Research Notes

Research , I STEM I 2022

➔ Empirical – it should have evidence

and citations to avoid plagiarism.
What is Research? ➔ Clear – it must be thoroughly
explained and with clarity.
➔ Research is a continuous
undertaking of making known the
unknown, a step-by-step process to
come up with an explanation.
➔ Research is a scientific, Importance of Research
experimental, or inductive way of
thinking as you perform a variety of
Research is essential:
thinking acts that reflect lower-order
1. Knowledge is established (The
to higher-order thinking strategies.
foundation of your research paper)
➔ Cognitive-driven terms like
2. Perceptions are corrections (it is a
empirical, logical, cyclical, analytical,
must to be open-minded)
critical, methodical, and replicable
3. Phenomena are validated (to ensure
are the right descriptive words to
credibility)
characterize research.
4. Present solutions are tested for
● Empirical – based on experiences
effectiveness. (in order to avoid false
● Logical – it can be validated
results)
● Cyclical – it begins and ends with a
5. Problems are solved
problem
● Analytical – involves breaking down
your study
● Critical – it is precise and avoids Different Kinds Of Research:
biases
1. Agricultural and fisheries
● Methodical – it follows a specific
2. Business
procedure 3. Science
● Replicable – can be replicated and
used for future related studies

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Research should be…

based on objective measurements and

➔ Systematic – a system for
formulating its part
➔ Objective – must not produce
research out of anywhere or if
biased as it would not be credible.
➔ Feasible – it must be possible to
conduct.
numerical analysis of data acquired through
questionnaires or surveys and the results
are generalized across groups of people.
Main Goal: Classify features, count them,
and build statistical models to explain the
observable phenomenon.
Research Notes
Research , I STEM I 2022

2. Correlational Research – It
attempts to determine the level of
Main Characteristics for
relationship between two or more
Quantitative: quantifiable variables.
➔ Structured research instruments
3. Causal-comparative Research – It
➔ Large sample sizes (for more
attempts to establish a cause-effect
credibility)
relationship among the variables of
➔ Replication
the study.
➔ Objective
➔ Clearly defined research numerical
4. Experimental Research – it is
data
similar to causal-comparative
➔ Generalized concepts
research, in that it also measures
➔ Uses research tools to collect
the effect of the independent
numerical data.
variable (cause) on the dependent
(effect).
● research in the social
sciences
Strengths for Quantitative:
5. Quasi-experimental Designs –
they are an alternative to determine
➔ It involves a greater number of
the causes and effects between the
subjects.
two variables that cannot be
➔ Study results are more objective and
subjected to experimental control.
accurate.
➔ Quantitative studies are replicable
➔ Clearly designed research questions
➔ Personal bias must be avoided. Importance of Quantitative
Research Across The Field

Kinds of Quantitative Research: 1. Identifying the topic or the

1. Descriptive research – involves the
collection of data to either test a
hypothesis or describe the variables
mentioned in the study. Exe. Level of
satisfaction (must be measured
quantitatively).
● A hypothesis is an
educational guess.
problem exe. Education, add
different categories to figure out the
topic or the problem.
2. In gathering data, you must
have different sampling techniques
exe. Survey
3. Making theories.
4. When it comes to formulating
hypotheses or hypothesis, you will
formulate them based on the
statement of the problem.
Research Notes
Research , I STEM I 2022
5. You will analyze your data
from your gathered data
6. You can draw conclusions
based on your statement of the
problem and the rest such as your
findings.
Variables
➔ Variables are constructs that
can be understood differently
because of their difference in
values.
➔ Variables are the object of
the study (it is significant to
understand the basic units of
your study)
➔ In the process of research,
comparing and
understanding the two
concepts are now called
variables
Kinds of Variables
1. Independent variable – refers to
the condition of an experiment that is
systematically manipulated by the
investigator. It is usually manipulated in an
experiment or also called the “manipulated
or explanatory” variable.
2. Dependent variable – It is a
variable that depends on the independent
variable, it is an experimental variable that
is being measured or tested.
3. Confounding variables or
extraneous variables – This variable is not
part of the study but it can affect the result
of the dependent variable and your research
study, this variable can also affect the
independent variable if not thoroughly
checked.
4. Categorical variables – These are
described in the non-quantitative,
non-descriptive language since they cannot
be stated in numbers.
5. Continuous variables – it can take
on any value through a range or in other
words, it has no limit
6. Quantitative variables – are those
elements that describe the quantity or
intensity of something. The frequency of
these variables is reaction or outcomes.
7. Qualitative variables – These are
variables that represent the kinds or types
of objects, this variable can also be
interpreted as categorical variables because
they have the same means and
interpretation. Their values do not result
from measuring or counting. It uses
descriptive terms
Constructs and Variables in
Research
Concepts
➔ Concepts are based on our
experiences, and real phenomena
and are generalized ideas of
something of meaning.
Research Notes
Research , I STEM I 2022
1. Direct observation – we can
measure someone’s weight or height
and we can record the color of their
hair or eyes.
2. Indirect observation – we
can use a questionnaire in which
respondents provide answers to our
questions about gender, income,
age, attitudes, and behaviors.
➔ Indirect Observation can be
determined only through the
use of tools or instruments
meanwhile Direct
Observations are those that
can easily be recognized by
our senses.
Constructs
➔ Mental abstractions derived from the
combination of concepts, or your
mental representation of the world
around you.
➔ It is measured with multiple
variables.
➔ Constructs are considered latent
variables because they cannot be
directly observable or measured.
➔ It is the basis of working hypotheses.
Four Levels of Measurement
➔ Nominal Scale
A scale of measurement is used to
assign events or objects into discrete
categories. This form of scale does not
require the use of numeric values or
categories ranked by class, but simply
unique identifiers to label each distinct
category. It is not organized but it defines
specific objects.
➔ Ordinal Scale
It contains qualitative data; “ordinal”
means “order”. It places variables in
order/rank, only permitting to measure the
value as higher or lower in scale.
➔ Interval Scale
It can be defined as a quantitative
measurement scale where variables have
an order, the different two variables are
equal, and the presence of zero is arbitrary.
It has order but can define its differences.
➔ Ration Scale
A quantitative scale where there is a true
zero and equal intervals between
neighboring points. Unlike on an interval
scale, a zero on a ratio scale means there is
a total absence of the variable you are
measuring. It produces orders and provides
information that you already measured or in
short, it has limitations. Polychotomous has
a lot of categories while dichotomous has
two.
Chapter 4: Major Approaches in
Research
The three major approaches:
➔ - Qualitative are open-ended
questions and rely on experience
➔ - Quantitative uses numerical data
➔ - MM or Mixed Method is a
combination of both
Research Notes
Research , I STEM I 2022

amounts, and ultimately describes

Qualitative Approach
an event by using numerical figures.

- the study of the nature of

phenomena, Real life
Advantages Disadvantages
experiences
-it uses the - the focus of the
confirmatory study is limited only
Advantages Disadvantages scientific method to the object under
because it tests investigation.
-It provides -Due to the nature hypotheses Therefore, the
descriptions of the of qualitative interpretation of
real experience of research, statistical -by examining results will be
the people in the procedures to numbers taken based on the
situation being measure kinds and from the data, a findings derived
studied. qualities are not certain level of from the statistical
encouraged bias is removed. data.
- Given the fact that because you are Because the
the method being going to deal with variables under -Often,
employed here is verbal rather than investigation are explanations and
less formal, the numerical data. operationally descriptions are
researcher can defined, the narrow.
expound more on -Data in qualitative generalizability of
the responses of research are findings is high.
the participants. categorized into
The participants themes to generate
can also, therefore, information. Few
elaborate on their chosen samples
answers. are used to
participate in the Mixed Method Approach
study. Because of
the small number of
participants from ➔ Involves collection and analysis of
which data will be data using both quantitative and
based, the qualitative approaches to be able to
credibility of the address the disadvantages of the
data gathered two approaches and provide
might be understanding of data.
reconsidered.

Advantages Disadvantages
Quantitative Approach
-This method -Combining the
can make the two methods in
➔ Tests hypothesis and makes description a single study
predictions through measured easier because takes a lot of
Research Notes
Research , I STEM I 2022
it has both time for the
subjective and study to be
objective data. completed.
Because it
-This method provides few
can make the guidelines, in
description applying both
easier because methods,
it has both discrepancies in
subjective and findings are
objective data. difficult to
resolve.
Chapter 5: Writing a Research Title
➔ The research title is an important
part of your paper, as it provides a
brief description of what your study
is all about: from the issue to the
sample, theory, and data analysis.
Your titles can be revised as your
project develops.
Following are some reminders in writing
your Research Titles:
1. Set a 10-12 word limits for titles
2. Summarize the main idea or issue, if
not the argument of the paper.
3. Identify the primary variables and
the relationship among them, as well as the
theoretical issues underlying these.
4. Identify the population(s) used.
5. Do not use words such as “study of”
or “an experimental research in”, as these
words or such phrases are redundant.
6. Only include words that provide
important and sufficient information about
the research.
Chapter 6: Statement of the
problem/research
- Statement of the problem is
dissected and the variables are identified,
and research questions are made.
- In the research questions, you
further specify the information that you
would like to find out and how you like to be
answered.
- Along this line, the results of your
study are the answers to your research
questions
Purpose of the Study
- the purpose of the study illustrates what
the study will do
- this confined to a broader
explanation behind reasons for doing the
study
- you discuss your intentions for
conducting it
- Your purpose or objective of the
study is related to your statement of the
problem or hypotheses.
Scope of the study
- This section of your study launches
the limits of the process in which your study
will be conducted
- Determining the scope of the study
will declare the feasibility of doing the
investigation
- Only those stated in the scope shall
cover the credibility and generalizability of
results.
Research Notes
Research , I STEM I 2022
Chapter 7: Conceptual Framework,
variables and terms, and research
hypotheses
Variables
A theory is a statement of how facts are
related. It is a system of ideas intended to
explain a specific phenomenon. Given
this, it becomes the basis of the conduct
of research from literature review to
hypothesis writing and data treatment and
analysis.
Why is it important to define your
variables? Defining these terms is crucial
in the study, as this would help you in
narrowing down your topic, which would
eventually aid you in selecting a literature
review.
Writing the Research Hypotheses
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation
about a phenomenon made on the basis of
limited evidence and a starting point for your
investigation. It is, therefore, a temporary
answer to your problem, argument, or issue,
which you intend to test and explore
throughout your study.
How should you write your
hypotheses?
- Your hypothesis must be clearly
written. It must address one problem or
issue at a time. This applies to whether your
study is a test of relationship or difference.
Similarly, use the same pattern of word
order (of your variables) in your hypothesis.
You may start with the independent first,
and then conclude with the dependent
variable.
- If you are doing a test of relationship
(correlational study), the type of relationship
(positive or negative) must be provided in
the hypothesis. They must show the
relationship between the concepts or
variables in the study.
- Remember, all your variables must
be measured separately.
TWO TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
A Null hypothesis represents the
traditional approach as it makes a prediction
that there is no relationship or significant
difference between groups on a variable in
the general population.
- It means it is rejected because the
level of significance is over 0.5
A Alternative Hypothesis difference
between two variables of a population.
- Directional hypothesis. The
researcher here makes a prediction
about the expected outcome based
on a prior literature review.
- This prediction is typically based on
past research, accepted theory,
extensive experience, or literature
on the topic.
Research Notes
Research , I STEM I 2022

- Nondirectional hypothesis. the

researcher does not know what can
be predicted based on previous
literature.