Descriptive Research Descriptive research describes and interprets what is.

It is concerned with conditions of relationships that exist; practices that prevail; beliefs, processes that are going on; effects that are being felt, or trends that are developing. (Best) Characteristics of Descriptive Research 1. Descriptive research ascertains prevailing conditions of facts in a group or case under study. 2. It gives either a qualitative or quantitative, or both, description of the general characteristics of the group or case under study. 3. Study of conditions at different periods of time may be made and the change or progress that took place between the periods may be noted or evaluated for any value it gives. 4. Comparisons of the characteristics of two groups or cases may be made to determine their similarities and differences. 5. The variables or conditions studied in descriptive research are not usually controlled. 6. Descriptive studies, except in case studies are generally cross-sectional, that is, it studies the different sections belonging to the same group. 7. Studies on prevailing conditions may or can be repeated for purposes of verification and comparison Value, Importance, and Advantages of Descriptive Research
1. Descriptive research contributes mush to the formulation of principles and 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7.

generalizations in behavioral sciences. Descriptive research contributes much to the establishment of standard norms of conduct, behavior, or performance. Descriptive research reveals problems or abnormal conditions so that remedial measures may be instituted. Descriptive research makes possible the prediction of the future on the basis of findings on prevailing conditions, correlations, and on the basis of reactions of people toward certain issues. Descriptive research gives a better and deeper understanding of a phenomenon on the basis of an in-depth study of the phenomenon. Descriptive research provides a basis for decision-making. Descriptive research helps fashion many of the tools with which we do research, such as instruments for the measurement of many things, instruments that are employed in all types of quantitative research.

Techniques under the Descriptive Method of Research 1. Survey or Normative Survey It is a fact-finding study with adequate and accurate interpretation. 2. Case Study It is a comprehensive, complete, detailed, and in-depth study and analysis of an individual, institution, group, or community.

Differences between Survey and Case Study Survey The group surveyed is usually large. The number of aspects or variables in the life of the group surveyed is limited. Cause-effect relationships are not given emphasis. Aim of a study may only be to determine status. Representativeness is important and is given emphasis.

Curiosity, interest, or just to determine norm or status may initiate a survey Only conditions or practices present during the survey are considered except in comparative studies when present conditions are compared with conditions in the past. Types of Survey Technique or Approach 1. Total population survey- The entire population is involved in the survey. 2. Sample survey- Only a sample or portion of the population is involved in the survey. 3. Social survey- The investigator researches on the attitudes and behaviors of different groups of people 4. School survey- This is used to gather data for and about schools and to assess education achievement and education itself. 5. Public opinion survey- this is used to gauge the reactions of people towards certain issues or persons. 6. Poll survey- This is a survey in which the respondents are asked if they are voting for a certain candidate in an election. 7. Market survey- This is aimed at finding out what kinds of people purchases which products, and how packaging, advertising, and displaying affect buying, prices, and so on.

Case Study Case study may involve and usually involves one person, family, small group, or small community. Usually all aspects or variables in the life cycle of the case under study are included. Finding the causes of certain phenomena is always a part of a case study. Representativeness is not important. The results of a single case study do not provide certainty that the case is truly representative. Abnormalities or undesirable traits usually initiate a case study Data about the case from birth or origin or even of the future are considered.

8. Evaluation survey- The researcher looks back to see what has been accomplished and, with a critical eye, evaluates the results whether they are satisfactory or not, with the end in view of making improvements. 9. Comparative survey- In this survey, the results from two different groups, techniques, or procedures are compared. This may be used also to compare the effectiveness of a new procedure with an old one or with a standard, or two new procedures with an old one or with a standard, or two new procedures may be compared. 10. Short-term survey- In this survey, data are collected over a period of weeks, months, or even years but the period should be less than five years. 11. Long-term survey- Any survey conducted for more than five years is a long-term survey. 12. Longitudinal survey- This is almost the same as the long-term survey. 13. Cross-sectional survey- In this type of survey, several groups in various stages of involvement are studied simultaneously. 14. Job analysis survey- This provides information on the general duties and responsibilities of workers, their education, training, experiences, salaries, types of knowledge and skills, and others that help administrators or managers in setting up training programs and recruitment policies. 15. Community survey- This survey provides information on the various aspects of the community: health, employment, housing, education, economic resources, delinquency, family, population, other social problems, and so on. 16. Correlation study- This is a study that shows the relationship between two or more variables, that is, how a variable varies with another. Historical Research History History is any integrated narrative or description of past events or facts written in a spirit of critical inquiry for the whole truth. (Nevins) Historical Research It is a process of selecting the aria or topic to write the history about, collecting data about events that occurred in the area or about the topic, collating the data, sifting the authentic from non-authentic and then making an interpretative narrative about or critical inquiry into the whole truth of the events. Primary and Secondary Sources of Data Primary Sources - Primary sources, the only solid bases of historical work, are the original documents or remains, the first witnesses to a fact. (Good and Scates) Secondary Sources - Secondary sources involve generalization, analysis, synthesis, interpretation, or evaluation of the original information. Importance of Historical Research

1. A study of the past makes people understand the present better, especially the factors affecting the present. 2. Historical information serves as a preliminary to reform. Mistakes of the past may be avoided if we have knowledge of them. 3. People become more open to change if they are well informed about the past, especially about tragic events. 4. People are motivated to respect the contributions of the people of the past to the present state of things, especially those of heroes. When to Use the Historical Research 1. Any geographical area or place 2. Any institution 3. Any important historical event EXPERIMENTAL METHOD/RESEARCH Definition of Experimental Method The experimental method of research id defined by Good as a method or procedure involving the control or manipulation of conditions for the purpose of studying the relative effects of various treatments applied to members of a sample, or of the same treatment applied to members of different sample. (Good) Purpose To discover the influence of one or more factors upon a condition, group, or situation, purpose of which is to discover what will be. Variables It is anything that may change or may be changed from one condition to another, either qualitatively or quantitatively. Types of Variables 1. Independent Variables It is anything, condition, or process which is controlled and manipulated by the experimenter and applied on another thing, condition, or process intended to have or produce a change in or reaction from the latter. 2. Dependent Variables It is anything, a condition, or process exposed to or upon which treatments or actions from the independent variable are applied. Concepts of Causation 1. One-to-One Relationship It means that for every particular cause, there is a corresponding particular effect. One independent variable causes an effect upon one dependent variable. 2. Two-variable relationship This involves two variables causing an effect upon one variable.

3. Complex Relationship This is a case where two or more variables cause a single effect. Experimental Design 1. Single Factor Experimental Designs This involves a thing, person, or a groups subjected or exposed to a certain experimental factor for a certain period of time. Then, after the experimental period, the subject or students exposed to the experimental factor are given a post test. The achievement of this experimental group is then compared with the achievement of another group with similar characteristics and studying the same subject matter under customary instructional methods but unexposed to the experimental factor. 2. Single group with a pre-test and a post-test design The group is exposed to a certain experiment factor. However, before the start of the experiment, the group is given a pre-test about the subject matter to be covered in the experiment. Then after the experimental period, the group is given the same pre-test but in different form to avoid the effect of practice. This is the post-test. The excess of the results of the post-test over the results of the pre-test is considered caused by the experimental factor. 3. Matched groups design Two groups are matched in age, sex, grade level, mental ability, etc. One, group, called the experimental group, is exposed to the experimental or independent variable while the other group, called the control group, is not exposed to the experimental variable. After the experimental period, the two groups are given the same test covering the subject matter studied during the period. 4. Randomized multigroup with a pre-test and a post-test design. This is the same as the design in No. 4. The only difference is that, there is a pre-test. After the experiment, the results of the pre-test and those of the post-test are subjected to some statistical methods, usually the analysis of covariance and the relative effectiveness of the three methods will be revealed.

Research Locale It is a part of research methodology where you state the place where you will conduct your experiment It is the place where research is to be conducted And it answers the question Where? or Where is the study to be conducted? Example a. Subject matter b. Locale of the Study Philippines

: :

Teaching of Science High Schools of Pateros,

c. Population involved teachers d. Period of the study Things to consider in research population: Group Capacity Community behavior Educational level of the community Religion affiliations

: :

High School students and S.Y 2008-2012

Population Frame The population frame is a listing of all the element in the population from which the sample is drawn Set of target population entities that can be selected into a sample or census Also called SAMPLING FRAME A sample frame is a list that includes every member of the population from which a sample is to be taken Sample Schemes Sampling Techniques 1. Sampling concepts and terminologies 1.1