Practical Research 1

Quarter 3  
Week  1-­‐2

Ms. XYRA LOU R. SEDA

Subject Teacher

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 Research Experiences and
Knowledge
If you think research is not for you, let me give you some instances that
you might have applied “researching”. Can you still recall when your
Math teacher- asked you to solve a mathematical problem that you
cannot understand? Thus, no matter how you try you cannot find the
right answer or concepts behind it Most probably, you ask somebody to
help you out or you open your cellphone and search for a video tutorial.
Can you still recall when you first played your favorite online game, and
no matter how much you try, you still cannot defeat your opponent’s
hero? I think what you did was to ask your friend or an expert to help you
out or you searched on the internet for answers. The process that you
have done is research. You had a problem, you established your
methods on how to solve your problem, you conducted a literature
review or an actual interview and survey, then you came up with
solutions. These requires you to search and to overcome your problems.
Research flows in the same manner. Doing research does not necessarily
mean creating extraordinary things like Mark Zuckerberg who developed
Facebook or even Zhang Yiming who created TikTok.
Etymologically, research came from “re” and “search”. "Re" is a
prefix that means again and search is a word which means to look for.
Therefore, research is to look for something (Chapman 1979). There are
two (2) things that we need to take note of in this definition. First,
research is not only about the discovery of something unknown, it is
coming up with a new explanation of something that is known.
Second, research is a process. It is a process of searching for
something to solve an existing problem or difficulty to solve. Research is
also understood as a systematic investigation or inquiry entailing
collection of data, documentation of critical information, analysis,
interpretation of information (Williams 2007). From the given definition, this
highlights the manner how research is conducted. It is systematic. The
question is, how does it becomes systematic and what makes it
systematic. The term systematic entails the structure. To understand the
word system, just imagine your body. Are your hands located in
your ears? Or is your nose located on your chin? Of course, you will
reason out that your hands are located to where it should be and your
nose is located in the middle of your face. The manner of how your body
parts are structured and organized implies the system. Research as
systematic means it follows the structure or method. Therefore, whenever
collecting data, documenting information, analyzing, and interpreting
information are conducted, a particular method is used. On the other
hand, research can be also viewed as the formation of new knowledge

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and the employment of previous or existing knowledge into a new and
creative way (O’Donnell 2012). Imagine these two (2) scenarios: mother
giving birth to a baby and a potter molding a pot. The creation of new
knowledge can be compared to a mother giving birth. The mother
stands for the research itself and the baby is new knowledge.
Thus, through research, new knowledge is born. On the other hand, a
potter molding a pot can be paralleled to the use of existing knowledge
in a new creative way. Here, the potter stands for the researcher, the
clay as the existing knowledge, and the pot itself is a new knowledge
made creatively. Now, do not be afraid to carry out research. It is
because you can make a research. Why? First, it is not new to you. You
are not just fully aware that what you were doing is research and you
have been doing many times. Second, research is not a demanding
activity that would exhaust your strength. However, some particular
techniques and processes are involved and needed to be carried out in
conducting this activity. What you have heard from others is a piece of
hoax and challenges. It is a hoax for research is not after all difficult. It is a
challenge for you that needs dedication and commitment to
successfully do this exciting activity.

Activity No. 1
Identify the word that is being described in each sentence. Write your
answers on your notebook.
1. It is conducted if someone wants to know something. It starts with
the letter “R” and ends with the letter “H”.
2. It stands for an action when someone follows structures or order
in conducting research. It starts with the letter “s” and ends with the
letter “c”.
3. The term represents for the something that someone can get
after finishing a research. It consists of two words? The longest word
starts with the letter “k” and ends with the letter “e”.
4. It happens when somebody wants to answer questions or
inquiries. The
longest word starts with the letter “c” and ends with the letter “n”.
Further,
the word in the middle is a preposition.
5. It happens when someone wants to answer something. It starts
with the
letter “p” and ends with the letter “m”.

Research is very significant on our lives, it has gradually changed

human life through history. Here are the five (5) importance of research
to our daily lives.

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 1. Research aims for truth (Rolfe 2002).
2. Research improves quality of human life (Bornmann 2013).
3. Research saves life(Cancer Research UK 2019).
4. Research gathers necessary information (Igwenagu 2016).
5. Research explores humanity (Lee, Tran, and Lee 2007).

The research aims for truth.

We crave truth for no one has the desire to live in lies (Rasmussen
2013). Research is about establishing truth based on evidence or data.
We conduct a study to seek for truth. Just imagine, for many centuries
people believe that the world is flat and it is over the giant turtle. Beyond
the horizon of the sea is an abyss. But there came Ferdinand Magellan
who proved this otherwise. His courage and research have made us live
with the fact that the world is round. Have you ever heard about the
belief that earth is the center of the universe? Actually, for many years
men believed that everything revolved around us. But thanks to
Copernicus, because of his tedious research, now we know that it is not
Earth as the center of the universe but the sun. I beat you can cite more
examples related to this concern. Nonetheless, the main idea here is that
research provides us an explanation or solution to particular problem
based on truth (Kasi 2009).
Research improves the quality of human life.
I believe that you often hear from your parents about their
experiences when they were young. Though it sounds so boring, they live
without television, without the internet, without a cellphone, without an
air condition, without an electric fan, without computer, or online games.
Can you imagine that kind of life? But look at our situation now.
Everything that they don’t have before, we have it now. You can cook
now without a fire stove. Now, it is a matter of pushing a button with the
use of a rice cooker or electric stove. You can call and see your friends
abroad without hustles through the use of social media platforms. You
can travel anywhere by just a matter of hours or a few days using.Your
motorcycles and bikes. You can enjoy staying at home not going outside
with the use of your smartphones. This is the life we have now. Do you
think it just went down from heaven like rain during the rainy season? All
of the technological advancements are brought by different researches
(Gupta 2018). Without the people who dedicated their lives for the sake
of humanity, we will not have this kind of life. Through research, it
improves our standard of living.
Research saves a life.
Through the course of human history, research has proven its worth
and roles in our lives. In the past, when penicillin was not yet discovered,
people just die without proper medication. It was by the research of
Fleming that the first generation of antibiotics were discovered (Pandey
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et al. 2014). In the same manner, how can we forget the research of Dr.
Abelardo Aguilar, a Filipino doctor, one of the contributors to the
discovery of Erythromycin during the late 1940s? Now, we have effective
medicine in bacteria that causes infections in the respiratory tract (Peretti
et al. 2011). Moreover, Dr. Fe Del Mundo improved the incubator and
jaundice relieving device. Now pre-matured babies and those suffering
from jaundice can survive and enjoy life in the future. With our situation
now with the threat of COVID 19, the only hope is research. Research on
understanding the disease, development of vaccines, and medication
will save us. Nonetheless, researchers are doing their best working day
and night to have a medical remedy for this pandemic. Later, research
will succeed and will continue to provide us a safer life.
Research gathers the necessary information.
Conducting research implies gathering necessary data to explain
your problem and to answer your particular questions for example, you
want to understand students’ perceptions about modular learning, then,
you conduct survey to the projected respondents or direct interviews
with the projected participants. Thus, the content of the survey
questionnaire and the guided interview must aligned to the your
problem and to the questions that you like to answer. On this manner,
you are gathering important data needed for your research. Another,
when COVID 19 was just starting to spread, medical experts are puzzled
about the emerging disease (Vetter, Eckerle, and Kaiser 2020). Many of
them wanted to know what was the cause. Some of them investigated
how it is being transmitted. Some experts dealt with medical mapping.
Others determined the incubation period and how it can be prevented.
Each of them intensively conducted a particular study to answer their
inquiries. They did many laboratory experiments, observations, and
literature review. Data related only to their questions were considered.
Now, we have at least a good perspective on the manner the virus is
transmitted, possible medication, ways to prevent it, incubation period,
and location
affected by the pandemic. Thus, the necessary information to
understand the
situation was gathered.
Research explores humanity.
Do you know that Bataeños have developed distinct Tagalog
intonation and words? Do you know that the song “Ati Ku Pung Singsing”
is about the culture of the Kapampangan? Do you know that in
Zambales, the Aetas have customary maternal and infant care beliefs
based on their tradition and faith passed through generations? Do you
know that the Dumagat of Aurora considered prayers as part of their
economic life? Do you know that the province of Tarlac came from the
"Malatarlak"? I am quite sure that you are familiar with some of these
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questions. These are just examples of how research explores the culture
of people.
ASSESSMENT NO.1
Read each statement carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer.
Write your answers on your notebook.
1. How does research become important to humanity?
a. It makes our lives easy and comfortable.
b. Researchers makes money out of it.
c. We are required to take this subject.
2. How can research save lives?
a. provides no solution to our health problems
b. saves lives because it is harmless
c. provides medical explanations and probable solutions
3. How does research improve our lives?
a. continuous development of technology
b. using limited practices and technology
c. using old practices and technology.
4. What is the best example of exploring culture of individuals?
a. development of cellphone
b. space travel.
c. understanding cultural
5. Who is the main beneficiary of research?
a. dogs
b. humanity
c. animals

Characteristics, Processes and

Ethics of Research
Characteristics of Research (Cristobal & Cristobal, 2017)
1. Research should be systematic.
- The researcher needs to carry out a series of interrelated steps in
conducting the study. Such procedure must follow a well-planned,
sequential and organized structure from beginning to end.
- The research paper is divided into macrosystem and microsystem.
The former refers to different chapters labeled with main headings,
- while the latter consists of various elements detailing the contents of
each part.
2. Research should be objective.
- The researcher needs to present information that are purely based
on truths. It should always be anchored on the factual basis in

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 which the research work is founded, thus being free from any bias
or personal opinion.
3. Research should be feasible.
- The researcher needs to consider the possibility and practicality of
conducting the proposed study. All significant factors like time,
budget and access to resources must be analyzed to determine if
the research can actually be done.
4. Research should be empirical.
- The researcher needs to employ appropriate methods, either
quantitatively or qualitatively, to produce evidence-based
information. They can be drawn from concrete experimentation,
direct or indirect observation, and verifiable experience.
5. Research should be clear.
- The researcher needs to use comprehensible language to present
information and convey explanation throughout the research
process. The factors to be manipulated, measured or described in
the study, also known as variables, must be clarified using literature
from published and unpublished materials. They should be
explained well from the introductory part of the research paper to
ensure a deeper understanding of the study to be conducted.

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 Performance Task No. 1

The Research Process

Research process is a systematic manner in which the researcher
approaches his/her area of study to produce knowledge that the
community will consider to be worthwhile within the field (Rao, 2017).
Understanding such process is an important step towards executing any

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study. The following table shows the five phases of the research process
along with their definition (Whittemore & Melkus, 2008).

Now, here’s the simplified flow of the significant steps you need to
take in conducting a study as presented by Rao (2017):

1. Define the research problem.

To begin your research, you must look at a significant real-life
problem. Factors like area of interest, availability of fund, socio-
economic significance of the study, and the safety measures to be
undertaken should be considered in finding and defining the
research problem. The researcher identifies English language
proficiency as a problem of aspiring maritime students in qualifying
for admission to prestigious maritime institutions.
2. Review the literature.
Read various publications or surf the internet to become
aware of the previous works already done about the chosen topic.
You may utilize different resources like science books, magazines,
journals, newspapers, or even in the internet. The researcher reviews
previous studies conducted about English language proficiency
and the experienced difficulties of aspiring maritime students.
3. Formulate hypothesis.
A hypothesis is a theoretical statement in solving a logical
relationship between variables. It should be based on the problem
being solved. The researcher hypothesizes that the implementation
of English-Only Policy (EOP) in the classroom can improve the
English language proficiency of Pre-Baccalaureate Maritime
students.
4. Prepare the research design.
Identify what is the best means to collect and analyze data in
the study to clarify and improve the research problem, purpose,

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 and questions. The researcher uses an experimental design on
exploring the experiences of the students in implementing EOP.
5. Collect data. Use an appropriate data collection method to elicit
the needed information. The researcher collects data through
interview and focus group discussion.
6. Analyze data.
Utilize strategies and methods that make sense of the data to
answer
the research problem. The researcher analyzes the data by
drawing patterns and themes from the generated data.
7. Interpret and report the findings.
Put the information in perspective and present the solution to
the
proposed problem based on the findings of the investigation. The
researcher interprets and reports the findings based on the
collected and analyzed data to solve the research problem .

Quantitative and Qualitative

Research
Quantitative and Qualitative Research (Cristobal & Cristobal, 2017)
There are two broad categories of research methodology:
quantitative research and qualitative research. The method to be used
in conducting a research will determine the approach the researcher
takes in identifying relevant data, and collecting and analyzing the
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information gathered in the research. Choosing either a quantitative or
qualitative approach will affect the components of the research.
For instance, a researcher may decide to undertake a scientific
research. If he/she takes a quantitative approach, he/she will use
statistical data to provide an explanation of the phenomenon. On the
other hand, if the researcher chooses qualitative approach, the goal of
the study will be to discuss and analyze the underlying concepts and
theories related to the research topic.
For you to easily understand the similarities and differences
between the two research methods, here is a short definition of terms
that you have to be
familiar with.
• contact time – the period when the researcher interacts with the
research subjects or participants to obtain relevant information
• hypothesis – a statement usually predicting the relationship
between variables that can be tested by scientific research
• outlier – a statistical observation in a set of data that is inconsistent
with the majority of the data
• output replicability – capable of repetition, imitation or
reproduction
• research instrument – a measurement tool designed to obtain,
measure and analyze data from research subjects around the
research topic
• sample size – the number of subjects to be taken from the target
population of the study
• trend – an assumed development in the future that will have a
long-term and lasting effect; prevailing style or preference
• validity – the functional quality of research instrument on
obtaining data and producing results based on the purpose of the
study
• variable – any characteristic that can have different values or
traits that
may vary across research participants.
Now, study the following table cited by Cristobal & Cristobal (2017)
from the Social Science Research Extension Institute (SSREI), University of
the Philippines (UP)-Baguio (2009).

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 Characteristics, Strengths and Weaknesses,
Kinds, and Importance of Qualitative
Research
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
Qualitative research can be easily characterized by carefully
observing how some research elements such as: research design, data
collection procedure, and data analysis have been put into
considerations. As cited from Spalding University Library (2020), these
three key elements will guide the researcher to properly conduct a
qualitative research study. To further understand this kind of research, its

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characteristics are presented as follows:
1. Qualitative research is naturalistic.
A study to be conducted by the researcher should be based
on real-life situations. Likewise, the researcher should also unfold the
study in a natural manner, that is, the findings are derived from the
analysis of authentic data gathered from the participants. Such a
concept makes qualitative research known for its non-controlling
characteristic.
2. Qualitative research is purposeful.
In conducting a qualitative type of study, the researcher should
select the participants in a purposive manner, that is, they will be
selected because they either have easy access to the information
needed or simply have the knowledge to provide a great deal of
information needed to the study. Hence, these participants are
called “information rich” in the context of research. This type of
participant selection will validate the concept that qualitative study
focuses on rich insights regarding the phenomenon rather than on
mere numerical data simply obtained from surveys and
questionnaires.
3. Qualitative research is detailed.
A thick description of gathered data from the participants
makes this type of study a detailed one. It is important that the
researcher should capture the direct quotations of the responses of
the participant/s from the conducted interview or observation.
4. Qualitative research requires engagement and neutrality.
Direct contact with the people, situation, and phenomenon
under investigation should be established by the researcher.
Immersing oneself would enable the researcher to acquire personal
experiences and insights which are essential to better understand
the phenomenon. Further, the researcher should also be neutral in
the responses and observations he/she may get while engaging
with the participant/s. The researcher should likewise show
openness, sensitivity, and respect.
5. Qualitative research follows an inductive procedure.
As the researcher immerses himself/herself in the phenomenon
under investigation, specific details and data will be gathered from
the target participant/s. These data then can be used to discover
emerging patterns and themes. Following an inductive procedure,
the researcher will start from exploring the phenomenon and will
end to confirming findings of the works.
6. Qualitative research is viewed in a holistic perspective.
A study in a qualitative type cannot be simply done in a linear
and cause and effect relationship approach. Rather, it requires the
researcher to view the whole phenomenon under investigation in a
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 complex system, that is, different variables can either cause or
effect the phenomenon. Strengths and Weakness of Qualitative
Research It is known that a qualitative type of research focuses
more on explaining why subjects under investigation think and
behave in certain ways. With such purpose, it can be observed that
there are corresponding strengths and weaknesses a qualitative
research may have once it is employed by the researcher. As cited
from University of Denmark Library (2020), this type of research has
its strengths and weaknesses presented as follows:

Strengths:

1. Qualitative research complements quantitative data. Interview

and observation are the common instruments used in the conduct
of a qualitative study. Such instruments can provide qualitative
data that can be utilized as a support for any quantitative data
appearing in a study, hence, a more reliable result will be ensured.
2. Qualitative research provides more detailed information to
explain complex issues. Since this type of research study requires
the researcher to immerse himself/herself in the phenomenon under
investigation, direct experiences can be acquired. Similarly,
considering “information rich” participant/s, as well as utilizing
interview and observation as qualitative research instruments, may
enable the researcher to gather more accurate data needed in
explaining a complex phenomenon.
3. Qualitative research is cost efficient. Small number of participants
is usually considered in qualitative research. Hence, less resources
will be needed to accomplish the study. Likewise, interview
schedule and observation checklist as qualitative research tools
demand the researcher to spend less resources unlike
questionnaires as a primary tool utilized in quantitative research.

Weaknesses:

1. Qualitative research cannot generalize the findings to the study

population. The use of a small number of participants in qualitative
research may result in limited responses. Thus, findings of the study
might not be possibly generalized to a larger population.
Replication of the study is often suggested.
2. Qualitative research is more difficult to analyze. Unlike
quantitative research which deals with numeric data and can be
interpreted through statistical formula, qualitative research presents
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 non-numeric data which are all based on the subjective responses
of the participants. If data are not critically analyzed and carefully
interpreted, results may become biased and even less credible.
3. Qualitative research is time consuming. Though qualitative
research utilizes a small number of participants, this, however,
demands the researcher to spend more time in dealing and
engaging with them. Similarly, the analysis and interpretation phase
of the study also requires the researcher to take more time in
observing the emerging patterns and themes derived from
participants’ provided data.

Kinds of Qualitative Research In conducting a qualitative type of

research on different fields such as business, education, medicine, etc.,
there are six (6) widely used qualitative research kinds namely:
(1) phenomenological;
(2) ethnographic;
(3) grounded theory;
(4) case study;
(5) historical; and
(6) narrative.

1. Phenomenological.
This kind of qualitative research focuses on subjective
lived experiences of the participants in order to
understand phenomenon. Here, the researcher is
concerned with the feelings of the participants regarding
a particular event or activity, hence, the uniqueness of
their lived situations can be described. Interview is the
common instrument used for its data collection with the
suggested sample size ranging from 5 to 25. Examples:
- A researcher aims to determine the challenges and
coping mechanisms of senior high school working
students in the second district of Bataan.
- A researcher aims to explain the lived experiences of
the COVID-19 survivors in the province of Bataan.
2. Ethnographic.
It is a kind of qualitative research which concentrates on
the study of a group of people in a particular environment.
To characterize behaviors, cultures, challenges, and
possible occurring themes, the researcher is required to
engage himself/herself with the participants through
immersion in an extended period of time. Observation,
along with the use of interview and survey, is an essential
instrument for this type of study. Examples:
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 - A researcher seeks to determine the cultural
practices and healthcare beliefs of the ethnic group
living in Bataan province.
- A researcher seeks to characterize the survival
strategies of families in an urban poor community.
3. Grounded Theory.
This kind of qualitative research intends to explain a
phenomenon through developing a theory. In comparison
with phenomenological study that primarily describes lived
experiences, grounded theory aims to provide explanation
and theory behind those lived experiences. Interview and
supporting documents are the commonly used data
collection instrument for its participants approximately
ranging from 20 to 30 or until data achieve saturation.
Examples:
- A researcher attempts to conceptualize the breast
cancer survivorship process among Bataeños.
- A researcher attempts to generate a theory of
defense mechanisms of students who experience
school bullying.
4. Case Study.
It is a qualitative research kind which allows the researcher
to have an intensive analysis of the phenomenon. The aim
of this study is to accurately describe the case through an
in-depth examination of a single person or single institution.
With this, thorough interview, observation, and
documentation are all utilized as multiple data collection
instruments. Examples:
- A researcher aims to explain the causes of the reading
difficulty of a grade 5 struggling reader.
- A researcher aims to describe the language challenges
of hearing-impaired students in a SPED class.
5. Historical.
This qualitative research kind is concerned with the
identification, evaluation, and synthesis of past event data.
Further, it aims to understand present patterns and to
anticipate future choices through clearly relating the past
event data which are obtained from sources such as
documents, relics and artifacts, and oral reports.
Examples:
- A researcher attempts to explore the nature and
context of the political leadership of Bataan
governors.

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 - A researcher seeks to explore the development in
the courtship letter writing style among Bataeños.
6. Narrative.
Life accounts of individuals based on their personal
experiences are typically obtained and analyzed in the
conduct of this kind of qualitative research. The primary
objective of the study is to extract meaningful context based
on the documented experiences. Unlike phenomenological
research which focuses on describing and explaining a
phenomenon through the lived experiences of the
participants, narrative research focuses merely on the nature
of the story told by the participants. Hence,
phenomenological research may use narrative, but narrative
research does not necessarily need phenomenological.
Discourse analysis is one of the commonly and widely
employed approaches of narrative research. Examples:
- A researcher seeks to characterize the struggles faced
by student-athletes.
- A researcher seeks to describe the daily teaching
experiences of millennial teachers in the Schools Division of
Bataan.

Importance of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is known for providing meaning to understand
an existing phenomenon. With this, the perspectives, expressions, and
activities of the participants play a vital role to unveiling the local context
across different fields. The development in any fields such as in
education, business, medical and health allied services, etc. is made
possible by means of qualitative research. For example, the researcher
may study the experiences of individuals and their access to health care
by determining their perspectives. These solicited responses reflecting
their experiences, attitudes, and circumstances may help the researcher
to understand the phenomenon, hence, suggestions for improvement
and development can be sought. Now that you have already explored
qualitative research through its characteristics, strengths, weaknesses,
kinds, and importance, it is no doubt that you have already acquired
important details needed for pursuing the conduct of such study leading
to a successful result.

Summative Test
Read each statement carefully. Choose the letter that corresponds to
the best answer. Write your answers on your notebook.
1. How can qualitative research be done in a naturalistic manner?

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a. It should control the data.
b. It should manipulate the data.
c. It should focus on artificial responses.
d. It should solicit responses from real-life situations.
2. How can a researcher select participants in a purposive manner?
a. Select the participants randomly.
b. Select the participants by means of “draw lots.”
c. Select the participants who can pass the set criteria.
d. Select the participants based on mere convenience of the researcher.
3. Which of the following does not characterize a qualitative
research?
a. The research follows an inductive procedure.
b. The research focuses on personal experiences and insights.
c. The research considers a thick description of the gathered data.
d. The research is done using a linear and cause and effect relationship
approach.
4. Why does the use of small number of participants become a
weakness of a qualitative research?
a. It cannot be a source of data.
b. It requires more resources; hence, it is not cost-efficient.
c. It cannot provide detailed information of the phenomenon to be
investigated.
d. It cannot provide sufficient information of the phenomenon to be
investigated.
5. What is the strength of qualitative research?
a. Qualitative research is time consuming.
b. Qualitative research is more difficult to analyze.
c. Qualitative research cannot generalize the findings to the study
population. d. Qualitative research provides more detailed information
to explain complex issues.
6. What is the objective of a phenomenological research?
a. to develop a theory
b. to understand the past events
c. to characterize the culture of the subjects
d. to explore the lived experiences of the subjects
7. Which of the following qualitative researches requires an in-depth
examination of an individual subject?
a. narrative
b. historical
c. case study
d. grounded theory
8. Which of the following researches requires an immersion?
a. historical
b. ethnographic
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c. grounded theory
d. phenomenological
9. What kind of qualitative research can be best done when the
researcher seeks to conceptualize the survivorship process of COVID-19
patients?
a. historical
b. ethnographic
c. grounded theory
d. phenomenological
10. Which of the following fields can qualitative research be
beneficial?
a. business
b. medicine
c. education
d. all of the above

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