Methods of Research

EDGAR S. JORDAN
Instructor
 Objectives
1. Define the Descriptive Research;
2. Determine and discuss the characteristics of
Descriptive Research and its techniques;
3. Differentiate between Survey and Case
Study;
4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
Survey Approach; and
5. Identify the methods of case study.
 Reflection about Descriptive Research

• What is descriptive
research?
• Give an example of a study
pertaining to Descriptive
Research.
 Definition of Descriptive Research
Manuel and Medel:
Descriptive Research describes “What is”
It involves: the description, recording, analysis,
and interpretation of the present nature,
composition or processes of phenomena.
The focus is on prevailing conditions, or how
a person, group, or thing behaves of functions
in the present.
 Aquino’s Definition

Descriptive Research is fact-finding

with adequate interpretation. The
descriptive method is something more
and beyond just data-gathering; the
latter is not reflective thinking nor
research.
 Descriptive Research

 Describes and interprets “What is”

 It is concerned with conditions of
relationships that exist; practices
that prevail; beliefs; processes
that are going on; effects that are
being felt, or trends that are
developing.
 Process of Descriptive Research
 It goes beyond mere gathering and tabulation
of data.

 It involves the elements or interpretation of the

meaning or significance of what is described.

 It often combined with comparison and contrast

involving measurements, classifications,
interpretation and evaluation.
 In General
Descriptive Research defined as
purposive process of gathering, analyzing,
classifying, and tabulating data about
prevailing conditions, practices, beliefs,
processes, trends, and cause and effect
relationships.
Then:
Making adequate and accurate interpretation
about such data with or without the aid of
statistical methods.
 Characteristics
1. Ascertains prevailing conditions of
facts in a group or case under study.
2. It gives either a qualitative or quantitative,
or both, description of the general
characteristics of the group or case under
study.
3. Study of conditions at different periods of
time may be made and the change or progress
that took place between the periods may be
noted.
 Characteristics
4.Comparisons of the characteristics
of two groups or cases may be made
to determine their similarities and
differences.
5. Studies on prevailing conditions
may or can be repeated for
purposes of verification and
comparison.
 Value, Importance, and its Advantages
1. Contributes much to the formulation of
principles and generalizations in
behavioral sciences.
2. Contributes much to the establishment
of standard norms of conduct, behavior, or
performance.
3. Reveals problems or abnormal
conditions so that remedial measures may
be instituted.
Value, Importance, and its Advantages

4. It is on the basis of reactions of people

toward certain issues.

5. It gives a better and deeper

understanding of a phenomenon on the
basis of in-depth study.
 Techniques under Descriptive
1. The Survey- a fact-finding study with
adequate and accurate interpretation.

It is used to collect demographic data

about people’s behavior, practices,
intentions, beliefs, attitudes, opinions,
judgments, interests, perceptions and
the like.
 2. Case Study

It is a comprehensive,
complete, detailed, and in-
depth study and analysis of
an individual, institution,
group, or community.
Differences Between Survey and Case
Study
SURVEY CASE STUDY
The group surveyed is May involve & usually
usually large involves one person,
family, small group, or
small community.

The number of aspects Usually all aspects or

or variables in the life of variables in the life cycle
the group surveyed is of the case under study
limited. are included.
Differences Between Survey and Case
Study
SURVEY CASE STUDY
Cause and effect Finding the causes of
relationships are not certain phenomena is
given emphasis always a part of a case
study
Representativeness is Representativeness is
important and is given not important. The
emphasis results of a single case
study do not provide
certainty that the case is
truly representative.
Differences Between Survey and Case
Study
SURVEY CASE STUDY
Curiosity, interest, or Abnormalities or
just to determine norm undesirable traits or
or status may initiate a conditions usually
survey. initiate a case study.
Only conditions or Data about the case
practices present during from birth or origin or
the survey are even of the future are
considered. considered.
Advantages of the Survey Approach over CS
Survey
 reveals what is typical, average, or normal against
which behavior or performance of an individual can be
judged or evaluated.

The results of a survey may be used for prediction. This is

especially true in correlation studies or even in status
studies.

Survey
 makes possible the formulation of generalizations
because the sample has a high degree of representativeness.
Advantages of the Survey Approach over CS
Reveals
 problems for which timely remedial measures
may be instituted.

It is easy to get respondents for a survey.

The
 instruments for gathering data are easy to
determine, construct, validate, and administer.
 Types of Survey Technique
Total
 population survey.
The entire population is involved in the survey.
Sample survey.
Only one sample or portion of the population in involved in
the survey.
Social survey.

The investigator researches on the attitudes and behaviors
of different groups of people.
 Types of Survey Technique
School
 survey.
This is used to gather data for and about schools and
to assess educational achievement and education itself.
Public opinion survey.
This is used to gauge the reactions of people towards
certain issues or persons.
Poll survey.

The respondents are asked if they are voting for a
certain candidate in an election.
 Types of Survey Technique
Market
 survey.
This is aimed at finding out what kinds of
people purchase which products, and how
packaging, advertising, and displaying affect
buying, prices and so on.
Evaluation survey.
The researcher looks back to see what has been
accomplished and, with a critical eye, evaluates
the results whether they are satisfactory or not,
with the end in view of making improvements.
 Types of Survey Technique
Comparative
 survey.
The results from two different groups,
techniques, or procedures are compared.
Short-term survey.
Data are collected over a period of weeks,
months, or even years but the period should be
less than five years.

Long-term survey.
Any survey conducted for more than five years .
 Types of Survey Technique
Longitudinal
 survey.
This is almost the same as the long-term
survey. (practice of economists)

Job Analysis survey.

This provides information on the general
duties and responsibilities of workers, their
education, training, experiences, salaries,
types of knowledge and skills and others that
help administrators in setting up trainings.
 Types of Survey Technique
Community
 survey.
Provides information on the various aspects of the
community: health, employment, housing,
education, economic resources, delinquency,
family, population, & other social problems
occurred.

Correlation survey.
Shows the relationship between two or more
variables, that is, how a variable varies with
another.
 Case Study
Involves a comprehensive and extensive examination of a
particular individual, group or situation over a period of time.
(Mckee and Robertson, 1975).

Defines case study as a “comprehensive study of a social

unit-be that unit a person, a social institution, a group, a
district, or community. (Young, 1966).

The complex situation and a combination of factors

involved in the given behavior are examined to determine the
existing status and to identify the causal factors operating.
(Good and Scates, n.d)
 Case Study
Defined as an extensive and intensive
investigation of a unit represented, whether the
unit is an individual, a family, a social group, an
institution, or a community.

The aim of which is to identify causal factors

to some abnormality or deficiency and to find
and recommend a solution, a treatment, or
developmental procedures.
 Case Work
Refers especially to the
developmental, adjustment, remedial,
or corrective procedures that
appropriately follow diagnosis of the
causes of maladjustment or of favorable
development.
 Case Method
Has been employed to describe a
plan of organizing and presenting
instructional materials in law,
medicine, social work, and even in
education, psychology, and sociology,
where as a rule, the case materials used
are the product of case study
investigation.
 Case History
A biography obtained by interview
and other means, sometimes collected
over the years to enable us to
understand the problems of an
individual and to suggest ways of solving
them.
 Clinical Method
A process by which we collect all
available evidence-social, psychological,
educational, biographical, and medical,
that promises to help us understand an
individual child.
 Who should be studied?
Generally, children with some
forms of abnormalities are the
subjects of case studies.
Like: exceptional abilities, very high
I.Q., or children with problems or
deficiencies
 Kinds of information needed in case study

A complete case history or

biographical information containing
all kinds of information about the
subject of a case study is needed.
 Sample of case history or biography

1.Identifying data: name, sex, date

of birth, age, place of birth, telephone
number if any.
2. Identification and statement of the
problem: any symptoms of complains
about health, school work, family
relationships, abnormal behavior,
work, delinquencies, etc.
 Sample of case history or biography

3. Health and developmental history

4. Family history
5. Educational history
6. Social history
7. Economic history
8. Psychological history
 Short Evaluation

1. Explain the meaning of

descriptive research.(10 points)
2. Characterize descriptive research.
(10 points)
3. Give atleast 2 examples (titles) of
descriptive research and discuss its
characteristics. (20 points)