RESEARCH: DEFINITION, CHARACTERISTICS, PURPOSES, TYPES & APPROACHES

NATURE OF RESEARCH

SESSION OBJECTIVES

At the end of the session, students must be able to:

1. Identify research
2. Determine its characteristics, purposes, types and approaches
3. Share through an essay the importance of research

RESEARCH
 A systematic, disciplined inquiry, varying in techniques and methods according to the
nature and conditions of the problem identified, directed toward the clarification or a
resolution of a problem.
 The purpose then of research is to arrive at the TRUTH.
 A process of executing various mental acts for discovering and examining facts and
information to prove the accuracy or truthfulness of our claims or conclusions about
the topic of your research (Litchman, 2013 in Baraceros, 2016).
 The systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and
reach new conclusions (Walker, 2010 in Prieto et al., 2017).

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH (Kerlinger, 1983 in Crespo, 2016):

1. Systematic – it follows a well-defined steps or stages of a scientific method of
investigation from problem identification to conclusion.
2. Control – this is the characteristics of research that sets it apart from ordinary modes of
inquiry. Here, factors or variables that may affect the result of the study are either
eliminated or made equal.
3. Empirical – observation plays an important role in research.
4. Critical - the findings of research is open to the verification of the academic and
scientific community.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH (Baraceros, 2016):

1. Accuracy – it gives correct or accurate data (The footnotes, notes, bibliographic
entries are honestly and appropriately documented or acknowledged.)
2. Objectiveness – it deals with facts, not with mere opinions arising from assumptions,
generalizations, predictions or conclusions.
3. Timeliness – it must work on a topic that is fresh, new and interesting to the present
society.
4. Relevance – its topic must be instrumental in improving society or in solving problems
affecting the lives of people in a community.
5. Clarity – it must succeed in expressing its central point or discoveries by using simple,
direct, concise and correct language.
6. Systematic

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH (Prieto et al., 2017):

1. Empirical
2. Systematic
3. Controlled
4. Employs Hypothesis – the hypothesis guides the investigation process.
5. Analytical – a critical analysis of all data used so that there is no error in the
researcher’s interpretations.
6. Objective
7. Original work – requires effort to get at the researcher’s own investigation & produce
the data needed to complete the study. Go to the library to check on the originality
of your work.
 RESEARCH: DEFINITION, CHARACTERISTICS, PURPOSES, TYPES & APPROACHES

PURPOSES OF RESEARCH (Baraceros, 2016):

1. To learn how to work independently
2. To learn how to work systematically or scientifically
3. To have an in-depth knowledge of something
4. To elevate your mental abilities by letting you think in HOTS of inferring, evaluating,
synthesizing, appreciating, applying, and creating
5. To improve your reading and writing skills
6. To be familiar with the basic tools of research and the various techniques of
gathering data and of presenting research findings
7. To free yourself, to a certain extent, from the domination or strong influence of a
single textbook or of the professor’s lone viewpoint or spoon feeding

PURPOSES OF RESEARCH (Prieto et al., 2017):

1. To gather necessary information – it provides you with all necessary information in the
field of your work or study and gives a basic idea about the things needed.
2. To make changes – it helps you find the root cause and associated elements of a
process.
3. To improve the standard of living – only through research can new inventions come
into life.
4. For a safer life – discoveries and development resulting from research have improved
life expectancy and health condition of humankind.
5. To know the truth – research is needed to investigate, expose and bring out the truth
behind lies and rumors.
6. To explore our history – research about human history has enabled people to learn
and understand more about our forefathers and helped us learners from their mistakes
and follow good things from their lives.
7. To understand arts – research also helps in the understanding and appreciation of the
works of artists in literature, painting and other fine arts.

WHY DO RESEARCH? (Prieto et al., 2017)

1. You can get to investigate on the topics that may be of interest to you.
2. It can make you study more meaningful and you’ll discover real world application of
what you’re studying.
3. You can have hands on, practical experience in your field of study.
4. You can network and meet new people.
5. Undergraduate research allows you to grow and uncover opportunities for later
career.

TYPES OF RESEARCH

As to Purpose (Crespo, 2016)

1. Basic research – a research conducted for theory development.
2. Applied research – conducted for the purpose of testing or applying a theory.
3. Research and development – the purpose is not to develop or test a theory but to
develop effective products for use in industry.
4. Action research – its purpose is to find practical solution to common and impinging
workplace problem.
5. Two additional types are: Explanatory and Exploratory researches. The former
elaborates or explains not just the reasons behind the relationship of two actors, but
also the ways by which such relationship exists and the latter’s purpose is to find out
how reasonable or possible it is to conduct a research study on a certain topic.

Based on their respective purpose (Smith et al., 2018)

1. Pure research – a research for which the primary objective/ output is the development
of theory
 RESEARCH: DEFINITION, CHARACTERISTICS, PURPOSES, TYPES & APPROACHES

2. Applied research – focuses on tackling practical problems in organizations where the

desired outcome will be knowledge about how to solve the problem
3. Evaluation research – evaluates a given policy or intervention and helps practitioners
measure and understand outcomes of particular practices

As to Method (Crespo, 2016)

1. Historical method – This method answers the question what has been done in the past.
This is often employed using documentary analysis.
Example:
The Evolution of Fishing Gears in Antique
Concepcion L. Cazeñas Memorial School: 32 Years of Voyage towards Antique’s
Progress
2. Descriptive research – aims to study the current or present status of the subject under
investigation.
Examples:
The Knowledge of the Fisher folks of Antique of the Different Maritime Laws
The Problems Experienced by Seafarers on Board
3. Correlational research – it aims to ascertain if there is and to what extent relationship
exists between variables.
Examples:
The Aspiration and Academic Performance of CLCMS Students
The Theoretical Performance and the Assessment Performance of the Senior High
School Students
4. Causal-comparative research or the ex-post facto research – this research answers the
question: “from after the fact, what are the causes”.
Example:
The Reasons Why Students Take Maritime Courses
The Causes Why Students Engaged in Pre-marital Sex
The Effect of Alcohol on the Health of Neonates
5. Experimental research – a study where the researcher manipulates at least one
independent variable and observe its effect on one or more dependent variable.
Example:
The Growth of Tilapia in Different Stocking Conditions
The Rate of Fermentation of Coconut Water Using Different Concentration of Yeast

Note: As to Baraceros (2016), descriptive, correlational, explanatory, exploratory and

action research are researches as to the purpose of the research.

Based on Application of Research Method (Baraceros, 2016)

1. Pure research – deals with concepts principles or abstract things. It aims to increase
your knowledge about something.
2. Applied research – the aim is to apply your chosen research to societal problems or
issues, finding ways to make positive changes in society.

Based on Types of Data Needed (Baraceros, 2016)

1. Qualitative research – requires non- numerical data, which means that the research
uses words rather than numbers to express the results, the inquiry, or investigation
about people’s thoughts, beliefs, feelings, views and lifestyles regarding the object of
the study.
2. Quantitative research – involves measurement of data. It presents research findings
referring to the number or frequency of something in numerical forms (using
percentages, fractions, numbers).

Primary data are obtained through direct observation or contact with people, objects,
artifacts, paintings, etc.
 RESEARCH: DEFINITION, CHARACTERISTICS, PURPOSES, TYPES & APPROACHES

Secondary data are data that have been written about or reported on and are available
for reading purposes.

APPROACHES TO RESEARCH (Baraceros, 2016)

1. Scientific or positive approach – discover and measure information as well as observe
and control variables in an impersonal manner. It allows control of variables.
2. Naturalistic approach – it uses words and directs you to deal with qualitative data that
speak of how people behave toward their surroundings.
3. Triangulation approach – combination of two approaches. Here, you are free to
gather and analyze data using multiple methods, allowing you to combine or mix up
research approaches, research types, data gathering, and data analysis techniques.

References:

A. Baraceros, E.L. (2016). Practical research 1 1st ed. Rex Book Store.
B. Crespo, P.S. (2016). Class handouts.
C. Prieto, N.G., Naval, V.C. & Carey, T.G. (2017). Practical research 1 (Qualitative
research for senior high school). Lorimar Publishing.
D. Smith, M.E., Thorpe, R., Jackson, P.R. & Jaspersen, L.J. (2018). Management &
business research. SAGE Publications, Inc.

Prepared by:

CYRIL S. DE LA FUENTE, MPA, LPT, CIPTC, CSSWB, CHP, CTP, COCS, CPMA, DLitt, DHum
Instructor I
University of Antique- College of Business and Accountancy