Module V:

COMPONENTS OF RESEARCH
A. Research Plan
1. The Necessity of a Research Plan
A research plan is a detailed description of the procedures that will be used to investigate your topic pr
problem. It is a justification for the hypotheses or exploration of the research problem. It is a detailed presentation
of the steps to be followed in conducting the study.
A research plan forces the researcher to think through every aspect of the study. It facilitates the evaluation of
the proposed study and provides detailed procedures to guide the conduct of the study.
A well thought out research plan saves time, provides structure to the study, reduces the probability of costly
mistakes and generally results in a higher quality research study.

2. Qualitative Research Plans

Qualitative studies are characterized by the open ended, emergent designs . Research plans must be responsive
to the context and setting as well as the flexibility of the design. Prior fieldwork influences the research plan of
qualitative studies. The authors recommend pre proposal fieldwork to help understand the socio cultural context of
the setting. Alternatives include drawing on ones own experiences or the literature.

3. General Issues to Consider When Developing a Research Plan

There are thre important issues to consider in a research plan: Ethics of research, general consideration and
legal restrictions.
The five ethical principles are: a) Beneficence and non mal-feasance, b) fidelity and responsibility, c) integrity,
d) justice and e) respect for people's right and dignity.
Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research
Unique emerging nature of qualitative designs increases the likelihood of unanticipated and unreviewed ethic
al issues. Unique personal involvement with participant raises issues such as: a) objective collection and interpret
ation of data, b) possibility pf observing potentially illegal or unprofessional behavior , and c) aligning professiona
l and personal ethical perspectives.

The general considerations concern the cooperation of participants starting from gaining entry to the researc
h site where approval is needed at several levels, for instance from the site, administrators, teachers, and students.
Tjere are certain strategies to enhance cooperation from participants: a) clearly explain the benefits of the study;
b) Afford stakeholders the opportunity to review drafts of the report for their approval; c) Brief stakeholders on t
he findings; and d) Provide professional development sessions for stakeholders.

Some research topics have legal restrictions. For example, a study that will require interviewing prisoners wi
ll be subject to legal constraints. The researcher has to decide if he/she has the time and resources to pursue a stu
dy that maybe hindered by legal provisions before he/ she embarks on it.
 Variables
Definition of Variables
A variable is a concept that stands for variation within a class of objects or person. It is a characteristic or
property that can take different values or attributes. Variables are the basic elements which are measured in a
study. They are observable and measurable.

Some researchers cannot answer their research question because they do not have clear measures of their
variables. A variable must be operationally defined defined according to how it is used in the study, so that it
can be properly measured.

The operational definition gives a specific meaning to the variable. The definition clarifies how a variable or a
term is used and measured in the study. A variable must be defined in terms of events/units or measurement
that are observable by the sense. These events/units of measurement serve as indicators of the variable.
 Types of Variables
Variables can be classified as: dependent, independent, intervening , and antecedent variables.

a. Dependent variable
The dependent variable is the " assumed effect" of another variable. It is the change that occurs in the study
population when one or more factors are changed or when an intervention is introduced. Usually dependent variable
is the problem itself.

b. Independent variable
The independent variable is the "assumed cause" of a problem. It is an assumed reason for any "change" or variation
in a dependent variable. An independent variable is sometimes treated as "antecedent" variable ( the variable
before). Likewise , an "antecedent" variable may be treated as an "independent" variable.

c. Intervening variable
The intervening variable is a factor that works "between" the independent and dependent variables. It can weaken
(decrease) or strengthen ( increase) the effect of the independent on the dependent variables. It is also called a "
facilitating variables", "moderator" or a " control variable".

d. Antecedent variable
An antecedent variable is a factor or characteristics which is found before (ante) the independent variable. It is
expected to influence the independent variable/s. It is usually irrevsible.
HYPOTHESIS

Defining a hypothesis
Researchers make educated guesses to tentatively answer the research questions. Usually they make many tentativ
e answers to the research questions. From these, they select the more logical and theoretically sound guesses. These
tentative answers to the research questions are called hypotheses.

A hypothesis is defined as an educated guess or tentative answer to a question. It is a statement about an expected r
elationship between two or more variables that can be empirically tested.

It is a researcher's tentative prediction of the results of the research formulated on the basis of knowledge of the un
derlying theory or implications from the literature review. Testing a hypothesis lead's to support of the hypothesis
or lack thereof.
 Two views of Hypothesis
a . Inductive - a generalization made from number of observations. It is a typical of qualitative studies.
b. Deductive - derived from a theory and aimed at providing evidence to support, expand, or contradict aspects
of that theory. It is typical of quantitative studies.

Functions of a Hypothesis
a. A single hypothesis might state that an independent variable is associated with a dependent variable.
b. Sometimes a hypothesis specifies that, under certain conditions (x, y and z), variable A is associated with or can
influence variable B.
c. Some hypothesis may state that a particular characteristic of a person or object varies according to another
variable.
 Types of Hypothesis
Hypotheses can be classified either as null or alternative hypothesis, directional or non - directional hypothesis,
and quantitative or qualitative hypothesis.

a .Null vs. Alternative Hypothesis

A null hypothesis is a negative statement wich indicates the absence of a relationship/ correlation between
two variables, an absence of a significant difference between the proportions of two groups of people or objects
possessing a particular characteristic or an absence of difference between or among the means of two or more
group's with respect to a particular variable.
An alternative hypothesis, also called the research hypothesis, is the positive form of the null hypothesis. It may
state the presence of a significant relationship between the Independent and dependent variables, or the
presence of a significant difference between two means or two proportions.

A null hypothesis is a statistical statement that states that no statistically significant relationship or difference
exists between variables.
Directional vs Non - directional Hypothesis

A directional hypothesis states wether the relationship between two variables is direct or inverse positive or neg
ative. A positive or direct relationship is present when the value of the one variable increases with the increase i
n the value of another. The relationship is negative when the value of one variable increases as the value of anoth
er decreases.

Directional hypothesis is a statement of the expected direction of the relationship or difference between variable
s.

A non - directional is a statement that no relationship or difference exists between the variables.

A non - directional hypothesis does not specify the direction of relationship between variables. It merely states th
e presence or absence of a relationship between two variables or that one variable influences another, or there is
a significant difference in the mean values of two variables.
 Quantitative vs. Qualitative Hypothesis

A good quantitative hypothesis is based on sound reasoning. It provides a reasonable explanation for the
predicted outcome. It clearly and concisely state's the expected relationship's between variables. It is
testable.

Bryan W . Griffin identifies the type of hypothesis by the type of independent variable, as seen in the Matrix
of hypothesis that follows.( Assuming the dependent variable is quantitative.)
THANK YOU!!!

Group 5
Diaz, Julie Ann
Jamolin, Irene
Mil, Leah
Torres, Lovelyn