Practical Research 1 Reviewer

Research – scientific investigation of phenomena which includes collection, presentation, analysis and
interpretation of facts that lines and individual’s speculation with reality.

Characteristics of Research
Systematic – as there are interrelated steps or procedures a researcher has to observe in solving a
problem.
Objective – it is not based on guesswork. This is because empirical data have to be gathered by the
researcher before making any conclusion proposing any solution to an identified difficulty or problem.
Comprehensive – if a researcher is serious about understanding a phenomenon, he has to examine and
analyze all its aspects or angles before making a generalization or conclusion.
Critical – this means that procedures employed by the researcher must be able to withstand critical
scrutiny by other researchers.
Rigorous – as procedures to be followed in solving a problem should be relevant, appropriate, justified,
and strictly observed.
Valid – whenever a researcher formulates conclusions, these are based on actual findings.
Verifiable – as other researchers can check on the correctness of its results by replicating the study, based
on the methods and procedures employed by the researcher.
Empirical – as generalization drawn by a researcher is rooted upon hard evidence gathered from
information collected from real life experiences or observations.

Characteristics of a Good Researcher

Honesty – the one who reports all the information gathered on the topic being investigated.
Skepticism – one should always adapt questioning mind regard to the truthfulness of the method, results,
and interpretation of the data gathered. At every step of the research process, the search for truth prevails.
Openness to criticism – is one who is open for suggestions of others to improve their methodology,
findings, and analysis.
Creative imagination – important attribute of a researcher as it enables one to package the most
appropriate combination of approaches and methodologies for gathering information.
Resourcefulness – is one who explores many sources of information.
Logical mind – to be logical is to be able to apply sound reasoning to arguments raised in the conduct of
research.
Patience – it takes patience to be able to go through the several processes of research.
Ethics – is defined as rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad. It deals with
what society think is right and wrong in particular situation.
Ethical Consideration in Conducting a Research
1. Voluntary participation.
2. No harm to the respondents.
3. Anonymity
4. Confidentiality
Processes of Research
Idea-Generating Phase - research begins with an idea in which the researcher has interest. In this phase,
the researcher has to identify topics that interests him most, justify why a study on a particular topic is
needed. Once a topic of interest is already identified, the researcher has to start reading articles and books,
converse with people who are knowledgeable in the area and begin thinking about it.
Problem-Definition Phase - A phase where the researcher has to refine the ideas generated in the first
phase. It involves the following activities: identification and definition of the variables to be studied;
development of the conceptual and theoretical framework; the formulation of the major and specific
problems and the formulation of hypothesis.
Procedures-Design Phase - it includes the following activities: decision on what research methodology
to employ; selection of research participants; development and validation of data gathering tools;
specification of the procedures to be observed in the actual collection of data and planning the analysis of
data gathered.
Data-Collection Phase - It involves data gathering from the subjects of the study. In this phase, the
procedures devised in the previous phase are rigorously implemented.
Data-Analysis Phase - Data previously collected are recorded, coded, are tabulated. These data are
analyzed based on the researcher's data analysis plan. Through analysis, a researcher can do the
following:
- describe the data clearly
- identify what is typical or atypical among data
- bring to light differences, relationships and other patterns existent in the data
- answer research questions or test hypotheses Appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques
and procedures are then applied to such data.
Interpretation Phase - In this phase, the researcher continues to make sense out of the analyzed data.
This goes simultaneously with analysis of data.
Communication Phase - The researcher has to prepare a written or oral report of the study conducted,
either for publication or presentation to colleagues or a panel of experts. A research undertaking does not
contribute to the fund of knowledge if it is not shared with the public.

Types of Research
1. Based on Application of Research Method
a. Pure Research- it deals with concepts, principles, or abstract things. It aims to increase your
knowledge about something.
 b. Applied Research- apply the chosen research to societal problems or issues, finding ways to
make positive changes in society.

2. Based on Purpose of the Research

a. Descriptive Research- aims at defining or giving a verbal portrayal or picture of a person, event,
group, situation, etc.
b. Correlational Research- shows relationships or connectedness of two factors, circumstances, or
agents called variables that affect the research.
-concerned in indicating the existence of a relationship, not the cause and ways of the
development of such relationship.
c. Explanatory Research- it elaborates or explains not just the reasons behind the relationship of
two factors, but also the ways by which such relationship exists.
d. Exploratory Research- its purpose is to find out how reasonable or possible it is to conduct
research study on a certain topic. Here you will discover ideas on topics that could trigger your
interest in conducting research studies.
e. Action Research- studies an ongoing practice of a school, organization, community, or
institution for the purpose of obtaining results that will bring improvements in the systems.
3. Based on Types of Data Needed
a. 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.
b. Quantitative Research- involves measurement of data.
4. Data in Research may either be:
a. Primary data- obtained through direct observation or contact with people, objects, artifacts,
painting and etc. -new and original information resulting from your sensory experience.
b. Secondary data- data that have been written about or reported on and are available for reading.

Approaches to Research
1. Scientific/Positive Approach- an approach in which you discover and measure information as well as
observe and control variables in an impersonal manner.
- it allows control of variables.
- appropriate data gathering techniques are structured interviews, questionnaire, and
observational checklist. data gathered are numbers so this method is suitable for
quantitative research.
2. Naturalistic Approach- uses words and directs you to deal with qualitative data that speak of how
people behave toward their surroundings.
3. Triangulation Approach- combination of scientific and naturalistic approach.
 - 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.
- gives you the opportunity to view every angle of the research from different perspectives.

Types of Qualitative Research

1. Phenomenology - "Phenomenon" something known through sensory experience.
- study of how people find their experiences meaningful.
- its primary goal is to make people understand their experiences about death of love ones, care for
handicapped persons, friendliness of people and etc.
2. Ethnography- the study of a particular cultural group to get a clear understanding of its organizational
set-up, internal operation, and lifestyle.
- -A particular group reveals the nature or characteristics of their own culture through the world
perceptions of cultural group's members.
3. Content and Discourse Analysis
- Content Analysis is a method of qualitative research that requires an analysis or examination of
the substance or content of the mode of communication used by a person, group, organization, or
any institution in communicating.
- a study of language structures used in the medium of communication to discover the effects of
sociological, cultural, institutional, and ideological factors on the content makes it discourse
analysis
4. Historical Analysis- examination of primary documents to make you understand the connection of
past events to the present time.
5. Grounded theory- takes place when you discover a new theory to underlie your study at the time of
data collection and analysis.
- -through your observation on your subjects, you will happen to find a theory that applies to your
current study.
- Interview, observation, and documentary analysis are the data gathering techniques.
6. Case Study- usually takes place in the field of social care, nursing, psychology, rehabilitation centers,
education, etc.
- involve a long-time study of a person, group, organization, or situation.
- finding the reason/s behind such occurrence drives you to also delve into relationships of people
related to the case under study.
- Interviews, questionnaires, observations, and documentary analysis are used in case study.

Identifying Respondents
Sample- the chosen one which you will derive facts and evidence to support the claims or conclusions
propounded by your research problem.
Population- the bigger group from where you choose sample
Sampling Frame- is the term used to mean the list of the members of such population from where you
will get the sample.

Types of Probability Sampling

1. Simple random sampling- best probability sampling through which you can choose sample fom
a population. Using a pure chance selection, you assure every member the same opportunity to be
in the sample.
2. Systematic Sampling- chance and system are the ones to determine who should compose the
sample. Example if you have sample of 150, you may select a set of numbers like 1-15, and out
of a list of 1500 students take every 15th name on the list until you complete the total sample.
3. Stratified sampling- the group comprising the sample is chosen in a way that such group is
liable to subdivision during the data analysis stage. A study needing group by group analysis
finds stratified sampling the right probability sampling to use.
4. Cluster Sampling- sampling that makes you isolate a set of persons instead of individual
members to serve as sample members.
Non-Probability Sampling
- disregards random selection of subjects.
- The subjects are chosen based on their availability or the purpose of the study, and in some cases,
on the sole discretion of the researcher.
Types of Non-Probability Sampling
1. Quota Sampling- you resort to quota sampling when you think you know the characteristics of
the target population very well.
2. Voluntary Sampling
3. Purposive or Judgmental Sampling- you choose people whom you are sure could correspond to
the objectives of your study.
4. Availability Sampling
5. Snowball Sampling- Similar to snow expanding widely or rolling rapidly, this sampling method
does not give a specific set of samples. This is true for a study involving unspecified group of
people. Dealing with varied groups of people such as street children, mendicants, drug
dependents, call center and etc. Free to obtain data from any group of people.

Gathering Data
Observation- technique of gathering data whereby you personally watch, interact or communicate with
the subject of your research.
 - central method in qualitative research types of research, most especially ethnography in which
you observe the lifestyle of a certain group.
Methods of Observation
1. Direct Observation- makes you see or listen to everything that happens in the area of
observation.
Interview- data gathering technique that makes you verbally ask the subjects or respondents questions to
give answers to what your research study is trying to look for.
Approaches of Interview
1. Individual Interview-one on one interview
2. Group Interview/ focused group interview
3. Mediated Interview- no face to face interview is true in this interview approach because they
take place through electronic devices.
a. Synchronous mediated interview- interview is done in the telephone, mobile phone,
or online chat and also find time to see each other.
b. Asynchronous mediated interview- if 2 persons are interviewed at a different time
through internet.