BASIC CONCEPTS in METHODS IN

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Albert P. Ulac
Instructor I
 Elements of an Undergraduate Outline
Chapter I. The Problem and It’s Background
•Rationale
•Objectives of the Study
•Scope and Limitation of the Study
•Definition of Terms
Chapter II. Review of Literature
Chapter III. Methodology
 What is Research?
• From the old French word cerchier meaning to
“seek or search”
• Prefix “re” means to repeat or do again
• Investigation; it is systematic, methodical and
ethical; research can help solve practical
problems and increase knowledge
 What is Research?
• Systematic study of trend or event which
involves careful collection, presentation, analysis
and interpretation of qualitative data or facts that
relates man’s thinking with reality.
• Burns (1994) defined research as a systematic
investigation to find a solution.
 Purpose of Research
• To discover new facts about known
phenomena
• To find answer to a problem which are
partially solved by existing methods and
information.
• To improve existing techniques and
develop new instruments or products
• To satisfy researcher's curiosity
• To expand or verify existing knowledge
 Purpose of Research
• To provide man with more of his basic
needs- more and better food, clothing and
shelter like the work of IRRI and PhilRice
and other research institutiolns
 Characteristics of Research
• Research is directed towards the solution of a
problem
• Research emphasizes the development of
generalizations, principle or theories that will be
helpful in predicting future occurrence
• Research is based upon observable experience
or empirical evidence
• Research demands accurate observation and
description
 Characteristics of Research
• Research involves gathering new data from
primary or firsthand sources using existing data
for a new purpose
• Research involves the quest for answers to
unsolved problems
• Research is carefully recorded and reported
• Research sometimes requires courage
• Research requires expertise.
 Major Types of Research
• Basic/Theoretical Research
- conducted for the sake of knowing.
- it is designed to add to our understanding
and store of knowledge, but without
particular goals ( Graziano & Raulin, 2000).
- the knowledge gained may not have social
application in the present time but may prove
useful in the future.
 Major Types of Research
• Applied/Practical Research
- purpose is to obtain knowledge for
practical application or useful ends
- intention: to acquire knowledge and use
that knowledge to solve problems or
improve the prevailing condition which in
its present state unsatisfactory.
RESEARCH PROCESS
Problem Identification

Review of Related Literature

Objectives Formulation

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Construction

Research Design Selection

RESEARCH PROCESS
Data Collection

Data Processing

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Report Writing
 Functions of Research
• Research corrects perceptions as well as
expands them
• Research gathers information on subjects or
phenomena we lack or have little knowledge
about
• Research obtains for practical purposes like
solving problems
• Research provides hard facts which serve as
bases for planning, decision making, project
implementation, monitoring and evaluation
 RESEARCHER FACTOR
• Qualities of a researcher which will determine to a large extent the success
of failure of the undertaking
1. OBJECTIVITY - researcher should report whatever he finds even it
is not in consonance with his own expectations or preference.
2. CRITICAL MIND - which motivates the researcher not to readily
accept the method, result and interpretation of data without
subjecting them to thorough analyses and reflection and to accept
them only after all doubts have been eliminated.
3. OPENNESS - allows the researcher to be questioned about his
methods, data and interpretations and to consider suggestions that
will improve his work.
 RESEARCHER FACTOR
• Qualities of a researcher which will determine to a large extent the success
of failure of the undertaking
4. RESOURCEFULNESS - encourages the researcher to
seek out help and resources from all possible sources.
5. PATIENCE
6. LOGICAL THINKING – systematic
7. ETHICAL - doing the research as planned and
approved and dealing with people who will be the source
of required information.
The Research Problem
 THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
• Without a problem no research can be
undertaken
• The problem is the heart of every research
project (Leedy, 1980).
• Not every problem is researchable
 THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
• When is a problem researchable?
1). There is no known answer or solution to the problem
such that gap in knowledge exists.
2. when there are possible solutions to it but the
effectiveness of which is untested or unknown yet;
3. when there are answers or solutions but the possible
results of which may seem or factually contradictory
4. when there are several possible explanations for the
undesirable condition
5. when the existence of a phenomenon requires
explanation
 Researchable and non-
researchable problems
• Researchable problems imply the possibility of empirical
investigation
– What are yield and income differences between farmers who
have and have not attended FFS?
– What is the relationship between teachers' knowledge of
assessment methods and their use of them?
• Non-researchable problems include explanations of how to do
something, vague propositions, and value-based concerns
– Is democracy a good form of government?
– Should values clarification be taught in public schools?
– Can crime be prevented?
Sources of Research Problem
• Problems can be derived from theories,
observations, intuition or combination of
both.
• Problems can be derived from
undergraduate programs. Consider the
different subjects you have take and then
identify a problems that interest you most.
Sources of Research Problem
• Problems existing or prevailing in your
company or agency which do you want to
solve are good source of research
problems particularly in your line of work.
• Problems can be derived from the field of
interest or specialization or event from
related fields.
Sources of Research Problem
• Problems can be derived from existing
practices and needs.
• Problems may also be repetition or
extension or investigations already
conducted or else be an off shoot of
studies underway (Angeles, 1966, p.86)
• Problems maybe offshoot of friendly
conversation.
Sources of Research Problem
• A review of related studies or literature
could help you in selecting your research
problems.
• Problems can also be derived from advice
of authorities of funding agencies.
• Problems may surface from interesting
topics of your professor during the course
of his/her discussion.
 Good Research Problem
• Great interest to the researcher
• Relevant and useful to a specific group of
people (mothers, migrant workers, farmers,
students, etc)
• Novel (newness or freshness)
• Measurable
• Time bound
• Does not cause ethical or moral violations
• Manageable
Defining the Research Problem
• Where to start? How to select a research
topic or problem so broad that one does
not know where to start.
Researcher should see to it that the major concepts or terms and
variables in the study are clearly defined

Limit the scope of the study in terms of 1). Issues, concerns or

subjects, 2). Area coverage, 3). Target population/and or sample
population, 4). Source of data or respondents, 5) time allotment
6). Data requirement
Defining the Research Problem
Researcher Area Coverage Respondents/Time
X Allotment/Data
Requirement

Role of Managers of the selected

Emotional restaurants
Intelligence Selected restaurants 3 months
in Bulacan and Metro Data required are quantitative
to the
Workplace Manila
as Perceived
by Managers
 Defining the Research Problem
Definition of Objectives of
Researcher major concepts the study
X and variable

Emotional 1. To determine the role

Intelligence– ability to and applicability of E.I.
Role of in selected fast food
Emotional recognize one’s
chains in Bulacan
Intelligence emotion and how it - describe the
to the affects people around respondents
Workplace them demographic profile
as Perceived - manager’s perception
by Managers Poverty - families of E.I. and its role in the
with six members workplace
whose monthly
income is less than
Calderon & Ignacio
(2014) P6,000.to recognize
 Sample Titles
• Factors influencing the Adoption of Technologies
of Training Beneficiaries of Agriculture Training
Institute
• Awareness, Acceptability and Level of Adoption
of Solid Waste Management Program of
Baliwag, Bulacan
• Effectiveness of FFS among Indigenous People
in the Upland Rice Farming Community
• Acceptability and Livelihood Assessment of ART
Selecting the Research Problem
• Your topic should be new, something
different from what has already been
written about original, significant to your
field of study; it must be necessarily
arouse intellectual curiosity if it is to
command attention and should not be
entirely foreign to you because individuals
acquainted with the topic would readily
see the shortcomings of your work
Selecting the Research Problem
• It should depend on the level at which your
work is done. For a beginner, the topic
could be a modest one which can be
carried on in a limited period of time; the
topic should be clear, not ambiguous,
should be specific, not general.
 Justifying the Research Problem
• Defining your research problem is the single most
important, and at the same time the hardest part of your
research.
• It is the most common problem that students spend too
little time on defining what they really want to do and why.
• This results in highly unfocused reports where there is
little relation between the different chapters.
• Defining a research problem is a dialog and needs to be
done continuously in the course of your research (but a
justification should preferably be there from the
beginning!).
 Justifying the Research Problem
• Rationalize or explain why one selected a
certain problem over other probable ones.
• To come up with persuasive arguments, the
following guide questions will be helpful.
1. Is the problem a current and timely one?
2. Does it affect a special group of people
such as mothers, children, farmers, fishers,
drivers, students, etc.
 Justifying the Research
Problem
3. Does it relate to on-going programs such as family
planning, skills and training, agricultural production.
4. Does it relate to broad social, economic and health
issues such as unemployment, malnutrition, food shortage,
climate change and global warming, etc.
5. Who else is concerned about the problems - top
government officials, medical doctors, school administrators or
other professionals
6. What are its direct and indirect, short-and long-range
impact on the welfare of a group of people or the society as a
whole.
THANK YOU!!!!