Republic of the Philippines

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

PHILIPPINE ENGINEERING AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE, INC.
Datu Gonsi Street, Brgy. Lomidong, Marawi City 9700 S.Y. 2021-2022

CHAPTER 1. Meaning and Characteristics of Research

I. Lesson Overview

Research has been an essential part of our lives ever since. Innovations in technology,
appliances, devices, landscapes, and other things that made our lives easier are products of
long and arduous process of research. Oftentimes, we overlooked the contribution of
research because of its laborious nature. But we can’t deny the fact that without research,
our civilization will remain stagnant.
In this lesson, we’ll get to understand the meaning and characteristics of research as
the foundation of your thesis proposal. Familiarizing the basic elements of research will help
you craft your study easier.
II. Lesson Proper
Meaning of Research

Research is defined as the scientific investigation of phenomena which includes

collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of facts that links an individual's
speculation with reality. In other words, research is the systematic study of trend or event
which involves careful collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of quantitative
data or facts that relates man's thinking with reality.

Characteristics of Research

There are seven characteristics of research. These are (1) empirical, (2) logical, (3) cyclical,
(4) analytical, (5) critical, (6) methodical, and (7) replicability.

1. Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher. The

collection of data relies on practical experience without giving consideration to scientific
knowledge or theory

2. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles. Scientific study is done in
an orderly manner so that the investigator has confidence on the results. Systematic
examination of the procedures used in the research enables the investigator to draw valid
conclusions. Thus, the logic of valid research makes it important for decision making. For
instance, the study is "Weight-Length Relationship of Prawn Cultured in Fishpond Using
Pellets and Bread Meal as Feeds." If the correlation value obtained is 0.91, very high
 Republic of the Philippines
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
PHILIPPINE ENGINEERING AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE, INC.
Datu Gonsi Street, Brgy. Lomidong, Marawi City 9700 S.Y. 2021-2022

relationship, then the researcher can draw valid conclusion that the heavier the weight of
prawn, the longer is the length or as the weight increases, the length also increases.

Another example, if the study is "Academic Achievement of Senior Teacher Education

Students in Public and Private Universities in Region 6 (Western Visayas). If the results
showed no significant difference on the academic achievement of senior teacher education
students in public and private universities, thus, the researcher can draw valid conclusion
that academic achievement of senior teacher education students in public and private
universities are almost the same.

On the other hand, if significant difference existed, hence academic achievement of

senior teacher education students in public and private universities really differ with each
other. One is better than the other; either students from public or private universities have
better academic achievement. Thus, research is logical

3. Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process because it starts with a problem and ends with a
problem. For instance, an investigator who completes his study states his findings and draws
up his conclusions and recommendations. ln his recommendations, several studies may be
conducted, hence, research is cyclical. For example, his study is "Luncheon Meat from Bone
Meal of Milkfish and Goatfish as Offal of Boneless Milkfish and Goatfish Tapa." His
recommendations are as follows: (1) Another study on utilization of bone meal from siganid
and sardines as offal of boneless siganid and canned sardines should be conducted; (2)
nutritive values of luncheon meat from bone meal of milkfish and goatfish should be
conducted; (3) another study should be conducted on commercial and fish bone meal
luncheon meat; (4) utilization and commercialization of fish bone meal luncheon meat and
its shelf-life should be conducted and many others. From these recommendations, there are
four possible researches to be conducted, hence, research is cyclical.

4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data, whether
historical, descriptive, experimental, and case study. In historical research, the data gathered
focus in the past; in descriptive research, the study focuses on the present situation;
experimental, future; and case study, past, present, and future.

Descriptive research is most common among the four research designs conducted by
graduate students. Experimental research is seldom applied by graduate students due to
time consuming. But this design is encouraged to be conducted by experts in research. Due
to the expected return of investment (ROI), the research budget must not be exhausted. In
 Republic of the Philippines
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
PHILIPPINE ENGINEERING AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE, INC.
Datu Gonsi Street, Brgy. Lomidong, Marawi City 9700 S.Y. 2021-2022

other words, INVEST-HARVEST principle is applied. If a researcher invests or spends money

in research, he has to harvest or gain money to have return of investment. Commercialization
of research output must be done by the researcher. However, historical research is least
conducted by researchers, but case study method is commonly conducted by guidance
counselors.

5. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment. A higher level of confidence must
be established. For instance, 1.0 percent or 5.0 percent level of confidence may be
scientifically utilized to test the research hypothesis. Based on these levels of confidence, the
investigator is confidently precise in his interpretations on whether the results are
significant or insignificant, or whether to reject or accept the null hypothesis.

6. Methodical. Research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using systematic

method and procedures. For instance, if the researcher's study is experimental research with

two variables, control and experimental groups or two experimental groups, hence, he uses
two-group design; if three or more variables, parallel-group design. If the study is "The
Effectiveness of Teaching English to Grade Three Pupils Using Rhetoric and Content-Based
Approaches, two-group design is appropriate because there are two variables, namely,
rhetoric approach and content-based approach. And the most appropriate statistical tool to
be used is t-test because t-test is applicable to bivariate experimental design If the study has
three or more variables, for instance, "Acceptability, Salability, Profitability and Nutritive
Values of Luncheon Meat from Bone Meal of Milkfish, Goatfish, Siganid, and Sardines,"
parallel-group design is appropriate because there are four variables. These variables are
bone meal luncheon meat from milkfish, goatfish, siganid, and sardines. F-test or analysis of
variance is the appropriate statistical tool used because this is applicable to multivariate
experimental design Hence, research is methodical.

7. Replicability. The research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to enable
the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results, Similarities and differences of
replicated researches can be compared. The more replications of researches, the more valid
and conclusive results would be. Replicability of the study means using the same instrument,
method, and procedure but to different subjects and venue. For instance, if the subjects of
the previous study were grade three pupils in public schools in Metro Manila, but the
subjects of the present study is different, it can be grade three pupils from public schools in
Iloilo City.
 Republic of the Philippines
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
PHILIPPINE ENGINEERING AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE, INC.
Datu Gonsi Street, Brgy. Lomidong, Marawi City 9700 S.Y. 2021-2022

Qualities of a Good Researcher

There are 10 qualities of a good researcher, these qualities are (1) research-oriented,
(2) efficient, (3) scientific, (4) effective, (5) active, (6) resourceful, (7) creative, (8) honest,
(9) economical, and (10) religious.

The 10 qualities of a good researcher has the acronym RESEARCHER. A researcher

who possesses these qualities is the kind of investigator the government needs because he
can respond to the socioeconomic development of the country and can compete globally.

Characteristics of the Researcher

There are five characteristics of a researcher. These are (1) intellectual curiosity, (2)
prudence, (3) healthy criticism, (4) intellectual honesty, and (5) intellectual creativity.

1. Intellectual curiosity. A researcher undertakes deep thinking and inquiry of the things,
problems, and situations around him. He is keen to get information on these problems and
situation often due to unusualness and newness. He raises questions to answer, continues to
read the related literature and studies, makes use of his experiences, and exercises his
creativeness and inventiveness. When the problem he confronts become clear, he formulates
and tests hypotheses on them. The hypotheses may be rejected or accepted, depending on
his analysis of the data and information he gathers.

For instance, the hypothesis is There is no significant difference on the effectiveness

of teaching English to grade three pupils using rhetoric and content-based approaches. Using
t-test, if the results show significant difference on the effectiveness of teaching English to
Grade three pupils using rhetoric and content-based approaches, the hypothesis is rejected.
If no significant difference exists, the hypothesis is accepted.

Another example, due to intellectual curiosity, the researcher is curious to utilize fish
bone meal as offal of boneless milkfish, goatfish tapa, boneless siganid and canned sardines
into value added products, for instance, burger. These fish offals are only thrown, causing
polllution to the environment or are either eaten by cats or dogs. He formulates the
hypothesis "There is no significant difference on the acceptability of fish burger from fish
bone meal of milkfish, goatfish, siganid, and sardines." Using F-test or analysis of variance, if
the results show significant difference on the acceptability of fish burger from fish bone meal
of milkfish, goatfish, siganid, and sardines, the hypothesis is rejected. If no significant
difference exists, the hypothesis is accepted.
 Republic of the Philippines
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
PHILIPPINE ENGINEERING AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE, INC.
Datu Gonsi Street, Brgy. Lomidong, Marawi City 9700 S.Y. 2021-2022

2. Prudence. The researcher is careful to conduct his research study at the right time and at
the right place wisely, efficiently, and economically. In other words, he does the right thing
at the right time. Likewise, he uses the 7 Ms (Manpower, Money, Materials, Method,

Machinery, Moment of Time, and Marketing) in conducting research efficiently and

economically.

3. Healthy criticism. The researcher is always doubtful as to the truthfulness of the results.
Normally, the investigator always doubts the authenticity or validity of his findings even if
the data are gathered honestly. For instance, the researcher administers the questionnaires
to the subjects of the study. He doubts if the subjects answer correctly the items. By and large,
there are subjects who do not read the items anymore but they just encircle or check the
items especially if the researcher is in hurry to retrieve the questionnaires. Hence, the
researcher is always doubtful as to the veracity of the results.

4. Intellectual honesty. An intelligent researcher is honest to collect or gather data or facts

in order to arrive at honest results. Honesty is the best policy of the researcher. The success
or failure of his research lies on his hand.

5. Intellectual creativity. A productive and resourceful investigator always creates new

researches. He enjoys inventing unique, novel and original researches, and considers
research as his hobby. In other words, a creative researcher is also innovative. For instance,
the problem in the locality is fish wastes pollution due to exportation of boneless milkfish,
fish fillets, and canned sardines. Due to the bulk of these fish wastes, they are only thrown
here and there. Since an intelligent researcher is creative, these fish wastes are no longer
thrown but are utilized into value added products such as burger, luncheon meat, polvoron,
spread, soup, embotido, fish balls, sausage, quekiam, meat loaf, and many others.

Man's Major Needs and Problems Demand Research

Research is sometimes thought to be concerned only with the physical phenomena

that man cannot do away with these things because the physical phenomena have domain
properly emphasized on material causes and effects. It is true the material factors are the
bases which affect man's life because men are more materialistic than idealistic. However,
man has to balance his spiritual and material gifts. If spiritual and material services should
go hand in hand, research can be smoothly conducted.
 Republic of the Philippines
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
PHILIPPINE ENGINEERING AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE, INC.
Datu Gonsi Street, Brgy. Lomidong, Marawi City 9700 S.Y. 2021-2022

Before research can be conducted, it must be understood. But before one can
understand, one must learn, must love to work with enthusiasm If man understands, learns,
loves to work with interest and does research, progress become8 possible because research
is a contributing factor of progress. It moves such progress towards goals. Sometimes crises
occur in conducting research, and one may have to sacrifice and face the difficulties because
success in research is sweet if spiced with sacrifice.

Man's major needs and problems which demand research include how to reduce his
burden of work, how to relieve suffering, and how to increase satisfaction in fulfilling his
needs, cravings, and aspirations. For instance, man suffers in communicating with his friends
and relatives here and abroad. To solve this need and problem, an investigator conducts
research on modern communication such as cellular phones, internet, fax machines,
telephones, and many others for easy communication and even make instant communication
over long distance.

Other examples of man's needs and problems where products of research are born are as
follows:

1. A century ago, rural folks merely used coconut oil amp to lighten their houses until
electricity was invented and used to provide light and other conveniences.

2. Before, only typewriters and mimeographing machines were used as duplicating facilities,
but now new improved duplicating facilities are invented like copier machines, printers,
scanners, and many others.

3. Five decades ago, businessmen, engineers, accountants, and many others found difficulty
in computing so cellular phones, computers, calculators, adding machines and many others
were invented to solve this need and problem.

4. Four decades ago, people found difficulty in hand washing their clothes’, thus, washing
machine was born to solve this need and problem.

5. Five decades ago, people found difficulty in cooking rice and heating the left-over. Hence,
rice cooker and microwave oven were invented to provide for this need and problem.

6. Elevators and escalators are products of research due to man’s difficulty in going to
different floors of the building.
 Republic of the Philippines
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
PHILIPPINE ENGINEERING AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE, INC.
Datu Gonsi Street, Brgy. Lomidong, Marawi City 9700 S.Y. 2021-2022

7. During leisure time, man finds difficulty in singing because he cannot memorize the lyrics,
and now video, karaoke and many others are invented to provide for this need.

8. Airplanes, ships, buses, jeepneys, automobiles, vans and many others are products of
research for easy transportation.

9. Refrigerators and freezers are products of research to keep food for longer period of time
and minimize effort in going to the supermarket everyday.

10. In Metro Manila, Philippines, employees, teachers, students, businessmen and many
others find difficulty in commuting everyday due to heavy traffic, hence, fly over and LRT
(Light Rail Transit) were constructed to ease the problem.