Introduction to Research

Objective

vobserve the language of research, campaign, and advocacies.

 What is Research?

• Research is a systematic and scientific investigation of an area

of concern and come up with conclusions and solutions. It also
includes collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of
data.

These are some of the definitions of research according

to experts:
• “Research includes any gathering of data, information
and facts for the advancement of knowledge.” -
Shuttleworth, Martin (2008)
 differences
• Research paper: It is the piece of academic essay writing,
generally done as a requirement for a class. In research, you
have to do independent research. After the research, you have
to write a description of the findings. Moreover, you present
your evaluations and arguments on the topic under
consideration
• Thesis: A document students write during higher education to
obtain an academic degree or qualification
• Dissertation: Written for a university degree or diploma.
• In the language of research, there are various types
of research that you can use depending upon your
purpose and chosen topic. However, in this module
we are going to focus on qualitative and
quantitative research as types of research.
 Qualitative Research

• Qualitative research explains on the why and how

of a certain phenomenon or event. It is observed
through senses and collects data in the form of words
or statements. This type of research can be found on
the students’ lifestyle and health habits, or teaching
styles of faculty, as examples, which focuses on
cultures, societies, and individuals.
 Characteristics of a Qualitative Research

• The researcher has an important role in qualitative

research.
• Qualitative data are gathered and presented in a form
of words, descriptions, pictures, or meanings, and not
in numbers.
• Qualitative researchers are concerned with the process
involved.
• Inductive reasoning is used in analyzing data.
• Qualitative researcher is concerned with meanings and
interpretation.
 Five (5) Types of Qualitative Research

• Ethnography. It is a method that focuses on the culture, goals,

customs, traditions of a group or groups. Ethnographic research
is known as “writing about people” because the researcher
experiences first-hand the real-life environment of the chosen
subject or subjects through observation and interactions.
• Narrative. It is a method that focuses on gathering
data through interviews, document readings, etc., and
weaves together to arrive with conclusions and
recommendations.
 Five (5) Types of Qualitative Research
• Phenomenological. It is a method that describes an event or
phenomenon by conducting interviews, reading documents,
watching videos, or visiting events, to understand such
perspective of the participants in providing insights to the desired
goal of the research.
 Five (5) Types of Qualitative Research
• Grounded Theory. It is a method that seeks to
explain why an event or phenomenon happens through
an existing theory. Grounded theory can be achieved by
interviews and existing documents to create a theory
based on the given data.
 Five (5) Types of Qualitative Research
• Case Study. It is a method that looks on a detailed
and in-depth information on a participant. Data in a
case study can be explanatory, exploratory, or
describing an event.
• Ethnomethodology- people’s procedures for creating sense
of objective reality
• Participatory action research
• Cultural studies
• Gender studies
 Quantitative Research

• Quantitative research is characterized by collecting

and analyzing numerical data. It involves
computations, statistics, and other mathematical tools
to derive such result. Quantitative research is used to
test fundamental relationships, create predictions, and
find patterns and averages.
Characteristics of a Quantitative Research
1. Large sample size. Quantitative research is conducted with a
large sample size to create validity and reliability of result. The
sample size is a representation of the whole target group.

2. Structured research methods. Methods used in quantitative

research are different from qualitative research because it uses polls,
surveys, and questionnaires to gather data. These methods can be
done through online or offline by the chosen participants.
3. Close-ended questions. Questions in a quantitative research are more
specific than the questions from qualitative research. The answers from
close-ended questions are more detailed and right which is more reliable
than open-ended questions. The following are some example of close-
ended questions:
•
a. How often do you open your social media?
b. How often do you pay to your monthly subscription?
c. How many mobile apps do you open for monthly subscription?
4. Numerical outcome. The result of a quantitative research is in a
numerical form. The answer to the given close-ended questions
would be in numbers which gives an easier and meaningful
conclusion.
5. Generalization of outcome. As quantitative research is
conducted with a large sample size, its outcome is also generalized for
the whole population.
 Four (4) Types of Quantitative Research
1. Descriptive Research. It is a quantitative research that describes the
current status of group, situation, or phenomenon. Descriptive research
focuses on the how, what, when, and where questions of a research
problem.

2. Correlational Research. It is a quantitative research that determines

the relationship between two or more variables through statistical data. In
correlational research, relationships between and among a number of facts
are sought and interpreted.
3. Causal-comparative Research. It is a quantitative research that
establishes cause- effect relationships among the variables. An independent
variable is identified but not manipulated by the experimenter, and effects of
the independent variable on the dependent variable are measured.

4. Experimental Research. It is a quantitative research that uses the

scientific method to establish the cause-effect relationship among a group of
variables that make up a study. A true experiment is any study where an
effort is made to identify and impose control over all other variables except
one. An independent variable is manipulated to determine the effects on the
dependent variables.
 Characteristics of Research
• Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process because it starts with a problem and
ends with a problem.
• Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
• Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the
data, whether historical, descriptive, experimental, and case study.
• Replicability. Research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to
enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.
• Methodical. Research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias
using systematic method and procedures.
• Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or observation by the
research.
• Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles.
 Research Topic
• A research topic is an area of concern that you would like to find solutions, recommendations,
and conclusions. Choosing a good research topic is the starting point of every good research and it
must be well-chosen with interest. In a group research, it would be difficult to come up because of
various interest of each member. However, cooperation and being open-minded are the key to
finalize group’s research topic.

• Here are the following guidelines in creating a research topic:

Interest in the Subject Matter
Availability of Information
Timeliness and Relevance of the Topic
Limitations on the Subject
Personal Resources
Statistics
• Statistics is the arrangement of
statistical tests which analysts use to
make inference from the data given.
These tests enable us to make
decisions on the basis of observed
pattern from data. There is a wide
range of statistical tests.
Statistics
 Sampling designs and
Techniques
• Probability Non-Probability
• Not bias Bias
• (Everyone has chance) (not everyone has chance)
Sampling Designs and Techniques

Probability Non-Probability
Simple random Snowball
Stratified Quota
Systematic Convenience
Cluster
 1. Ratio/Interval- Quantitative
Scales of
2. Ordinal- order- Qualitative
Measurement ex. Birth classification

& Distribution 3. Nominal- everything from bio data-

of Data Qualitative
ex. Name, religion, place of
birth, civil status
except: height, weight, age
Used to determine the
relationship
Pearson r- Used to determine the
relationship of 2 given variables
ratio & interval

Spearman rho- Used to determine the

relationship of 2 given variables
ordinal
 • Grades- 99
98
97
96
95
=ratio

• Grades- A
B
Example C
D
E
=ordinal

• Grades- passed
failed
=nominal
Chi Square
Used to determine the relationship of 2
given variables
(nominal)

Civil status
Used to determine the difference

Independent T-Test- Used to determine the difference of 2

different groups
Group 1 & Group 2
Drug A & Drug B

Dependent T-Test- Used to determine the difference of the

same group or individual
Pre-test and post test
Used to determine the difference
 Data
Interpretation
Based from the given table above, this shows that there is no
significant difference on the perception of male and female
psychopaths with a p- value of 0.713 Independent T-test

Reject Null Hypothesis: (There is significance) relationship/ difference=

if the p-value is less than the level of significance

Fail to reject Null Hypothesis: (There is no significance) relationship/

difference = if the p-value is greater than the level of significance

Level of significance is 0.05