH QUALITY
The dimensions of quality data useful to
research, are given below:
Accuracy
Timeliness/currency
Consistency
Completeness
 RESEARCH QUALITY
Generally, research has three cycles:

(1) designphase
(2) implementation phase
(3) presentation phase
 RESEARCH QUALITY
As one would expect in the graduate
school, publications and grants are two
main ideas of focus in research quality.

There are checklist that provides some

guidance on indicators which are useful
to the researchers
 RESEARCH QUALITY
Quality Indicator No. 1 – Publications
 Number of publications (ratio per faculty)
 Distribution of publication (e.g., local,
national, international)
 Refereed versus non-refereed journals
 Invited papers/call for papers (e.g.
solicited/unsolicited)
 Number of citations made on research (e.g.
who cited, frequency of citations made)
 RESEARCH QUALITY
Quality Indicator No. 2 – Research Grants
Number of grants submitted and funded
Competitiveness of grant
Reputation of granting institutions (e.g.
United Nations, WB, WHO, etc)
Total pesos generated
Success rate of grant renewals
 RESEARCH QUALITY
Quality Indicator No. 3 – Presentation
in Conferences
Number of papers presented
Quality of conference
Sponsor of the conference (e.g. local,
national, international)
 RESEARCH QUALITY
Quality Indicator No. 4 – Awards and
Recognitions
 Research awards received (e.g. local, national,
international)
 Peer review/recognitions by external parties
 Creative applications/research products (e.g.
exhibits, posters, patents)
 Collaboration and interdisciplinary research
 Graduate students’ participation in research
 Number of completed research projects
 Evidence of research contributions to society