PRACTICAL RESEARCH
Lesson 1: What is Research?
What is Research
Ethymological Definition
● French Word: recherche = “Searching Closely”
● “RE” which means AGAIN
● SEARCH = to look for
Conceptual Definition
● Process of Looking for Information once again.
● Answer questions and acquire information.
“To solve problem/shed light to confusing facts”
RESEARCH - is a science
● It follows a systematic procedure.
● The method to be employed in conducting
research must be well selected and planned to
ensure the reliability of findings.
What is Quantitative Research?
Aliaga and Anderson (2000)
● Is explaining phenomenon by collecting
numerical data that are analyzed using
mathematically based methods specifically
statistics
● It is very useful in explaining phenomenon which
is confined with the problems of measurement.
WHAT IS A PHENOMENON?
● Is a peculiar incident that can happen anywhere.
Example: Increase in sale, change in drop-put rate in
schools, decrease in the number of failing students in
mathematics, and increase or decrease in the percentage
of dengue patients.
● In studying phenomenon, quantitative
researchers attempt to measure relevant factors
and variable by using numeric (numbers) values
to express quantity (how many)
Characteristics of Quantitative Research
● It is reliable and objective
● It uses statistics
● It reduces a complex problem
● It looks at the connection between variables
● It tests theories and hypotheses
● It assumes that the sample is representative of
the population.
● The subjectivity is a secondary concern
Advantages of Quantitative Research
● It allows the researcher to measure and analyse
the data to arrive to an objective answer to the
problem posed or stated.
● The result is reliable
● Standards are usually used in choosing the
instruments, in sampling procedures, and in
choosing the most appropriate statistical
treatment, thus making the research replicable.
● Personal biases can be avoided
● Results can be reduced through statistical
treatments
● Intercepted in a few statements.
Disadvantages of Quantitative Research
● The context of the study or experiment is
ignored.
● Requires researcher to spend more resources.
● Results are limited
● Usually done in a laboratory (experimental
research)
● Fixed alternative answers may not necessarily
reflect the true answer of the participants.
● Findings can be influenced by the researcher’s
perspective.
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE - the collection of information or data that
can be presented in tabular form using numerical values.
● Used to collect information concering the actual
situation of the event/phenomenon.
● It is concerned with finding out “WHAT IS”
Example:
a. Frequency of road accidents in Buhi
b. Measuring employees satisfaction
c. How many students in SBS are involve in cheating
d. Number of COVID-19 positive in Buhi
A. CORRELATIONAL - measures a relationship
between variables without controlling any of
them.
● Asses relationship between two naturally
occurring variables (attitudes,
preferences or likes, intelligence, age,
sex, feelings, and traits.
 B. SURVEY - performed by asking individuals
questions either in person, paper, phone, or
online.
CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE
● Seeks to find the relationship between
dependent and independent variables in a study.
EXPERIMENTAL
● It can establish cause and effect relationship
between variables.
● Supports or contradicts hypothesis using
statistical analysis.
QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL
● Examines cause and effect relationship between
variables that cannot be involved to
experimental control.
● Samples are not randomly selected.
● All variables in the study cannot be manipulated
by the researcher.
PRACTICAL RESEARCH
Lesson 2: Classification of Variables
What is Variable?
● Any factor or property that a researcher
measures, controls, and/or manipulates.
● The changing quantity or measure of any factor,
trait, or condition that can exist in differing
amount or types.
● A logical set of attributes, characteristics,
numbers, or quantities that can be measured or
counted.
● Anything that has quantity or quality that varies
● Also called DATA ITEM.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF VARIABLES
NUMERIC VARIABLES
● Variables with values that describe a measurable
numerical quantity.
● It answers the questions “how many” or “how
much”
● Values that are considered as quantitative data.
CONTINUOUS VARIABLES - can assume any value
between a certain set of real numbers.
● The values depends on the scale used.
● Are quantitative or numeric values
● Can be obtained by measuring or computation
● Also called INTERVAL VARIABLES.
DISCRETE VARIABLES - can be obtained by counting
● Variables that can only assume any whole value
between a certain set of real numbers.
CATEGORICAL VARIABLES
● Variables with values that describes a quality or
characteristic of a data.
● It answers the questions “what type” or “which
category”
ORDINAL VARIABLES - these are values that can be
logically arranged or ranked.
● These can be expressed through sequential and
numerical order.
● Variables that can only assume any whole value
between a certain set of real numbers
● These allow comparison of degree.
NOMINAL VARIABLES - these are values that cannot be
arranged in a logical order or sequence.
● These are only concerned with names and
categories of responses.
● These cannot quantify data.
DICHOTOMOUS VARIABLES - these variables represent
only two categories when observed and measured.
● This value is most often a representation for a
measured variables.
POLYCHOTOMOUS VARIABLES - these are variables that
can have more than two values.
● These are variables that can have many
categories.
EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES
● Anything that can change or be changed.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLES - these are manipulated
variables that can cause a change in another variable.
● Also known as MANIPULATED or EXPLANATORY
VARIABLE.
DEPENDENT VARIABLE - these variables are usually
affected by the manipulation of the independent
variable.
 ● These are responses or effects that result from
the treatment or condition employed.
● Also known as RESPONSE or PREDICTED
VARIABLE.
EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES - theses variables are already
existing during the conduct of an experiment.
● These could influence result of the experiment.
● Variables that are minimized to lessen te impact
on the responses.
● These are not included in the study but may
affect the dependent variable.
● Also known as MEDIATING, INTERVENING, or
COVARIATE VARIABLES.
NON-EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES
PREDICTOR VARIABLES - these are used in regression
analysis.
● These provide information on an associated
dependent variable regarding a particular
outcome.
● These change the other variable/s in a
non-experimental study.
CRITERION VARIABLES - these are usually affected by
predictor variables (outcome)
● These are usually used in making predictions
● Also known as the dependent variable but not
exactly interchangeable.
VARIABLES ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER BEING
STUDIED.
FACTOR-RELATING QUESTIONS (“What is happening
here?”)
● Goal is to determine the relationship among
factors identified.
● Usually questions for a non-experimental type of
research.
SITUATION-RELATING QUESTIONS (“What will happen
if?”)
● Questions that usually yield hypotheses testing
or experimental study.
● Researchers manipulates variables to see what
will happen.
STIUATION-PRODUCING QUESTIONS (“How can I make it
happen?”
● Questions that establish explicit goals for action.
● Develop plans or prescriptions to achieve goals.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF A STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM
● It should address a gap in knowledge.
● It should be significant enough to contribute to
the existing body of research.
● It should lead to further research.
● The problem should render itself to investigation
through collection of data.
● It should be of interest to the researcher and suit
his/her skills, time and resources.
● The approach towards solving the problem
should be ethical.

UNIVARIATE STUDY - only one variable is being studied.

BIVARIATE STUDY - two variables are being studied.

POLYVARIATE STUDY - more than two variables are being

studied.

PRACTICAL RESEARCH
Lesson 3: Research Questions and Statement of the
Problem

TYPES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS

FACTOR-ISOLATING QUESTIONS (“What is this?”)

● Called factor-naming questions
● They isolate, categorize, describe, or name
factors and situations.