Practical Research 2

MODULE 1
Lesson 1 – INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

I. INTRODUCTION

What is research? It defined as a careful, detailed and systematic study of a specific problem,
concern, or even issue to establish facts. It has been said that research helps discovering and creating new
knowledge. But what makes a research, practical? Practical research means actual doing or using of
something rather than theories and ideas. It involves inquiry and immersion activities in order to achieve the
correct information. This is directed towards problems which have a practical, day-to-day nature. In
particular, this course, practical research 2, aims to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
through conducting quantitative research relative to their interest. Therefore, at the end of the lesson, the
learners are expected to:
1. Describe characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and kinds of quantitative research.
We will be proceeding with our lesson proper with the use of the following e-learning platforms;
1. Edmodo;
2. Zoom;
3. Google meet; and
4. Messenger/messenger chat room.

II. ACTIVITY

Directions: Create your own concept map to answer the questions below.
1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word research?
2. Why do we need to do this?

III. ANALYSIS

Directions: Write S if the statement pertains to the strength of a quantitative research, W if it’s a weakness.
____1. It can be costly, difficult and time-consuming.
____2. It is objective and provides numerical data.
____3. The information on contextual factors to help interpret the results
____4. It filters out external factors.
____5. The numerical data can be analyzed in a quick and easy way.

IV. ABSTRACTION

Let’s start with defining what research is. It is defined as a systematic investigation that requires
data to be collected, analyzed, and interpreted of any social or natural phenomena where results and
conclusions are aimed at contributing to generalizable knowledge. Let us watch a video regarding
Quantitative research. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQMlOfuQdBA

Let us know the strengths and weaknesses of a quantitative research. Let us study the table below:

Strengths Limitations/Weaknesses
 Findings can be generalized if selection  Related secondary data is sometimes
process is well-designed and sample is not available or accessing available data
representative of study population. is difficult/impossible.
 Relatively easy to analyze.  Difficult to understand context of a
 Data can be very consistent, precise, phenomenon.
and reliable.  Data may not be robust enough to
explain complex issues

Now, let us discuss each kind of quantitative research. Let us start with descriptive research.
Please see the video for more details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKOBYEBF8sg

These research projects are designed to provide systematic information about a phenomenon. The
researcher does not usually begin with a hypothesis, but is likely to develop one after collecting data. The
analysis and synthesis of the data provide the test of the hypothesis. Systematic collection of information
requires careful selection of the units studied and careful measurement of each variable. Here are some of
the sample descriptive research title:
 A description of how second-grade students spend their time during summer vacation
 A description of the tobacco use habits of teenagers
 A description of how parents feel about the twelvemonth school year
 A description of the attitudes of scientists regarding global warming
 A description of the kinds of physical activities that typically occur in nursing homes,
and how frequently each occurs
 A description of the extent to which elementary teachers use math manipulatives

Second, Correlational research attempts to determine the extent of a relationship between two or
more variables using statistical data. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30g69EGghKQ

In this type of design, relationships between and among a number of facts are sought and
interpreted. This type of research will recognize trends and patterns in data, but it does not go so far in its
analysis to prove causes for these observed patterns. Cause and effect is not the basis of this type of
observational research. The data, relationships, and distributions of variables are studied only. Variables
are not manipulated; they are only identified and are studied as they occur in a natural setting. Here are
some of the sample correlational research title:
 The relationship between intelligence and self-esteem
 The relationship between diet and anxiety
 The relationship between an aptitude test and success in an algebra course
 The relationship between ACT scores and the freshman grades
  The relationships between the types of activities used in math classrooms and student
achievement
 The covariance of smoking and lung disease

Third, Causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research attempts to establish cause-effect

relationships among the variables. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXY8Pt5vBwM

These types of design are very similar to true experiments, but with some key differences. An
independent variable is identified but not manipulated by the experimenter, and effects of the independent
variable on the dependent variable are measured. The researcher does not randomly assign groups and
must use ones that are naturally formed or pre-existing groups. Identified control groups exposed to the
treatment variable are studied and compared to groups who are not. When analyses and conclusions are
made, determining causes must be done carefully, as other variables, both known and unknown, could still
affect the outcome. A causal comparative designed study, described in a New York Times article, "The
Case for $320,00 Kindergarten Teachers," illustrates how causation must be thoroughly assessed before
firm relationships amongst variables can be made. Here are some of the sample Causal-
comparative/quasi-experimental research title:
 The effect of preschool attendance on social maturity at the end of the first grade
 The effect of taking multivitamins on a students’ school absenteeism
 The effect of gender on algebra achievement
 The effect of part-time employment on the achievement of high school students
 The effect of magnet school participation on student attitude
 The effect of age on lung capacity

Lastly, Experimental research, often called true experimentation, uses the scientific method to
establish the cause-effect relationship among a group of variables that make up a study.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zrejPFjWEc

The true experiment is often thought of as a laboratory study, but this is not always the case; a
laboratory setting has nothing to do with it. 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. Subjects are randomly assigned to experimental
treatments rather than identified in naturally occurring groups. Here are some of the sample experimental
research title:
 The effect of a new treatment plan on breast cancer
 The effect of positive reinforcement on attitude toward school
 The effect of teaching with a cooperative group strategy or a traditional lecture
approach on students’ achievement
 The effect of a systematic preparation and support system on children who were
scheduled for surgery on the amount of psychological upset and cooperation
 A comparison of the effect of personalized instruction vs. traditional instruction on
computational skill
V. APPLICATION

A Directions: Identify the kind of quantitative research. Write on the blank the corresponding letter of your
answer.
A. Correlational
B. Descriptive
C. Experimental
D. Quasi-experimental
__________1. Effects of Aspirin on the Reducing the Cholesterol Level of Obese People
__________2. The Level of Customer Satisfaction in Selected Milktea Shops around Marikina City
__________3. The effect of gender on algebra achievement
__________4. The Relationship Between a Teacher’s Personality and Performance Evaluation
__________5. The effect of a systematic preparation and support system on children who were scheduled
for surgery on the amount of psychological upset and cooperation

B. Directions: Classify whether the questions given are suitable in quantitative approach. Write S on the
blank if a quantitative approach is suitable and N if it is not.

___________ 1. Does the environmental literacy of an individual increases with age?

___________ 2. What are the challenges experienced by student-athletes?
___________ 3. Does exposure to CNN programs improve students’ speaking skills?
___________ 4. What are the factors that affect the decision-making of parents regarding the
education of their children?
___________ 5. How reliable are admission tests in predicting the future performance of students in
school?
___________ 6. What are the features of narcissistic posts on Facebook?
___________ 7. Do online materials enhance the computer skills of students?
___________ 8. Is there a relationship between milk consumption and incidence of osteoporosis?
___________ 9. What are the study habits of public school students?
___________ 10. What are the experiences of police officers in arresting criminals?

C. Directions: Draw  on the blank if the statement is a strength of a quantitative research and  if it is
not.
__________11. Findings can be generalized if selection process is well-designed and sample is
representative of study population.
__________12. Data collection is usually cost efficient.
__________13. Provide more detailed information to explain complex issues.
__________14. Relatively easy to analyze.
__________15. Data can be very consistent, precise, and reliable.
__________16. Its capacity to give rich information about the respondents.
__________17. It can make predictions based on numerical, quantifiable data.
__________18. Its validity and reliability can be measured.
__________19. Provides insight into complex models of human through analysis of texts.
__________20. It has a low degree of subjectivity

REFERENCES

Asturias, P.A., Samar, G. and Damilig, A.D. (2016). Practical Research I. Manila, PH: Hunt Publishing
Center.

Barrot, J.S. (2017). Practical Research 2. Quezon City, PH: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Center for Research Quality (2016). Overview of Quantitative Research. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwU8as9ZNlA

Laderas, J.M., (2017). Practical Research 2. Retrieved from

https://www.scribd.com/document/352255786/Practical-Research-2-Quantitative-Research

Magabo, M. (2015). Quantitative Research: An Overview. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=kQMlOfuQdBA

Pia Isabel (2017). Experimental Research. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=_zrejPFjWEc

PSYCHademia (2016). Correlational Research. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=30g69EGghKQ

Prieto, N. G., Naval, V. C., & Carey, T. G. (2017). Practical Research 2 for Senior High School:
Quantitative. Quezon City, PH: Lorimar Publishing, Inc.

Sage Publications (2016). Qualitative Research Methods. Retrieved from

https://us.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/70019_Mertler_Chapter_7.pdf
The Audiopedia (2017). What is DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH? Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKOBYEBF8sg