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Research Procedure: J199 Under Prof. R.E.Khan
Research Procedure: J199 Under Prof. R.E.Khan
7 basic steps:
1. Select a topic 2. Review existing research and theory that are relevant 3. Develop a hypothesis or research question/s 4. Determine the appropriate methodology/research design 5. Collect relevant data 6. Analyze and interpret the results 7. Present the results in an appropriate form Research is basically scientific. Purpose: to provide an objective, unbiased evaluation of data.
Factors to consider in the choice of a research problem 4. Feasible This means that a problem that an investigator is going to work on can be completed without undue amount of time, money or effort. Feasibility of research also means that the researcher has the necessary competence or expertise to conduct the study on the chosen problem.
Factors to consider in the choice of a research problem 5. Researchable Data can be collected to answer the problem posed by the researcher. Can the data be analyzed? (Can the data be measured?) 6. Ethical A problem is said to be ethical when it does not involve physical or psychological harm or damage to human beings or organizations. In other words, a study on a particular topic should not put people or institutions in a bad light.
Literature and studies with the same findings are grouped together. Sample outline:
A. Introduction
Literature and studies are categorized based on the country/continent where they came from. Sample outline:
A. Introduction B. Foreign literature & studies C. Local literature & studies
It is in the introduction where you make your readers aware of your approach in presenting the related literature;
It is the synthesis where you specify the uniqueness of your study vis--vis the literature you had just discussed in the review.
Assignment:
After approval of topic. Start researching for and writing your Review of Related Literature.
Timetable: July 11 13 July 27 Aug 3 & 10 Aug 24 Sept 7 consultation of research topic submission of Review of Related Lit oral reports on methodology begins continuation of oral reports submission of problem statement and delimitation submission of proposed theory and methodology
Sept 28
The problem is the Y of any research project. Without a focused problem, there is no research.
In order to be able to identify a research problem, a researcher needs to know what are the available sources.
A research problem is usually posed as a question, preferably a direct and simple one.
2. Relationship research asks what is the relationship between two or more variables and implies a correlational design.
Some examples: Does a commitment to ethics among media practitioners depend on their educational or professional training? Has the number of students pursuing a degree in journalism been affected by the issue of slain journalists? How does the relationship between the mayor and beat reporters affect the latters coverage of city hall?
3. Difference research asks what is the difference between two or more groups/ approaches;
Some examples: Is there a significant difference in the number of UP journalism and broadcast graduates who actually pursue a career in their field of study? Is there a difference between the work values of journalists who come from the State University vis--vis the private schools?
There are generally two ways of stating a research problem: 1. Declarative or descriptive usually used in stating the main problem/ general objective 2. In question form usually used in stating the subproblems/specific objectives Sub-problems/specific objectives simply breakdown the main problem into small units. It should be: each sub-problem should be a completely researchable unit;
interpretation of data must be apparent with each subproblem; the sub-problems must add up to the totality of the main problem.
In any study, you need to define the key terms or concepts in the statement of the problem to avoid confusion or ambiguity.
e.g. This research shall attempt to probe the relationship between the news about slain journalists and the number of students entering the journalism programs in Metro Manila universities. a. Slain journalists b. Metro Manila universities c. Journalism programs
Two types of definitions: 1. Conceptual definition definition of a term as given by authoritative sources (e.g. Websters dictionary; a well-known research study; textbook, etc..) 2. Operational definition researchers own definition, based on how it will be used in the study This requires the researcher to specify actions or operations necessary to identify and measure the term
e.g. slain journalist A Filipino repoter killed because of his journalistic work
To ensure the objectivity in the study of an identified problem, the researcher has to be clear as to what variables are to be examined or investigated.
A variable is a property or characteristic that takes on different values. It is a symbol to which numbers or values can be attached or assigned.
Types of variables: 1. Independent variables the cause supposed to be responsible for the bringing about change in a phenomenon or situation. 2. Dependent variables the outcome of change brought about by change in the independent variable 3. Intervening variable a variable whose existence is inferred but cannot be manipulated or controlled
4. Moderator variable a variable that may or may not be controlled but has an effect on the research situation/phenomenon.
For example: Does a commitment to ethics among media practitioners depend on their educational or professional training? 1. Independent variable: educational attainment of journalist. 2. Dependent variables: ethical behavior, knowledge of Code of Ethics 3. Intervening variable: newsroom policies 4. Moderator variables: civil status, age, years of work experience
One way of making a study on a problem more focused is by delimiting it. Delimiting research is giving full disclosure of what the researcher intends to do or does not intend to do. When a researcher is able to set the scope and delimitation of his study, he can make his research manageable. At the same time, this can direct him to the choice of research method to employ.
Points for delimiting study: 1. Purpose of study 2. Time coverage of investigation 3. Geographical coverage of inquiry
4. Variables to be studied
5. Specific indicators of variables 6. Types and size of respondents if the study