HAND-OUT # 1 – DEFINITION, IMPORTANCE, AND KINDS OF RESEARCH

What is Research?
- Research pertains to any systematic investigation of any social or natural
phenomena where results and conclusions are aimed at contributing to
generalizable knowledge

- Research requires that data are collected, analyzed, and interpreted to understand,
describe, predict, or control a phenomenon or set of phenomena or to empower
individuals in particular contexts

- Research becomes scientific if it satisfies two requirements:

If the researcher’s goal “is to infer theoretical concepts and patterns from observed
data…
- It follows a bottom-up approach to research beginning from specific observations
explored through in-depth data collection that lead to the identification of themes
that become the basis of more general conclusions.
- It is also called qualitative research. Qualitative research

2. Deductive Research (theory testing research)

- If the researcher’s goal “is to test concepts and patterns known from theory using
new empirical data….
- It proceeds in a top-down approach to research that tests general principles by
testing hypotheses that lead to more specific conclusions
In terms of purpose, scientific research can be either basic or applied. Basic or
theoretical research aims at testing existing theories or generating new theories to advance
knowledge or understanding. Applied research uses knowledge acquired through research
to contribute directly to the understanding or resolution of practical issues.
Depending on the purpose of research, scientific research projects can be classified into
three types or categories namely:
Exploratory research seeks to investigate an underresearched aspect of social life
Descriptive research seeks to richly describe an aspect of social life
Explanatory research seeks to explain an aspect of social life
The Components of the Research Process
Research usually begins with an interest in or a puzzle or a problem about any social,
cultural, or natural phenomena. Hence, research is an interest-driven and problem-solving
activity. Ask yourself: what is it that you want to find out or discover about this
phenomenon or set of phenomena that you are interested in? Your answer to this question
forms the basis for your research questions/s.
What are research questions? These are specific questions about behavior, event, or
phenomena of interest that you wish to seek answers for in your research and can be delve
into issues of what, why, how, when, and so forth.
Examples of research questions:
What factors motivate students to engage in extreme sports?
Why do women’s groups vary in terms of their impact on policymaking?
How can universities guarantee academic freedom?
Your research questions are framed based on the purpose of your research. Will you
conduct exploratory or descriptive or explanatory research? Your research questions must
be, first and foremost, important and relevant.
Is the research significant about the current problems of the world?
Will the research build upon existing knowledge about the phenomenon?
Will the research apply, test, or develop theories?
These questions would require you to conduct a literature review. A literature
review has three-fold purposes, namely, 1) to survey the current state of knowledge in the
area of inquiry, 2) to identify the key authors, articles, theories, and findings in that area,
and 3) to identify the gaps in knowledge in that research area.
In the language of scientific research, the plan I s called the research design. The
research design is the entire strategic plan of how to go about finding the answers to your
research question. Research design is a plan for collecting and analyzing evidence that will
make it possible for the investigator to answer whatever questions he or she has posed….
and touches almost all aspects of the research, from the minute details of data collection to
the selection of the techniques of data analysis. In other words, the research design is like a
blueprint for the collection, processing, measurement, and analysis of data.
Questions that are relevant to the research design include, but are not limited to, the
following:
1. What types of data do you need to enable you to answer your research question?
2. How will you collect data? Are data both available and accessible?
3. Will there be an adequate number and suitable diversity of respondents to the
research?
4. How will you analyze the data?
5. Is there sufficient time and resources for data collection and analysis?
Often, researchers use research design interchangeably with research methodology,
as if the two are the same. It is an understandable mistake though since both research
design and research methodology share a lot of common features. However, the
research methodology is broader than the research design.
Research methodology usually includes the rationale for the research design. The
rationale provides the justification for your research design. It bridges your ontological
and epistemological assumptions or positions to your choice of data collection and
analysis methods and procedures.
In short, research methodology reflects both your choice of research design based
on your assumptions about social reality and your role as a researcher in making sense
of that reality. Your assumptions shape your choice of research design – about what
cases to study, types of data to be collected and analyzed, methods of data gathering,
and forms of data analysis and interpretation.
Research methods are tools and techniques that researchers use to gather data.
Qualitative researchers use ethnography or field research, interview, focus group
discussions (fgd), case studies, discourse analysis, content or textual analysis, grounded
theory, etc. Quantitative researchers use social surveys, experiments, official statistics,
structured observations, and content analysis.
Through the research methodology, your research journey ceases to be a journey to
the unknown. You now have clear directions and purpose as you implement your
research. First, you gather the data, then analyze the data, and thereafter, you infer
conclusions from patterns and themes in the data. The data collected may be qualitative
or quantitative, depending on the data collection and analysis methods used.
The final stage of research is writing the research report wherein you identify key
findings and formulate recommendations based on the conclusions of your research.
The final stage also enables you to share your research report with a wider public who
may have the same research interests as yours or who are interested to read about your
research.