The Research Process Formulated by Borg and Gall
The Research Process Formulated by Borg and Gall
The Research Process Formulated by Borg and Gall
1.) The Statement of the Problem, either in question form or as declarative statement.
This attempt to focus on a stated goal gives direction to the research process. It must be limited enough in scope to
make a definite conclusion possible. The major statement or question may be followed by minor statements or
questions.
2.) The hypothesis. It is appropriate here to formulate a major hypothesis and possibly several minor hypotheses. This
approach clearly establishes the nature of the problem and the logic underlying the investigation, and gives direction to
the data gathering process. A good hypothesis has several basic characteristics:
a.) It should be reasonable
b.) It should be stated in a way that it can be tested and found to be probably true or probably false.
c.) It should be stated in the simplest possible terms.
3.) The Significance of the Problem. It is important that the researcher point out how the answer to the question or
the solution to the problem can influence educational theory or practice. Careful formulation and presentation of the
implications or possible applications of knowledge helps to give the project an urgency, justifying its worth.
Failure to include this step in the proposal may well leave the researcher with a problem without significance- a search of data
of little ultimate value.
4.) Definitions, assumptions, limitations, and delimitations. It is important to define all unusual terms that could be
misinterpreted. These definitions help to establish the frame of reference with which the researcher approaches the
problem.
Assumptions- are statements of what the researcher believes to be facts, but cannot verify. A researcher may state
the assumption that the participant observers in the classroom, after a period of three days, will establish rapport with
the students and will not have a reactive effect on the behavior to be observed.
Limitations- are those conditions beyond the control of the researcher that may place restrictions on the conclusions
of the study and their application to other situations.
Delimitations- are the boundaries beyond which the study is not concerned.
5.) Review of Related Literature – A summary of the writings of recognized authorities and of previous research
provides evidence that the researcher is familiar with what is already known and what is still unknown and untested.
Since effective research is based upon past knowledge, this step helps to eliminate the duplication of what has been
done, and provides useful hypothesis for significant investigation. Citing studies that show substantial agreement and
those that seem to present conflicting conclusions helps to sharpen and define understanding of existing knowledge in
the problem area, provides a background d for the research project, and makes the reader aware of the status of the
issue.
6.) A careful detailed analysis of proposed research procedures. This part of the proposal outlines the entire research
plan. It describes what will be done, how it will be done, what data will be needed, what data gathering device will be
used, how samples will be selected, and the method of analyzing data.
The Review of the Related Literature
The review of related literature is essential because effective research must be based upon past knowledge. This is so
because past knowledge tells us what is already known. If a researcher shall come to know what is already known and what is
still unknown about a problem, it is likely that he will know where to start and what to do.
2 Kinds of Literature
a.) Research Literature – refers to published reports of actual research studies done previously while
b.) Conceptual literature - consists of articles or books written by authorities giving their opinions, experiences, theories
or ideas of what is good and bad, desirable and undesirable within the problem area.
Library Technique- is the main source of both conceptual and research literature. Accordingly, the researcher must be willing
and prepared to spend considerable amounts of his time and effort in performing this essential phase of the time and effort in
performing this essential phase of the research process.
Observation- Considered as one of the oldest forms of studying behavior. As a matter of fact, it is said that from the earliest
history of science, observation has been the prevailing method of inquiry.
Types of Observation
1.) Naturalistic Observation – means watching and describing behavior as it occurs in its natural setting. No attempt is
made to alter or manipulate the behavior. Can be done by placing a trained observer in a setting where he or she can
watch the flow of events.
2.) Participant observation – The person doing the research becomes actively involved in the lives of the people being
observed, thus, participant observation is obtrusive. The person doing the research tends to affect the behavior of the
people being observed.
Interview- The interview is a data gathering device which, in a sense, is an oral questionnaire. Instead of writing the response,
the subject or interviewee gives the needed information verbally in a face-to-face relationship.
Some “Do’s” and “Don’ts’” for the Interviewer
1.) Don’t argue
2.) Don’t appear erudite or learned.
3.) Don’t use big words
4.) Don’t irritate worn spots.
5.) Don’t tell inappropriate stories
6.) Don’t talk too much
The Questionnaire – “a list of planned, written questions related to a particular topic, with a space provided for indicating the
response to each question intended for submission to a number of persons for reply.”
Psychological Tests
Is an instrument deigned to describe and measure a sample of certain aspects of human behavior.
Ex.
Achievement test – attempts to measure what an individual has learned – his her present level of performance.
Aptitude Test – attempt to predict the degree of achievement that maybe expected from individuals in a particular activity.
Interest Inventories – attempts to yield a measure of the types of activities that an individual has a tendency to like and to
choose.
Projective Devices – instruments which enable subjects to project their internal feelings, attitudes, needs, values, or wishes,
to an external object.
Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.
* Albert Szent-Gyorgyi *
BMH
RTI 1 – 15
RT2 – 14
RT3 – 13
RT4 – 13
RT5 – 13
SJF
RT1 – 17
RT2 – 14
RT3 – 13
RT4 – 16
RT5 - 5