PRACTICAL RESEARCH

The Research Process

 Research process is a systematic manner in which the researcher

approaches his/her area of study to produce knowledge that the
community will consider to be worthwhile within the field (Rao,
2017). Understanding such process is an important step towards
executing any study. The following table shows the five phases of
the research process along with their definition (Whittemore &
Melkus, 2008).
 The Research Process
Research Phase Definition
Conceptual Phase Identifying the problem, reviewing the literature,
formulating the hypothesis, developing the research
framework, and determining the research purpose and
objective

Design and Selecting a research design, developing study procedures,

Planning Phase and determining the sampling and data collection plan
Empirical Phase Collecting data, and preparing data for analysis
Analytic Phase Analyzing data, interpreting the results, and making
conclusions
Dissemination Communicating results to appropriate audience, and
Phase utilizing the findings
 Now, here’s the simplified flow of the significant steps you need to take in
conducting a study as presented by Rao (2017):
 1. Define the research problem. To begin your research, you must look at a
significant real-life problem. Factors like area of interest, availability of fund,
socio-economic significance of the study, and the safety measures to be
undertaken should be considered in finding and defining the research problem.
The researcher identifies English language proficiency as a problem of aspiring
maritime students in qualifying for admission to prestigious maritime
institutions.
 2. Review the literature. Read various publications or surf the internet to
become aware of the previous works already done about the chosen topic. You
may utilize different resources like science books, magazines, journals,
newspapers, or even in the internet. The researcher reviews previous studies
conducted about English language proficiency and the experienced difficulties of
aspiring maritime students.
 Now, here’s the simplified flow of the significant steps you need to take in
conducting a study as presented by Rao (2017):
 3. Formulate hypothesis. A hypothesis is a theoretical statement in solving a
logical relationship between variables. It should be based on the problem being
solved. The researcher hypothesizes that the implementation of English-Only
Policy (EOP) in the classroom can improve the English language proficiency of
Pre-Baccalaureate Maritime students in the classroom can improve the English
language proficiency of Pre-Baccalaureate Maritime students.

 4. Prepare the research design. Identify what is the best means to collect and
analyze data in the study to clarify and improve the research problem, purpose,
and questions. The researcher uses an experimental design on exploring the
experiences of the students in implementing EOP
 Now, here’s the simplified flow of the significant steps you need to take in
conducting a study as presented by Rao (2017):
 5. Collect data. Use an appropriate data collection method to elicit the needed
information. The researcher collects data through interview and focus group
discussion.

 6. Analyze data. Utilize strategies and methods that make sense of the data to
answer the research problem. The researcher analyzes the data by drawing
patterns and themes from the generated data.

 7. Interpret and report the findings. Put the information in perspective and
present the solution to the proposed problem based on the findings of the
investigation. The researcher interprets and reports the findings based on the
collected and analyzed data to solve the research problem .
 For a clearer understanding of the process, study the following
schematic diagram:

Prepare Interpret
Define the
Review the Formulate the Collect Analyze and report
research
literature hypothesis research data data the
problem
design findings
 Performance Task

 Think of a topic that you’d like to research about. Then, compose a short narrative essay
describing the chronological steps you will take in conducting your study. Be guided with the
given rubric below. Write your essay on your notebook.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
 Rubric for Assessing an Essay

VGE GE SE LE N
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)
CRITERIA

1. The essay demonstrates an understanding of the research process.

2. The essay descriptively narrates the chronological steps in conducting a study based on the chosen
topic.

3. The essay follows the correct format.

4. The essay is written coherently and cohesively.

5. The word choice is appropriate.

6. The essay is free from grammatical errors.

TOTAL
OVERALL SCORE /30

Legend:
VGE – To a very great extent
GE – To a great extent
SE – To some extent
LE – To a little extent
N – Not at all
 Read and analyze the following article comprehensively. This will serve as an eyeopener for you to realize
the importance of ethics in research.

Thousands of Indians Die in Unethical Clinical Trials

(Subramanian, 2018)

Thousands of Indians have died in unethical clinical trials over the past decade, even as a lawsuit
to improve regulation of these trials has dragged unresolved through the Supreme Court for six
years.

Between January 2005 and November 2017, 4,967 people died during the course of drug trials and
research, according to government data obtained by a non-profit called Swasthya Adhikar Manch
(SAM). Another 20,000 odd people have suffered adverse reactions in such trials.

Pharmaceutical companies have offered compensation to the families of the deceased only in 187 of
these cases, said Amulya Nidhi, who founded SAM. At least 475 drugs have been tested in trials
during this time, according to Sanjay Parikh, the lawyer representing SAM in the lawsuit it filed
against the government in 2012.
The trials take advantage of loopholes in rules, loose oversight, and India’s large population
of poor people who are often unaware of their rights as trial subjects, Mr.
Nidhi said. “We need a strong regulatory system, and we need action on violators.”

The number of clinical trials in India rose after 2005, when India relaxed its testing laws.
Drug companies began to recruit clinical research outsourcing firms to conduct trials in
India, where costs are drastically lower.

The annual revenue of these outsourcing firms has grown from $485 million in 201011 to
over $1 billion today, according to research from Frost & Sullivan, a market consultancy.

India’s regulators have been unable to keep up with this explosion of testing. For instance,
Mr. Nidhi said, an ethics committee is supposed to oversee every trial. “At one point, in
Chandigarh, there were 257 trials going on, but only one ethics committee overseeing them,”
he said. “How is that even possible?”

Trials take place under the radar as well, Mr. Parikh said, sometimes by simply paying poor
subjects around 500 rupees a day and enlisting them. The details of the trials and the data
harvested remain with the companies. “There’s no way to find this stuff out.”
In 2013, following an interim order from the Supreme Court, the government made it mandatory for companies
to seek written informed consent from each subject before a trial, and for the process of seeking this consent to
be recorded on video.

In reality, however, this rarely happens. What is more commonplace, Mr. Nidhi said, is the kind of experience
Pradeep Gehlot had. His story, as narrated to SAM, forms part of the non-profit’s case in court.

Mr. Gehlot drives an auto rickshaw in the city of Indore, and when his father Srikrishna, a tailor, fell ill with
breathlessness and chest pain, he admitted him to a government hospital.

In the hospital, Mr. Gehlot was given a sheaf of papers to sign. They were in English, which he couldn’t read
very well, but the doctors told him that his father would be treated, free of charge, with imported drugs, so Mr.
Gehlot went ahead and signed.

“Without his consent, Srikrishna was in a clinical trial for nearly two years,” Mr. Nidhi said. “His health started
deteriorating, and he died in 2012.”

When SAM heard about the case and sent a team to talk to Mr. Gehlot, they confirmed from the documents that
a trial had been conducted.

After Mr. Gehlot complained, the doctor’s medical license was suspended for three months. SAM uncovered
other cases of ethical violations in a different Indore hospital and filed further complaints.
The state government, after investigating the hospital, found that 81 “serious adverse events”—including 32
deaths—occurred during clinical trials on more than 3,000 people. These adverse events had not previously been
reported to regulators. A third Indore hospital enlisted 1,833 children and 233 mentally ill individuals in trials
without their consent, the investigators’ report found.

The report also suggested that doctors and clinicians running these trials had frequently been sent on trips
overseas, or had been paid out of process, by pharmaceutical companies.

Punitive measures are weak, however. After its inquiry, the government imposed fines of $100 apiece on 12
doctors for not cooperating with its investigations. Two doctors were barred from conducting further trials for a
period of six months.

But Chirag Trivedi, the president of the Indian Society for Clinical Research, a professional body representing
pharmaceutical researchers, argued that the country’s rules are actually over-stringent, and that they have shrunk
the number of ongoing trials.

One regulation, for example, calls for companies to also pay for management of all medical problems during
trials, which is unfair, he said.
“There was a cardiovascular drug trial, which is for a heart ailment, where the company had to pay for
tuberculosis treatment for nine months,” Mr. Trivedi said. “We all know that tuberculosis is caused by bacteria,
not by any drug, and not by a clinical trial for a heart ailment.”

In every case that has warranted compensation, companies have paid out, he said. Mr. Trivedi admitted that, “as
in any industry,” there were companies that indulged in unethical trials as well. “We cannot condone any
irregularities,” he said. “Whatever protects the rights and safety of individuals, we will support such that. Every
life is precious. We can’t treat Indians as guinea pigs.”

He also pointed out that clinical trials are vital to drug development. “The medicines that help you and me—they
wouldn’t be available without trials.”

The next hearing of SAM’s lawsuit in the Supreme Court has been scheduled for December 4, but all parties to
the suit have been asked to file their suggestions for an amended law next month, Mr. Nidhi said.

But the regulations before 2005 were both sufficient and comprehensive, Mr. Nidhi said. “Bring back the law
that existed before 2005. That is what we are asking.”
 Importance of Ethics in Research

1. It promotes the aims of research.

Ethics guides the researchers in obtaining knowledge, truth, and avoidance of
error by prohibiting fabrication, falsification and misrepresentation of research
data.

2. It upholds values that are essential to collaborative work.

Many researchers who are working in different disciplines and institutions
cooperate and coordinate to accomplish a particular research. With ethics in
mind, they also maintain trust, accountability, mutual respect, and fairness.

3. It ensures that researchers can be held accountable to the public.

Ethical norms guarantee the public that researchers are deemed responsible for
committing any form of research misconduct.
 Importance of Ethics in Research

3. It builds public support for research.

People express and lend their support by all means if they can trust the
quality and integrity of research.

4. It promotes a variety of moral and social values.

Ethical principles help the researcher avoid practices that can adversely
harm the research subjects and the community. Thus, it encourages social
responsibility, human rights, animal welfare, compliance with the law, and
public health and safety.
 Ethical Codes and Policies for Research
Cristobal & Cristobal (2017), in their book, “Practical Research 1 for Senior
High School”, lists the following ethical codes and policies that the researcher
needs to consider in conducting a study:

1. Honesty
The researcher should strive to truthfully report data in whatever form of
communication all throughout the study.

2. Objectivity
The researcher should avoid being biased. The study should not be influenced by
his/her personal motives, beliefs and opinions.

3. Integrity
The researcher should establish credibility through the consistency of his/her
thought and action. He/she should act with sincerity especially on keeping
agreements.
 Ethical Codes and Policies for Research
4. Care
The researcher should never neglect even the smallest detail of the study. All
information should be critically examined. Records of research activities should be
properly and securely kept.

5. Openness
The researcher should be willing to accept criticisms and new ideas for the betterment
of the study. Research results and findings should be shared to the public.

6. Respect for intellectual property

The researcher should not plagiarize. Credit should be given to who or where it is due.
All authors cited and sources used in the study should be properly acknowledged.
- Plagiarism refers to the act of illegally using another person’s ideas, works, processes,
and results. Thus, it constitutes claiming an intellectual property as one’s own that can
be penalized through Republic Act 8293 known as the Intellectual Property Code of
the Philippines.
 Ethical Codes and Policies for Research
7. Confidentiality
The researcher should take steps to protect all confidential communications or
documents from being discovered by others.

8. Responsible publication
The researcher should ensure that his/her work is clear, honest, complete,
accurate, and balanced, thus avoiding wasteful and duplicate publication. It
should likewise refrain from selective, misleading, or ambiguous reporting.

9. Responsible mentoring
The researcher should teach responsible conduct of research and share
professional knowledge and skills especially to new or lessexperienced
researchers.

10. Respect for colleagues

The researcher should show courtesy to his/her colleagues by treating them
equally and fairly.
 Ethical Codes and Policies for Research
11. Social responsibility
The researcher should promote social good by working for the best interests and
benefits of the environment and society as a whole.

12. Non-discrimination
The researcher should not discriminate based on sex, race, ethnicity, or any factor
relating to scientific competence and integrity. Thus, research should be open to all
people or entities who will participate in research.

13. Competence
The researcher should possess necessary knowledge and skills in conducting a
study. He/she should be equipped with a sense of professionalism and expertise to
ensure competent results.
 Ethical Codes and Policies for Research

14. Legality
The researcher should know and abide by relevant laws, institutional and
government policies concerning the legal conduct of research.

15. Human Subject Protection

The researcher should protect human lives by preventing and minimizing harms and
risks. He/she should always uphold the human dignity, privacy, and autonomy of
human subjects to be used in the study.
 Rights of Research Participants
In every aspect of life, rights and responsibilities are inseparably linked to one another.
This means that both the researcher and the participant have necessary obligations to
perform as a prerequisite of their privileges in conducting research. According to Trochim
(2006), Smith (2003) and Polit (2006), the following are some of the rights of research
participants, as cited by Cristobal & Cristobal (2017):
1. Voluntary participation
The research participants must be given the privilege to exercise their free
will whether to participate or not. They have the right to refuse involvement in
the study. Thus, any person should not be forced to take part in any research
undertaking.

2. Informed consent
The research participants must be provided with sufficient information
about the procedures and risks involved in the research. It serves as an initial
guide on why and how the study will be conducted. Hence, the researcher must
ensure that they fully understood and agreed upon the study.
 Lesson Research 1
Quantitative and Qualitative

In the previous lessons, you were oriented with the characteristics, processes, and ethics of
research. Aside from them, you also need to know the two broad categories of research. They can
be identified by the type of methodology used such as quantitative and qualitative. The research
method determines the way on how the researcher will identify, collect, and analyze relevant data
for his/her research. As a student researcher, choosing either qualitative or quantitative research
will affect the components of your study. Hence, you need to recognize the similarities and
differences between them.
 Lesson Research 1
Quantitative and Qualitative
What’s In
Create different interesting questions that you wonder about. Start with the following interrogative pronouns.
Write your answers on your notebook.

1. Who _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. What _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. When _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
 Lesson Research 1
Quantitative and Qualitative
What’s In

4. Where _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. Why _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
6. How _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
(Cristobal & Cristobal, 2017)
There are two broad categories of research methodology: quantitative research and qualitative
research. The method to be used in conducting a research will determine the approach the
researcher takes in identifying relevant data, and collecting and analyzing the information
gathered in the research. Choosing either a quantitative or qualitative approach will affect the
components of the research. For instance, a researcher may decide to undertake a scientific
research. If he/she takes a quantitative approach, he/she will use statistical data to provide an
explanation of the phenomenon. On the other hand, if the researcher chooses qualitative
approach, the goal of the study will be to discuss and analyze the underlying concepts and
theories related to the research topic.
 For you to easily understand the similarities and differences between
the two research methods, here is a short definition of terms that you
have to be familiar with.
• contact time – the period when the researcher interacts with the research subjects or participants to obtain relevant
information
• hypothesis – a statement usually predicting the relationship between variables that can be tested by scientific research
• outlier – a statistical observation in a set of data that is inconsistent with the majority of the data
• output replicability – capable of repetition, imitation or reproduction
• research instrument – a measurement tool designed to obtain, measure and analyze data from research subjects around the
research topic
• sample size – the number of subjects to be taken from the target population of the study
• trend – an assumed development in the future that will have a long-term and lasting effect; prevailing style or preference
• validity – the functional quality of research instrument on obtaining data and producing results based on the purpose of
the study
• variable – any characteristic that can have different values or traits that may vary across research participants 6
 Now, study the following table cited by Cristobal & Cristobal (2017) from
the Social Science Research Extension Institute (SSREI), University of the
Philippines (UP)-Baguio (2009).
• contact time – the period when the researcher interacts with the research subjects or participants to obtain relevant
information
• hypothesis – a statement usually predicting the relationship between variables that can be tested by scientific research
• outlier – a statistical observation in a set of data that is inconsistent with the majority of the data
• output replicability – capable of repetition, imitation or reproduction
• research instrument – a measurement tool designed to obtain, measure and analyze data from research subjects around the
research topic
• sample size – the number of subjects to be taken from the target population of the study
• trend – an assumed development in the future that will have a long-term and lasting effect; prevailing style or preference
• validity – the functional quality of research instrument on obtaining data and producing results based on the purpose of
the study
• variable – any characteristic that can have different values or traits that may vary across research participants 6
Take a look on the comic strip below. Can you distinguish the difference
between the two panels?
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
(Cristobal & Cristobal, 2017)

There are two broad categories of research methodology: quantitative research and
qualitative research. The method to be used in conducting a research will determine the
approach the researcher takes in identifying relevant data, and collecting and analyzing
the information gathered in the research. Choosing either a quantitative or qualitative
approach will affect the components of the research. For instance, a researcher may
decide to undertake a scientific research. If he/she takes a quantitative approach, he/she
will use statistical data to provide an explanation of the phenomenon. On the other hand,
if the researcher chooses qualitative approach, the goal of the study will be to discuss and
analyze the underlying concepts and theories related to the research topic.
 For you to easily understand the similarities and differences between the two research methods, here
is a short definition of terms that you have to be familiar with.

• contact time – the period when the researcher interacts with the research subjects or
participants to obtain relevant information
• hypothesis – a statement usually predicting the relationship between variables that can be
tested by scientific research
• outlier – a statistical observation in a set of data that is inconsistent with the majority of the
data
• output replicability – capable of repetition, imitation or reproduction
• research instrument – a measurement tool designed to obtain, measure and analyze data
from research subjects around the research topic
• sample size – the number of subjects to be taken from the target population of the study
• trend – an assumed development in the future that will have a long-term and lasting effect;
prevailing style or preference
• validity – the functional quality of research instrument on obtaining data and producing
results based on the purpose of the study
• variable – any characteristic that can have different values or traits that may vary across
research participants
 Now, study the following table cited by Cristobal & Cristobal (2017) from the Social Science
Research Extension Institute (SSREI), University of the Philippines (UP)-Baguio (2009).

Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

Aims to characterize trends and patterns Involves processes, feelings, and motives (the
why’s and the how’s) and produces in-depth and
holistic data
Usually starts with either a theory or Usually concerned with generating hypothesis from data
hypothesis about the relationship between two rather than testing a hypothesis
or more variables
Uses structured research instruments like Uses either unstructured or semistructured
questionnaires or schedules instruments
Uses large sample sizes that are representatives Uses small sample sizes chosen purposely
of the population
Has high output replicability Has high validity
Used to gain greater understanding of group Used to gain greater understanding of individual
similarities differences in terms of feelings, motives, and
experiences
Uses structured processes Uses more flexible processes
Methods include census, survey, experiment, Methods include field research, case study, and
and secondary analysis secondary
analysis
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
(Cristobal & Cristobal, 2017)
Generally, quantitative and qualitative research differs on the type
of data they produce. The former dwells on the collection of
numerical data analyzed by statistical analysis, while the latter
deals with descriptive, in-depth and holistic data analyzed by
summarizing, categorizing and interpreting. On this note, you
need to use quantitative research if you want to confirm or test a
theory or hypothesis and use qualitative research if you want to
understand concepts, thoughts and experiences.
Here is a simple example on how you can apply two methods
differently on the same research question, “How satisfied are
students with their studies?”
 Do you want to know more?
Category Quantitative Qualitative

How, What, Why

Question Who, What, When,
Domains Where

150 to 200+ 10 to 15
Common
Sample Size
Read and analyze
the following table
from “What is 10 to 20 minutes
Qualitative Contact 45 to 240 minutes
Research” by Time each
Alasuutari (2011) to
be deeply Validity Must be true of each
acquainted with Must be true of most case or ideographic
of the data or (case-oriented)
quantitative and nomothetic
qualitative research (laworiented)
based on different
categories.
Variables Define relationships
and establish general
Describe relationship
case
and establish
meaning structures
and contexts

Outliers Unique positions lost

to the weight of the Valuable descriptive
average cases with unique
access to average
cases
Qualitative Research 1:

• K-Pop Apocalypse: Invading Filipino Cultures

This study aimed to explore why Filipino cultures are

invaded by the K -Pop mania. In this research, the
researcher used survey and descriptive method to
determine the reasons and venues of where Filipinos
would usually find out about K -pop. Their answers
would then help the researcher gather data on the
awareness of the respondents regarding K -pop and
how it has penetrated their life and culture.
Qualitative Research 2:

• Livelihood Aspirations and Life Struggles of Badjao

People

This study aimed to discover the livelihood

aspirations and life struggles of Badjao people in the
21 st century generation. In this ethnographic
research, the researcher employed participant
obser vation with a combination of unstructured
interviews
Qualitative Research 1:

• K-Pop Comparative Assessment on the Full Implementation of

Senior High School Curriculum among Private and Public Schools

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the

respondents’ expectations and apprehensions on the
effectiveness of the full implementation of SHS
curriculum. Comparative assessment of the program
was conducted between private and public schools with
students, parents, teachers and principals as
respondents. To give comprehensive analysis,
interpretation and implication of data, weighted
mean, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson r were employed.
Qualitative Research 2:

• Students’ Academic and Attitudes in

Pre -Calculus

This study aimed to determine the effect of simplified supplemental

learning materials in improving students’ achievement and attitudes
towards Pre -calculus. Quasi-experimental research design was
employed with 70 students as subjects of the study. Mean Percentage
Score (MPS), weighted

mean and t-test were applied to describe data and make good inferences
about the experimentation. The

researcher used the gathered statistical data to analyze and interpret

the achievement and attitudes of students on using the supplemental
learning materials in Pre-Calculus.
 Lesson Research 1
Quantitative and Qualitative
What’s More
Pick at least three questions from what you have listed in the activity What’s In. Consider those that you think
may present a problem in your area of interest or field of specialization. Describe how you will conduct
qualitative research about those problems. Write your answers on your notebook.
1. Who _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. What _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. When _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
4. Where _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. Why _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
6. How _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________