Practical Research 1 2.

Based on Purpose of the Research

a. Descriptive Research. Finds to answer to questions
Meaning of Research who, what, when, where and how. It is used to
describe characteristics of a population or
 Research is concerned with finding answers (Mason & phenomenon being studied.
Bramble, 1989). It is a systematic, organized search for b. Explanatory or Correlational Research. It explains to
knowledge or answers to questions. answer the relationship between two or more
 It is a systematic process of collecting and logically variables/factor or characteristics.
analyzing information or data for some purpose c. Intervention or Experimental Research. It evaluates
(Macmillan & Schumacher, 1989). the effect or outcome of a particular intervention or
 It is a process of obtaining knowledge through treatment. It studies the cause and effect relationship
techniques, where truth, accuracy, validity, reliability, between factors on a certain phenomenon.
and other criteria can be ascertained (Genato et al,
1993). 3. Based on Types of Data Needed
 It is a systematic inquiry geared towards providing a. Qualitative Research. Requires non-numerical
information to solve problems (Emory, 1995). data which means that the research uses words
 It is a systematic and empirical approach to answering rather than numbers to express the results, inquiry
questions. It is concerned with understanding or investigation regarding people’s thoughts
phenomenon, within the context our theories and beliefs, feelings and views.
experiences regarding the phenomenon (Beiger & b. Quantitative Research. It involves measurement
Gail,1996). of data. Thus it presents research findings
referring to the number of frequency of something
What is Qualitative research? in numerical forms. (percentage, fractions,
numbers.
 This is a research type that puts premium or high value
on people’s thinking or point of view conditioned by Research Problem – is a general statement of an issue
personal traits. meriting research or the general area of interest that the
researcher would like to pursue.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
Factors to Consider in the Choice of Research Problem
Strengths
 It can be replicated or repeated in other contexts. 1. Relevant. The results of the study on a given problem
should be of practical value to you and the significant
 It has a low degree of subjectivity.
others in the field. This means that once the study had
 Its validity and reliability can be measured.
been completed, its findings, conclusions, and
 It can make predictions based in numerical, recommendations can be used in improving practices
quantifiable data. or solving identified difficulties.
 It provides findings that are generalizable to a large
population. 2. Interesting. As the researcher, you need to consider
your interest in the choice of a research problem.
Weaknesses Interest counts a lot in the conduct of a study. If you
 It has less flexibility in terms of study design. are not interested on the topic, it will be difficult for you
 It lacks the ability to provide a comprehensive textual to put your heart and soul in it.
description of human experiences.
 Responses of participants are strictly limited to what 3. Feasible. This means that a problem you are going to
has been asked. These responses may not be work on can be completed without undue amount time,
extensive in some cases. money or effort. Research feasibility also means that
 Numerical data may be insufficient in analyzing you have necessary competence or expertise to
intangible factors, such as gender roles, socio- conduct the study of the chosen problem.
economic status, and social norms of a given
population. 4. Researchable. This means that the data can be
 It cannot adequately provide in – depth information collected to answer the problem that you posed. A
necessary for describing and explaining a complex researcher, for instance who wants to prove the
phenomenon. existence of God will definitely find it difficult to gather
quantifiable data to answer the said problem.
Types of Research 5. Ethical. A research problem is said to be ethical when
it does not involve physical or psychological harm or
1. Based on Application of Research Method damage to human beings or organizations. In other
a. Pure research – this type of research aims to words, a study on a particular topic should not put
increase your knowledge about something. people or institutions in a bad light.
(it deals with concepts, principles or abstract things)
b. Applied research – designed to solve specific Identifying the Variables of the Study
practical problems or answer certain questions.
(it seeks to answer societal problems or To ensure objectivity in the study of an identified
issues, finding ways to make positive changes in the problem, the researcher has to be clear as to what variables are
society) to be examined or investigated.
Variable – any element which can be measured for quantity or 4. The Library of the Department of Education, Culture
quality. and Sports.

Most common Classification of Variables. Citing Sources

1. Independent variable – is the variable that is
Citing sources has two forms, these are:
considered to affect the dependent variable or the
presumed cause in experimental research. 1. In – text citation – which requires the researcher to
2. Dependent variable – is the variable examined for indicate the source of information within the body of the
changes. Also considered as the presumed effect in text. The citation usually includes the last name of the
experimental research.
of the author and the year the sources was published.
2. Reference citation – which refers to complete
Stating Assumptions in Research
To enhance the understanding of the problem to be bibliographic information of the reference used.
studied, the researcher needs to state his assumptions. An Reference citation usually appears at the end of the
assumption in research is a statement the researcher will paper. The compilation of these references is known
presume to be true, and will no longer be proven. Nonetheless, as the reference list.
it has to be based on research problem.
APA – American Psychological Association
Writing the Scope and Delimitation MLA – Modern Language Association
CMOS – Chicago Manual Style
The scope and delimitation describe the parameters to
which the study is set. It sets the boundaries of your research in
terms of certain aspects. The components of the scope and Style Guides Disciplines
delimitation include the following: APA business, education, social sciences, etc.
 Topic of the study; MLA English and some fields of hums. and arts
 Objectives of the study and the issues it will address; CMOS various disciplines, popularly used in history
 Time coverage of the investigation; Aspect APA System MLA System
 The locale or the area where the study will be Writing the Full name first, Full name first,
conducted; Author’s Name then followed by followed by full
 Characteristics of the participants (age, sex, education, initials of first and first name, and
socio-economic status, civil status, and other traits). middle name optional initial of
the middle name
Writing the Significance of the Study Writing the Title of Italicized title with Underlined or
Another important component of the Introduction of the reading only the italicized title with
your research is the significance of the study. This section material beginning word all content words
details the contribution or benefit that your study provides to capitalized capitalized.
different people and organizations, including the other sectors (exception: capital
of the society. for every proper
noun)
Sources of Related Literature and Studies Writing the copy Written after the Written after the
The sources of related literature and studies may right date author’s name publisher’s name.
include the following:
1. Book, encyclopedias, almanacs, and other similar
references. Important Skills in Drafting of Citing the Literature Review
2. Articles published in professional journals, magazines,
periodicals, newspapers, and other publications. Synthesizing. This involves the review of several
3. Manuscripts, monographs, memoirs, speeches, references from the related literature and studies that talk about
letters, and diaries. the same subject and consolidating them into one cohesive text.
4. Unpublished theses and dissertations.
5. The Constitution, and laws and statues of the land. Note – taking. It involves writing information from a
6. Bulletins, circulars, and orders emanating from source text and integrating this information into your current
government offices and departments, especially from study.
the Office of the President of the Philippines and the
Summarizing. Form of note – taking that involves
Department of Education, Culture and Sports.
7. Records from schools, public and private, especially considering a lengthy piece of source material.
reports of their activities. Paraphrasing. Form of note – taking that involves
8. Reports from seminars educational or otherwise. rewording ideas from the original text in a more detailed way.
9. Official reports of all kinds, educational, social,
economic, scientific, technological, political, etc. from
the government and other entities.

Generally, the sources of related literature and studies are

located in the following places:
1. Libraries, either government, school, or private
libraries.
2. Government and private offices.
3. The National Library