TYPICAL STAGES OF A RESEARCH STUDY

ACTION RESEARCH BASIC RESEARCH

(Applied)
Seek solutions to practical and ongoing
problems
To improve the teaching and learning
process (working process)
Greatly considers to the needs and
concerns of the stakeholders
Providing and taking informed action
(Theoretical)
Seeks solutions to theoretical problems
(i.e. to expand knowledge/ theory)
To arrive with models in explaining the
teaching and learning process
Driven by the need to fill up the gap in the
previous studies (literature reviews)
Recommendations are provided for
further study

The Action Research Process

1. Selecting a focus
2. Clarifying theories
3. Identifying research questions
4. Collecting data
5. Analyzing data
6. Reporting results
7. Taking informed action
Step 1—Selecting a Focus
The action research process begins with serious reflection directed toward
identifying a topic or topics worthy of a busy teacher's time. Considering the
incredible demands on today's classroom teachers, no activity is worth doing unless it
promises to make the central part of a teacher's work more successful and satisfying.
Thus, selecting a focus, the first step in the process, is vitally important. Selecting a
focus begins with the teacher researcher or the team of action researchers
asking: What element(s) of our practice or what aspect of student learning do we wish
to investigate?
Step 2—Clarifying Theories
The second step involves identifying the values, beliefs, and theoretical
perspectives the researchers hold relating to their focus. For example, if teachers are
concerned about increasing responsible classroom behavior, it will be helpful for them
to begin by clarifying which approach—using punishments and rewards, allowing
students to experience the natural consequences of their behaviors, or some other
strategy—they feel will work best in helping students acquire responsible classroom
behavior habits.
Step 3—Identifying Research Questions
Once a focus area has been selected and the researcher's perspectives and
beliefs about that focus have been clarified, the next step is to generate a set of
personally meaningful research questions to guide the inquiry.
Step 4—Collecting Data
Professional educators always want their instructional decisions to be based
on the best possible data. Action researchers can accomplish this by making sure
that the data used to justify their actions are valid (meaning the information
represents what the researchers say it does) and reliable (meaning the researchers
are confident about the accuracy of their data). Lastly, before data are used to make
teaching decisions, teachers must be confident that the lessons drawn from the data
align with any unique characteristics of their classroom or school.
To ensure reasonable validity and reliability, action researchers should avoid
relying on any single source of data. Most teacher researchers use a process
called triangulation to enhance the validity and reliability of their findings. Basically,
triangulation means using multiple independent sources of data to answer one's
questions. Triangulation is like studying an object located inside a box by viewing it
through various windows cut into the sides of the box. Observing a phenomenon
through multiple “windows” can help a single researcher compare and contrast what
is being seen through a variety of lenses.
The key to managing triangulated data collection is, first, to be effective and
efficient in collecting the material that is already swirling around the classroom, and,
second, to identify other sources of data that might be effectively surfaced with tests,
classroom discussions, or questionnaires.
Step 5—Analyzing Data
 What is the story told by these data?

 Why did the story play itself out this way?

Step 6—Reporting Results

A primary way for academic researchers to disseminate their research is
through conference presentations, either local, state, regional, national or
international level.

Step 7—Taking Informed Action

Taking informed action, or “action planning,” the last step in the action
research process, is very familiar to most teachers. When teachers write lesson plans
or develop academic programs, they are engaged in the action planning process.
This is used to design and implement action that impacts the world in a meaningful
way.
IMPORTANCE
Understanding the research process is an important step towards executing a
thorough research or study. A deeper understanding of the process of research will help
you identify the similar features that occur in the different fields, and the variety in
the purpose and approaches to some studies.

Selecting a Research Problem

What is a Research Problem?
The research problem undertaken for study should be meticulously selected. It is
defined as an area of concern that requires a meaningful understanding of a specific
topic, a condition, a contradiction, or a difficulty.
A research problem, in general, refers to a challenge that a researcher has in the
context of a theoretical or practical scenario and for which they are looking for a solution.
There must be some objective which is an individual or any organization to which the
problematic condition arises. For that they will take course of action in which various
choices can be provided. Also environmental variables affecting all the actions. And by
this all actions there will be some outcomes.

● Major Factors to be Considered in Selecting a Research Problem

In most cases, subject that is overdone must not be picked, because it will certainly
be a complicated task to throw any new light in such a situation.
Overdone and broad subjects are frequently seen in research papers that lack
emphasis. You won't be able to dig deeply into them if there is too much information or if
there are too many distinct facets of a topic involved. Focus on the area of the subject
that interests you the most and yet has reliable sources.
Too narrow or too un-explainable problems must be shunned.
We don't want to choose a subject that will be challenging or perhaps impossible to
write about because it is too specific. For a number of reasons, narrow themes are
troublesome. First of all, it might be challenging to acquire enough references for a
really specific topic. Readers could become bored with a subject if it doesn't raise
important issues or look for broader themes. The majority of readers just don't find
narrow themes interesting or pertinent enough.
The significance of the topic, the qualifications and the training of a researcher, the
expenses required, the time element are few other criteria that should be considered
when selecting a problem.
 The choice of the study problem should be based heavily on the researcher's
knowledge. For the study data to be collected effectively, a researcher must have
knowledge and expertise. He has the option of picking an issue with bitterness.
Additionally, a researcher will consider the available resources before making a choice.
The choice of the problem is simple if the resources of money, time, accommodation,
and transportation are available at the location of the choosing.
A professional needs to ask himself the following questions:
(a) Whether he is properly equipped when it comes to his background to handle
the research?
The research design refers to the overall approach you select to combine the many
study components in a cohesive and logical way, so assuring you will effectively
address the research topic; it serves as the guide for the data collecting, measurement,
and analysis processes. Having enough prior knowledge increases trust in the overall
caliber of your study and conclusions and allows you to assess if you have a better
understand of the research subject being studied.
(b) Whether he has the budget to afford the research?
We all know that it is so hard to conduct research, especially when you don't have
enough money or budget for it. Work on research design was expensive that’s why a
grant application's budget plan is an essential component. It illustrates the project's
necessary budget. It is a forecast of costs and provides donors with a strategy on how
the organization will manage the project, spend the money over a certain time period,
and where their money will go. It aids the institution and the investigative team in project
management while also demonstrating to the donors exactly what they can support.
Additionally, a budget plan calls for responsibility.
(c) Whether the required cooperation can be obtained from people who must take
part in research as subjects?
Research cooperation has become regarded as a significant social development
trend. It can promote resource sharing, let group members capitalize on one another's
advantages, and boost the study's efficacy. When we collaborate as a team, we may be
able to learn from one another's mistakes. In order to prevent repeating your mistakes
and to come up with new ideas, you might learn from the experiences and points of
view of others.
An average researcher should avoid controversial subjects.
It is not advisable to pursue subjects that have a very limited scope or that have an
unclear conclusion. Controversial subjects shouldn't be chosen for research unless they
are extremely well justified. A researcher should be informed about the field in which he
or she plans to perform the study. We need to be very careful while selecting the proper
topic for your research paper because some of them have the potential to hurt
someone's feelings. Picking a contentious subject is OK, though, if you are certain that it
won't upset anyone. Even if the reader's perspective does not align with that of the
research paper, they will still recognize the significance of your essay if you back it up
with evidence.
The topic picked for research must be familiar and feasible so that the relevant
research material or sources of research are within one’s reach.
Feasibility is also an important factor for the selection of the research problem. The
researcher qualification, training and experience should match the problem. A
researcher might get in touch with an expert or lecturer at the university who is actively
engaged in research. He can study blog posts or articles that have been published in
recent literature on the subject and consider how the principles and approaches
discussed there could be used to solve other challenges.
A preliminary study should be done before picking a research problem.
It helps you to narrow your topic by finding out how much information is out there and,
therefore, what is do-able within the page-limits you have been assigned.
It helps you get an idea of which specific aspects of your topic you will want to do
more detailed reading about.

What is Significance of the Study?

The significance of the study is basically a written statement that explains why
your research was important. It justifies why your research was needed, the impact of
your research in your field, its contribution, and how others (audience) would benefit
from it.
The significance of the study is a part of the introduction of a thesis. This section
often referred to as the “rationale” or justification is one in which you try to convince an
audience that the study is worth doing. It should determine who benefits from the study
and how that specific audience will benefit from its findings.
The purpose of the Significance of the Study is to give you space to explain to
your readers how exactly your research will be contributing to the literature of the field
you are studying. It’s where you explain why your research is worth conducting and how
significant it is to the community, the people, and various institutions.

Tips in writing the significance of the study

1.Use Your Research Problem as a Starting Point
Your problem statement itself can provide clues to what outcome your research
study will achieve and who will benefit from it.
 In writing the significance of the study, always refer to the statement of the
problem. This way, you can clearly define the contribution of your study. To simplify,
your research should answer this question, “What are the benefits or advantages of the
study based on the statement of the problem?”
Start by explaining the problem that your study aimed to solve. For example, if
you conducted a research study on obesity rates among elementary school students,
you would start by explaining that obesity is a major health concern in the Philippines
and discuss why it is important to find ways to address this issue.
If you ask the question “How has the new packaging affected the sales of the
product?” then the contribution of your research would probably be a packaging style or
technology that can help the store increase its sales. Your study should demonstrate
that the product’s packaging really influences the buyer’s perception and affects their
purchase decision.
2.State How Your Research Will Contribute to the Existing Literature in the Field
Think of the things that were not explored by previous studies. Then, write how
your research tackles those unexplored areas. Through this, you can convince your
readers that you are studying something new and adding value to the field.

3.Explain How Your Research Will Benefit Society

In this part, tell how your research will impact society. Think of how the results of
your research will change something in your community.
For example, in the study about the use of lemongrass tea in lowering blood
glucose levels, you may indicate that through your research, the community will be able
to realize the significance of lemongrass and other herbal plants. As a result, the
community will be encouraged to promote the cultivation and use of medicinal plants.
4.Mention the Specific Persons or Institutions Who Will Benefit From Your Study
In this part, you may indicate that the results of your research will benefit those
people who are looking for solution in a certain problem. These are the students,
parents, teachers or other institutions.
5.Indicate How Your Study May Help Future Studies in the Field
You must also specifically indicate how your research will be part of the literature
of the field you are studying and how it will benefit future researchers. For example in
the study about the use of lemongrass tea, you may indicate that through the data and
analysis that your research will provide, future researchers may explore other
capabilities of herbal plants in preventing different diseases.
Example:
Research Topic: Effectiveness of Meditation on Reducing the Anxiety Levels of College
Students.

Significance of the Study:

This research will provide new perspectives in approaching anxiety issues of
college students through meditation.
Specifically, this research will benefit the following:
Community – This study spreads awareness in the community on recognizing anxiety
as a mental health concern and how meditation can be a useful approach to alleviating
it.
Academic Institutions and administrators – Through this research, academic
institutions and administrators may promote programs and advocacies regarding
meditation that can help the students deal with their anxiety issues.
Mental health advocates – The result of this research will provide valuable information
for the advocates to further their campaign on spreading awareness on how to deal with
various mental health issues including anxiety and how to stop stigmatizing those with
mental health disorders.
Parents – This research may convince parents to consider programs involving
meditations that may help the students deal with their anxiety issues.
Students – Students will be directly benefited from this research as its findings may
encourage them to consider meditation as an approach to lower their anxiety levels.
Future researchers – This study covers information involving meditation as an
approach to reduce anxiety levels. Thus, the result of this study can be used for future
discussions on the capabilities of meditation in alleviating other mental health concerns.
How should I start the Significance of the Study section of my research?
You may start your Significance of the Study using phrases such as:
This research will contribute…
The findings of this research…
This study aims to…
This study will provide…
Through the analysis presented in this study…
This study will benefit…
1. It is an essential guide to a research paper. It pinpoints exactly what you want to find
out and gives your work a clear focus and purpose.
a. introduction
b.research question
c. review related literature
d. significance of the study

2. it is described as the uncertainty that the investigator wants to resolve by performing

study.
a. action research
b. research question
c. research study
d. significance of the study

3. The following are characteristics of a strong research questions which is not belong
to the group?
a. specific
b. relavant
c. researchable
d. active
4. It is a type of research question that is designed to primarily describe what is going
on or what exists.
a. causal
b.relational
c. descriptive
d. action

5. it is one of the three types of research that means it is designed to determine whether
or more variable causes or affects one or more outcome variables.
a. causal
b. cautious
c. relational
d. descriptive

1. In this stage of research study, the action research process begins with serious
reflection directed toward identifying a topic.
a. Collecting Data
b. Selecting a Focus
c. Reporting Results
d. Analyzing Data

2. This stage of research study answers the questions What is the story told by these
data? And Why did the story play itself out this way?
a. Taking Informed Action
b. Identifying Research Questions
c. Analyzing Data
d. Collecting Data

3. Action researchers can accomplish this by making sure that the data used to justify
their actions are valid and reliable.
a. Collecting Data
b. Clarifying Theories
c. Selecting a Focus
d. Identifying Research Questions

4. This step is to generate a set of personally meaningful research questions to guide

the inquiry.
a. Clarifying Theories
b. Identifying Research Questions
c. Reporting Results
d. Taking Informed Action

5. This step involves identifying the values, beliefs, and theoretical perspectives the
researchers hold relating to their focus.
a. Reporting Results
b. Analyzing Data
c. Taking Informed Action
d. Clarifying Theories

1. It is a written statement that explains why your research was important.

a. Significance of the study
b. Significant of the study
c. Statement of the problem
d. Significance of the problem

2. You may start your Significance of the Study using these phrases EXCEPT:
a. The findings of this research…
b. Through the analysis presented in this study…
c. This research will not contribute…
d. This study will provide…

3. The significance of the study is part of the introduction in the action research.
It should determine who benefits from the study and how the researchers will benefit
from its findings.
a. First statement is wrong, second statement is correct
b. First statement is correct, second statement is wrong
c. Both statements are correct
d. Both statements are wrong

4. These are the tips in writing significance of the study EXCEPT…

a. Explain How Your Research Will Benefit Society
b. Indicate How Your Study May Help Future Studies in the Field
c. Mention the Specific Persons or Institutions Who Will Benefit From Your Study
d. Use Your Research findings as a Starting Point

5. In writing the significance of the study, always refer to the statement of the problem.
Your problem statement itself can provide clues to what outcome your research study
will achieve and who will benefit from it.
a. First statement is wrong, second statement is correct
b. First statement is correct, second statement is wrong
c. Both statements are correct
d. Both statements are wrong

1.It is defined as an area of concern that requires a meaningful understanding of a

specific topic, a condition, a contradiction, or a difficulty.
a.Research Design
b.Research Problem
c.Research Paper
d.Research Goal

2.Too narrow or too un-explainable problems must?

a.Shunned
b.Cherished
c.Supported
d.Restrained

3.What kind of subject an average researcher should avoid ?

a.Uncontroversial subject
b.Undisputed subject
c.Controversial subject
d.Funny subject

4.It should be done before picking a research problem.

a.Longitudinal study
b.Preliminary study
c.Correlational study
d.Experimental study

5.In selecting a research problem, A professional needs to ask himself the following
questions. Which question does not belong to the group?
a.Whether he has the budget to afford the research?
b.Whether the required cooperation can be obtained from people who must take part in
research as subjects?
c.Whether he is properly equipped when it comes to his background to handle the
research?
d.Am I personally interested in this topic?