WHY DO RESEARCH?

Intended Learning Outcomes: After a Discussion on

Why Do Research, the thesis writer is expected to:

1. Define research;
2. Compare and contrast the different types of research;
3. Give examples of research findings; and
4. Cite concrete situations where research activities have
been most helpful in improving situations.
Academic Research
Academic Research has been one of the
most important inclusions in the curricula
of all baccalaureate and graduate degree
programs for the 21st century. And this
has been one of the reason why some
students in both these levels do not
graduate in due time.
Why Should I do research?
Do I really need this as a requirement for
graduation? As a faculty, do I really need to
produce a research output to be classified as a
full-fledged faculty member?
These are questions of resentment,
but unfortunately, the answer is yes.
It is a requirement for graduation
and it is a requirement for faculty
members especially in the tertiary
level. The reason is simple: we live
in an imperfect world. There is so
much to be improved in our
workplace, there is so much to be
improved in our system and there is
so much to be improved in our
society.
As a new professional in your chosen
field, you have the responsibility to
make a difference and improve the
situations where you belong, your
family, your workplace, your community,
the society. This is also the reason why
research topic should be directly related
to your chosen profession.
What is Research?
Th word research comes from the prefix “re”
which means again and the root word “search”
which is synonymous to “look for”, “explore”,
“investigate”, “examine”, “experiment”,
“probe”, “analyze”, “scrutinize”, Putting these
together, research literally means to look for
again, to explore anew, to investigate again, to
study again, etc.
As a field of discipline, research
is an investigation, study,
exploration, probe, etc. on
anything by applying systematic
or scientific methods in
gathering data in order to
provide answers to some
questions or problems that are
aimed to improve the quality of
life.
Since it employs the scientific method, it follows the steps in
scientific inquiry as you have learned in your society class, namely:
1. Defining the problem;
2. Defining the hypothesis;
3. Planning out the study to test the hypothesis;
4. Defining the variables;
5. Forming all operational definitions;
6. Carrying out the study;
7. Collecting all data;
8. Interpreting the data;
9. Presenting the data;
10. Drawing the conclusions;
The purpose of research has been explicitly
presented in the definition: to provide the
answers to some questions or problems that are
meant to improve the quality of life. Therefore,
any research activity that eventually leads to
destruction of life, or somebody else’s
reputation or of the environment, or of family
relationships is considered contrary to the
objective of research and thus, contrary to the
ethics of research.
 What type of Research can you do?
To come up with a
good research, a good Qualitative Quantitative
research design is
needed. The type of
research would depend
on the purpose of
writing the research. It
can be qualitative or
quantitative.
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is concerned with non-
statistical methods of inquiry and analysis of
social phenomena. It draws on an inductive
process in which themes and categories emerge
through an analysis of data collected by such
techniques as interviews, observations,
videotapes, and case studies. Samples are
usually small and are often purposively selected.
Quantitative Research
In contrast to qualitative research, in Quantitative
research, easily quantifiable categories are
typically generated before the study and statistical
techniques are used to analyzed the data
collected. Both qualitative and quantitative
researches are designed to build knowledge; they
can be used as complementary strategies, usually
referred to as mixed methods.
If you decide to use the quantitative
method, you also have options to
choose from: you can use the
descripted method, the correlational
study, a combination of the
descriptive and correlational, the
experiment method, the historical
research, market research and many
more.
The Descriptive Method
Descriptive research describes the phenomena being
studied. It addresses the “what question”. Data are
gathered and descriptive statistics are then used to
analyze such data. thus, descriptive research
considers one variable at a time (i.e., univariate
analysis), and is typically the entry-level type of
research in a new area of inquiry. It typically
describes what appears to be happening and what
the important variables seem to be.
The Correlational Research
Correlational research determines the relations among two or
more variables. Data are gathered from multiple variables and
correlational statistical techniques are then applied to the data.
Thus correlational research is a bit more complicated than
descriptive research; after the important variables have been
identified, the relations among those variables are investigated.
Correlational research investigates a range of factors, including
the nature of relationship between two or more variables and
the theoretical model that might be developed and tested to
explain these resultant correlations. Correlations does not imply
causation. Thus correlation research can only enable the
researcher to make weak causal inferences at best.
• Correlation research can be bivariate, meaning two variables
in which one variable is known as an independent variable
(or input variable) and the second variable as a dependent
variable (or outcome variable). Bivariate correlations provide
information about both the strength of the relationship,
from no correlation to perfectly correlated.
• The regression analysis can be used in predicting a single
dependent variable or outcome. The relations among
variables or predictors are used to develop a prediction
model.
• The multivariate correlation determines the correlation
between multiple independent variables and a single
dependent variable
The Experimental Method
In experimental research, the researcher
manipulates one or more independent or
grouping variables (e.g., by comparing
treatment conditions, such as an
intervention group vs. a control group) and
then observes the impact of that
manipulation on one or more dependent or
outcome variables (e.g., student
achievement or motivation).
The statistical method of analysis is typically some
form of the analysis of variance. Experimental
research includes true experiments (in instruction or
counseling) and quasi-experiments (in which
individuals cannot be randomly assigned as they are
already in a condition or group, such as gender,
socioeconomics status, or classroom). The basic
question to be posed in experimental research
concerns what extent a particular intervention causes
a particular outcome. Thus experimental studies are
those in which strong casual inferences are most
likely to be drawn.
The Historical Research
The Historical method is employed by
researchers who are interested in
reporting events and/or conditions that
occurred in the past. This is for the
purpose of establishing facts in order to
arrive at conclusions concerning parts
events or predict future events.
The Market Research
Market research is any organized effort to gather information
about target markets or customers, Market research provides
important information to identify and analyze customer
satisfaction, the market need, market size and competition.

Market research, which includes Social and opinion research,

is the systematic gathering and interpretation of information
about individuals or organizations using statistical and
analytical methods and techniques of the applied social
sciences to gain insight or support decision making.
Research Activity
What to do:
1. Surf the net on the lates findings in research on any topic
of your choice: it may be Health-related, Family-related,
sports, relationships, best practices or anything, etc.;
2. Get the five most fascinating findings and classify them
according to subject, in order of preference;
3. Discuss the importance of research findings to the
improvement of the quality of life.
4. Write your selected research finding, classification and
discussion below.
Research Findings Subject Classification Impact to the improvement
of the Quality of Life
What type of Research
Situation/Problem Type of Research
1. If makahiya leaf has an antibiotic effect
2. If the customers are satisfied with the
services of a food chain
3. Which is a better teaching strategy, the
case study method or the demonstration
4. Labor demand analysis for the next five
years.
5. Life among folks before the volcanic
eruption around Mt. Pinatubo
6. If the color of lipstick determines a
woman’s decision-making process
7. If garlic is a better antibiotic than
penicillin
8. If salaries and benefits contribute to job
satisfaction

9. If the marketing strategies of schools

contribute to the increase in the number of
enrollees
10. If smoking affect the level anxiety

11. Bullying and height among elementary school

children

12. To determine the percentage of grade 9

pupils who would enroll in the academic tracks
by the year 2021
13. An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats of a certain company

14. Determine the safety of street food

15. Tracer study graduates