PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

I. NATURE AND INQUIRY OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

A. Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses and Kinds of Quantitative Research
There are many available definitions of quantitative research online and from different books.
However, one can simply define it as a careful and systematic way of investigation in some field of
knowledge with the use of numbers and computational techniques.
Characteristics of a Quantitative Research
Before you conduct a quantitative research, you must be familiarized with its characteristics
and these are enumerated below:
Objective. Quantitative research must be based on facts and not on mere superstitious belief,
feelings, intuitions or guesses.
Follows scientific process. In quantitative research especially in experimental, the researchers
need to follow scientific method such as formulating questions, formulating hypothesis, and
experimentation.
Research Instruments. For the researchers be able to gather data, sometimes they need to use
research instruments such as questionnaires, rating scales, tally sheets, performance checklists and
the like especially when dealing with descriptive type of research.
Numerical Data. In a quantitative research, data must be in numerical form. For better
understanding and simpler presentation, researchers may present these data using graphs, tables,
charts and the like.
Required Large Sample Size. For researchers to come up with a reliable analysis and
conclusion, they must have large sample size that will represent an entire population.
Replicable. Researchers can repeat quantitative research to verify the results. If errors appear in
the results, it's either the previous or the current researchers may have committed a mistake.
Like qualitative research, quantitative research has its strengths and weaknesses as well. And
as you explore this module, you will realize that some of its characteristics are also its strengths,
and some are its weaknesses.

Strengths of a Quantitative Research

1. A quantitative research is objective and is not influenced by one's belief or opinion.
2. It is easy to process and to analyze using statistical treatment since the data are numerical.
Results can be verified thru repetition of the study.

Weaknesses of a Quantitative Research

1. It is costly since it requires a large sample size. A researcher needs to produce a large number
of instruments such as test paper or questionnaire. He may also need to distribute the instrument
to the respondents one by one. It some scientific experimental research, a research may require to
use laboratory apparatus or chemicals which are usually expensive.
2. It does not allow respondents to further elaborate their answers to complete the context of
the information. Some respondents are also prone to just guessing their answers.

Kinds of Quantitative Research

There are several kinds of quantitative research, and each has its own uniqueness and use.
To help you understand the classification, please examine figure 1.
There are two major kinds of quantitative research: experimental and non-
experimental. To fall under experimental, manipulation of variable (e.g., grade, speed and
temperature) is required and examples of this are: true experimental, quasi experimental and single-
subject. On the other hand, non-experimental research does not require manipulation of variable
and is not after the cause-and-effect relationship. This type of research includes correlational, survey
and causal comparative.
Figure 1. Types of Quantitative Research

True Experimental
There are two essential characteristics that quantitative research must have to be considered
as true experimental research. First is the manipulation of variable. The researchers can attempt to
influence a dependent variable by manipulating the independent variable. Second, randomization.
Participants or subjects of the study have equal chance to be assigned to either in the experimental
group or control group before the conduction of the experiment. This kind of research, when done
correctly is one of the most powerful design to establish cause-and-effect relationship.
An example of this research is when a researcher wants to determine if sleep deprivation
can significantly affect academic performance of a person. The researcher can manipulate the
independent variable which is the number of sleeps to cause an effect to the participant’s academic
performance which is the dependent variable (we will discuss variables thoroughly in lesson 2).

Quasi-experimental
In this type of research, the researchers can also manipulate variable to determine cause-
and-effect relationship. However, its difference from the true experimental is that participants are
not randomly assigned.
For instance, a researcher decided to determine the effects of playing classical music during
the classes on the academic performance of students in Mathematics. The researcher may select
two sections: one for the experimental group and one for the control group. The process of creating
two groups doesn’t require to apply random selection since there are already existing groups by
sections.

Single-subject Research
In some cases, researchers find it difficult to have a large sample size of respondents. So
instead of creating groups, they extensively collect data on a single subject at a time. For example,
a clinical psychologist has only 8 participants (people with special characteristic such as deaf and
blind) in his study. Instead of creating two groups with four members each, he may just study them
one at a time to extensively collect and analyze the data.

Correlational Research
This type of research aims to identify possible relationships or associations between or among
variables. However, a researcher cannot claim for a cause-and-effect relationship since it does NOT
involve manipulation of variables. For example, a researcher found out that there is a strong BUT
negative relationship between playing online games and academic performance. He can use it to
predict that the more a student plays online games, the lower his academic performance may
become or vice versa. However, the researcher cannot claim that playing online games can cause
low academic performance. Why? It is because another variable may cause for that. What do I
mean? Maybe, it's lack of sleep that can actually make a student's academic performance low and
not necessarily playing online game.
In some cases, researchers investigate for possible connections (correlational) before they
proceed to experimental. Again, this type of study only investigates for possible associations which
can be used for prediction.

Survey Research
When a researcher is interested to know the opinions or ideas of a certain group of people
about a particular issue, conducting survey research is the most appropriate to do.
 The data will be collected from a sample population representing the entire group. To do
this, the researcher often needs the help of a research instrument such as questionnaire, rating
scale, etc.

Causal-comparative Research
In this type of research, the researcher is attempting to identify the cause-and-effect
relationship without actually manipulating any variable. How does it become possible? A researcher
may observe how two groups of individuals differ on weight and height when one is taking the
normal diet and the other one is taking a new diet.

Importance of Research across Fields

Research is valuable to society. In fact, the goal of education is not only to learn existing
knowledge but also to discover and create new information that may help humanity to solve existing
problems and problems that may arise in the future.
As a senior high student, regardless of what track in Senior High School you have chosen,
this course will help you appreciate your future career and visualize how you can address current
and challenges and those that may arise along the way.
If you’re dreaming to have your own business or be in the business world, research is useful
to know what consumers want and/or how the economy works. You can conduct a feasibility study
prior to the establishment of your business to assure success.
On the other hand, if you want to pursue career related to medicine, sciences and
engineering. Research can help you test the effectivity of a certain drug, or to test how new
processes, designs can better improve the living conditions not only of humans but also of other
living organisms such as plants and animals.

Independent Activity 1. What kind of Research?

Directions: Based on the given research topics below you’re going to decide what kind of quantitative
research would you use to investigate these problems. Briefly discuss your answers.
1. Connection between one’s gender and academic performance
2. Effects of vermicast to the growth and yield performance of leafy vegetable plants
3. Impacts of African Swine Fever to pork vendors in Bulacan
4. Relationship of English proficiency to academic performance in mathematics
5. Attitude and opinion of high school students towards academic cheating

Independent Assessment 1
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answers on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Which of the following is a characteristic of a quantitative research?
a. numerical data b. contextual c. subjective d. thematic
2. One of the strengths of a quantitative research is:
a. costly c. requires small number of respondents
b. objective d. all the above
3. Which of the following is an example of weakness of quantitative research?
a. objective c. results can be verified thru repetition
b. data are easier to analyze d. contextual factors are ignored
4. Which quantitative research must be used to probe significance of relationship between
or among variables?
a. survey b. correlational c. quasi-experimental d. true experimental
5. A researcher wants to investigate the cause-and-effect relationships of variables. Which
type of research is NOT applicable?
a. true experimental b. quasi-experimental c. single-subject d. correlational
B. Variables
Variables are concepts, qualities or characteristics. Some vary in amount and some in kinds.
For example, birthplace. Some of you may answer the municipalities where you were born like: San
Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Baliwag, etc. As you see, for one characteristic, there are
variation within a class.

Types of Variables
Variables are classified in several ways. One way is to classify them into continuous and
discrete. Continuous variables are also known as quantitative variables. These variables vary in
amount and assume numerical value that is less or more along a continuum. Simple examples of
this type of variable are: length (3.54 meters), height (5’3 feet), score (84.5%). On the other hand,
discrete variables only vary in kinds. For example hair color (black, brown, blonde and yellow),
sex (male or female) and teaching position (Teacher 1, Teacher 2, and Teacher 3…). In some cases,
assignment of numbers to these categories can be applied but it’s up to the discretion of the
researcher.
Continuous or quantitative variables can be further categorized into ratio and interval. Both
possess meaning to the difference of two values. However, ratio variables possess clear definition
of zero unlike interval. For example, the difference between 90 meters and 80 meters is of the same
value and meaning with the difference between 50 meters and 40 meters. When you say 0 meter,
it means zero or none of that variable. Other examples of ratio variables are: hours of sleep, grades,
weight, mass, and volume.
On the contrary, interval variables do not possess clear definition of zero although the
difference between two values has meaning and value. For example, the difference between 100
and 70 degrees Celsius is of the same value with the difference between 50 and 20 degrees Celsius.
However, zero (0) degree Celsius does not necessarily mean that there’s no internal energy within
the object.
Discrete variables can be further classified into nominal and ordinal variables. Nominal
variable is used to name or categorize the qualities that are being measured. In some cases,
assignment of numbers to these categories can be applied but it’s up to the discretion of the
researcher.
On the other hand, an ordinal variable shows order, hierarchy or ranks However, the
magnitude of the difference between each category cannot be provided. Just like in nominal
variable, number can be assigned to each category upon the discretion of the researcher. For
example, t-shirt sizes. There are small, medium and large.
Variables can also be classified into independent, dependent, constant, extraneous and
confounding variable. In a typical experimental type of research, variables are truly important. The
variable that is being manipulated by the researcher to cause changes in the outcome is called
independent variable. The one that shows effects or changes brought by the independent variable
is called dependent variable.
Suppose you want to test the effect of an organic fertilizer to the growth and yield
performance of eggplants. As the researcher you need to add 10g, 20g, 30g, 40g and 50g of organic
fertilizer to each treatment or group of eggplants. You will also create a group of eggplants where
commercialized fertilizer will be applied. Given an enough time, you will measure the growth and
also the yield performance of eggplants in each treatment.
In this example, independent variable is the amount of organic fertilizer because it is the
amount of organic fertilizer that I manipulated. The effects of fertilizer will manifest on the growth
and yield that’s why they’re considered as dependent variables.
As you know, for the eggplants to grow, it also needs enough exposure to sunlight, water,
proper aeration. These are known to be the extraneous variables. Researchers must pay attention
to control these variables because once not, they may affect the results. These extraneous variables
become your confounding variables.
Independent Activity 2. Understanding Variables
Directions: Identify the variables in each number. Write N if it’s nominal, O if ordinal, R if
ration and I if interval. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
_____1. religion _____6. citizenship
_____2. height _____7. job position
_____3. mass of sugar _____8. speed
_____4. type of music _____9. year level
_____5. number of books _____10. temperature in Fahrenheit
_____11. test scores _____16. type of sports
_____12. eye color _____17. amount of rainfall
_____13. emotions _____18. density of an object
_____14. diaper sizes _____19. acid level
_____15. time _____20. Gender

Independent Assessment 2. Understanding Variables

Directions: Modified true or false. Write true if the statement is correct but if false change the
underlined words to make the statements correct. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
________1. Continuous variables are also quantitative.
________2. Gender is an example of an ordinal variable.
________3. Nominal variable is the lowest form of measurement.
________4. Interval variable has clear definition and value of zero.
________5. Both nominal and ratio are discrete.
________6. Independent variables are the ones that show outcome or changes.
________7. Extraneous variables are controlled independent variables.
________8. Price of houses is a discrete type of variable.
________9. Pulse and heart rate are discrete variables.
________10. Variables are concepts, qualities or characteristics.

Independent Assessment 3
Directions: Identify the independent, dependent and possible extraneous variable in each number.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Effects of computer simulation activity and hands-on activity on the product creativity of
senior high students.
IV:______________________________________________________________
DV:_____________________________________________________________
EV:_____________________________________________________________

2. Improving reading comprehension with the use of strategic improvised materials

IV:______________________________________________________________
DV:_____________________________________________________________
EV:_____________________________________________________________

3. Relations of leadership and managerial skills to subordinates’ retention and job satisfaction
IV:______________________________________________________________
DV:_____________________________________________________________
EV:_____________________________________________________________

4. Effects of different concentrations of vermitea to the growth and yield of petchay plant
IV:______________________________________________________________
DV:_____________________________________________________________
EV:_____________________________________________________________

5. Improving students’ academic performance through blended learning

IV:______________________________________________________________
DV:_____________________________________________________________
EV:_____________________________________________________________

What I Can Do
Directions: Create a slogan or poster that will raise people’s awareness on the importance of
research to improve the quality of life of Filipinos. Use an 8.5 x 11 paper on your work.
Criteria for grading:
Accuracy of ideas: 60%
Organization of ideas: 30%
Neatness of output: 10%
Total: 100%

Assessment
Directions: Identify the independent, dependent and extraneous variables in the given
sets. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
independent dependent Extraneous
Variable variable variable
1. The amount of heavy metals absorbed using
activated carbons from different materials
2. Different concentrations of Madre cacao leaf
extract are used to kill mosquito larvae
3. The academic performance of students in
English subject is measured after exposing
students to music and dance
4. A seminar on bullying was conducted by the
school administrators to address the increasing
number of cyberbullying cases
5. The growth of the plants are measured after
getting exposed from different light colors

II. WRITES A RESEARCH TITLE

Research is ALL about finding answers to a QUESTION/INQUIRY. This question/inquiry may
be prompted by a wide variety of contents, your own personal experiences and interests, or a theory
that you are very much interested in and a lot more.
In any research undertaking, the systematic process always starts with the question: “ What
do I want to write about?” Such step will therefore need fine tuning, thus, one will decide by
identifying a research problem to write about.
The title summarizes the main idea or ideas of your study. A good title contains the fewest
possible words that adequately describe the contents and/or purpose of your research paper.
The title is without doubt the part of a paper that is read the most.. If the title is too long it
usually contains too many unnecessary words, e.g., "A Study to Investigate the...." On the other
hand, a title which is too short often uses words which are too general. For example, "Philippine
Politics" could be the title of a book, but it does not provide any information on the focus of a
research paper.
The following parameters can be used to help you formulate a suitable research paper title:
1. The purpose of the research. This includes your reasons why you are conducting the study like
finding differences, effects or relationships between with one or two variables.
2. The narrative tone of the paper. Your tone is as if you are telling what will happen to your study
after the implementation.
3. The methods used. You research title should have a specific research method to be used either
in qualitative or quantitative.
The initial aim of a title is to capture the reader’s attention and to draw his or her attention
to the research problem being investigated.

Create a Working Title

Typically, the final title you submit to your teacher is created after the research is complete
so that the title accurately captures what was done. The working title should be developed early in
the research process because it can help anchor the focus of the study in much the same way the
research problem does. Referring to the working title can help you reorient yourself back to the
main purpose of the study if you feel yourself drifting off on a tangent while writing.

Effective titles in academic research papers have several characteristics.

• Indicate accurately the subject and scope of the study. (Topic and coverage of the study must be
present in the research title)
• Avoid using abbreviations. (Word shortcuts are not allowed to be used.) • Use words that create
a positive impression and stimulate reader interest.
• Use current nomenclature from the field of study.(Always use updated data for your study)
• Identify key variables, both dependent and independent.
• May reveal how the paper will be organized.
• Suggest a relationship between variables which supports the major hypothesis.
• Is limited to 10 to 15 substantive words.
• Do not include "study of," "analysis of" or similar constructions.
• Titles are usually in the form of a phrase, but can also be in the form of a question.
• Use correct grammar and capitalization with all first words and last words capitalized, including
the first word of a subtitle. All nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that appear between
the first and last words of the title are also capitalized.
• In academic papers, rarely is a title followed by an exclamation mark. However, a title or subtitle
can be in the form of a question.

Karl Marx, a leading proponent of revolutionary change identified the following as Possible Sources
of Research Questions/Topics:
• Intellectual Puzzles and Contradictions • The counter-intuitive
• Existing forms of literature • New methods and theories
• Replication • ‘New Social and technical developments and
• Structures and Function social trends
• Opposition • Personal Experience
• A social problem • Sponsors and teachers.
• ‘Gaps between official versions of reality and
the facts on the ground’

However, for these sources to qualify as viable for inquiry, they MUST adhere to certain parameters
and criteria of:
Clarity (they must be sensible and intelligible);
Researchability (continuing inquiries can be made );
Connectivity (must have connections with existing/established theories/studies);
Originality (hold prospect of making a unique contribution); and
Precision (must NEITHER be too broad or narrow)

How to Write a Good Research Title

1. Keep it simple, brief and attractive: The primary function of a title is to provide a precise summary
of the paper’s content. So keep the title brief and clear. Use active verbs instead of complex noun-
based phrases, and avoid unnecessary details. Moreover, a good title for a research paper is typically
around 10 to 12 words long. A lengthy title may seem unfocused and take the readers’ attention
away from an important point.
Avoid: Reading at home has an Adverse Effects in the Reading Comprehension of the students.
Better: Reading Comprehension Helps improve the Reading Comprehension of the Students
2. Use appropriate descriptive words: A good research paper title should contain key words used in
the manuscript and should define the nature of the study. Think about terms people would use to
search for your study and include them in your title.
Avoid: Teaching –Learning Process of the Students during the Pandemic
Better: The Pedadogy of the Students during the Pandemic

Independent Activity 1
Directions: Examine the given examples of Inquiries and identify if the research title is GOOD or
POOR. For the GOOD, give the criteria that makes it so. For the POOR, improve it to make it GOOD.
________1. Children and Teenagers Study Habits and the Video Games They Play
________2. Social Media in the Context of Cyber Bullying
________3. Internet as the New Platform of Human Rights Violations
________4. A Day on Planet Mars as an Adventure
________5. What is the Relevance of Mental Health Amid the COVID 19 Pandemic?
________6. Social Amelioration Program: Another Political Game?
________7. PRRD: Best or Worst Philippine President?
________8. Corona Virus and Mother Earth: Friend or Foe?
________9. Distance Learning VS Face-to-Face Learning: Which Do I Prefer?
________10. The Virtual Classroom of DepED

What I Can Do
The Research title or inquiry forms a vital part of the research process. Without it, the researcher
would not be able to achieve the purposes he/she would set for to conduct a study.
Directions: Given the prevailing situations in the country and the world, write three (5) Research
Titles that can be undertaken by a Senior High School student.
Example: Online Classroom: an Effective Mode of Learning
1.________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________
4.________________________________________________
5.________________________________________________

PERFORMANCE TASK 1: Think of a research topic you intend to prepare as your research
undertaking using the funnel method. Write a research title about your chosen research topic. An
example is provided as your guide.