PART 1

BASIC
CONCEPTS
IN
RESEARCH
MARK CHRISTIAN ROBLE
ALMAZAN, LPT
Definition of Research
1. Research is a method of acquiring knowledge based on the
scientific method of inquiry to enrich the system of objective
knowledge in the fields of natural and social sciences.
2. Polit & Beck (2001) stated that research is a systematic inquiry
that uses disciplined methods to answer questions or solve
problems. The goals of research are to develop, refine, and expand
a body of knowledge.
Definition of Research
3. Burns & Grove (2007), said that research is to search or examine
again and again or carefully. Research is a diligent, systematic
inquiry or investigation to validate and refine existing knowledge
and generate new knowledge.
4. Parel (1973) defined research as a systematic investigation or
something in order to answer the questions posed by the
researcher.
Importance of Research
1. Best & Kahn (1993) described research as “the systematic and objective
analysis and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the
development of generalizations, principles, or theories, resulting in
prediction and possibly ultimate control of events.
2. Taflinger (1996-2011) cites two basic importance of research, to learn
something or to gather evidence. To learn something is for our benefit. It
is almost impossible for a person to stop learning. Research is organized
learning looking for specific things to add to our store of knowledge.
Goals of Research
1. To produce evidence-based practice
Every discipline or institution must provide the best practice of management based on research
studies. In education, a practitioner must ensure that he/she is able to provide the best teaching
practices as proven by research, to learning.

2. To establish credibility on the Profession

A profession can be identified by the body of knowledge it utilizes. A profession is distinct
from other disciplines when there are practices and peculiarity of service in a given area of
field. Effective and efficient practices are products of research.
Goals of Research
3. To observe accountability for the Profession
Every action conducted by a profession must have a rationale. There are principles
why a teacher has to prepare a curriculum/syllabus and why a manager needs to plan.
All professionals must be accountable for each task he/she performs.

4. To promote Cost-Effectiveness through Documentation

Results of research must satisfy to researcher’s goals before he/she can share it with
other researchers and professionals to whom findings may be beneficial.
Purpose of Research
1. Explanatory/Formulative Research
The researcher’s goal is to formulate more precise questions that future research can
answer.

2. Descriptive Research
This research presents a picture of the specific details of a situation, social setting or
relationship. The major purpose of descriptive research is to describe characteristics
of a population or phenomenon.
Purpose of Research
3. Explanatory Research
The desire to know “why” to explain, is the purpose of exploratory
research. It builds an exploratory and descriptive research and goes on
to identify the reasons for something that occurs. Exploratory research
looks for causes and reasons. For example, researchers are interested
in learning why some children bully other children.
The Use of Research
1. Basic Research
Basic Research advances fundamental knowledge about the human world. It focuses
on refuting or supporting theories that explain how this world operates, what makes
things happen, why social relations are a certain way, and why society change.
2. Applied Research
Applied researchers try to solve problems or help practitioners accomplish tasks.
Applied research is frequently descriptive research and its main strength is its
immediate practical use.
 Types of Applied Research
1. Action Research
Action research is a disciplined process of inquiry conducted by and for those taking the
action. The primary reason for engaging in action research is to assist the “Action” in
improving and/or refining his or her actions.
2. Impact Assessment Research
To estimate the consequences of a planned change. Such assessment is used for planning and
making choices among alternative policies to make an impact assessment.
3. Evaluation Research
The process of establishing value judgement based on evidence about the achievement of the
goals at a proper time.
Time Dimension in Research
1. Cross-sectional Research
Researchers observe at one point in time. It usually the simplest and least
costly alternative
2. Longitudinal Research
This researcher captures features of people or another unit at a more than
one time. It is usually more complex and costly than cross-sectional
research but is also more powerful.
Types of Longitudinal Research
1. Time Series
A longitudinal study in which the same type of information is collected on
a group of people or other units across multiple time periods.
2. Panel Study
The researcher observes exactly the same people, group, or organization
across several time periods. This type of research is very costly and many
times may be impossible due to its potential price tag.
Types of Longitudinal Research
3. Cohort Analysis
A longitudinal study that studies a category of people who share a similar life
experience within a specified time period.
4. Case Study
A special type of longitudinal study in which a researcher examines in depth many
features of a few cases over a long duration of time. Often times the data collected
includes very detailed and personal information about a person, organization, etc.
PART 2
CLASSIFICATION
AND TYPES OF
RESEARCH

MARK CHRISTIAN ROBLE

ALMAZAN, LPT
Classification of Research
1. Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is a traditional, positivist, scientific method which refers to a general
set order by disciplined procedures to acquire information. The researcher is concerned
with the use of numbers and statistical analysis.
2. Qualitative Research
Qualitative Research deals with understanding human behavior in a natural setting. It is
naturalistic in nature because it studies human behavior and the reasons that govern it. It
focuses on gaining insights on and an understanding of an individual’s perception of
events.
Classification of Research
3. Mixed Methods
It is defined as the class of research where the researcher mixes or
combines quantitative and qualitative research techniques.
Classification of Research
3. Mixed Methods
It is defined as the class of research where the researcher mixes or
combines quantitative and qualitative research techniques.
Types of Quantitative Research
1. Descriptive Research
It designed to give “answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, and how which are
linked with a research problem.” It is applied only to describe what exists and to gather
information about the current status of a certain phenomenon.
2. Correlational Research
Tests for the relationship between to variables. Performing correlational research is done to
establish what the effect of one on the other might be and how that affects relationship. The
purpose is to use two or more variables to better understand the conditions of events that we
encounter, to predict future conditions and events and correlation does not always mean causation.
Types of Quantitative Research
1. Descriptive Research
It designed to give “answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, and how which are
linked with a research problem.” It is applied only to describe what exists and to gather
information about the current status of a certain phenomenon.
2. Correlational Research
Tests for the relationship between to variables. Performing correlational research is done to
establish what the effect of one on the other might be and how that affects relationship. The
purpose is to use two or more variables to better understand the conditions of events that we
encounter, to predict future conditions and events and correlation does not always mean causation.
 Types of Quantitative Research
3. Causal – Comparative Research
It looks to uncover a cause-and-effect relationship. This research is not conducted between the two groups on
each other. They look solely for a statistical relationship between two variables it tries to identify, specifically,
how the different groups are affected by the same circumstance. Causal – Comparative Research involves
comparison. The study of two or more groups is done without focusing on their relations. The use of
statistical analysis is engaged to synthesize the data.
4. Experimental Research
Experimental Research is concerned with cause-and-effect relationships in which all experimental studies
involve manipulation or control of the independent variables (causes) and measurement of the dependent
variables (effects). Experimental research is guided specifically by a hypothesis. Sometimes it can have
several hypotheses. A hypothesis is a statement to be proven or disproved.
Types of Qualitative Research
1. Phenomenology
The purpose is to describe experiences as they are lived. It examines uniqueness of
the individual’s lived situations. Each person has its own reality, reality is
subjective.
2. Ethnography
The purpose is to describe a culture’s characteristics. It identifies culture variables
for study, and review literature. It involves the collection and analysis of the data
about cultural groups or minorities.
Types of Qualitative Research
3. Historical
The purpose of historical study is to describe and examine events of the past to
understand the present and anticipate potential further effects. It concerns with the
identification, location, evaluation and synthesis of data from the past.
4. Case Study
The purpose of Case study is to describe-in-depth experience of one person,
family, group, community or institution. It is a direct observation and interaction
with the subject.
Types of Mixed Method Research
1. Mixed Method Research
This research uses the qualitative paradigm for one phase of the study
and the quantitative paradigm for another phase of the study.
2. Mixed Model Research
This research mixes both qualitative and quantitative research approaches
within a stage of the study or across the stages of the research process.