TECHNICAL WRITING

3RD GRADING REVIEWER

Research Definition

Research is a scientific investigation of phenomena which includes the following stages: collection, presentation,
analyzation, interpretation, and generalization of FACTS.

Polit & Beck (2004) - Research follows a step-by-step process of investigation that uses standardized approach to
answer questions or solving problems.

De Belen (2015) - Research is an academic understanding across discipline. It involves scholarly process of search
and research. It involves observation, investigation, and experimentation on a subject to discover new knowledge and
paradigm; to develop and to improve standards and protocols; and to test and to apply theories or laws in professional
practice.

Palispis (2004) - 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.

Basseyy, as cited by Coleman & Briggs (2002) - Research is a very careful investigation of something that purports
the contribution of additional or new knowledge and wisdom.

Research is a systematic and a well-planned procedure.

Remember these keywords:
1. Inquiry
2. Investigation
3. Immersion

Nature of Inquiry:
1. Questioning
2. New Knowledge
3. Mastery
4. Life-long Proces
5. Search/Quest

Main Types of Research

1. Historical Research - investigates what happened in the past, i.e., gathering data from various sources in order to
understand a past event.
Example: What was the most popular song in 2013?

2. Descriptive Research - investigates what is happening, i.e., gathering data from various sources to describe an
event or phenomenon.
Example: What are the characteristics of good writing?

3. Correlational Research - investigates what kind of relationships exist between things, i.e., gathering data from
various sources to determine if relationships exist between the variables in a study.
Example: Is there a relationship between having enough sleep and students’ performance in school?

4. Experimental Research - investigates what effects an action has, i.e., gathering data from an experiment in order
to determine what effects that experiment had.
Example: Does having enough rest improve students’ academic performance?

Research Process
1. Define and develop your topic (Research Problem).
- This can be a problem that needs to be solved or some piece of information that is missing about a
particular topic. Answering this question will be the focus of the research study. (Offord Centre for Child Studies,
2017).
2. Find background information about your chosen topic (Review of Related Literature).
- This provides important background information about the issue they are researching. It also tells them
what other studies have already been conducted, how they were designed, and what those studies found.

3. Formulate the hypothesis.

- The hypothesis is a clear statement of what is intended to be investigated. It should be specified before
research is conducted and openly stated in reporting the results.

4. Plan your research design including your sample (Methodology).

- The research design refers to the overall strategy that you choose to integrate the different components of
the study in a coherent and logical way, thereby, ensuring you will effectively address the research problem; it
constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data.

5. Collect necessary data using data gathering procedures.

- The collection of data is a critical step in providing the information needed to answer the research question.

6. Process and analyze data using thematic analysis and statistical tools.
- Analysis of data plays an important role in the achievement of research aim and objectives. (Dudovskiy,
2016) Once the data have been collected, these must be analyzed in order to answer the original research question.

7. Formulate new insights gained conclusions and recommendations. (Interpret and Report)
- You will have to justify why you think that research aims and objectives have been achieved. (Dudovskiy,
2016).

Ethics in Research

Ethics in Research Definition

Informed consent of the research subject is a requirement of ethically
Informed Consent sound research. The subject should be informed of the nature and duration
of the research in clear terms.
Gathered information from the subject should be protected by
Confidentiality anonymisation or other strategies which obstruct the identification of the
subject.
Researchers should be sensitive to preserve the dignity of the research
Dignity subject and not to employ methods which may embarrass the dignity of
the subject.
Research method should not normally violate the privacy of subjects. Be
Privacy sensitive to where people might reasonably expect to have their behaviour
observed, or not., and recorded for research purposes.

Research Title

A research title introduces the study by providing a summary of the main idea and is usually short and concise.

Elements Research Title

A research title should contain the following elements:

1. The subject matter or topic to be investigated. (“What?”)

2. The place where the research is to be conducted. (“Where?”)
3. The population like the respondents’ interviewees. (“Who”?)
4. The time period during data collection. (“When”?)

NOTE in writing research title: Limit your title to 12 words. That means you may remove some elements such as
duration and locale. However, you need to clearly specify them in the research paper.
Things to avoid in writing research title or choosing research topic:
1. Controversial Topics
2. Highly Technical Topics
3. Hard to Investigate
4. Broad Topics
5. Too Narrow Topics
6. Vague Topics

Statement of the Problem

- Problem statements are important to define and understand a problem and develop possible solutions.
- Defines the problem and proposes a way to research a solution, or demonstrates why further information is
needed in order for a solution to become possible.
- It is a statement of "why" the study is being conducted, or the goal of the study.

Research Purpose/Objective
- A purpose statement should focus on a single idea or concept with a broad definition of that idea or
concept.

Characteristic of Research Objectives

- Define what you expect.
- Determine who will do it.
- Detail accountability.
- Use action verbs, expressing physical or mental action,
Specific as much as possible.
- Provide enough detail - this depends on the objective
but should be enough
to be clear.
- Identify how you will know objective was
Measurable accomplished.
- means quantity but can also be quality
- Make sure you have the time, manpower, resources, and
authority to
Attainabe accomplish the objective
- Consider if there may be factors beyond your control
- The objective helps you meet the purpose of the grant.
Relevant - The objective is aligned with the Community Readiness
Assessment scores.
- Specify when the objective should be completed.
Time-Bound - Include time-lined benchmarks for long-range goals and
all objectives.

Research Question
- A research question is the main question that your study sought or is seeking to answer.
- A clear research question guides your research paper or thesis and states exactly what you want to find out,
giving your work a focus and objective.

Characteristics of a Strong Research Question

1. Focused on a single problem or issue.
2. Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources.
3. Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints.
4. Specific enough to answer thoroughly.
5. Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of the study.
6. Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly.

Research Background
- The background of the study establishes the context of the research. This section explains why this particular
research topic is important and essential to understanding the main aspects of the study.Moreover, background forms
the first section of a research article/thesis and justifies the need for conducting the study and summarizes what the
study aims to achieve.
 Things to Include in Writing Research Background
Introduction to the Topic
Historical Context
Problem Statement
Research Gap
Objectives and Goals
Significant and Impact
Scope and Delimitation
Citations and References
- Briefly introduce the general subject or topic of your
study.
- Explain why this topic is important or relevant.
- Provide historical context or background information
related to the topic.
- Highlight key developments or milestones that have led
to the current state of affairs.
- Clearly state the specific problem or issue that your
project aims to address.
- Explain why this problem is significant and worth
investigating.
- Highlight any gaps or limitations in existing research or
knowledge related to the problem.
- Explain why your project is needed to fill these gaps.
- Clearly state the specific objectives and goals of your
project.
- Describe what you intend to achieve through your
research or project.
- Explain the potential significance and real-world impact
of your project’s outcomes.
- Describe how your project addresses broader societal or
scientific issues.
- Define the scope of your project by specifying what it
will and will not cover.
- Mention any known limitations or constraints that might
affect the project’s implementation.
- Include citations to relevant sources that support the
information presented in the background section.
- Provide a list of references for readers to explore
further.