Understanding Academic Research:

Its Design and Methods in the New Normal

Alson Rae F. Luna, PhD, FRIEdr, DrHum (h.c), EdPhD

(o.g)

October 22, 2023

FOCUS FOR TODAY!

Research in the New Normal

Quantitativ Research: Approaches

e and
Designs

Preparing Action Research Proposal

 Rationale
THE DEPED VISION
“We dream of Filipinos
who passionately love their country
and whose values and competencies
enable them to realize their full potential
and contribute meaningfully to building the
nation.

As a learner-centered public institution,

the Department of Education
continuously improves itself
to better serve its stakeholders.”
“The Department sustains its progressive
orientation by ensuring that its actions are
informed by sound and relevant evidence
from research.”
-DepEd Order No. 39, s. 2016
 Importance of
Research
Informs
action

Proves a theory

Fills in the knowledge gap

Research process is an iterative, inquiry-based process that

involves selecting a topic to explore, gathering information,
analyzing the information, and sharing what is learned.
Research in the New Normal
 Research in the New Normal

Conducting research in the

time of pandemic:
A pause or an
opportunity?
Castro Superfine, A. Conducting research in the time of pandemic: A pause or
an opportunity?. J Math Teacher Educ 23, 429–431 (2020).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857-020-09478-w
Research in New Normal: New opportunities for
everyone

https://www.boi-rs.com/research-in-new-normal-new-opportunities-for-everyone/
 Research in the New Normal

https://globalonlineacademy.org/insights/articles/the-new-
normal-five-insights-from-goas-covid-19-leadership-roundtable
 Research in the New Normal

“Learning Opportunities”
Research in the New Normal
 Research in the New Normal

"Necessity is the mother of invention.”

- Plato

“The New Normal has required us to

innovate in the ways we carry out
our research activities.”
Castro Superfine, A. Conducting research in the time of pandemic: A pause or
an opportunity?. J Math Teacher Educ 23, 429–431 (2020).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857-020-09478-w
This New Normal is a transition period to make
adjustments to the way we do research that in
one hand meets the needs for data analysis and
on the other hand satisfies the government’s
safety protocols.

https://www.boi-rs.com/survey-procedures-during-new-normal/
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
 Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research – studies phenomena

objectively with the goal of obtaining a single
truth, with an emphasis on measurement,
numerical data, and experiments.
 Quantitative Research

Example of Quantitative Research:

1. Examining the relationship between student’s

cognitive and non-cognitive skills
2. Exploring the factors influencing
student’s
low achievement in mathematics
3. Assessing the effectiveness of
reading interventions for struggling readers
 Quantitative Research

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

1. describes a research problem through a

description of trends or a need for an explanation
of the relationship among variables

2. provides a major role for the literature through

suggesting the research questions to be asked and
justifying the research problem and creating a
need for the direction (purpose statement and
research questions or hypotheses) of the study

-Creswell, 2012
 Quantitative Research

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

3. creates purpose statements, research questions,

and hypotheses that are specific, narrow,
measurable, and observable

4. collects numeric data from a large number of

people using instruments with preset questions
and responses

-Creswell, 2012
 Quantitative Research

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

5. analyzes trends, comparing groups, or relating

variables using statistical analysis, and
interpreting results by comparing them with prior
predictions and past research

6. writes the research report using standard, fixed

structures and evaluation criteria, and taking an
objective, unbiased approach

-Creswell, 2012
 Quantitative Research

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

Areas Characteristics
Variable; Operationalized;
Controlled; Statistically
1. Key concepts
significant; Replicated;
Hypothesized
Structured; Predetermined;
2. Design Specific; Descriptive;
Experimental

-McMillan, 2016
 Quantitative Research

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

Areas Characteristics
One or few sources;
Measures/instruments
; Numbers; Statistics;
3. Data
Surveys; Structured
interviews and
Observations
4. Data Analysis Deductive; Statistical

-McMillan, 2016
 Quantitative Research

Descriptive Associational Intervention

survey correlational experimental
 Quantitative Research

Types of Quantitative Research Designs

and Their Primary Uses
Experimental Non-experimental (Descriptive)
(intervention type) Correlational Survey

Explains whether an
Associates or relates
intervention
variables in a
influences an Describes trends for a
predictable pattern
outcome for one population of people
for one group of
group as opposed to
individuals
another group
Assessing the
Examining the Examining the
Exploring the Exploring
Assessing the
the
effectiveness
relationshipof relationship
factors influencing factors influencing
effectiveness of
reading
between student’s between student’s
student’s low student’s
readinglow
interventions
cognitive and for cognitive and
achievement in achievement in
interventions for
struggling
non- readers non- cognitive mathematics
skills
cognitive skills mathematics struggling readers
 Quantitative Research

Types of Quantitative Research Designs

and Their Primary Uses
Experimental Non-experimental (Descriptive)
(intervention type) Correlational Survey

• variable • variables are not controlled nor

manipulation manipulated
• random selection of • uses random sampling
participants
• conducted in a
techniques
controlled setting • no intervention is applied
• intervention is • uses questionnaires, interviews,
present surveys
• there is a
pretest and
posttest
 Quantitative Research

Types of Quantitative Research Designs

and Their Primary Uses
Non-experimental (Descriptive)
Experimental
Correlational Survey

• the researcher
• the researcher administers a
measures the survey or
degree of questionnaire to a
• the researcher
association (or small group of
determines
relation) between people (called the
whether an activity
two or more sample) to identify
or materials make a
variables using the trends in attitudes,
difference in
statistical opinions, behaviors,
results for
procedure of or characteristics
participants
correlational of a large group of
analysis people (called the
population)
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
 Action Research

The Unique Characteristics of Action Research

Constructivist – action researchers are

generators of knowledge
 Action Research

The Unique Characteristics of Action Research

Situational – has unique context

 Action Research

The Unique Characteristics of Action Research

Practical – based on teacher’s own concerns

and professional areas of interests
 Action Research

The Unique Characteristics of Action Research

Systematic – intentional,
thoughtfully planned, and
methodical.
 Action Research

The Unique Characteristics of Action Research

Cyclical – starts with a research question and

ends with a new cycle of research
 Action Research

The six cyclical steps

of action research
 Action Research

Step 1. Identify a problem

• The research problem is the

heart of a study. It is a clear,
definite statement of the area
of concern or investigation
and is backed by evidence
(Bryman, 2007).
• It drives the research
questions and processes and
provides the framework for
understanding the research
findings.
 Action Research

Characteristics of a Good Research Problem

1. Relevant
• Your research problem should have a
positive impact on the field. The impact
can be practical, in the form of direct
application of the results in the field, or
conceptual, where the work advances
the field by filling a knowledge gap.
 Action Research

2. Timely
• Your research problem should be related
to the current needs in the field and well-
suited for the present status of the issues
in your field. Explore what topics are
being covered in current journals in the
field. Look at calls from relevant
disciplinary organizations.
 Action Research

3. Novel
• Your research problem should be
original and unique. It should seek to
address a gap in our knowledge or
application. An exhaustive review of
literature can help you identify whether
the problem has already been
addressed with your particular sample
and/or context.
 Action Research

4. Specific and Clear

• Your research problem should be
specific enough to set the direction of
the study, raise research question(s),
and determine an appropriate research
method and design. Vague research
problems may not be useful to specify
the direction of the study or develop
research questions.
 Action Research

5. Researchable
• Research problems are solved through
the scientific method. This means
research-ability, or feasibility of the
problem, is more important than all of
the above characteristics.
 Action Research

Review some research agenda and focused topics.

Basic
RESEARCH
Education
AGEND
A
DepEd Order No. 39, s. 2016
 Action Research

While there are a myriad of topics to probe

in the education sector, the Department’s
research thrusts are strategically geared
towards supporting its mission “to protect
and promote the right of every Filipino to
quality, equitable, culture-based, and
complete basic education where:
 Action Research

Family, community, and other stakeholders

are engaged and share
actively for lifelong
responsibility developing
learners.

file:///C:/Users/LSPU%20LBC%20CIDQA/Downloads/basiceducationresearchagenda-170823114513.pdf
 Action Research

• Students learn in a child-friendly, gender

sensitive, safe, and motivating
environment.

file:///C:/Users/LSPU%20LBC%20CIDQA/Downloads/basiceducationresearchagenda-170823114513.pdf
 Action Research

• Teachers facilitate learning and constantly

nurture every learner.

file:///C:/Users/LSPU%2
0LBC%20CIDQA/Downl
oads/basiceducationres
earchagenda-
170823114513.pdf
 Action Research

• Administrators and staff, as stewards of

the institution, ensure an enabling and
supportive environment for effective
learning to happen.

file:///C:/Users/LSPU%20LBC%20CIDQA/Downloads/basiceducationresearchagenda-170823114513.pdf
 Action Research

RESEARCH THEMES
TEACHING AND
LEARNING

CHILD PROTECTION
HUMAN RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT

•
GOVERNANCE
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
• Gender and Development
• Inclusive Education DepEd Order No. 39, s. 2016
 Action Research

WRITING THE RESEARCH TITLE

• Title must contain a high-level of
specificity.
• Title must be academically phrased
and not verbose.
• Title must follow the 12 substantive
word requirement of the American
Psychological Association (APA).
 Action Research Proposal

Components of a Research Proposal

(Action Research)
I. Context and Rationale

• Includes the description and context of the study

• States the reason for conducting it

• Answers how the results could be used in action

planning
 Action Research Proposal

II. Review of Related Literature

• Focuses on key issues which underlie the action

research
• General conclusions about related
action research papers
• What research still needs to be done
• What knowledge gaps remain that the study will
aim to fill
Search Engine
Search Engine
Search Engine
Search Engine
Search Engine
 Theoretical Framework
• It is composed of theory/theories that
are related to the topic under study.
• Cite the theory and discuss it fully.
• Relate or anchor your research to
the theory.
• Enclosure of DepEd Order No. 24 s.
2020
(Framework of Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads)
New Leadership Paradigm for the New Normal
(Kumar, 2020)
 Effort – Enjoyment Model of Engagement
(Doug Malouf and Trevor O’Sullivan, 2013)
Four distinct groups of
Employees – each requiring a
different approach to
leadership: Competent and
motivated
committed
Competent and committed:

Skilled but unmotivated:

Unable but motivated: Unwilling and

unable unmotivated
Unwilling and unable:
63

International Management Group, 2020

 Conceptual Framework
• Present the conceptual model or the
research paradigm. The conceptual
model is the figurative presentation of
the study.

• Discuss thoroughly the model and its

details.
 TITLE:
ORGANIZATIONAL
COMMITMENT,
PROFESSIONAL SELF-
ESTEEM AND WORK
ENGAGEMENT
AMONG FILIPINO
FACULTY MEMBERS
OF STATE
UNIVERSITIES AND
COLLEGES (SUCs): AN
INPUT TO FACULTY
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM (Manaig,
2020)

IPO Model
PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING, RESILIENCE QUOTIENT, AND EFFECTIVENESS
OF TEACHERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (Yazon, 2021)

IV-DV Model
 Action Research Proposal

III. Research Questions

• Identifies the problem/s which will be addressed

by the research in terms of investigating or
testing an idea
• Trying out solutions to a problem
• Creating a new procedure or system
• Explaining a phenomenon
• Combination of any of the abovementioned
 Action Research Proposal

IV. Scope and Limitation

• Coverage of the research in terms of location,

time, respondents, etc.

• Inherent design or methodology parameters that

can restrict the scope of the research findings and
are outside the control of the researcher
 Action Research Proposal

V. Methodology – contains details of how

the research will be conducted
a. Sampling – details should be provided about who
will participate in the research; number of
respondents; and the sampling techniques
b. Data Collection – discusses the various
instruments and procedures for data collection
c. Ethical issues – identification of ethical concerns
that could possibly emanate from the conduct of
the research, and discussion on how to prevent
these from taking place.
 Action Research Proposal

Ethical Considerations

1. Right to conduct a study or investigation

2. Securing informed consent from
respondents and/or parents and guardians
3. Issues of confidentiality and anonymity
4. Voluntary participation and/or respondent’s right
to withdraw
 Action Research Proposal

V. Methodology

d. Plan for Data Analysis

• indicates how the data will be analyzed and
reported
• specifies the quantitative methods that will be
used in analyzing the gathered data for the
research
 Action Research Proposal

VI. Work Plan – contains the research timelines –

when will the project begin and how long will it take
for it to be completed; include time estimates for each
step in the research process (e.g. 5 days, 2 weeks)

VII. Cost Estimates – includes detailed research cost,

broken down per research task, activity and/or
deliverable. It can be further grouped by tranche for
easier reference of the Evaluation Committee. Refer to
the Availment Process for the activities falling under
each tranche.
 Action Research Proposal

VIII.Action Plan – indicate how the results of the

action research will be utilized

IX.List of References – provide in text of work and

reference list; consistent use of APA referencing (in-
text and bibliography)
Slide Outline
1 Title of the Study
Context and Rationale/
2 inspires the researcher/s to
Background of the Study
3 Theoretical Framework
4 Conceptual Framework
5–6 Statement of the Problem
7–8 Methodology
Content
Research Title, Researchers,
Workstation, Division
Office
Describe the problem or issue that
conduct the study.
Provide at least 2 theories and
anchor them to your study.
Present the research paradigm
using IV-DV/IPO Model
Present the general and specific
research questions.
Briefly describe the research
design, sampling, research
instrument, data gathering
procedure, and statistical
tool/s to
be used.
• Rubrics
CRITERIA WEIGHT
NOVELTY (The study is substantially compared with the works done
by others and pointed out the things that the study does to fill in the 25%
research gap).

POTENTIAL UTILIZATION (The salient findings of the study may be

used as a basis for policy making/curriculum enhancement/, improve
25%
teaching and learning modalities, and can better serve its target
beneficiaries).
RELEVANCE & IMPACT (The study is relevant and responsive to the
needs of time and offers a greater impact to the 25%
community/workplace.)
TECHNICAL QUALITY (The proposal contains complete components
of a research proposal and has appropriate research questions and 25%
sound methodology)
TOTAL 100%
 Pay it forward

Prayer

Perseverance

Passion

Royal Road to Personal Growth

Thank you very much
and Happy Writing!