IT 52/223 Quantitative Methodology ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

Chapter 1. Research Methods Roxas Campus

Quantitative Research -Module 1

Overview
This course is designed to conduct simple quantitative research and include sufficient statistical
concepts to allow students to make good sense of the statistical figures and numbers that they are
exposed to in daily life. At the end of the course, students should understand the basics of quantitative
research and be able to critically review simple statistical analysis.

OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH
What is Research?
 Good and Scates (1972): Research is a careful, critical, disciplined inquiry, varying in technique
and method according to the nature and conditions of the problem identified, directed toward the
clarification and resolution (or both) of the problem.
 Aquino (1970) : Research is simply, the systematic search for pertinent information on specific
topic or problem.
 Halpin (1996) : Research is the process of gathering data of information to solve a particular or
specific problem in scientific manner.
 Quinton (2006) : Research is an attempt to gain solutions to problems. It is a collection of data in
rigorously controlled situation for the purpose of prediction or explanation.
 Parel (1973) cited by Sanchez (1998) : Research is a systematic study or investigation of
something for the purpose of answering questions posed by the researcher.
 Calderon and Gonzales (1993): Research is a purposive, systematic and scientific process of
gathering, analyzing, classifying, organizing, presenting, and interpreting data for the solution of
the problem, for prediction for intention, 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.
PURPOSE OF RESEARCH:
 The main purpose of research is to serve man.

GOALS:
 To have a good life;
 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.

Specific Purposes and Goals of Research

1. To discover new facts about known phenomena
2. To find answers to problems which are only partially solved by existing methods and information
3. To discover previously unrecognized substances and elements
4. To improve existing techniques and develop new instruments or product
5. Discover pathways of action of known substances and elements
6. To order related, valid generalizations into systematized science
7. To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity

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8. To provide basis for decision-making in business, industry, education, government and in other
undertakings
9. To find answers to queries by mean of scientific methods
10. To acquire a better and deeper understanding about a phenomenon that can be known and
understood better by researcher
11. To expand or verify existing knowledge
12. To improve educational practices for raising the quality of school products.
13. To improve man with more of the basic needs– more and better food, clothing, shelter, etc.

Other definition and various types of Research

Empirical research is based on observed and measured phenomena and derives knowledge
from actual experience rather than from theory or belief

FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The Problem
A research problem is a question that a researcher wants to answer or a problem that a
researcher wants to solve. Identification and formulation of a research problem statement is the first step
of the research process. However, it is considered as one of the challenging and difficult phase of any
research project. It is believed that selection of a good research problem is a discovery in itself. Selection
of research problem depends on several factors such as researcher’s skills, knowledge, interest,
expertise, Motivation, creativity with respect to the subject of inquiry.

Formulation of research problem is a complex and long process, which includes following steps:

1. SELECTION OF A RESEARCH AREA

Formulation of research problem begins with selection of a broad research topic from
personal experience, literature, previous research and theories in which researcher is interested
and has significance on his/her profession

2. DELIMITING THE RESEARCH TOPIC:-

In this step, researcher proceeds from a general research area of interest to more
specific topic of research to conduct a study.

Example:-
Initially a researcher decides to conduct a study on female feticide ; later in this stage
researcher limits it to specific topic “a study on perception of women about causes and
prevention of female feticide in selected rural communities of district Moradabad ,
Uttarpradesh”.

In this stage, a researcher clearly identifies variables, population, and settings of

research study. Furthermore, at this stage, a researcher is quite clear about the phenomenon
to be studied, where and on whom.

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3. EVALUATING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Once researcher is clear about the specific research problem, next the research problem must be
carefully evaluated for its significance, researchability and feasibility. Feasibility of the research
problem should be evaluated for time, cost, availability of subjects and resources, administrative
and peer support, ethical consideration and researcher’s competence and interest.

SOME GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATION OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

Substantive issues:-
1. Does the problem have significance to the nursing profession?
2. Does the problem have any relationship with existing theories and models?
Methodological issue:-
1. Does the problem statement clearly identify the research variables in measurable
term?
2. Does the problem describe about research settings, place and time?

4. FORMULATING FINAL STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

- After establishing the significance, researchability and feasibility, then researcher finally
formulates a final statement of a research problem.
- A research problem could be in declarative or interrogative format
Example of declarative format
“A Descriptive study on prevalence of bed sores among unconscious patients admitted in
intensive care units of Synergy hospital of medical science, Dehradun”.

(There is an existing knowledge and data about the problem)

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
 Does client-centered therapy produce more satisfaction in clients than traditional
therapy?
 Does behavior modification reduce aggression in autistic children?
 Are descriptions of people in social studies discussions biased?
 What goes on in an elementary school classroom during an average work?
 Do teachers behave differently toward students of different genders?
 How can we predict which students might have trouble learning certain kinds of subject
matter?
 How do parents feel about the school counseling program?
 How can a principal improve faculty morale?

(Research format should be Interrogative (?))

DECLARATIVE VS INTERROGATIVE QUESTIONS

Declarative
'Boss' and 'Manager' can be used interchangeably?
She is going there tomorrow?

Interrogative

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Can 'Boss' and 'Manager' be used interchangeably?

Is she going there tomorrow?
Sample
Jane is going to France next year?
Is Jane going to France next year?

NOT SEARCHABLE QUESTIONS

 Should philosophy be included in the high school curriculum?
 What is the meaning of life?

There is no way to collect information to answer either question. Both questions are, in
the final analysis, not researchable.

The first question is question of value, it also does not have any empirical referents.
The second question is metaphysical, it is beyond the physical transcendental.

(Empirical no direct reference – Walang Directak Basehan)

(Psychology – study of mental characteristics)
(Poet is not researchable- Tula)

MORE IDEAS NOT RESEARCHEABLE QUESTIONS

 Is God good?
 Are children happier when taught by a teacher of the same gender?
 Does high school achievement influence the academic achievement of university
students?
 What is the best way to teach grammar?
 What would school be like today if World War II had not occurred?
To be able to determine whether the question is researchable or not, we must
examine every possible alternative and a moment’s reflection brings us to the realization
that this can never be accomplished.

Research study type: Descriptive

Title “A descriptive study on prevalence of bed sores among unconscious patients admitted in I
ntensive care units of Synergy hospital of medical science, Dehradun”
Variable: It has only one research variable “prevalence of pin site infection”
Population: Patients with external skeletal fixation
Research setting: Orthopedic ward of Shri MahantHospital, Dehradun.

Sample:
Title: “THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP TIES
AMONG FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS OF ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
ROXAS CAMPUS”

 VARIABLE : Relationship Ties

 POPULATION: Faculty and Staff members
 Research setting: ISU-Roxas

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WRITING RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:

 MEANING:-
“A research objective is a clear, concise , declarative statement , which provides
direction to investigate the variables” .
Note: “Research objectives are the results sought by the researcher at the end of
the research process, that what the researcher will be able to achieve at the end of the
research study”.

Research objective should be:-

 Relevant
 Feasible
 Logical
 Observable
 Unequivocal
 Measurable
- Relevant – concise on the needs
- Feasible – Doable /can be accomplished
- Logical – Orderly
- Observable – researchable
- Unequivocal – clear understandable
- Measurable – you should know the scope/ boundaries and limits of the study

NEED OF THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:

The formulation of research objectives will help the researcher to

1. Focus - on a specific issues
2. Avoid – empirical, psychological, methaphysical and other not researchable questions
3. Organize- organized data collections
4. Directions-Methodologically sequencial

TYPES OF THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1. GENERAL OBJECTIVES:-
General objectives are broad goals to be achieved.
The general objective of the study states what the researcher expect to achieve by the
study in general terms.
General objectives are usually less in numbers.
2. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:-
Specific objective are short term and narrow in focus
General objectives can be broken into logically connected parts to form specific
objectives.
The specific objectives are more in number.

Sample
Title: “A quasi experimental study on the effects of ginger on morning sickness
among pregnant women in selected cities of Kerala”.

General objective

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Chapter 1. Research Methods Roxas Campus

The main objective of this study is to assess the effects of ginger on morning
sickness among pregnant women.
Specific

- To determine the prevalence of morning sickness in the pregnant

women.
- To compare the effects of ginger on morning sickness in multigravida
and primigravida.
- To identify the relationship of effectiveness of ginger on morning
sickness with age and dietary habits of the pregnant women.

SAMPLE

TITLE:” THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP TIES

AMONG FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS OF ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
ROXAS CAMPUS “

GENERAL OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the study is to determine the possible effect of social media
in the relationship ties among faculty and staff members of Isabela State
University of Roxas Campus.

Statement of the Problems

- What are the most commonly active social media platforms used by the faculty
and staff in participating group discussion or interaction?
- What is the demographic profile of the respondent?
- What is the faculty and staff level of awareness on the use of emoticons common
social media terminologies and text abbreviations?
- What are the social media ethical practices of the faculty and staff members?
- What are the social implications of social media among faculty and staff
members towards their social relations?

Specific Objectives
1. Identify the common active social media platforms used by the faculty and staff in
participating group discussion or interaction;
2. Identify the demographic profile of the respondent;
3. Determine the faculty and staff level of awareness on the use of emoticons,
common social media terminologies and text abbreviations on social media
across demographic groups;
4. Identify the social media ethical practices of the faculty and staff; and
5. Determine the social implications of social media among faculty and staff
members towards their social relations.

RESEARCH TITLE
TITLE SHOULD ANSWER THE FOLLOWING W’s
What
Where
When

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Who

Specific - Identify a specific action or event that will take place

Answerable by W’s What, Where and Who

SAMPLE TITLE (SOCIAL RESEARCH)

The Effect of a Social Media on the Relationship Ties

among Faculty members and Staff
of ISU-ROXAS for the school year 2020-2021

What – Effect (+- effect of social media) on relation ship ties

Who - Faculty and Staff
Where - Roxas
When – S.Y. 2020-2021

SAMPLE TITLE (DEVELOPMENTAL)

“Anti-theft Property Detection of ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY Roxas Campus, Roxas
Isabela, School Year 2020-2021”

What – Anti-theft
Where – ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
When – S.Y. 20-21
Who- Faculty, Staff and Students
Revised:
#GETMENOT: Anti-theft Property Detector

SAMPLE TITLE (Multi-Disciplinary)

“The Development of Digital Incubator for Chicken and Duck Eggs of ISU Roxas S.Y.
2020-2021”

What - Digital Incubator for Chicken and Duck

Where - ISU Roxas
When – 2020-2021
Who – Balut industry and Poultry Industry

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Revised:
“Digital Based Incubator with anti-bacterial Treatment & Decision Support System”

Measurable - Its benefits should be quantifiable

“Well defined scope”
Achievable - Should be attainable given available resources
“Doable/Achievable base on financial resources and skills”
Realistic & Researchable- Possible to attain and useful
“Research – upward move not downward”

Time bounded - The time period in which it will be accomplished

“Starting time – Ending Time”

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