METHODS OF

RESEARCH AND
THESIS WRITING
Prepared by:
Prof. Queen Norfatma Ampuan Sharief, al-hajj
 INTRODUCTION
 Research is a key to process.
 There can be no progress without research in almost if not all
human endeavors. In government, in education, in trade and
commerce, and in all types and kinds of industries, research is
vital and essential.
 Therefore, the methods and the techniques must be taught and
learned in graduate as well as in undergraduate educational work.
 This is imperative because the people who have gone through the
college and graduate levels of education are the one who are most
expected to undertake research activities.
DEFINITION OF RESEARCH
 There are almost as many definitions of research as there are authors writing
about the subject. Fortunately, the different definition formulated by such
authors have common elements. Samples of research definitions follow:
 Good defines research as a “Careful, critical, disciplined inquiry, varying
in technique and method according to the nature and conditions of the problem
identified, directed toward the clarification or resolution (or both) of a
problem.” (Good, p.464)
 Aquino has a more detailed definition of research. He says that “research
is, simply, systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic or
problem. Alter a careful, systematic research for pertinent information or data
on the specific topic or problem and after the research worker analyzed and
interpreted the data, he eventually faces another essentials task – that of
preferring the research report.” (Aquino p.1)
 Research has been defined as “the process of gathering data or information to solve
a particular or specific problem in a specific manner.” (Manuel and Medel, p.5)
 Parel defines research as “a systematic study or investigation of something for
the purpose of answering questions posed by the researcher.” (Cited by Sanchez,
p.2)
 Treece and Treece commented that “research in its broadest sense is an
attempt to gain solutions to problems. More precisely, it is the collection of data
rigorously controlled situation for the purpose of prediction or explanation.’’
(Treece and Treece, p.3)
 Formulated in a more comprehensive form, research may be defined as a
purposive, systematic and scientific process of gathering, analyzing, classifying,
organizing, presenting, and interpreting data for the solution of a problem, for
prediction, for invention, for the discovery of truth, or for the expansion or
verification of existing knowledge, all for the preservation and improvement of the
quality of human life.
PURPOSES OF RESEARCH (AIMS OBJECTIVES, GOALS)
The definition of research says that research is purposive.
The main principal purpose and goal of research is the prevention and
improvement of the quality human life.
All kinds of research are directed toward this end. "The purpose of research is
to serve man," and "The goal of research, man has attained great accelerating
progress and in enjoying the products of research such as the fast and
comfortable land, sea, and air means of transportation, the wonders of electricity
like the radio, telephone, air-conditioning, light in the homes, movies, running
machinery for industry, the computer, the potent drugs that promotes health and
prolong life, and many other countless things.
“To satisfy man’s craving for more understanding, to improve his judgment, to
add to his power, to reduce the burden of work, to relieve suffering and to
increase satisfactions in multitudinous ways – these are the large and
fundamental goals of research. “(Goods and Scates, p.15)
 FOR MORE SPECIFIC PURPOSES AND GOALS OF
RESEARCH, THE FOLLOWING MAYBE MENTIONED:
1. To discover new facts about known phenomena. (alcohol is a known phenomenon and
research may turn it into a kind of foil equal in quality to gasoline)
2. To find answers to problems which are only partially solved by existing methods and
information. (Cancer is a serious disease which is only partially cured by present methods
but due to intensive and continues research, the disease may be irradiated later on)
3. Improve existing techniques and develop new instruments and product. (This goal
envisage the invention of a new gadgets and machines, food products and others used by
man.)
4. To discover previously unrecognized substances or elements. (Previously we had only
92 elements due to research we have more than 100)
5. Discover pathway of action of known substances or elements. (Due to research we come
to know the dangers from the abusive use of unprescribed drugs and some poisonous
substances)
6. To order related, valid generalizations into systematized science. Schlotfeldt. (Ibid)
(The result of this purpose of research is the signs we are now studying in schools)
7. To provide basis for decision making and business, industry, education, government
and other undertakings. One approach in decision-making is the research approach.
(Gore and Dyson, p.65). (This is basing important decision upon the results of research)
8. To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity. (Sanchez.p.3) (Edison was curious about how a hen
hatches her eggs and made a research on that and he invented the incubator)
9. To find answers to queries by means of scientific methods. One important question that
maybe asked which can be answered only by means of research is: In what setting is like
expectancy higher, in the city or the barrio?
10. To acquire a better and deeper understanding about one phenomenon that can be
known and understood better by research is why women are generally smaller than
men.
11. To expand or verify existing knowledge.
12. In relation to Purposes Nos. 2 and 3, the following may be
added to the list of purposes:
13. To improve educational practices for raising the quality of
school products.
14. To promote health and prolong life.
15. To provide man with more of his basic needs – more and
better food, clothing, shelter, etc.
16. To make work, travel, and communication faster, easier, and
more comfortable.
 
CHARACTERISTIC OF A GOOD RESEARCH

Research is simply a systematic and refined technique of thinking,

employing specialized tools, instruments and procedures in order to
obtain a more adequate solution of a problem than would be possible
under ordinary means.
It starts with a problem, collects data or facts, analyze these
critically, and research decision based on actual evidence. It involves
original work instead of a mere exercise of personal opinion.
It evolves from genuine desire to know rather than a desire to prove
something, seeking to know not only but how much, and
measurement is therefore a central feature of it.
A SUMMARY OF THE MORE IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD RESEARCH AS FOLLOWS: (CITED BY
AQUINO, P. 2)
 
1. Research gathers new knowledge or data from primary or
firsthand sources.
2. Research is expert, systematic and accurate investigation.
3. Research is logical and objective, applying every possible test to
verify the data collected and the procedures employed.
4. Research endeavors to organize data in quantitative terms, if
possible, and express them as numerical measures.
5. Research is carefully recorded and reported.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF
RESEARCH MAY BE
SUMMARIZED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Research is systematic.
- It follows an orderly and sequential procedure that leads to the discovery of truth, solution of a
problem, or whatever is aimed to be discovered.
2. Research is Controlled
All variables except those are tested or being experimented upon are kept constant (not
allowed to change or vary) so that the changes made on the subjects of the study can be
attributed only to the experimental variable.
3. Research is empirical.
All the procedures employed and the data are gathered are perceived in the same manner by
all observers.
4. Research is analytical
there is critical analysis of all the data used so that there is no error in their interpretation.
5. Research is objective, unbiased, and logical.
all the findings and conclusions are logically based on empirical data and no effort is made
to alter the results of the research.
6. Research employs hypothesis.
this is to guide the investigation process.
7. Research employs quantitative or statistical methods.
data are transformed into numerical measures and are treated statistically to determine their
significance or usefulness.
8. Research is original work.
except in historical research, data are gathered from primary sources or first-hand sources
and not from secondary sources (usually printed materials such as books, or theses, etc).
9. Research is done by expert.
the researcher uses valid and carefully designated procedures, valid data-gathering
instruments and valid data. He subjects his data to expert scrutiny.
10. Research is accurate investigation, observation and description.
In fact , every research activity must be done accurately so that the findings will lead to the
formulation of scientific generalizations. All conclusion are based on actual evidence.
11. Research is patient, and unhurried activity.
This is to ensure accuracy. Research that is hurriedly done or conducted to carelessly due to
racing against time may lead to shaky conclusions and generalizations.
12. Research requires an effort-making capacity.
No research can be conducted without the exertion of much effort. No one without any
effort-making capacity can conduct a research because research involves much work and time.
13. Research requires courage.
research requires courage because the researcher oftentimes
undergo hazards, discomforts and the like. At times the researcher
encounters public and social disapproval. Also, disagreements with
colleagues may arise.
  
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESEARCH AND PROBLEM-SOLVING

Research Problem-solving
1. There may not be a problem, only interest in answering a question or query. 1. There is always a problem to be solved.

2. A research problem is more rigorous and broader in scope. 2. A problem to be solved is less rigorous and less broad.

3. The research problem is not a necessarily defined specifically. 3. The problem to be solved has to be defined specifically and identified
definitely.

4. All research is intended to solve some kind of problem, but this is not the 4. Problem-solving does not always involved research.
primary aim.

5. Research is conducted not primarily to solve a problem but to make a 5. Problem-solving is always intended to solve a problem.
contribution to general knowledge.

6. Research is concerned with broad problems, recurrent phenomena, and 6. Problem-solving is concerned with specific problem and once the problem is
wide application through generalization. solved that is the end of it.
KINDS AND CLASSIFICATION
OF RESEARCH
There are many kinds of research which are classified according to their distinctive features.
Some of the classification are as follows:
1. According to purpose.
a. Predictive or Prognostic Research has the purpose of determining the future operation of the
variables under investigation with the aim of controlling or redirecting such for the better.
b. Directive research determines what should be done based on the findings. This is to remedy
an unsatisfactory condition if there is any.
c. Illuminative Research is concerned with the interaction of the components of the variable
being investigated, as for example “ interaction of the components of educational systems
and aims to to show the connections among….
2. According to Goal. Research may be classified as Basic or Pure research and Applied
Research.
a. Basic or pure research is done for the development of theories or principles. It is conducted
for the intellectual pleasure of learning. Much of this kind of researcg has been done in
psychology and sociology. (Manuel and Medel, p.18)
b. Applied Research is the application of the results of pure research. This is testing the
efficacy of theories and principles.
3. According to the Levels of Investigation
c. In exploratory Research, the researcher studies the variables pertinent to a specific situation.
d. In descriptive Research, the researcher studies the relationship of the variables.
e. In experimental Research, the experimenter studies the effects of the variables on each
other.
4. According to the type of analysis
a. In the analytic approach, the researcher attempts to identify and isolate the
components of the research situation.
b. The holistic approach begins with the total situation, focusing attention on
the system first and then on its internal relationships.
5. According to Scope. Under this category is action research. This type of
research is done on a very limited scope to solve a particular problem which
is not so big. It is almost problem solving.
In education it is a firing-line or on the job type of problem solving or
research used by teachers, supervisors, and administrators to improve the quality
of their decisions and actions; it seeks more dependable and appropriate means
of promoting and evaluating pupil growth in line with specific and general
objectives and attempts to improve educational practices without reference to
whether findings would be applicable beyond the group studied (Good, p464)
6. According to choice of answers to problems.
a. In evaluation research, all possible courses of action are specified and identified and the
researcher tries to find the most advantageous.
b. In developmental research, the focus is on finding or developing a more suitable instrument
or process than has been available.
7. According to Statistical Content.
c. Quantitative or Statistical Research is one in which inferential statistics are utilized to
determine the results of the study. Inferential statistics such as correlation, chi-square,
analysis of variance, etc. are used to test the hypothesis. This type of research usually
includes comparison studies, cause-and-effect relationships, etc.
d. Non-quantitative research, this is research in which the use of quantity or statistics is
practically nil. This especially true in anthropological studies where description is usually
used. Descriptive data are gathered rather than quantitative data.
8. According to time element.
a. Historical research describe what was.
b. Descriptive Research describe what is.
c. Experimental research describes what will be.
historical, descriptive and experimental are the three major research
methods. All other methods , kinds, and types of research whatever they are
called fall under these three major methods.
 
SOME HINDRANCES TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (ERRORS IN
PERSONAL JUDGMENT)

Babbie gives the following as some of the hindrances to scientific inquiry. They are mostly error
in personal judgment. (Babbie, pp.6-16) the explanations are made for local adaptation.
1. Tradition. This is accepting that customs, beliefs, practices and superstitious ate true and
are parts of the daily lives of men.
2. Authority. This is accepting without question, an option about a certain subject which is
given by some who is considered an authority on the subject.
3. Inaccurate observation. This is describing wrongly what is actually observed.
4. Overgeneralization. This is establishing a pattern out of a few instances.
5. Selective observation. This is persisting to believe an observed pattern from an
overgeneralization and ignoring other pertinent patterns.
6. Made-up information. This is making up information to explain away
confusion.
7. Illogical reasoning. This is attributing something to another without any
logical basis.
8. Ego-involvement in understanding. This is giving an explanation when
one finds himself in an unfavorable situation.
9. Mystification. This is attributing to supernatural power, the phenomena that
cannot be understood.
10. To err is human. This is an attitude that admits the fallibility of man.
11. Dogmatism. This is an addition. This is an unwritten policy of certain
institutions and governments prohibiting the study of topics that are believed
to run counter to the established doctrines of such institutions or
governments
The Scientific Method
 One of the characteristics of a good research is that, it is systematic. It follows the scientific
method of research which includes the following sequential steps: (Treece and Treece, Jr., p.
47)
1. Determining (Recognizing) the problem;
2. Forming a hypothesis;
3. Doing the library search;
4. Designing the study;
5. Developing the instruments for collecting data;
6. Collecting data;
7. Analyzing the data;
8. Determining implications and conclusions from the findings; and
9. Making recommendations for further research.
Alhamdulillah 