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Lesson 1: Nature of Inquiry and Research

Definition of Research
Etymologically, the word research itself is derived from the French
word “recherche’’ which means to travel through the survey.
Characteristics of Research Process
 Research originates with a question or problem
Researchers require a clear articulation of a goal
 Research requires a specific plan of procedures
 Research usually divides the principal problems into more
manageable sub-problems
 Researchers are guided by specific
research problems: question or
hypothesis
 Research accepts certain critical
assumption
 Research requires a collection and
interpretation of data in attempting to
resolve the problem that initiated the
research
 Research is by its nature, cyclical or
more exactly helical.
Purposes of Studying Research
 To orient student to the nature of educational research: its
purposes, forms and importance
 to provide information which helps student become more
intelligent consumers of educational research: where to locate it,
how to understand it, and critique it.
 to provide information on the fundamentals of doing education
research such as selecting problems, using available tools,
organizing a project, etc.
 to generate new theories, confirm existing ones or disapprove
them.
Quantitative approaches to research
 The quantitative approach is typically used to answer the questions
about the relationship among measured variables with the purpose o
explaining, predicting and controlling phenomena.
Importance of Research
Determine the accuracy or otherwise and validity of popular beliefs
and religious practices by submitting them to systematic scrutiny.
 To enhance, modify or refine our knowledge of phenomenon or
various theories surrounding our environment and society.
To generate new concepts and explanation of existing rules,
policies, beliefs and practices, economics, political or social system.
 to find answers to particular existing questions
through investigation
Evaluate the findings of other researches / studies or
build on where they stopped.
 to bring the legacy left behind by early scholars as
well as the contributions of modern scholars to the
limelight
 seek validation or improvement for religious
doctrine and practices, social interactions, economic
improvement, politics, ideology etc.
 collect and analyze data which will enable us
provide information and advice to policy makers.
Characteristics of successful
research
 WIDE READING: is the first reading is the first requirement when
researching for academic projects, research for engineering, sciences,
arts, education, management, accounting etc.
 THROUGH UNDERSTANDING: of the subject and peers opinions and
accuracy in quoting their statements and expressions are a second
essential requirement of a success research.
 INDEPENDENT OPINION: a research should reflect independent
opinion in his findings, and critical of the views expressed in his sources.
 ORIGINALITY: Originality is the four essential requirement to a
successful research.
 EFFECTIVENESS: Research should be such that will make impact on
readers through substantiating submissions with proofs to carry reader
long.
Quantitative Research
 Quantitative Research is the numerical representation
and manipulation of observations for the purpose of
describing and explaining the phenomena that those
observations reflect.
Advantages of Quantitative Research
Provides estimate of populations at large
Indicates he extensiveness of attitude held by people
Provides result which can be condensed to statistics
Allows for statistical comparison between various groups
Has precision is definitive and standardized
Measure level of occurrence, actions, trends etc.
Can answer such questions as ‘’ how many?” and “how often”

Common Approaches to Quantitative Research

Survey Research
In-person interview
Telephone interviews
Omnibus survey
 self-administered questionanaire
Observation
Testing
The Nature of Variables
 Independent and Dependent Variables
 Discrete and Continuous variables
 Construct, Observables and Intervening Variables
Level of Measurement
 3
Lesson 1: Selecting, Citing and
Synthesizing Related literature
Review of Related Literature and the
Conceptual Framework
 Literature
 Framework of the study
 Assumptions or Hypothesis
 Definition of terms
Related Literature
The review of related literature involves the systematic
identification, location and analysis, of document containing
information related to research problem one of the early activities in
the research process is the review of the research literature- the body
of the research
The literature review server several important
functions:
 Convinces your reader that your research will make a significant and
substantial contribution to the literature
 demonstrate your knowledge of the research problem
 demonstrate your understanding of the theoretical and research issue
 ensures that you are not “reinventing the wheel”
 Gives credit to those who have laid the groundwork for your research
Indicates your ability to integrate and synthesize the existing literature
Provides new theoretical insights
 shows your ability to critically evaluate relevant literature information
Sources of Information for the literature
review
 The Library
 Online computer Searches: Database Access to Library
 Advantages Of Online Computer Search
 Limitations Of Online Computer Search
How to Write on a Related Literature
Computerize as much as possible
Be Systematic and Thorough
 Get the proper psychological orientation
 Have a plan
Emphasis Relatedness
Review the Literature, do not reproduce it
 Synthesis of the literature and Studies
Ethical Standards in Writing Related Literature
 Report his/her literature review with the highest level of accuracy
 Give an unbiased description his/her observation
 Never manipulate results of previous studies
Include information on possible hazards related to chemicals or other
materials
Be aware of the state of the art related to his or her line of research
 Cite every publication that is someway contributed to his or
her research
 Avoid ‘citation stuffing’ while citing
 Compose a manuscript using your own words
 the same applies t picture, schemes, tables and other materials
 Protection of the authors legitimate interests should always be
regarded through the establishment of adequate materials
transfer agreement, restraining its field of use
Assure, prior to a manuscript submission that all the consulted
authors are properly cited in the list of references
Give proper credit to all sources of information
Be sure whenever citing statement, rationalization, or
conclusion of a published work that in fact he/she has read and
analyze the original publication
Framework Of the Study
 Conceptual Framework
 Theoretical Framework
Assumptions/Hyothesis
 Assumption
Hypothesis
Questions versus Hypothesis
 Question
Hypothesis
Null hypothesis
Definition Of Terms
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING IN DEFINING THE IMPORTANT
TERMS
 List and define the major terms you will use particularly where terms
found in the study such as variables have different meaning to
different people
 emphasis should be placed on operational or behavior definition