What Research is? 4. To IMPROVE something.

5. To CONTRIBUTE to the body of knowledge.

“Research is an inquiry-based activity that allows the researcher to read existing
literature, look for relevant data, interpret and analyze information then formulate
questions and recommendations.” (Jaca, C. n.d.)
According to Jaca, in conducting a research, one must keep these in mind:
1. Research is accurate. In conducting research, it takes careful analysis of the
instruments used in gathering data to in order to provide relevant and accurate
information needed to answer the research question.
2. Research is systematic. There are specific steps that relate to a particular part of
the research report that one needs to remember and follow. This means that a
researcher must organize his/her thoughts well, plans everything properly, and then
follows procedures in every aspect of the research task to complete the research
work.
Types of Research According to their Purposes
1. Basic research- aims to provide additional information to the existing body of
knowledge in one’s discipline.
2. Applied research- aims to improve a product or a process to validate existing theories.
3. Action research- aims to provide immediate solutions to existing problems on a limited
area and on a very particular level.
General Types of Research:
1. Qualitative Research- deals with the description of a certain phenomenon. It focuses on
process.
2. Quantitative Research- deals with the number of the occurrences, behavior and/or
reaction of the phenomenon being observed. It focuses on outcomes.
3. Mix /combination

3. Research is a careful investigation of a phenomenon. It observes specific How do we do Research?

procedures and follow certain procedures in looking into the details of To understand the research process, basic knowledge of the parts of a research paper is
necessary. This is to ensure that in the conduct of research, the researcher understands that
phenomenon being observed in the study.
documenting and writing information is expected.
4. Research is a language activity that requires excellent oral and written
communication skills combined with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 1. Identify a Research Problem
2. Formulate Research Objectives
Research requires a lot of reading and re-reading of existing literature and
3. Read Related Literature and Theories
consolidating information in order to relate them to the current research study.
4. Design the Research Methodology
5. Research is ethical. The conduct of research involves ethical considerations that 5. Collect, Analyze and Interpret Data
6. Make Conclusions and Recommendations
must be observed and followed. It is an attempt to improve a certain field without
7. Put everything into writing.
undermining the dignity of the beneficiaries which understandably is the human
person. Thus, research is undertaken to ensure that the human person as the Key Terms in Research (Jaca, C., n.d.)
recipient is integrally considered.
Documentation is the system which formally acknowledged the sources you consult for your
What Research is not A research is:
research paper. Documentation includes all references ton resources within the text of your
1. Not a mere collection of data. paper and to the full bibliographical entries at the end of your paper. It offers your reader a
2. Not about transferring information way to retrace your steps as a researcher and writer of a research paper.
3. Not just reading about existing literature
4. Not just about following a template
5. Not just about writing the parts of a research paper.

Why do we do research?
1. We want to KNOW more about a phenomenon.
2. To UNDERSTAND better certain phenomena.
3. To APPLY specific knowledge in the field.
Paraphrase
Unlike a quotation (which repeats information exactly as it appears in the source), a
paraphrase repeats the information using different words and phrases, basically
putting the

Quote/Quotation
“To quote” means to take information exactly as you found it on one of your
sources and place it into your paper. Quotation marks (““) are used primarily to
identify quotations for the reader, although sometimes they are placed around
words or phrases to emphasize them or show some kind of special meaning.

Source
A source is one of the materials you will find during your research which you will
read for information and will perhaps refer to in your paper. You will probably be
asked to find at least eight to ten sources to support your writing.
Types of sources: Books, journal articles, studies, TV, internet

Summary
Distinct from both quotation and paraphrase, a summary condenses information
and restates only its main ideas. A summary allows you to concentrate a lengthy
discussion, highlighting only the important points and omitting unimportant details
which may cloud your paper for you and your reader.

Plagiarism
This is one of the important considerations in conducting research. In writing the
research paper it requires some ethical considerations especially in acknowledging
the sources of information. Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s words or ideas
without being acknowledged. It occurs when a writer omits quotation marks when
citing the exact language of a source, fails to revise completely a paraphrased
source, or gives no documentation for a quotation or paraphrase.

Plagiarism is a crime, the theft of someone else’s words or ideas. If you use
quotation, paraphrase or summary and you do not provide proper documentation
by giving the source’s author credit for the information you have borrowed, you
have committed an act of plagiarism.