INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH PROCESS

Discussant: Mary Rose V. Navarro

Introduction

Research is key to progress. It is believed that there can be NO progress without research. Almost
everything including technologies enjoyed today is a product of research. In government, in education, in
trade and commerce, and in all types and kinds of industries, research is vital and essential to
development.

The importance of research, therefore, cannot be taken for granted. Research is viewed as the
power that leads to discover answers to problems. And as one tries to find solutions to problems, in the
process, problems again arise, thus, making research a continuous process.

The Meaning of Research

The word “research” is derived from the prefix “re” which means “repeat or redo”, and the root
word “search”, which means “to find or look for”. From the etymology of this word, research literally
means to repeatedly “look for something” which had been existence before.

Some of the definitions of research as presented by various authors:

o Is a systematic quest for undiscovered truth (Leedy, 1974):

o It is a search for an answer to unanswered questions:
o It is a systematic attempt to provide answers to questions (Tukman, 1972): and to search again, to
take another more careful look, to find out more (Selltiz, 1976).

Other Definitions of Research

o It is systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about

the presumed relations among phenomena.
o It is a careful, critical, disciplined inquiry varying in techniques and methods according to the
nature and conditions of the problems identified, directed towards the clarification or resolution
of a problem.
o Research is simply the systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic or problem.
(Aquino, 1986).
o Research is the process of gathering data or information to solve a particular or specific problem
in a scientific manner Manuel and Medel).
o Research is a systematic study or investigation of something for the purpose of answering
questions posed by the researcher (Parel).
o Research is an attempt to gain solutions to problems (Treece and Treece).
o Research is a systematic, organized search for knowledge or answers to questions (Mason and
Bramble, 1989).
o It is a systematic process of collecting and logically analyzing information or data for some
purpose (McMillan).
o It is a process of obtaining techniques, where truth accuracy, validity, reliability and other criteria
can be ascertained (Genato, et.al., 1993).
 Purpose of Research

1. To discover new facts about known phenomena;

2. To find answers to problems which are only partially solved by existing methods of information;
3. To discover previously unrecognized substances and elements;
4. To provide basis for decision making in business, industry, education, government, and other
undertakings;
5. To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity;
6. To find answers to queries by means of scientific methods;
7. To acquire a deeper and better understanding about a phenomenon;
8. To verify or expand existing knowledge;
9. To improve the educational practices for raising quality of school products;
10. To promote health and prolong life which are evident in nutritional, pharmaceutical, and medical
researches;
11. To make work, communication, and travel faster, easier and more comfortable.

Characteristics of Good Research

Systematic
It is systematic as there are interrelated steps or procedures a researcher has to observe in solving
a problem.

Objective
It is not based on guesswork. This is because empirical data have to be gathered by the researcher
before making any conclusion or proposing any solution to an identified difficulty or problem.

Empirical
All the procedures employed and the data gathered are perceived in the same manner by all
observers. Generalizations are drawn by the researcher upon hard evidence gathered from information
collected from the real life experiences and observations.

Comprehensive
If researcher is serious about understanding a phenomenon, he has to examine and analyze all its
aspects or angles before making a generalization or conclusion.

Critical
This means that procedures employed by the researcher must withstand critical scrutiny by other
researchers. Data should be analyzed critically so that there is no error in the interpretation.

Rigorous
Procedures to be followed in solving a problem should be relevant, appropriate, justified, and
strictly observed.

Valid
Whenever a researcher formulates conclusions, these are based on actual findings.

Verifiable
 Other researcher can check on the correctness of its results by replicating the study based on the
methods and procedures employed by the researcher.

Other Characteristics of Research

1. Research employs quantitative or statistical methods

Data are transferred into numerical measures and are treated statistically to determine
their significance and usefulness.

2. Research is an original work

Except for historical research, data are gathered from primary sources or first-hand
sources and not from secondary sources.

3. Research is an accurate investigation

Every research must be done accurately so that the findings will lead to the formulation
of a scientific generalization.

4. Research is a patient and unhurried activity to ensure accuracy

Research that is hurriedly done or conducted carelessly due to racing against time may
lead to shaky conclusions and generalizations.

5. Research requires an effort-making capacity

No research can be conducted without the exertion of much effort. It involves much work
and time.

6. Research requires courage

The researcher oftentimes undergoes hazards, discomforts, and the like. At times, the
researcher encounters public and social disapproval. Also disagreements with colleagues may
arise.

Classification of Research

There are different ways of classifying research. On the basis of who undertakes research,
research can either be academic or a research project.

Academic Research is one conducted by an individual in fulfilling the requirements for the conferment of
an academic title or degree. Baby these, master’s theses, feasibility studies, and doctoral dissertations fall
under this type of research.

Research Project is a type of research undertaken by an individual or group of individuals as part of their
professional work or assignments.

Types of Research

1. Descriptive Research
This type of research endeavors to describe systematically, factually, accurately and
objectively a situation, problem or phenomenon. It seeks to describe “what is”.

2. Correlational/ Associational Research

 In this type of research, the investigator tries to probe the significance or relationship
between two or more factors or characteristics.

3. Explanatory Research
In this type of inquiry, the researcher seeks to clarify how and why a relationship exists
between two or more aspects of situation or phenomenon.

4. Exploratory Research
This kind of study is undertaken when the investigator is after probing or exploring areas
where little is known about the research problem. Feasibility and pilot studies fall under this type
of research.

5. Experimental Research
In this type of research, the researcher probes into the cause of an effect by exposing one
or more experimental groups to one or more treatments or conditions.

6. Ex-Post Facto/ Casual-Comparative Research

In this type o0f research, when the investigator delves on analyzing the possible effect of
a factor which cannot be manipulated and controlled.

7. Historical Research
The researcher attempts to reconstruct the past objectively and accurately or to explain an
incident that happened in the past with the use of data taken from the past.

8. Ethnographic Research
This type of research is done when the researcher is concerned with explaining or
describing a phenomenon holistically with the use of multiple data collection techniques.

The Research Process

1. Idea-Generating Phase
Research begins with an idea in which the researcher has interest. In this phase wherein
the researcher has to identify topics that interest him most. It is in this step where he has to justify
why a study on a particular topic is needed. Once a topic of interest is already identified, the
researcher has to start reading articles and books, converse with people who are knowledgeable in
the area and begin thinking about it.

2. Problem-Definition Phase
As the ideas generated in the first phase are very general or vague, the researches has to
redefine them. This is the problem-definition phase. This particular step involves the following
activities: identification and definition of the variables to be studied; development of the
theoretical and conceptual framework of the study; the formulation of the major and specific
problems to be investigated and the formulation of hypothesis.

3. Procedures- Design Phase

After identifying the problems and hypothesis, the researcher has to decide on the
methods and procedures he will use in the collection and analysis of data. Activities that the
researcher has to undertake in this place include: decision on what research methodology to
employ; selection of research participants; development and validation of data-gathering tool;
 specification of the procedures to be observed in the actual collection of data and planning the
analysis of data gathered.

4. Data-Collection Phase
After preparing the research plan, the researcher has to proceed gathering the data from
the subjects of the study. It is in this phase where the procedures devised in the previous step are
implemented by the researcher rigorously.

5. Data-Analysis Phase
In this particular phase the researcher analyzes the collected data from the previous step,
based on this data analysis plan. Appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and
procedures are the applied for the data that have been recorded, coded and tabulated.

6. Interpretation Phase
Having analyzed the data, the researcher contributes to make sense out of them by
interpreting the results in terms of how they aid in responding to the research problem posed at
the beginning of the study, and how the answer contributes to knowledge on the field. After
generating answers to the problem, the researcher has to compare the results predicted based on
the theoretical framework of the study.

7. Communication Phase
After completing the data analysis and interpretation phases, the researcher has to prepare
a written or oral report of the study conducted, either for publication or presentation to colleagues
or a panel of experts. This report has to include a description of all the above steps in the research
process.

Reference:
Bermudo, Pedrito Jose V. [et.al.,]. Research Writing Made Simple: a modular approach for Collegiate and
Graduate Students. Manila. Mindshapers Co., Inc., 2010.