Research Notes: 5.

Methodological – process of
research
Quantitative Research  Qualitative: inductive,
emerging design, patterns
 Objective, systematic empirical and theories
investigation of observable  Quantitative: deductive, static
phenomena. design, generalizations lead
 Numerical analysis of data. to prediction, explanation and
 Unbiased result, can be generalized, understanding
large population.
Nature of Quantitative Research
 Inquiry into a social or human
problem based on testing theory. 1. Objective – accurate measurements
 Statistical procedures and analysis of target concepts.
2. Clearly defined research
Qualitative Research
questions – researchers know in
 Understanding a social or human advance what they are looking for.
problem. 3. Structured research instruments -
 Non-numerical standardized instrument guide data
collection, ensuring the accuracy,
Assumptions reliability and validity of data.
4. Numerical Data – showcase
1. Ontological – nature of the reality
summarized data collection in order
 Qualitative: subjective
to show trends, relationship or
 Quantitative: objective
differences among variables.
2. Epistemological – relationship of
5. Large sample size- normal
the researcher to the subject.
population distribution curve is
 Qualitative: interact with the preferred.
subject 6. Replication – can repeated to verify
 Quantitative: independent findings.
from the subject 7. Future outcomes – using complex
3. Axiological – role of the values mathematical calculations.
 Qualitative: value laden and
biased Strengths
 Quantitative: value free and
 Objective
unbiased
 Use of statistical technique facilitates
4. Rhetorical – language of the
sophisticated analyses
research
 Real and Unbiased
 Qualitative: informal, evolving
 Numerical data can be analyzed in a
decisions, personal voice,
quick and easy way.
understanding, discover, and
meaning  Replicable
 Quantitative: formal, based Weaknesses
on set of definitions,
impersonal voice,  Requires a large number of
relationship, comparison, respondents.
within group  Costly
  Doesn’t consider the distinct Discrete Variable – countable whole
capacity of respondents to share numbers and fixed point.
and elaborate their answer.
Continuous Variable – fractional
 Much information is difficult to gather
values that can either be a positive or a
using structured research
negative.
instruments.
 If not done serious and correctly, Interval – differences between
data from questionnaires may be consecutive values are equal and
incomplete and inaccurate meaningful but the numbers are
arbitrary, zero point does not mean
Kinds of Research absence.
1. Causal-Comparative Research – Ratio – differences is the presence of a
cause or consequences of true zero value, zero indicates the
differences that already exist absence of quantity being measured.
between or among groups of
individuals. Qualitative Variable
2. Correlation Research – extent of a
relationship between two or more  Descriptions or category
variables using statistical data.  Dichotomous - consisting of only
3. Descriptive Research – systematic two distinct categories.
information about phenomenon.  Nominal – more than two categories
4. Evaluation Research – means to that defines group of subjects.
judge actions and activities in terms  Ordinal – ranked in certain order.
of values, criteria and standards.
Kinds of Variable
5. Experimental Research – uses
scientific method to establish the 1. Independent Variable (treatment)
cause-and-effect relationship 2. Dependent Variable (response)
6. Survey – brief interview or 3. Control Variable (can change)
discussion. 4. Confounding Variable
(unexpected)
Importance Across Fields
5. Latent Variable
1. Business 6. Composite Variable
2. Political Science
Research Title - concise description of the
3. Psychology
content of the research study containing the
4. Medicine
fewest words possible.
5. Economics
6. Education Title Pointers:
Variables 1. Use an accurate description of the
subject and scope of the study instead of
 Anything that has a quantity or using general terms.
quality that varies.
2. Do not use abbreviations except for
Quantitative Variable commonly known ones (i.e DNA, ICT)
 Numeric and can be measured 3. Do not include the words like “The study
objectively. of,” “The analysis of,” “An investigation of,”
or similar construction as these would only 3. Why do you need to address those gaps?
lengthen the title.
4. What is the rationale of your study?
4. Include the main dependent &
independent variables Key Points:

5. Be mindful of proper grammar and 1. General context of the identified problem

punctuation within the community

6. Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, 2. Specific problem that your research is
adjectives, adverbs, as well as the first letter targeting based on the identified problem
of the first & last words 3. Overview of the existing or proposed
7. State in a declarative form (although solutions
some titles are in question form) 4. An overview of your proposed alternative
8. The year the study has been conducted solution
should not be indicated unless it is a 5. Significance of your solution in relation to
historical study UN sustainable goals and DOST national
9. Use current terminology Sci. & Tech. priorities

10. 5-12 words are sufficient 6. Scientific/Methodological/Research basis

of the effectiveness of the proposed solution
11. Use common names instead of
chemical formula (e.g NH3 as ammonia) 7. Main objectives of the study

12. Write and italicize the full scientific Statement of the problem – introduces the
names problem that want to be address. Dealt
more with precision and specificity
13. Must reflect the tone of the paper. (Quantitative Research)
Academic research titles do not contain
casual, informal, or humor Research Questions – sub-problems, and
are informative in nature.
Key Points
Characteristics:
 Potential – capacity to be studied
 Feasible
 Feasibility – possibility
 Clear
 Efficacy – under controlled
 Significant
conditions
 Ethical
 Effectiveness – outside of efficacy
trials, real world Research Hypothesis – tentative answer
 Efficiency – effectiveness using to your research question/s.
minimal resources.
 Sustainability – support a process Types:
overtime. 1. Simple – connection with one
Background of the study - where you dependent and independent only.
inform the reader of the context of the study 2. Complex – connection between two
or more independent and dependent
Questions: variable.
3. Logical – explanation with limited
1. What is already known about the topic? evidence.
2. What is not known about the topic? 4. Empirical – explain certain the
“limited evidence”
 5. Statistical - portion of population.
6. Null – no relationship between the
independent and dependent
variables.
7. Alternative – alternate statement
expressed to be tested.
Concept mapping – is developing/creating
Classifications:
a plan to be guided on the flow & direction
 Directional: one-tailed, less than of your research study
or more than
Variable Types:
 Non-Directional: two-tailed, equal
or not  Independent Variable – reason for
Hypothesis Pointers: any “change” or difference
DIFFER THEOR CONCEPTU
1. Before writing hypothesis, spend more
ETICAL AL
time researching about the topic ENCES
2. Independent variable and dependent Scope -Broader -
variable must be included in your - Can be Narrower/foc
hypothesis. used in used
different - Directly
3. Relationship of your variables must be studies related to the
reflected in your hypothesis.
study
4. Hypothesis should be simple and specific Focus of - The - Set of
as possible. content particular related
5. Hypothesis should be concise and
theory is concepts to a
comprises clear and simple language. used in specific study
already
6. Hypothesis should be testable without Number of - Presents - May
violating ethical standards. Theories one synthesize
7. Hypothesis must be falsifiable. It means theory at one or more
that your a time theories
Time of - Already - Develop
8. Hypothesis can be proven wrong through
Developmen existing while
experiments or empirical data.
t before the planning &
Research framework – illustrates the conduct writing
structure or blueprint of the research plan. It of the specific
is normally used as a guide. study research
Two types:  Dependent Variable – altered as a
result of experimental manipulation
 Theoretical Framework – used for  Moderating Variable – independent
studies that anchor on time-tested variable which influences the
theories direction & strength of the
 Conceptual Framework – actual connections
ideas, beliefs, and tentative theories  Mediating/Intervening Variable –
that specifically support the study describes effect & influence of the
relationship between variables
  Control/Extraneous Variable –
special type of independent variable
that can influence the dependent
variable
Scope and Delimitations
Scope – specifies the coverage of your
study (e.g. variables,
population/participants, timeline)
Delimitation - cites factors of your study
that are not included/you will not deal in the
study
Components

 Objectives/Problems to be
addressed
 Time frame
 Locale of the study
 Characteristics of the respondents
 Method & research instruments

Definition of Terms – also called as

Operational Definition of Variables (OPV).
Although optional, it helps in simplifying
some of the technical terms.
Two Types:
Conceptual Definition – meaning of the
term based in dictionaries/encyclopedias
Operational Definition – meaning of the
term based on how it was used in the study
Definitions of Terms Key Points:

 Make sure that the variables & key

terms found in the title are included
 Terms should be arranged
alphabetically
 Direct to the point
 Do not overflow with technical terms;
only those relevant
 Keep the definitions brief & basic