2022

Tools of Research

ALDIN DELA CRUZ LORENZO, DPA

Course Facilitator

NOT FOR REPRODUCTION

 Module in BA 327 – Business Research

Preliminaries
Module Title: Tools of research
Course Title: Business Research
Course Number: BA 327
Course Description: Business research methodology, its sequential development, types and
steps of the scientific method applied to business.
Total Learning Time: 6 hrs or 2 weeks
Pre-requisites (If there’s any): MM 314, CBMEC 108

Overview:
This teaching guide will enhance your knowledge on the different tools utilized in research.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the students are expected to:
1. Explain the reasons for reviewing literature
2. Identify what materials to review
3. Explain the difference between a primary and a secondary source
4. Conduct both a manual and a computer search of the literature on the chosen research topic

Indicative Content:
Module 5. Tools of research

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 TOOLS OF RESEARCH

A. Gathering of Information- using library, journals, annals

B. Prior Art Search
1. espacenet
2. patentscope
3. google patents
4. wipo
5. philpat
C. Review of Related Literature

Gathering of Information- using library, journals, annals

It is the easiest and students since elementary had been doing in order to do research work
assigned by teachers. It is during the elementary and high school days that as a student you learn how
use card catalog and use library facilities in answering assignments like definition of terms and looking
for answers for your mathematics subjects and many more.
In doing research work nowadays the library is still practiced but some college students are no
longer using it since it is tedious or time consuming thus most student resort to searching the internet.
Although the internet has lots of results but one is not sure of its authenticity thus books is still of
reliability.
Together with this module is a guide of the correct book, journal or annals referencing.

Researching using the Internet or Prior Art Search

Researching via internet browser such as google is the most practice by the millennial students.
One way on searching prior art or patent search is through google patents. The goal in prior art or patent
search is to know if a product or item had already existed. With this tool in research one is able to
defend that the idea of creating a product is still novel or new and not just an innovation.
This is very helpful during your feasibility study in order to have a product that is novel or in
innovating existing product so that it have an edge in the market.

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 But like any other browser it has its draw backs such as general results, in the purpose of
illustration the keyword “cookies” was typed on the google patent search box with a result of 135, 829
results. This data signifies that there are 135, 829 item or article or post containing the word cookies.
Given this result you as a student researcher will had a longer time sorting each item.

One of the widely used patent search browser is Espacenet. It is a free browser thus some patents
are not available. In some cases online the abstract is available and not the whole patented documents.

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 When the keyword “cookies” was inputted in Espacenet there were only 25 patented document
thus with this results other not patented documents are not included which helps narrow down ones
research and makes it easier to make a decision.

Aside from Espacenet, a free patent document browser is also available, which is the
patentscope. Like Espacenet it also has certain limitations but still it is justifiable since it is a free
browser.

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 A patent search report sample document was printed together with this teaching guide. The
attached form is also utilized by the Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO) of CapSU.

Review of Related Literature

Why is it important?
An organized and synthesized presentation of previous works- answers the questions:
1. Is the problem indeed existing?
2. What has been done about the problem?
3. What relevant information are available?
Shows the state of knowledge about the subject matter- indicates the finding on which the proposal is
building on.

An organized and synthesized presentation of previous works- answers the question “What has been
done relative to the problem at hand?”
Ensures that there will be no duplication of work, and all the researchable areas will be covered.
Many of the proposals received by funding agencies are returned to the proponents due to deficient
review of literature.

Characteristics of Good REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

1. Exhaustive- thorough review of all available materials accessible to the researcher

2. Relevant-the reviewers are related to the subject under investigation.
3. Recent- newness, fresh, current
4. Reliable- dependable info; factual/ truthful
5. Informative- transmits enlightening, useful, helpful and clarifying/ validating/ supporting
information
6. Authentic- coming from genuine, true and reliable sources

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What should it contain?
Indicate related researches/ activities which have been conducted for the last 5-10 years. The
state of the art current technology and information from which the project proposals will take off should
likewise be included.

Which Literature to Review?

 Books and reviews; but use them with caution- data may not be original
 Technical Journals-recent ones,
ex. Food journals
-Journal of Food Science, Wiley Online Library
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/17503841
 Internet- but beware of fake information

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Organizing the RRL

Make an outline of the TOPICS to be presented

Coherent, surface the problem
Classify the pertinent abstract of the reviewed literature into topics; interrelate or group similar
findings;
Compare or contrast findings where appropriate
Use the review of literature to clarify, augment, support or contradict the idea.
Present one idea per paragraph
Don’t include a literature not relevant to the problem
Provide smooth transitions by using such words as “on the other hand”, “nevertheless”, “in
addition”, “in contrast”, etc.
Avoid so many reviewed articles on the same subject.
Limit and avoid complementary papers by the same author.
Cite results but not on tabulated data
State research finding in your own words.
Citing word for word requires enclosing them in quotation marks.
Acknowledge source of sentences or sections lifted from text or articles, and other vividly
striking expressions.

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 Common Errors in the writing of RRL

Sometimes/ oftentimes REVIEWS:

1. Are unrelated to the problem.
2. Do not focus on the problem under study.
3. Are not logically/properly organized.
4. Are extra-ordinarily short or long.
5. Are not acknowledged.
6. Cited are improperly documented.
7. Are wrongly cited/stated.
8. Do not directly deal with variables under study.
9. Do not deal with important variable relationships.
10. Do not reflect intellectual/ scientific argument.

References

Gregorio, Geronimo L. 2015. Writing Quality Theses and Dissertations. ISBN:978-971-0406-22-7.

Printed and published by Seguiban Printing and Publishing Enterprises, Inc. 62-L Burgos Street,
La Paz, Iloilo City, Philippines.
Rao, T.V. 2017. The Research Process. Published in Health and Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.
slideshare.net/doctortvrao/research-process-78115675 on Nov. 2, 2020.

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 BA 327 – Business Research
Course Facilitator: Aldin Dela Cruz Lorenzo, DPA
Name: _______________________________________________Course and Year: _______________
Date: ___________________________________ Score:___________________ Rating ____________

Worksheet No. 5

TEST I. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if otherwise incorrect.
_________1. Table titles are written above the table.
_________ 2.Figures titles are written above the figure.
_________ 3.In citing reference in the review of related literature this style is acceptable (Juan Dela Cruz, 2018).
_________ 4. Margin used by Capiz State University is top-1”, bottom-1”, left-1” and right 1”
_________ 5.Proposal defense is done after the final thesis defense.
_________ 6.Anova stands for Analysis of Variance.
_________ 7. Berganio et al is only applicable if there are more than 2 authors.
_________ 8.Introduction part of a write up is limited into two pages only.
_________ 9.Specific objectives is written before the general objectives.
_________ 10.Scientific names are written in italics or maybe underlined.
_________11. Research is systematic investigation and study of materials and sources.
_________12. Fundamental or Pure Research refers to development of theories by discovering broad
generalizations or principles.
_________13.Applied Research has the characteristics of fundamental research, including the use of sampling
techniques and subsequent inferences about the target
__________14. Action research focuses on the immediate application, not on the development of theory, not upon
general application.
_________15. Research/ thesis output must be a product of student’s efforts and initiatives where the student
proponent observes originality.
_________16. Research and extension are not related with each other.
_________17.Research aimed to enhance greater understanding of human behavior.
_________18. Variable are aspects of the research problem that differ among people, situation, materials and
methods.
_________19. Qualitative research simply means that the researchers will collect numerical data instead of
nominal data.
_________20. Capiz State University is a tertiary level institution geared toward attaining of quality and updated
researches.

Test II. APA style referencing. A. Given the set of data arrange the reference(s) using APA style. B. Underline
and identify each parts.
1. Book by a single author
A. The gendered society. B. Kimmel, M. S. C. (2007). D. New York, NY: E. Oxford University
Press.

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 Continuation TEST II
2. Journal articles
A. (2008). B. Scroggins, W. A., Thomas, S .L., & Morris, J. A. C. Retrieved from Academic OneFile
database.
D. Psychological testing in personnel selection, Part II: The refinement of methods and standards in employee
selection. E. Public Personnel Management F. 37(2), 185-199.

Test III. Essay. Use extra sheets of paper when deemed necessary.
1. What are the characteristics of a good research problem? 5pts
2. What should a good review of related literature contain? 5pts
3. What are the different tools of research and the benefits of using them? 5pts

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 BA 327 – Business Research
Course Facilitator: Aldin Dela Cruz Lorenzo, DPA
Name: _______________________________________________Course and Year: _______________
Date: ___________________________________ Score:___________________ Rating ____________

Worksheet No. 6

Answer the following item(s):

1. Using the given patent search report form search for any 3 items you liked. Search it via google
patents, Espacenet and Patent scope. Present your results. Use a separate patent search report
form for each item.

2. Identify 3 research problems and write the possible way of answering those research problems.
Use a diagram or flow chart in answering.

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