Practical Research 2

be continuously evaluated on its

accuracy and usefulness.
Choosing your Topic WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO LEARN?
The TPI Approach  describe the characteristics, strengths,
Trends - are movements taking place in weaknesses, and kinds of quantitative
our field research.
Problems - are sectors affected by the  explain the kinds of quantitative
trend research designs; v illustrates the
Issues - are questions arising from a importance of quantitative research
problem across fields; and
 The TPI Approach may be deduced  differentiate kinds of variables and their
through a web like figure uses.
The PTA Approach  It is something that can take on different
 is a pictorial representation of a values for different subjects in each
problem, its antecedents, and its research study.
consequences this analysis tool  Different from a constant (carries the
helps the project team get a quick exact-same value for all subjects in a
glance of how a range of complex study)
issues contribute toward a problem Inquiry
and how a range of complex issues  Investigation
contribute toward a problem and  Knowledge acquisition
how its problem branches out into a  Probing or examining something
set of consequences. through hots (higher order thinking
 The problem tree analysis centers skills).
its attention on the core problem  We infer, analyze, criticize and
and from it (probable) causes and appreciate the information gathered.
effects of the problem are What is research?
investigated.  The word research was coined from the
French word “cerhier” which means
Chapter 1 seek. The prefix “re” means repeat.
Introduction to Research  Research is widely recognized as an
NATURE OF INQUIRY AND RESEARCH important tool for solving man’s various
WHAT IS THIS LESSON ALL ABOUT? problems and in making life more
 Human history abounds with colorful and convenient.
problems.  Research is a natural day-to-day
 Problems are everywhere in activity of gathering information.
different variations in a different Quantitative Research
perspective which affects mankind.  Is an objective, systematic empirical
 Problems are observed along with investigation of observable phenomena
political, social, environmental, and using computational techniques.
many aspects of life. This may be  It highlights numerical analysis of data
between individuals, groups, or in hoping that the numbers yield unbiased
an organization. results that can be generalized to some
 Mankind wants a solution to these larger population and explain a
problems. These solutions should particular observation.
not be only effective but also be  The quantitative research suggests that
acquired and used for improvement. the data concerned can be analyzed in
To be able to achieve that, solutions
must be based on knowledge, not
on mere beliefs, guesses, or
theories.
 To acquire this knowledge, it
requires a well-planned and
systematic procedure and should
 terms of numbers. produce generalizable
results that apply to
other situations
Criteria to Representative :
identify chosen informants
respondents or must represent the
key informants target group
Design of Systematic: survey
method with closed questions
Data collection Structures response
Characteristics of a Quantitative approach categories provided
Research Type of data Numbers and
 Objective - seeks accurate collected statistics
measurement and analysis of target Explanation: How,
concepts. Key concepts of How many, Who does
 Clearly defined research question - The methodology what, causal-
researchers know in advance what they explanations
are looking for. Quantitative data
 Structured research instruments - based on precise
Standardized instruments guide data Forms of data measurements using
collection, thus, ensuring the accuracy, collected structured and
reliability, and validity of data. validated data-
 Numerical data - Data are in the form of collection instruments
numbers and statistics. High: The possibilities
 Large sample sizes - To arrive at a Level of of answers are laid out
more reliable data analysis, a normal Structuration for response, low
population distribution curve is flexibility
preferred. Examples of Surveys by mail,
 Replication - Reliable quantitative investigations online, or handout
studies can be repeated to verify or Precision: an exact
General
confirm the correctness of the results in mapping of
approach
another setting, thus strengthen and quantitative variation
reinforce the validity of findings Width: seek
eliminating the possibility of spurious General information about as
conclusions. perspective many quantifiable
 Future outcomes - By using complex units are possible
mathematical calculations and with the Type of data Identify statistical
aid of computers, if-then scenarios may analysis relationships
be formulated thus predicting future Researchers and their
results. Quantitative research biases are known to
emphasizes proof, rather than participants in the
Role of
discovery. study, and participant
researcher
characteristics are
Key Characteristics of Quantitative hidden from the
Research: researchers
Research Quantitative Researchers is an
Researches
Aspect Research uninvolved observer.
independence
To test hypotheses, Results are objective
look at cause and Generalizable findings
Purpose
effect, and make Results that can be applies to
predictions other populations
Samples Large samples and
randomly selected to Strengths of Quantitative
 The most reliable and valid way of population. It may be done in various
concluding results, giving way to a new ways like face-to-face, phone, mail and
hypothesis, or to disproving it. online.
 The use of statistical technique  Causal-Comparative Research - It is
facilitates sophisticated analyses and also known as ex post facto (after the
allows you to comprehend a huge fact) research. It discusses why and
number of vital characteristics of data. how a phenomenon occurs.
 The numerical data can be analyzed in  Experimental Research - This
a quick and easy way. research utilizes specific methods to
 Quantitative studies are replicable. test cause-and-effect relationships
 Quantitative experiments are useful for under conditions controlled by the
testing the results gained by a series of researcher.
qualitative experiments, leading to a  Quasi-Experimental Research - At
final answer, and narrowing down least one variable is manipulated to
possible directions to follow. determine the effect of the
manipulation. Intact, naturally formed
Weaknesses of Quantitative groups are used.
 Quantitative research requires many Variable:
respondents.  It is something that can take on different
 It is costly. values for different subjects in each
 The information contextual factors to research study.
help interpret the results or to explain  Different from a constant (carries the
variations are usually ignored. exact-same value for all subjects in a
 Many information are difficult to gather study)
using structured research instruments, Two Major Types of Variables
specifically on sensitive issues like pre- 1. Qualitative Variable.
marital sex, domestic violence, among  Data values are non-numeric and
others. whose observations vary in kind but
 Researchers must be on the look-out not in degree
for respondents who are just guessing Examples:
in answering the instrument.  Sex (male or female)
 Religion (Roman Catholic, Muslim, etc.)
Kinds of Quantitative Research  Marital status (single, married, legally
 Descriptive Research - This design is separated, divorced, annulled)
concerned with describing the nature,  Nationality
characteristics and components of the 2. Quantitative Variable.
population or phenomenon. There is no  Data values are numerical
manipulation of variables or search for measurements and whose
cause and effect related to the observations vary in magnitude
phenomenon.  Age
 Correlational Research - It is the  Number of children
systematic investigation of the nature of  Income
relationships, or associations between
and among variables without Quantitative Variables can further be
necessarily investigating causal classified as:
reasons underlying them.  Discrete Variables - Quantitative
 Evaluation Research - This kind of variables whose observations can
research aims to assess the effects, assume only a countable number of
impacts or outcomes of practices, values
policies, or programs.  Continuous Variables - Quantitative
 Survey Research - A survey research variables whose observations can
is used to gather information from assume any one of the countless
groups of people by selecting and numbers of values in a line interval.
studying samples chosen from a
  Confounding variable – any
Variable Measurement Scale variable, other than the IV, that is
The measurement scale is an important uncontrolled and allowed to change
part of data collection, analysis, and together with the IV, thereby having
presentation. an unwanted effect on the DV
Types of Variables according to level of inconsistent results. (actual effect)
measurement
 Nominal. Variables whose data values
are non-numeric group labels that do
not reflect quantitative information Why “Problem”? Why not
 Ordinal. Variables where there is a “Introduction”?
meaningful order of categories but there Why the first chapter of a thesis/research
is no measurable distance between the project is labeled as “The Problem” and not
categories “Introduction”.
 Interval. Variables whose data values Two Types of Problems, (Selamat, 2008):
are ranged in a real interval and can be 1. Those whose aim is to increase our
as large as from negative infinity to knowledge.
positive infinity. 2. Those whose aim is to make our life
 Ratio. The highest level of better.
measurement that has all the
characteristics of the interval plus a true Your Research Topic
zero point. Both the difference and the Remember that your research topic can
ratio of two variables are meaningful only emerge after a “detailed and insightful
analysis of the research the problem”
(KamlaRaj, 2009).

Three Components of a Research Topic

 The Dependent Variable (Problem
Variable)
 The Independent Variable (Influence
Variable)
 The Population under Study
Types of Variables for purposes of ANALYSIS OF PROBLEM:
research Contributory factors should be identified
Independent Variable Dependent (either by literature reviews or
Variable experiences).
-Cause/determine/ -Presumed There can be many independent variables
influence the outcome of the influencing the dependent variables. (Focus
dependent variable influence on bivariate analysis)
-Predictor variable -Outcome Writing the (Working) Title
-Cause variable Characteristics of a good research title,
-Effect according to Lipton (1998):
 Informative/Specific
 Accurate/Truthful
Extraneous and Confounding Variable
 Clear
 Extraneous variable – any variable,  Concise
other than the IV, that can cause a  Attention commanding
change in the DV and therefore Why Choose a Good (Working) Title?
affect the results of an experiment According to the African Institute of
in an unwanted way. An extraneous Research and Development (2012), the
variable may become a title:
confounding variable. (potential  serves as the eye of research.
effect)
 name of someone’s work involving
personal research, written as a part of
your degree.
 is diagnosed by readers; whether a
good or a bad one.