PRACTICAL RESEARCH

Lesson 1

SYSTEM, GOAL, FACT, POSSIBLE, CLEAR

Research follows a step-by-step process of investigation that uses a standardized approach in

answering questions or solving problem (Polit and Beck, 2004)
• Step by step process – to achieve the goal that has need to be taken seriously
• Research standardized – to look for validated process before even applied to study
• Whenever the result is, we should not change it.

Research is a scholarly, scientific, and systematic investigation to establish facts or principles, or to

collect information on a subject to be presented in a detailed and accurate manner (Habib, et. al., 2014)
• Scholarly – based on academic studies
• Scientific – science based

Research plays an important role in tertiary education. Though there are many problems confronted by
higher education, developments are realized through research. After all, its main purpose is to answer a
question or to solve an issue (Palispis, 2004)
• Research improves our system, it improves education

Research is a continuous undertaking of making known the unknown (Sanchez, 2002)

• If the answer in unknown, research can help

Research is a tested approach of thinking and employing validated instruments and steps in order to
obtain a more adequate solution to a problem that is otherwise impossible to address under ordinary
means (Crawford, as cited by Alcantara & Espina, 1995)
• We must make use of validated instruments to gather necessary information to study in order to
provide solution to our study

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH:
Systematic
• In order to gather data, we have to follow systematic data to accomplish what needs to be
accomplished
• Searching, selecting and managing the best available evidence for research, according to a
defined, planned and consistent method.
Clear
• We must be relevant to present data in a well-detailed manner. Clear, brief, precise, specific.
• Help ensure that the correct information is gathered the first time.

Objective
• We should base on data we have gathered; no way can alter the result.
• A researcher must not allow their values, their bias or their views to impact on their research,
analysis or findings.

Feasible
• All things that are feasible are possible (all things that we can do) but not all possible things are
feasible (practical and realistic)
• Aspects of your own identity may play a role in determining what you can and cannot
investigate, as will the availability of resources such as time and money.

Empirical
• Primary source because based on observation and experience
• Based on observed and measured phenomena and derives knowledge from actual experience
rather than from theory or belief.
 1. Identification of problem
2. Statement of the problem with scope and delimitation
3. Reviewing process
4. Research design, Research Approach and Research tool
5. Data Collection, Treatment/Processing and Analysis
6. Data Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation
7. Conclusions, Implications and Recommendations

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
• Research provides a scientific basis for any practice or methodology in any field of discipline
• Research is undertaken for continuous development and further productivity in any field
• Research helps develop tools for assessing effectiveness of any practice and operation
• Research impacts decision-making
• Research develops and evaluates alternative approaches to the educational aspects of any
discipline
• Research aims to advance the personal and professional qualification of a practitioner
• Research provides solutions to problems concerning almost all issues encountered in the
different areas of work
• Research is a way of life

NOTES IN DISCUSSION

• According Donna M. Mertens, research is a “systematic inquiry that is designed to collect,

analyze, and interpret data to understand, describe or predict phenomenon.”
• Simply put “research is the process of searching for knowledge”
• You must keep in mind that “Research is very different from other ways of knowing or
understanding the world (that is, through common sense, interpretation, or evaluation)
because it involves a scientific, methodical, and well-structures process.”
• Among the factors that determine the success of a research is its ability to find answers and
solutions to real-world problems.
• The findings of many research studies have benefited countless people.
• Many research studies have been responsible for discovering and creating medical
breakthroughs, advances in technology, and understanding and solving problems in education,
business, economy, and society.

IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

1. RESEARCH GATHERS RELEVANT INFORMATION AND PRODUCES NOVEL KNOWLEDGE

• Results of research studies can be used as a springboard for conducting more studies,
planning new projects, or creating new products.
• For example, a research study on the basic needs of a company’s target customers can
help a company develop and market a new line of products.
• In addition, the outcome of a research study contributes additional information to an
existing body of knowledge. This makes a researcher a contributor of knowledge.

2. RESEARCH IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE

• Research undertakings are always geared toward improving and making a difference in
people’s lives.
• Major breakthroughs in the fields of communication, transportation, medicine, entertainment,
and food and nutrition have all been made possible through research studies.
• Through continuous research, these breakthroughs are further improved to make people’s life
convenient and comfortable.

3. RESEARCH PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORY

• Understanding history can help us shape our future.
 • Research does this by examining past societies, problems, and human behaviors and comparing
them to current ones.
• Through these insights, possible solutions for current problems are formulated and prevailing
issues are addressed.

4. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTES TO ONE’S PERSONAL AND PROFFESIONAL DVELOPMENT

• Research challenges us to become better individuals because it gives us new ideas,

perspectives, and skills.
• Personally, you will gain more knowledge and thus widen your perspective about life in
general.
• Professionally, you will not only meet your academic or school requirements but you will also
advance to a more challenging and exciting world of learning.

Justify “Research is a way of life”

• Research aims to improve people's lives. It has led to innovations in communication,
transportation, medical, entertainment, and food and nutrition. Through continued research,
these advancements improve people's lives. Comparing ancient societies, challenges, and
human behaviors to current ones increases historical understanding. Through these insights,
problems and challenges are addressed. Research makes us better people by giving us new
ideas, perspectives, and abilities. It will broaden our knowledge and outlook on life.

1. How can research be personally beneficial to you?

• It provides me with new information and allows me to emphasize my existing
knowledge. It also prepares the mind for a better understanding of concepts and
theories.
2. If you were to conduct a research study which you think is relevant to your life, what would it
be?
I think academic stress and emotional well-being of students in the new normal set-up because as a
student, I always experience academic stress while doing such activities that lead me to be emotional
that I'm tired of what I'm doing, but we have no choice because it's the new normal. Many students, like
me, experience this because we have to be independent in understanding the lessons, unlike in face-to-
face classes where we engage with our classmates and teachers.

• Research helps you become a good decision-maker and problem solver.

• When you engage in a research activity, you are challenged to make objective decisions based
solely on the facts and information you have gathered.
• This will develop your analytical and critical thinking skills which, in turn, will train you to
formulate feasible solutions to both simple and complex problems.

Throughout your life, you will encounter many challenges. But through research, you can think of
possible solutions to problems and questions because research makes you a good critical and creative
thinker.

Characteristics of Good Research

*Not all research undertakings are considered good research*

• Research is REALISTIC as it requires you to gather data and obtain as much information about
the area of study.
• Research is ANALYTICAL as the process is conducted in a scientific, systematic, and structured
manner using standard methods. It then yields results which are validated accordingly.
• Research provides POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS and offers POTENTIAL
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS.
• Research offers PRACTICAL, INNOVATIVE, and NOVEL SOLUTIONS and CONTRIBUTIONS TO
DIFFERENT BODIES OF KNOWLEDGE.
 • Research is a SCHOLARLY WORK as it follows the highest ethical standards.

Lesson 2: The nature and importance of Qualitative research

Differences of Quantitative Research and Qualitative Research

QUANTITATIVE
• Polit and Beck (2014) define quantitative research as “the traditional POSITIVIST scientific
method” which refers to a general set of orderly, disciplined procedures to acquire information
• Positivist - based on science
• Numerical measurement
• Experimentation or tests
• Numerical data and statistical analysis
• Highly CONTROLLED SETTING
• There is ONE CONCRETE REALITY that is governed by unchanging natural laws that can explain
any given phenomenon.
• There is ONE TRUE REALITY regardless of context.
• A phenomenon can be understood by STUDYING ITS COMPONENT PARTS.
• The researcher is an OBJECTIVE observer.
• Conditions must be carefully controlled to prevent unwanted influences.

QUALITATIVE
• Polit and Beck (2008) define Qualitative research as the “NATURALISTIC Method of Inquiry” of
research which deals with the issue of human complexity by exploring it directly”.
• Answers how, why, or what
• Understanding people’s feelings, perceptions, experiences, and cultures
• Comprehensive findings
• Descriptive analysis
• Natural setting
• Reality is socially and experientially constructed, resulting in MULTIPLE REALITIES of
phenomenon.
• Reality is CONTEXT-SPECIFIC.
• A phenomenon can be understood only when STUDIED AS A WHOLE.
• The researcher is PART OF THE CONTEXT and intrinsically linked to the findings.
• Concerns of bias are not part because the researcher is transparent about this

Quantitative (numbers)
• Involves measurement and the data we get from it
• Positivist approach (based on science)
• Observable, Quantifyable
• One reality that we have to accept
• Objective
• Neutral, bias free
• Follows an iterative (repetitive) process, TRIAL AND ERROR until we reach satisfaction

Qualitative (Description)
• Real world settings (Based on a context where a particular case falls under)
• We try to gather data while they are interacting from natural environment
• Things we can’t quantify
• Multiple realities
• Subjective
• Context specific
• Objective observer
• Biases included
 • Reach insights from a few respondents (need quality answers) (not just yes or no but narratives)
• We immerse ourselves with their particular community
• MORE FLEXIBLE THAN QUANTITATIVE
• Different designs that could adapt
• Keen observer
• Inductive (from specific data we try to make conclusions)
• Base on specific experiences of participants
• Concerns with meanings and interpretations
• Empirical data

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS

• Qualitative research focuses on gathering rich insights from a few respondents.
• Qualitative research usually follows an iterative process.
• Collection of qualitative data is continuous.
• Qualitative research is conducted in an uncontrolled naturalistic setting.
• Qualitative research is more flexible than quantitative research.
• The researcher is the primary observer in qualitative research.
• Qualitative research offers a wide array of designs, focusing on individual experiences, societies,
cultures, and languages and communication.
• A qualitative researcher is a keen observer (having or showing mental sharpness).
• Inductive reasoning (method of drawing conclusions by going from the specific to the general) is
largely used in analyzing qualitative data.
• A qualitative researcher is concerned with meanings and interpretations.

STRENGTHS
• A research problem in qualitative research can be examined in greater detail and depth.
• Research instruments such as interview questions, can be made flexible based on information
that has recently surfaced.
• The research framework can be fluid, depending on the availability of information.
• Results generated from qualitative research are largely from human experiences and
observations.
• Qualitative research often requires a small sample size.
• Qualitative research is open-ended process.
• Unique and specific cases are selected and studied to enable collection of detailed information
and bring about in-depth understanding of the research problem.
• Data collection is usually conducted on site.

WEAKNESSES
• Qualitative data is generally subjective and can be influenced by the researcher’s biases.
Data obtained from qualitative research typically comes from a small sample size and therefore,
may not be statistically represented.
• Data analysis, such as coding and triangulation, can be time-consuming.
• Acceptability of qualitative data is not always guaranteed.
• Qualitative data cannot be reproduced. Doing duplicates can be difficult.
• Selection of human subjects/participants can be problematic due to ethical and confidentiality
issues.
•
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Ethnographic
• Cultural groups or minorities
• Participant Observation: The researcher immerses with the people (key informants) and
becomes a part of their culture.
 • Takes a lot of time
Narrative
• Like telling a story to readers
• Highlights of life
• chronological life accounts of individuals based on their personal experiences
• Psychological, biographical, discourse analysis
• We look to in the story of an individual
• Refer to existing documents
• Re-telling story of an individual

Phenomenological
• The study of phenomenon
• How it affects the life of individuals
• Ex: how did the covid affect the life of individuals
• An event, an activity, or a phenomenon
• meaning of lived experiences.
• Factors/situations affected by a phenomenon.
• About an event, centers on a specific phenomenon

Basic interpretative
• How do participants make meaning
• Can formulate solution on how they interpret
• how individuals give meaning to a situation or a problem
• Patterns/themes from individuals’ perspectives.
• Perception as perceived by
• Looking into the situation as they see it

Case study
• Draws solution about an event
• Ex: IWitness stories, documentaries
• The researcher draws conclusions about the impact of a significant event in the life of an
individual, a group of people, or an institution.
• Focus on a specific issue

Lesson 3: Ethics in Research

Informed consent
• Respondents must be informed at the nature of the study
• They have to know the goal of the study
• The goal is for human volunteers to enter research freely after giving full information about
what it entails for them to participate in the study. Consent must be secured before entering
the research.
• When we try our best to inform the study all about
• Atleast able to inform

Confidentiality
• The participant’s identity should not be disseminated nor shared with anyone who is not directly
involved in the study

Voluntary Participation
• Let’s not threaten to join
• Do not coerce or force anyone to participate in any research undertaking.

Anonymity
 • The participants must remain anonymous throughout the study even to the researchers
themselves.

Risk of Harm
• We have to be after their safety
• Damage to participants' bodies, finances, or mental health should be prevented. According to
the principle of non-maleficence, the researcher has a responsibility to avoid, prevent, or reduce
harm to study participants.