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THE RESEARCH FUNDAMENTALS (PART I)

This learning material is the first part of the module, The Research
Fundamentals. It will provide the basics that a college students should know
about research specifically, how research is classified and important concepts
and procedures which students should know especially sources and how they
can make a good problem for their research. Moreover, for them to have the
background on how they will make research report which starts from
familiarizing themselves with the different parts of a research report.
At the end of the week, college students should be able:
1. Define research and familiarize themselves with the different kinds
and classifications of research and other important concepts
and procedures in conducting research;
2. Characterize a good problem

RESEARCH AND ITS KINDS

WHAT IS RESEARCH?
There are so many ways on how to define research. Some believe that
research is a way of improving and proving what is already is existing and
some believe that research is a way of creating and doing something to make
that creation effective.
A simple way of looking for a meaning of the word, Research is to
divide the word into two, RE and SEARCH. Re- it has been done before and
Search - the researcher’s function is to improve or nullify the findings of the
previous work.
Research as defined by many refers to a systematic way of looking for
something that should be solved, all potential tools are used to arrive at valid
conclusions and generalizations usually from existential data.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF RESEARCH

Research can be classified into two – the basic, applied & empirical
researches and the pure researches.
A. Basic, Applied and Empirical Researches
1. Basic Researches
Process of things or information about different topics with no
concern for a direct pay-off is the focus of basic researches.
Examples:

Course Module
  Relationship between the Health and Academic
Performance of Students
 The Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Factors of
Students to enroll in Food Technology Courses
 Cost Benefits Analysis of Teachers in Private
School

2. Applied Researches - kind of researches which investigate into the

unknown which use the results to a current problem.
Examples:
 Different Ways of Preventing HIV/AIDS
 Modern Techniques of Endless Beauty
Maintenance

3. Empirical Researches – these researches are implied their nature

from data use, whether it is quantitative or qualitative. It is more
specific than the basic researches.
CHARACTERISTICS OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH:
 It is based on experiences and observations;
 It is derived from direct data;
 It deals with the population samples
 It generally uses estimations and hypothesis testing
B. Pure Researches
These researches are geared towards the resolution or a
simplification of a problem or off shoot of a concept or a theory or even a
formula. They don’t use empirical or direct data .

Example:
Thesis and dissertation of students for Masters of
Science degree in Physics.

RESEARCH PROBLEMS
Research is about problem solving. But the question is what will be
the problem and where should students get the problem. Actually, there are
lots of problems that can be utilized in making research project.
SOURCES OF PROBLEM
1. Subjects in School Classroom
Problems for research emanate from the discussions in the
classroom.
2. Work experiences
3. Theories which need empirical support
4. Technological and Science Researches
5. Recommendations from other researches
6. Suggestions form friends or administrations
a. Specializations
b. Programs
c. Instructional programs pursued
d. Management practices of organizations
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CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PROBLEM

1. It should be of the researcher’s interest.
2. It should have a value to the researcher /school/community.
3. It is a current and fresh issue.
4. It can be finished within the specified time.
5. It should not carry moral or legal hindrance.
6. The data needed are available.
7. Variables are clear and updated.
8. It shall incur affordable expenses to the researcher.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE SELECTION OF THE PROBLEM
1. Data availability
2. Funds
3. Writer’s capability
4. Researcher’s attitude and interest
5. Sponsor or benefactor’s interest should be considered.
6. Issues’ importance
7. Issues’ regency
8. Other people’s cooperation
9. Availability of facilities and instruments
QUALITIES OF A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC
1. Clarity
Topic for a research should be clear and has one meaning only. It should
have direction and should set the whole research methodology.
2. Well-defined
Topic should be well phrased and easy to understand by everybody.
3. The language
The language of the topic for research should be simple and when it is
necessary, only technical terms should be used. If not, simple words
should be used so that everybody can easily understood them.
4. The titling.
Rules in titling should be followed. Sentence case or title case but
most of the title case is used.
5. Current importance
The topic should be of present importance especially to the field in
which you are conducting the research.

RESEARCH TITLE
A good research title
 Merges the paper’s content in a few words;
 Captives readers’ attention
 Differentiates the research paper from other papers of the
same subject area
Course Module
 TIPS IN WRITING A GOOD RESEARCH TITLE
1. Keep it simple, brief and attractive
Keep the title brief and simple. Use active verbs and
unnecessary details should be avoided. It should be around
10-12 words only.

2. Use appropriate descriptive words.

A good research title should contain key words and
should define the nature of the study. Consider also the terms
people would use to search for your study.

3. Avoid abbreviations and jargon.

In writing title for you research, known abbreviations
can be used such as HIV, USA and the like. However,
abbreviations and jargon that would not immediately familiar
to the research readers should not be considered.

References
Adanza, Estela G., et al., (2009), Methods of Research: A Primer, Manila: Rex
Bookstore
De Ocampo-Acero, Victorina, Leuterio, Florida C., (2006), Methods of
Research, Philippines: Rex Bookstore, Manila