Research Notes:
Methodological – process of
Quantitative Research
 Objective, systematic empirical
investigation of observable
phenomena.
 Numerical analysis of data.
 Unbiased result, can be generalized,
large population.
 Inquiry into a social or human
problem based on testing theory.
 Statistical procedures
Qualitative Research
 Understanding a social or human
problem.
 Non-numerical
Assumptions
1. Ontological – nature of the reality
 Qualitative: subjective
 Quantitative: objective
2. Epistemological – relationship of
the researcher to the subject.
 Qualitative: interact with the
subject
 Quantitative: independent
from the subject
3. Axiological – role of the values
 Qualitative: value laden and
biased
 Quantitative: value free and
unbiased
4. Rhetorical – language of the
research
 Qualitative: informal, evolving
decisions, personal voice,
understanding, discover, and
meaning
 Quantitative: formal, based
on set of definitions,
impersonal voice,
relationship, comparison,
within group
5.
research
 Qualitative: inductive,
emerging design, patterns
and theories
 Quantitative: deductive, static
design, generalizations lead
to prediction, explanation and
understanding
Nature of Quantitative Research
1. Objective – accurate measurements
and analysis of target concepts.
2. Clearly defined research
questions – researchers know in
advance what they are looking for.
3. Structured research instruments -
standardized instrument guide data
collection, ensuring the accuracy,
reliability and validity of data.
4. Numerical Data – showcase
summarized data collection in order
to show trends, relationship or
differences among variables.
5. Large sample size- normal
population distribution curve is
preferred.
6. Replication – can repeated to verify
findings.
7. Future outcomes – using complex
mathematical calculations.
Strengths
 Objective
 Use of statistical technique facilitates
sophisticated analyses
 Real and Unbiased
 Numerical data can be analyzed in a
quick and easy way.
 Replicable
Weaknesses
 Requires a large number of
respondents.
 Costly
  Doesn’t consider the distinct
capacity of respondents to share
and elaborate their answer.
 Much information is difficult to gather
using structured research
instruments.
 If not done serious and correctly,
data from questionnaires may be
incomplete and inaccurate
Kinds of Research
1. Causal-Comparative Research –
cause or consequences of
differences that already exist
between or among groups of
individuals.
2. Correlation Research – extent of a
relationship between two or more
variables using statistical data.
3. Descriptive Research – systematic
information about phenomenon.
4. Evaluation Research – means to
judge actions and activities in terms
of values, criteria and standards.
5. Experimental Research – uses
scientific method to establish the
cause-and-effect relationship
6. Survey – brief interview or
discussion.
Importance Across Fields
1. Business
2. Political Science
3. Psychology
4. Medicine
5. Economics
6. Education
Variables
 Anything that has a quantity or
quality that varies.
Quantitative Variable
 Numeric and can be measured
objectively.
Discrete Variable – countable whole
numbers and fixed point.
Continuous Variable – fractional
values that can either be a positive or a
negative.
Interval – differences between
consecutive values are equal and
meaningful but the numbers are
arbitrary, zero point does not mean
absence.
Ratio – differences is the presence of a
true zero value, zero indicates the
absence of quantity being measured.
Qualitative Variable
 Descriptions or category
 Dichotomous - consisting of only
two distinct categories.
 Nominal – more than two categories
that defines group of subjects.
 Ordinal – ranked in certain order.
Kinds of Variable
1. Independent Variable (treatment)
2. Dependent Variable (response)
3. Control Variable (can change)
4. Confounding Variable
(unexpected)
5. Latent Variable
6. Composite Variable
Research Title - concise description of the
content of the research study containing the
fewest words possible.
Title Pointers:
1. Use an accurate description of the
subject and scope of the study instead of
using general terms.
2. Do not use abbreviations except for
commonly known ones (i.e DNA, ICT)
3. Do not include the words like “The study
of,” “The analysis of,” “An investigation of,”
or similar construction as these would only
lengthen the title.
4. Include the main dependent &
independent variables
5. Be mindful of proper grammar and
punctuation
6. Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs,
adjectives, adverbs, as well as the first letter
of the first & last words
7. State in a declarative form (although
some titles are in question form)
8. The year the study has been conducted
should not be indicated unless it is a
historical study
9. Use current terminology
10. 5-12 words are sufficient
11. Use common names instead of
chemical formula (e.g NH3 as ammonia)
12. Write and italicize the full scientific
names
13. Must reflect the tone of the paper.
Academic research titles do not contain
casual, informal, or humor
Key Points
 Potential – capacity to be studied
 Feasibility – possibility
 Efficacy – under controlled
conditions
 Effectiveness – outside of efficacy
trials, real world
 Efficiency – effectiveness using
minimal resources.
 Sustainability – support a process
overtime.
Background of the study - where you
inform the reader of the context of the study
Questions:
1. What is already known about the topic?
2. What is not known about the topic?
3. Why do you need to address those gaps?
4. What is the rationale of your study?
Key Points:
1. General context of the identified problem
within the community
2. Specific problem that your research is
targeting based on the identified problem
3. Overview of the existing or proposed
solutions
4. An overview of your proposed alternative
solution
5. Significance of your solution in relation to
UN sustainable goals and DOST national
Sci. & Tech. priorities
6. Scientific/Methodological/Research basis
of the effectiveness of the proposed solution
7. Main objectives of the study
Statement of the problem – introduces the
problem that want to be address. Dealt
more with precision and specificity
(Quantitative Research)
Research Questions – sub-problems, and
are informative in nature.
Characteristics:
 Feasible
 Clear
 Significant
 Ethical
Research Hypothesis – tentative answer
to your research question/s.
Types:
1. Simple – connection with one
dependent and independent only.
2. Complex – connection between two
or more independent and dependent
variable.
3. Logical – explanation with limited
evidence.
4. Empirical – explain certain the
“limited evidence”
 5. Statistical - portion of population.
6. Null – no relationship between the
independent and dependent
variables.
7. Alternative – alternate statement
expressed to be tested.
Concept mapping – is developing/creating
Classifications:
a plan to be guided on the flow & direction
 Directional: one-tailed, less than of your research study
or more than
Variable Types:
 Non-Directional: two-tailed, equal
or not  Independent Variable – reason for
Hypothesis Pointers: any “change” or difference
DIFFER THEOR CONCEPTU
1. Before writing hypothesis, spend more
ETICAL AL
time researching about the topic ENCES
2. Independent variable and dependent Scope -Broader -
variable must be included in your - Can be Narrower/foc
hypothesis. used in used
different - Directly
3. Relationship of your variables must be studies related to the
reflected in your hypothesis.
study
4. Hypothesis should be simple and specific Focus of - The - Set of
as possible. content particular related
5. Hypothesis should be concise and
theory is concepts to a
comprises clear and simple language. used in specific study
already
6. Hypothesis should be testable without Number of - Presents - May
violating ethical standards. Theories one synthesize
7. Hypothesis must be falsifiable. It means theory at one or more
that your a time theories
Time of - Already - Develop
8. Hypothesis can be proven wrong through
Developmen existing while
experiments or empirical data.
t before the planning &
Research framework – illustrates the conduct writing
structure or blueprint of the research plan. It of the specific
is normally used as a guide. study research
Two types:  Dependent Variable – altered as a
result of experimental manipulation
 Theoretical Framework – used for  Moderating Variable – independent
studies that anchor on time-tested variable which influences the
theories direction & strength of the
 Conceptual Framework – actual connections
ideas, beliefs, and tentative theories  Mediating/Intervening Variable –
that specifically support the study describes effect & influence of the
relationship between variables
  Control/Extraneous Variable –
special type of independent variable
that can influence the dependent
variable
Scope and Delimitations
Scope – specifies the coverage of your
study (e.g. variables,
population/participants, timeline)
Delimitation - cites factors of your study
that are not included/you will not deal in the
study
Components

 Objectives/Problems to be
addressed
 Time frame
 Locale of the study
 Characteristics of the respondents
 Method & research instruments

Definition of Terms – also called as

Operational Definition of Variables (OPV).
Although optional, it helps in simplifying
some of the technical terms.
Two Types:
Conceptual Definition – meaning of the
term based in dictionaries/encyclopedias
Operational Definition – meaning of the
term based on how it was used in the study
Definitions of Terms Key Points:

 Make sure that the variables & key

terms found in the title are included
 Terms should be arranged
alphabetically
 Direct to the point
 Do not overflow with technical terms;
only those relevant
 Keep the definitions brief & basic