Chapter Objectives:

At the end of the chapter, the students shall be able to:

1. define research;
2. identify and differentiate the types of research;
3. discus the purposes of research and the characteristics of good research;
4. explain the stages of research; and
5. answer study guide questions.

Chapter I
Introduction to Research
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1.1. Meaning of Research

Good and Scates (1972) defined research as “the continuous discovery and
exploration of the unknown”. According to them, research entails an investigation of new
facts leading to discovery of new ideas, methods or new improvements.

According to Kerlinger (1973), “research is a systematic, controlled, empirical

and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about presumed relations among
natural phenomena”. It is systematic because it follows steps or stages that begin with
the identification of the problem, relating of the problem with existing theories, collection
of data, analysis and interpretation of these data, drawing conclusions, and integration of
these conclusions into the stream of knowledge.

Aquino (1992) defined research as the systematic search for information on a

specific topic or problem.

Research has been defined also as the process of gathering data or information to
solve a particular or specific problem in a scientific manner (Manuel and Medel). It may
evolve from the basic teaching and learning processes to educational practices and
policies. It may be focused on the human resources – the teachers, the pupils, the
administrators and physical resources that are part of the school environment.

Parel (1973) defines research as a systematic study or investigation of something

for the purpose of answering questions posed by the researcher.

Best (1981) defines research as a systematic and objective analysis and recording
of controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations,
principles, or theories, resulting in the prediction and possible the ultimate control of
events.

Formulated in a more comprehensive form, research maybe defined as a

purposive, systematic, and scientific process of gathering, analyzing, classifying,
organizing, presenting, and interpreting data for the solution of the problem, for

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prediction, for the discovery of the truth, or for the expansion or verification of
existing knowledge, all for the preservation and improvement of the quality of
human life.

1.2. Purposes of Research

 To discover new facts about known phenomena.

 To find answers to problems which are only partially solved by existing methods
and information.
 To improve existing techniques and develop new instruments and new products.
 To put into order related and valid generalizations into systematized science.
 To discover previously unrecognized substances or elements.
 To provide the basis for decision making in business, industry, education,
government, and in other undertakings.
 To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity
 To find answers to queries by means of scientific methods.
 To acquire a better or deeper understanding about one phenomenon that can be
known and understood better through research.
 To expand or verify existing knowledge gained from a previous research or verify
if the same facts are found.

1.3. Characteristics of Good Research

Best (1981) gives a summary of the more important characteristics of a good

research as follows:

1. Research is directed towards the solution of the problem. The ultimate goal is
to discover cause-and-effect relationship between variables, though researchers often
have to settle for the useful discovery of a systematic relationship, for lack of enough
evidence to establish one of cause-and-effect.

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2. Research emphasizes the development of generalizations, principles, or theories

that will be helpful in predicting future occurrences. It usually goes beyond he specific
objects, groups, or situations investigated and infer characteristics of a target population
from the sample observed. It is more than information retrieval, the simple gathering of
information.

3. Research is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence. Certain

interesting questions do not lend themselves to research procedures because they cannot
be observed.

4. Research demands accurate observation and description. Researches use

quantitative measuring devices, the most precise form of description. When this is not
possible or appropriate, they use qualitative or non-qualitative description of their
observations.

5. Research involves gathering new data from primary or first-hand sources or

using existing data for a new purpose. Merely reorganizing or restating what is already
known and has already been written valuable as it maybe as a learning experience, is not
research. It adds nothing to what is known.

6. Although research activity may at times be somewhat random and

unsystematic, it is more often characterized by carefully designed procedures requiring
rigorous analysis.

7. Research requires expertise. The researcher knows what is already known

about the problem and how others have investigated it. He or she has searched the
related literature carefully, and is thoroughly grounded in the terminology, the concepts,
and the technical skill necessary to understand and analyze the data gathered.

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8. Research strives to be objective and logical, applying every possible test to

validate the procedures employed, the data collected, and the conclusions reached. The
researcher attempts to eliminate personal bias. The emphasis is on testing rather than on
proving the hypothesis.

9. Research involves the quest for answer to unsolved problems. Pushing back
the frontiers of ignorance is its goal and originally is frequently the quality of a good
research project. However, the previous important studies are deliberately repeated, using
identical or similar procedures, with different subjects, different setting, and at a different
time. This process is called replication, which is done to confirm or to raise questions
about the conclusions of a previous study.

10. Research is characterized by patient and unhurried activity. It is rarely

spectacular and researchers must expect disappointment and discouragement as they
pursue the answer to difficult questions.

11. Research is carefully recorded and reported. Each important term is defined,
limiting factors are recognized, procedures are described in detail, references are
carefully documented, results are objectively recorded, and conclusions are presented
with scholarly caution and restraint.

12. Research requires courage.

1.4 Types of Research

1. Basic Researches are those that deal with the process of objects and things, or
information about different topics with no concern for a direct pay-off. Among
these are studies on relationships, comparative analyses, trends, and projections.
Examples:
a. Relationship between emotional quotient and leadership skills.
b. Relationship between GPA and science grades of grade 6 pupils.

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c. The intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors of students to enroll in

Information Technology courses.

2. Applied Researches are those that probe into the unknown using directly the
results to a current problem.
Examples:
a. studies on rice substitutes
b. modern methods for gall bladder operation
c. modern techniques of tooth treatment.
d. Use of native plants to serve as gasoline.
3. Empirical Researches are more specific than basic researches, but simply imply
their nature from the use of data, whether quantitative or qualitative. Basically,
they have the following important characteristics:
 Based upon observations and experiences;
 Derived from direct data;
 Deal with population samples; and
 Generally use estimations and hypothesis testings.

Problems that involve differences and relationships of behavior or measurable

characteristics are generally empirical researches.

Pure Researches
These are researches which do not use empirical or direct data, but are researches
where the laboratory is the human mind and are geared towards the resolution or a
simplification of a problem or derivation of a concept or a theory or even a formula.
Example:
Thesis and dissertation of students for a Master of Science degree in Mathematics,
Statistics, or Physics.
1.5. The Research Process

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As a systematic process of solving a problem or adding to the existing body of

knowledge, research is not done haphazardly. It follows a standard procedure in a logical
sequence of steps, as shown below.

IDEA-GENERATING PHASE

PROBLEM DEFINITION PHASE

PROCEDURES-DESIGN PHASE

DATA COLLECTION PHASE

DATA ANALYSIS PHASE

INTERPRETATION PHASE

COMMUNICATION PHASE

IDEA-GENERATING PHASE. Research begins with an idea in which the

researcher has interest. It is 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.

PROBLEM-DEFINITION PHASE. As the ideas generated in the first phase are

very general and vague, the researcher has to refine 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 the hypothesis.

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. This is the procedures-design phase. Activities a

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researcher has to undertake in this phase include the following: decision on what research
methodology to employ; selection of research participants; development and validation of
data gathering tools; specification of the procedures to be observed in the actual
collection of data and planning the analysis of data gathered.

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 devise din the previous step, are implemented by the
researcher rigorously.

DATA ANALYSIS PHASE. In this particular phase, the researcher analyzes the
collected data from the previous step, based on his data analysis plan. Appropriate
qualitative and quantitative techniques and procedures are then applied for data that have
been recorded, coded, ad tabulated.

INTERPRETATION PHASE. Having analyzed the data, the researcher

continues 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 this
answer contributes to knowledge in the field. After generating answers to the problem,
he researcher has to compare the results predicted based on the theoretical framework of
the study.

COMMUNICATION PHASE. After completing the data analysis and

interpretation phase, the researcher has to prepare 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 above steps in the research process.

1.6. Characteristics of the Researcher

There are four characteristics of a researcher namely: intellectual curiosity;

prudence; healthy criticism; and intellectual honesty.

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1. Intellectual curiosity. A researcher undertakes reflective thinking and inquiry of the

things, situations and problems around him. He is eager to get information on these often
due to novelty and unusualness. He raises questions to seek answer, continues to read the
literature, make use of his experiences, ad exercises his creativeness.
2. Prudence. There is a saying that “Intellectual curiosity ends when prudence begins”.
Once the investigator has chosen wisely his research problem, his intellectual curiosity
ends. The researcher is prudent if he conducts his research study at the right time and at
the right place wisely, efficiently and economically.
3. Healthy criticism. The investigator is always doubtful as to the veracity of the results.
Normally, the researcher always doubts the truthfulness of his findings even if the data
are gathered honestly.
4. Intellectual honesty. An intelligent researcher is honest in collecting or gathering
data or facts in order to arrive at results.
Study Guide
Answer the questions briefly.
1. Give the definition of research in your own words.

2. What are the purposes of research?

3. What makes a good research?

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4. What are the stages of research? Explain each stage.

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