Chapter 1: The Nature and Characteristics
of Research
RESEARCH: Defined
• the systematic investigation into and study of
materials and sources in order to establish facts and
reach new conclusions.
• A process of systematic inquiry that entails the
collection of data; analysis and interpretation of that
data/information; and writing the report.
EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
• The scientific field of study that examines education
and learning processes and the human attributes,
interactions, organizations, and institutions that shape
educational outcomes.
• The application of the scientific method to study
educational problems.
Ways of knowing
 INTUITION – Relying on one’s guts, emotions,
and instincts
 TRADITION- Doing things as they have always
been done
 Experts or authorities- Accepting new ideas
because some authority figure states that they
are true.
 Rationalism – Knowledge gained through logic
and reasoning.
Premises are stated and logical rules are
followed to arrive at sound conclusions.
 Empiricism- Knowledge gained through
observation and experience.
 The Scientific Method - The goal of the
scientific method is to explain, predict, and/or
control a phenomenon.
The use of the scientific method is more
efficient and reliable than any other source of
knowledge.
Steps in the scientific method
• Recognition and definition of the problem
• Formulation of hypotheses
• Collection of data
• Analysis of data
• Stating conclusions
Purposes of Research
Creswell (2002) notes the following reasons, describing
the various purposes of educational research:
1. Improve Practice
2. Add to Knowledge
3. Expand Knowledge
4. Address Gaps in Knowledge
5. Replicate Knowledge
6. Add Voices of Individuals to Knowledge
Characteristics of Research
1. Reliability – measure of repeatability or
replicability. (outcomes)
2. Validity- represent true findings (instruments)
3. Credibility- best source of information in
research
4. Empirical- conducted following rigorous
scientific methods and procedures. Based on
real-life experiences.
5. Systematic- follows an approach or paradigm
(follow a procedure)
6. Verifiability- analyze, confirm or reject
Types of Research:
On the basis of objectives
Theoretical/ Pure/ Basic/ Fundamental Research
Formulation of theories
Applied Research (wider population)
Aims at finding a practical solution
Draws on theory to generate practical scientific
knowledge
Action research (local concern)
Local applicability and improvement in school practices
Evaluation Research
Is conducted to investigate educational programs.
On the basis of method
Exploratory Research
Not yet well understood or sufficiently researched
More on collection of data
Descriptive Research
Case studies, surveys, and fact-finding inquiries of
different kinds.
No control over the variables;
Correlational Research
Determining the degree of relationship
Used for making predictions
Experimental Research:
Characteristics or behaviors or events are related in such
a way that the relationship is a causal one
On the basis of collecting and analyzing data Research Question: An interrogative sentence that asks
Quantitative Research – numbers and graphs a question about…
Experiments, observations recorded as numbers, Sources of Research Problem
and surveys with closed-ended questions. Curiosity : Interest in a specific
Qualitative Research- linguistic-semiotic basis Information Gaps : Lack/Scarcity of Information on a
topic
Qualities of a Good Researcher Controversy : Topics talked about and aired in Media
1. Attention to detail – meticulous in your work. Replication : Replication of a study using different
2. Objectivity- Avoid temptations to make sample/ method and/or design
inconclusive statements or introduce personal Guidelines in Selecting a Research Problem
biases into Research, Is it worth doing?
3. Analytical ability and foresight- Information is -Contribution to the existing body of knowledge
useless without interpretation. -Will have an impact on the classroom/organization
4. Curiosity – observant about the world around Time Allotment
them -Within the allotted time allowed by the
5. Collaborative spirit – work well with others agency/academic institution
6. Persistence & flexibility – adapt to new Monetary resources
technologies and changing circumstances -Enough funding
7. Time management – organize, prioritize, and Access to data
optimize their time efficiently, meet your Can we gain data from key informants/ respondents of
writing deadline the study? Are secondary sources available?
8. Focus on self-care- healthy balance lifestyle Competence of the researcher
Aware of your strengths and weaknesses Within your line of expertise
Measurability
Are there known tools of measurement to focus on a
particular variable
Chapter 2 : Choosing the Research Problem FORMULATING THE RESEARCH QUESTIONS
OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS 1. Be specific as possible.
Stage 1: Identification of the Research Topic and 2. Raise a question that is ethically neutral – Free
Formulation of the Research Questions from partiality, bias and judgement
Stage 2: Identification of the Research Methodology 3. State the problem in interrogative form.-
Stage 3: Collection and Processing of Data Interrogative sentence is classified as a question
Stage 4: Preparation of the Report and necessitates a question mark at the end of
RESEARCH PROCESS: 8 STEPS it.
Step #1: Identifying the Research Problem Questions to consider when developing the research
Step #2: Reviewing the Literature questions
Step #3: Setting Research Questions, Objectives, and  Who
Hypothesis  To what extent
Step #4: Choosing the Study Design  When
Step #5: Deciding on the Sample Design  Where
Step #6: Collecting Data  Why
Step #7: Processing and Analyzing Data Tips on how to start a research
Step #8: Writing the Report  Consult
CHOOSING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM  No pressure
Research Topic : The broad subject matter area to be  Do physical activities
investigated.  Less facebook/Tiktok during writing
Research Problem: The educational issue or problem  Less Marites Sessions
within a broad topic area.
Research Purpose : A statement of intent or objective of
the study.
Chapter 3 APA 7th Edition ● Better guidelines for citing online media
● Updated guidelines for inclusive and bias-free
language
● Student-specific paper format
● Minor changes in how to cite sources

References and In-text citations

7 notable changes
1. Publisher location not included
Journal Articles Format Covey, S. R. (2013). The 7 habits of highly effective
Indent 5-7 spaces people: Powerful lessons in personal change. Simon &
 Author Schuster.
 Year 2. In-text citations are shortened
 Article Title (Taylor et al., 2018)
 Journal Title (italics) 3. Up to 20 authors in the reference list
 Volume(italics) Issue ( italics) 4. DOIs are formatted as URLs
 Pages https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2018.1560449
 DOI 5. Citing web pages
Walker, A. (2019, November 14). Germany avoids
Webpages recession but growth remains weak. BBC News.
Indent 5-7 spaces https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50419127
 Author(so 6. Citing ebooks
 Year,Date Brück, M. (2009). Women in early British and Irish
 Title (italics) astronomy: Stars and satellites. Springer Nature.
 URL https:/doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2473-2
 Website Name 7. Contributors other than authors
MEDIA TYPE. Include as author
Book FILM Director
Indent 5-7 spaces Tv series Executive pro.
 Author Podcast epi Host of epi.
 Year Webinar Instructor
 Title next is Publisher Online stre. vid. Person
Newspaper Photograph Photographer
 Author Inclusive and Bias-free language
 Year,Month,Day Updated guidelines
 Title of the article  Use singular “they” and their
 Title of the newspaper, xx (pages) (italics)  Be sensitive to labels ( People living in poverty)
 Appropriate level of specificity (People aged 65
Newspaper Article Accessed Online to 75)(Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Thai
Indent 5-7 spaces participants)
 Author(s)
 Year Publication Date Paper format
 Article Title Student-specific guidelines
 URL  Times New Roman (12 pt)
 Newspaper title( italics)  Arial (11pt)
 Georgia (11pt)
APA Publication Manual  Calibri (11pt)
1. 6th edition (2009)
2. 7th edition (Oct. 2019) TOPIC 4: WRITING THE INTRODUCTION

What’s changed? What is an Introduction?

In a research paper, an introduction does three things: How – how the research is to be conducted, including a
Introduces your topic/problem description of the research design.
Identifies the research gap
States your research questions
Use the below prompts as an effective way to start
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY writing your scope:
Emphasize the research gap. This study is to focus on…
 A research gap is an area that has not been This study covers the…
addressed well or answered in previous studies in the This study aims to…
form of books, journal articles, or reports.
Use the below prompts as an effective way to start
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM writing your study delimitations:
The Statement of the Problem section is a very clear, This study does not cover…
concise identification of the problem. It must stay within This study is limited to…
the template guidelines of 250-300 words. The following has been excluded from this study…

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS Examples of delimitations include:

A research hypothesis is a statement of expectation or Research objectives
prediction that will be tested by research. Research questions
Our hypothesis should... Research variables
• Be written in clear, concise language Target populations
• Have both an independent and dependent variable Statistical analysis techniques
• Be falsifiable – is it possible to prove or disprove the
statement? DEFINITION OF TERMS
This is an important part of a research paper in which
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY the key or important terms in the study are clearly
Refers to the contribution(s) to and impact of the study defined.
on a research field. The significance also signals who
benefits from the research findings and how.
SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
The scope details how in-depth your study is to explore
the research question and the parameters in which it
will operate in relation to the population and CONCEPTUAL DEFINITION
timeframe. It is most general in nature. The usual source of
Delimitations refer to the boundaries of the research conceptual definition is the dictionary which is the
study, based on the researcher’s decision of what to reference book of everyday language.
include and what to exclude.
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
Guidelines on How to Write a Scope -Is the meaning of the concept or term as used in a
A good scope statement will answer the following six particular study. Unlike the conceptual definition, it is
questions: stated in concrete terms in that it allows measurement.
Why – the general aims and objectives (purpose) of the
research.
What – the subject to be investigated, and the included
variables.
Where – the location or setting of the study
When – the timeframe within which the data is to be
collected.
Who – the subject matter of the study and the
population from which they will be selected.