Introduction To Research
Introduction To Research
Introduction
Research is key to progress. It is believed that there can be NO progress without research. Almost
everything including technologies enjoyed today is a product of research. In government, in education, in
trade and commerce, and in all types and kinds of industries, research is vital and essential to
development.
The importance of research, therefore, cannot be taken for granted. Research is viewed as the
power that leads to discover answers to problems. And as one tries to find solutions to problems, in the
process, problems again arise, thus, making research a continuous process.
The word “research” is derived from the prefix “re” which means “repeat or redo”, and the root
word “search”, which means “to find or look for”. From the etymology of this word, research literally
means to repeatedly “look for something” which had been existence before.
Systematic
It is systematic as there are interrelated steps or procedures a researcher has to observe in solving
a problem.
Objective
It is not based on guesswork. This is because empirical data have to be gathered by the researcher
before making any conclusion or proposing any solution to an identified difficulty or problem.
Empirical
All the procedures employed and the data gathered are perceived in the same manner by all
observers. Generalizations are drawn by the researcher upon hard evidence gathered from information
collected from the real life experiences and observations.
Comprehensive
If researcher is serious about understanding a phenomenon, he has to examine and analyze all its
aspects or angles before making a generalization or conclusion.
Critical
This means that procedures employed by the researcher must withstand critical scrutiny by other
researchers. Data should be analyzed critically so that there is no error in the interpretation.
Rigorous
Procedures to be followed in solving a problem should be relevant, appropriate, justified, and
strictly observed.
Valid
Whenever a researcher formulates conclusions, these are based on actual findings.
Verifiable
Other researcher can check on the correctness of its results by replicating the study based on the
methods and procedures employed by the researcher.
Classification of Research
There are different ways of classifying research. On the basis of who undertakes research,
research can either be academic or a research project.
Academic Research is one conducted by an individual in fulfilling the requirements for the conferment of
an academic title or degree. Baby these, master’s theses, feasibility studies, and doctoral dissertations fall
under this type of research.
Research Project is a type of research undertaken by an individual or group of individuals as part of their
professional work or assignments.
Types of Research
1. Descriptive Research
This type of research endeavors to describe systematically, factually, accurately and
objectively a situation, problem or phenomenon. It seeks to describe “what is”.
3. Explanatory Research
In this type of inquiry, the researcher seeks to clarify how and why a relationship exists
between two or more aspects of situation or phenomenon.
4. Exploratory Research
This kind of study is undertaken when the investigator is after probing or exploring areas
where little is known about the research problem. Feasibility and pilot studies fall under this type
of research.
5. Experimental Research
In this type of research, the researcher probes into the cause of an effect by exposing one
or more experimental groups to one or more treatments or conditions.
7. Historical Research
The researcher attempts to reconstruct the past objectively and accurately or to explain an
incident that happened in the past with the use of data taken from the past.
8. Ethnographic Research
This type of research is done when the researcher is concerned with explaining or
describing a phenomenon holistically with the use of multiple data collection techniques.
1. Idea-Generating Phase
Research begins with an idea in which the researcher has interest. In this phase wherein
the researcher has to identify topics that interest him most. It is in this step where he has to justify
why a study on a particular topic is needed. Once a topic of interest is already identified, the
researcher has to start reading articles and books, converse with people who are knowledgeable in
the area and begin thinking about it.
2. Problem-Definition Phase
As the ideas generated in the first phase are very general or vague, the researches has to
redefine them. This is the problem-definition phase. This particular step involves the following
activities: identification and definition of the variables to be studied; development of the
theoretical and conceptual framework of the study; the formulation of the major and specific
problems to be investigated and the formulation of hypothesis.
4. Data-Collection Phase
After preparing the research plan, the researcher has to proceed gathering the data from
the subjects of the study. It is in this phase where the procedures devised in the previous step are
implemented by the researcher rigorously.
5. Data-Analysis Phase
In this particular phase the researcher analyzes the collected data from the previous step,
based on this data analysis plan. Appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and
procedures are the applied for the data that have been recorded, coded and tabulated.
6. Interpretation Phase
Having analyzed the data, the researcher contributes to make sense out of them by
interpreting the results in terms of how they aid in responding to the research problem posed at
the beginning of the study, and how the answer contributes to knowledge on the field. After
generating answers to the problem, the researcher has to compare the results predicted based on
the theoretical framework of the study.
7. Communication Phase
After completing the data analysis and interpretation phases, the researcher has to prepare
a written or oral report of the study conducted, either for publication or presentation to colleagues
or a panel of experts. This report has to include a description of all the above steps in the research
process.
Reference:
Bermudo, Pedrito Jose V. [et.al.,]. Research Writing Made Simple: a modular approach for Collegiate and
Graduate Students. Manila. Mindshapers Co., Inc., 2010.