LESSON 1:

RESEARCH, THE WAY OF

THINKING

Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte

A G E N DA

• Research: From Phenomenon to Inquiry

• The Conduct of Inquiry
• Stages of Inquiry
• Scientific and Humanistic Scholarship “Perspective
about Reality/Knowledge”
• Ways of Knowing
• Nature of Research
• Characteristics of Research
• Characteristics of Researcher
• Classifications of Research
 RESEARCH:
F RO M
PHENOMENON
T O I N Q U I RY
THE CONDUCT
O F I N Q U I RY

• “inquiry" means the systematic,

disciplined ordering of
experience that leads to the
development of knowledge.

• A cycle where each question

leads to exploration which will
then lead to more questions to
investigate

• Inquiry involves planned

method and expected outcome
THE CONDUCT
O F I N Q U I RY
S TA G E S O F
I N Q U I RY
SCIENTIFIC AND HUMANISTIC SCHOLARSHIP:
WO R L DV I E W A B O U T R E A L I T Y / K N OW L E D G E
S C I E N T I F I C “ WO R L DV I E W ”
SCHOLARSHIP

Often associated with objectivity.

Standardization and replications are important.

Assume that the world has observable form, and they view
their task as seeing the world as it is.

Believe that the world sits in wait of discovery. “out there”

activity.

The goal of science is to observe and explain the world as

accurately as possible
They rely on agreement among observers. If all trained
observers report the same results, there is a confident that
the object has been accurately observed.
H U M A N I S T I C “ WO R L DV I E W ”
SCHOLARSHIP

Often associated with subjectivity.

Seek creative individuality.

It aims to understand individual subjective response.

Interested in individual cases than generalized theory.

Stress the “in here” activity.

Focus on discovering person.

Seek alternative interpretations

Especially well suited to problems of art, personal experience
and values.
SCI EN T I FI C A N D
HUM A N I ST I C
SCHO LA RSHI P:
WORLDVI EW A BOUT
REA LI T Y /KN OWLEDG E
WAY S O F K N OW I N G
WAY S O F K N OW I N G
WAY S O F K N OW I N G
WAY S O F K N OW I N G
WAY S O F K N OW I N G
 WAY S O F
K N OW I N G
WAY S O F K N OW I N G
N AT U R E O F
RESEARCH

• to search for, to find out”

• “Re” (again) and “cercier” (to
search) [Latin]
• “Chercher” “seek” [French]
• “Looking for information about
something”
N AT U R E O F R E S E A R C H

Investigation or experimentation aimed to the discovery of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new
facts or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws (Babbie, 1998).

Structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problem and create new knowledge that is
generally applicable (Grinnel, 1993)

A systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of propositions about the presumed relationships about various
phenomena (Kerlinger, 1986).

A systematic investigation to find answer to a problem (Burns, 1994).

Research is a process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data; documentation of critical information; and analysis
and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance with suitable methodologies set by specific professional fields and
academic disciplines (Hampshire College)
RESEARCH IN A NUTSHELL

Application of scientific method to study a problem.

A way to acquire dependable and useful information.

To discover answer to meaningful questions through the

application of scientific procedures.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

1. Empirical – research is based on direct experience or

observation by the researcher.
2. Logical – research is based on valid procedures and
principles.
3. Cyclical – research starts with a problem and ends with a
problem.
4. Analytical – research utilizes proven analytical procedures
in gathering data, whether historical, descriptive,
experimental, and case study.
5. Critical – research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
6. Methodical – research is conducted in a methodical manner
without bias using systematic method and procedures.
7. Replicability – research design and procedures are repeated
to enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive
results.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
RESEARCHER

1. Intellectual Curiosity – researcher undertakes

deep thinking and inquiry of the things,
problems, and situations around him.
2. Prudence – researcher is careful to conduct his
study at the right time and at the right place
wisely, efficiently, and economically.
3. Healthy Criticism – the researcher is always
doubtful as to the truthfulness of the results.
4. Intellectual Honesty – researcher is honest to
collect or gather the data or facts in order to
arrive at honest results.
5. Intellectual creativity – a resourceful investigator
always creates new researches.
C L A S S I F I C AT I O N S O F R E S E A R C H
E V E RY DAY R E S E A R C H & S C H O L A R LY R E S E A R C H

Scholarly research is more systematic, more careful and more

concerned about correctness and truthfulness (Berger, 2000).
CL A S S I F I CAT I ON OF
RESEARCH
ACCORDING TO ITS
PURPOSE

• Theoretical Research, Pure or Basic

Research. Focuses on generating
knowledge, regardless of its practical
application. The data collection is
used to generate new general
concepts for a better understanding
of a particular field or to answer a
theoretical research question.
• Applied Research. The goal is to find
strategies that can be used to address
a specific research problem. Applied
research draws on theory to generate
practical scientific knowledge, and its
use is very common in STEM fields
such as engineering, computer
science and medicine.
C L A S S I F I C AT I O N O F R E S E A R C H
AC C O R D I N G T O YO U R D E P T H O F S C O P E
Descriptive Research. The primary
objective of descriptive research is to
define the characteristics of a particular
phenomenon without necessarily
investigating the causes that produce it.
Explanatory Research. It is the most
common type of research method and is
responsible for establishing cause-and-
effect relationships that allow
generalizations to be extended to similar
realities.
Correlational Research. The purpose of
this type of scientific research is to identify
the relationship between two or more
variables. A correlational study aims to
determine whether a variable changes,
how much the other elements of the
observed system change.
Exploratory Research. It is used for the
preliminary investigation of a subject that
is not yet well understood or sufficiently
researched. It serves to establish a frame of
reference and a hypothesis from which an
in-depth study can be developed that will
enable conclusive results to be generated.
 C L A S S I F I C AT I O N O F R E S E A R C H
AC C O R D I N G T O T H E T Y P E O F DATA U S E D

• Quantitative Research. It is expressed in

numbers and graphs. It is used to test or
confirm theories and assumptions. This
type of research can be used to establish
generalizable facts about a topic.
• Qualitative Research. It is expressed in
words. It is used to understand concepts,
thoughts or experiences. This type of
research enables you to gather in-depth
insights on topics that are not well
understood.
 Experimental Research. It is about designing or replicating a
phenomenon whose variables are manipulated under strictly
controlled conditions in order to identify or discover its effect
on another independent variable or object. The phenomenon
to be studied is measured through study and control groups,
and according to the guidelines of the scientific method.

C L A S S I F I C AT I O N
Non-Experimental Research. Also known as an observational
OF RESEARCH study, it focuses on the analysis of a phenomenon in its natural
context. As such, the researcher does not intervene directly, but
ACCORDING TO limits their involvement to measuring the variables required for
the study. Due to its observational nature, it is often used in
THE DEGREE OF descriptive research.

M A N I P U L AT I O N
Quasi-Experimental Research. It controls only some variables
O F VA R I A B L E S of the phenomenon under investigation and is therefore not
entirely experimental. In this case, the study and the focus
group cannot be randomly selected but are chosen from
existing groups or populations. This is to ensure the collected
data is relevant and that the knowledge, perspectives and
opinions of the population can be incorporated into the study.
C L A S S I F I C AT I O N O F
RESEARCH ACCORDING TO
THE TYPE OF INFERENCE

• Inductive Research. In this type of research, knowledge is

generated from an observation to achieve a generalization. It
is based on the collection of specific data to develop new
theories.
• Deductive Research. In this type of research, reality is
explained by general laws that point to certain conclusions;
conclusions are expected to be part of the premise of the
research problem and considered correct if the premise is
valid and the inductive method is applied correctly.
• Hypothetical-Deductive Investigation. It is based on observing
reality to make a hypothesis, then use deduction to obtain a
conclusion and finally verify or reject it through experience.

The main difference between inductive and deductive reasoning

is that inductive reasoning aims at developing a theory while
deductive reasoning aims at testing an existing theory.
 Cross-Sectional Study (also referred to as
Synchronous Research). It is used to
observe phenomena, an individual or a
group of research subjects at a given time.
C L A S S I F I C AT I O N
OF RESEARCH
ACCORDING TO
THE TIME IN Longitudinal Study (also referred to as
Diachronic Research). It is the monitoring
WHICH IT IS of the same event, individual or group
CARRIED OUT over a defined period of time. It aims to
track changes in a number of variables and
see how they evolve over time. It is often
used in medical, psychological and social
areas.
C L A S S I F I C AT I O N O F R E S E A R C H AC C O R D I N G
TO T H E S O U R C E S O F I N F O R M AT I O N

Primary Research. This fundamental research type is defined by

the fact that the data is collected directly from the source, that
is, it consists of primary, first-hand information.

Secondary Research. It is developed with information from

secondary sources, which are generally based on scientific
literature and other documents compiled by another researcher.
C L A S S I F I C AT I O N O F
RESEARCH ON
H OW T H E DATA I S O B TA I N E D

• Documentary (cabinet)– is based on a systematic review

of existing sources of information on a particular subject.
This type of scientific research is commonly used when
undertaking literature reviews or producing a case study.
• Field research – study involves the direct collection of
information at the location where the observed
phenomenon occurs.
• Laboratory research – is carried out in a controlled
environment in order to isolate a dependent variable and
establish its relationship with other variables through
scientific methods.
• Mixed-Method: Documentary, Field and/or Laboratory.
Combine results from both secondary (documentary)
sources and primary sources through field or laboratory
research.
LESSON 1:
RESEARCH, THE WAY OF
THINKING

Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte