What is Research?
Research involves a purposive, organized and
planned program of activities that result in the
acquisition of new knowledge
Aims of Research
1. Generate new knowledge or information
The new knowledge or information that
researchers obtain in various disciplines
contribute to the growth of science. The great
amount of information we have today is a
product of research conducted all these years
2. Finding an application for the new knowledge
Applications of knowledge also constitute new
information
3. Verifying existing knowledge
Researches are also conducted using more
advanced detection and measuring devices to
verify previous facts or findings.
Scientific principles become verified with time.
4. Developing the investigator
True for young, budding scientists like you are.
When you do research, your independent study
provides an opportunity for creativity and for
making original contributions to scientific
knowledge
- review concepts, learn more lab techniques,
master a particular area of discipline, and what it
means to be a scientist.
- The long hours of research, the failures and
frustrations encountered and eventual success
provide opportunities for growth.
Types of Research
*Determined by the aims of the researcher.
1.basic
2.applied
*Condition under which the study is done
1.descriptive
2.experimental
Basic Research
- conducted solely to come up with new
knowledge or to have fuller
understanding of a particular subject for
its own sake.
• It is conducted for the “sake of knowing”.
• It is known as “theoretical research”,
because it is designed to address
theoretical issues concerning
phenomena such as cognition, emotion,
motivation or social behavior.
• Its main objective is to test or arrive at a
theory, with the ultimate goal of
establishing principles.
• Thus, basic research helps to improve
on what is already known and thus
expand the frontier of human knowledge
and understanding.
Applied Research
• Is done to find application of the
knowledge whether new or old;
• Is undertaken when the purpose is to
obtain knowledge for practical
application or useful ends. Thus, it is
known as “Practical Research”.
• The intention is not just to acquire
knowledge but to use that knowledge to
solve problems or improve prevailing
conditions.
• Application of basic knowledge is called
technology. It is intended to improve the
quality of life although it may also have
some harmful effects.
• Both basic and applied researches are
important, one is not considered superior
to the other.
• Research have immediate practical
applications are attractive.
• Research has its contribution for
progress and valued advancement in
knowledge.
Descriptive Research
• Demands opportunities to observe and
record changes as they happen in
nature;
• Cannot manipulate the changes
• Examples Taxonomic studies which
similar patterns among organisms are
noted and used as bases for
classification
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Research Process

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-
growth

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Experimental Research

Considers to put in factors that interfere with

nature provides;

Example: a researcher who wishes to control

the spread of dengue, he observes the growth
of dengue mosquitoes and introduces a
chemical at various stages of its development to
find out which stage is most responsive to the
treatment.

Is a cyclic process.
The conclusion that is reached at the end
of every investigation leads to other
problems which other researchers may
undertake in the future
Opportunities for more inventions and
discoveries arise from the cyclic nature
of research
It perpetuates the dynamic nature of
science and ensures its continuous

Research process, like any other

process is made up of several steps;
Each step leads logically to the next one.
The time it takes for each of these steps
depends on the kind of problem being
investigated, the experience of the
researcher and the availability of
resources needed for the study.
Scientific Aspects of Research Process
(Jacobson Model, 1976)

Man
Research bridge the gap between two
domains.

Research Process links two poles

together

Man

Two Domains

1. Theoretical domain pole

Speculate

(What he thinks is happening –Theoretical

Theorize

(What is really happening- Experiential

- composes the researcher’s speculations

regarding reality
2. Empirical Pole
- contains basic elements of what is actually
happening in reality in social groups or within the
individuals.

Key Points:
• The steps in research process are

•
essentially the same as those in the
scientific method;

As a scientific method, research process

embodies sequence of problem-solving
skills that scientist use to answer
questions or problems, to wit:

Identifying problem; formulating

hypothesis, doing library research,
observing, performing experiments,
analyzing data, drawing conclusions and
communicating results

The Research Paper

A research paper is prepared after a research

has been completed, although some of its parts
are written initially prior to the actual conduct of
the study.
The research paper is also called
Thesis – for undergraduate and master’s level
Dissertation – at the doctorate level

Parts of the Research Paper

a. Title Page
b. Abstract
c. Introduction and Review of Related Literature
d. Materials & Method
e. Results and Discussion
f. Conclusion
g. Recommendation
h. Literature Cited/Bibliography/Reference List
2
i. Acknowledgement The Production of Marker Pen Ink from Carbon
j. Appendix Black in Used Batteries

Title Page Biolarvicide: A Breakthrough in Treating Dengue

Mosquito Larvae
- Answers the question : “ What did you
study?”. Pyrolysis of Plastic Wastes for the production of
- A brief statement of the topic and clearly a Fuel Substitute
identifies the variables investigated.
Includes the following: Introduction
a. Research title
b. Full name(s) of researcher(s The function of the introduction is to give the
c. Submission Statement readers a comprehensive view of a particular
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the
field of study in preparation for analyzing the
requirements of Research II
d. School specific problem investigated.
e. Date Submitted
f. Full name of research adviser • An introduction familiarizes the reader
with the background of the study,
statement of the research problem
Important Notes investigated, why the study was
conducted, who will benefit from the
1. Some sections of a research paper are also
study, and how these target groups will
parts of a research proposal
benefit from the study.
( title, introduction,review of related
literature, materials and methods, bibliography,
appendices) a. Background of the Study
2. Writing the proposal future tense is used, - “Why did you conduct the study?”
while past tense is used to describe
experimental observations and procedure in the - It describes the circumstances that suggested
final report. the research.
3. Passive voice is used in both - It Recounts the extent of research done on the
Future Tense , Passive Past Tense, passive
topic or issue leading directly to the problem
Voice voice
studied.
Three garden plots will Three garden plots were
be prepared in an area prepared in school in an - Origin of the problem is defined,
that receives sufficient area receiving sufficient - It is where one describe the events which led
sunlight the whole day. sunlight the whole day. to the research
- Did the problem arise as an answer to a
problem in the community? From reading
The Research Title various types of literature or visits to laboratories
or research facilities?
- The first thing that a reader comes - State essentially how one came upon the
across when searching a scientific problem one decided to work on
literature.
- The title is complete, concise and
accurate description of the content of the b. Identification of a Research Problem
research work
- Usual length of a research title is 10-12 - Problem identified by the researcher keeps him
words. focused throughout the entire research process.
- Inverted Pyramid - It is the basis of all subsequent research
activities he is going to undertake

Sample Research Title Leedy 1988 “ the problem is the heart of

every research project, it is paramount in
Biofuel from Castor Bean Plant importance to the success of the research
(Ricinus communis) effort, no problem no research.

Trichoderma viride as a Biofungicide for the Selltiz “ the formulation of a problem is often
Control of Postharvest Banana Anthracnose more essential than its solution”.
Sources of Research Topics

3
 People Places Things
Friends Library Soil Considerations
Teachers Research Water - The statement of the problem identifies
Family institutions Air or specifies the variable to be measured
Scientists/ School Plants and observed.
experts Community Animals - Some of these variables are manipulated
Community/ Museums Books
by the investigator, some are response
school officials Parks, Home Previous
professionals River, Internet researches variables, and others are held constant
or controlled.
Statement of the Problem (General and - The investigator must be sensitive
enough to recognize all other variables
Specific)
that may influence the result of the
Characteristics: investigation.
- The problem should be stated precisely,
accurately and clearly. Sample:
- It can be either in the declaration or
interrogation form. Effects of Varying Temperature and
- It can be either one main Concentrations on the Index of
statement/question, or a series of Refraction of Sugar Solution
statements/questions, or a combination
of these forms. Main Objective/Problem:
- The problem should be defined in terms
of the data that can be obtained. The main objective of the study is to find
the effects of temperature and concentration on
Key Points concentration on the index of refraction of sugar
- Each of the steps in the process and its solution.
corresponding output is deemed
necessary and useful as it relates to the Specific Objectives/ Problems:
problem;
- One of the evaluation criteria used to Specifically, the study seeks to find the
judge the success of the research is the effects of :
significance of the identified problem a. varying temperatures on the index of
Other considerations: refraction,
- statement of the problem must be clear b. varying concentrations on the index of
must be organized and specific refraction of sugar solution
- must define the scope and set limits of
the problem to determine the feasibility of The statement of the problem sets the
doing actual investigation objectives or goals of the study.
Statement of the problem must be:
Checklist in Selecting Research Topic 1.clear
Criteria Ye No 2.organized
s 3.concise
1.Is the problem interesting? 4. specific
2. Will the research contribute to the
solution of socioeconomically
important problems?
3. Will the research generate new
information?
4. Is the research novel?
5.Do I have the skills or knowledge to
conduct the research or can I learn
them within the time I have?
6. Is the research feasible in terms of:
a.time required to finish the research?
b. expenses involved in conducting the
research?
c. availability of materials for
experimentation?
d. accessibility of materials for
experimentation?
e. risks and hazards involved in
conducting the experiment
7. Is the research reproducible?