PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

Prepared By: G. Kenneth Samonte

 NATURE OF
INQUIRY AND
RESEARCH
INQUIRY- defined as “a seeking for truth,
information or knowledge. The information is
sought through questioning.
The exploratory nature of inquiry allows
individuals particularly students to grapple with
different ways of looking at ideas and issues and
to think creatively about problems that do not
possess simple answer.
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
THE WORD RESEARCH IS DERIVED FROM THE
OLD FRENCH WORD CERCHIER, WHICH
MEANS TO “SEEK OR SEARCH.” “SEARCH”
MEANING TO INVESTIGATE. THE PREFIX “RE”
MEANS “AGAIN” AND SIGNIFIES OF THE
SEARCH. LITERALLY, RESEARCH MEANS TO
“INVESTIGATE AGAIN”.
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Is defined as careful, systematic study in the field of
knowledge, undertaken to discover or establish facts or
principles (Webster, 1984).
Defined as a scientific investigation of phenomena
which includes collection, analysis and interpretation of
facts (Calmorin, 2004).
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Research is the systematic investigation and study of
materials and sources to establish facts and reach
new conclusions (Walker, 2010).
Collection of data in a rigorously controlled situation for
the purpose of prediction or explanation; a more
formal, systematic and intensive process of carrying on
a scientific method of analysis.
Thomas Edison was probably the greatest
inventor in American History, When he
attended school, His teachers complained that
he was “too slow” and hard to handle.
At the age of 10 he had already set up first
chemistry laboratory, Edison’s inexhaustible
energy and genius (1 percent
inspiration and 99 percent
perspiration)
When Tomas Edison invented the light
bulb, he tried 2,000 experiments before he
got it to work. A young reporter asked him
how it felt to have invented the light bulb.
It just happened to be a 2,000 step
process.
Synthesis:
• Research is an action (verb)
• It is both physical and mental activity
• Everybody commits mistakes, failed but its
ok.
• Be a novice (neophyte) first, then
eventually become an expert (professional)
 Man’s Major Problems Demand
The following are Research
examples of man’s problems for
which products of research are born:
1.In Metro Manila, employees, teachers, students,
businessmen and many others find difficulty in
commuting everyday due to the heavy traffic,
____________________?__________________________
Hence, the LRT (Light Rail Transit) is constructed to
ease the problem.
2. Three decades ago businessmen, engineers, and
accountants found difficulty in computing
_________________?________________
3. In the early 20th century, rural folks found difficulty
in seeing events in far distance. ______________?
_______________
Hence, televisions, movies were invented to solve the
problem thereby enabling man to see and hear events
that happen at great distance.
4. A century or two ago, our great grandparents found
difficulty in going to far places because they just used
bamboo rafts and it took them several months to reach
their destination, i.e. from Mindanao to Manila.
_______________?______________
Now, Manila can be reached in just an hour or two due
5. A century ago, Filipinos found difficulty in
communicating with their relatives and friends here
and abroad. __________?_________
The problem has been greatly reduced by new
communication facilities such as the telephone, fax
machines, cellphones, computers and many others
which make possible even instant communication over
long distance.
6. More than a century ago, rural folks merely used
coconut oil lamp to lighten their houses,
_________________?_________________
until electricity was discovered and used to provide
 RESEARCH

New New
Technology knowledge

New tools
New skills
/devices

Better condition/welfare
practice

Improved quality of life

Significance of Research
1. To gather necessary information
2. To improve standard of living
3. To have a safer life
4. To know the truth
5. To explore our history
6. To understand arts
Characteristics of Research
1. Empirical. Based on observations and
experimentation of theories.
2.Systematic. Follows orderly and
sequential procedures.
3. Employs hypothesis. The hypothesis
guides the investigation process.
4. Analytical. There is no error in the
researcher’s interpretations.
Characteristics of Research
5. Objective. All findings are logically
based on empirical data (unbiased
and logical).
6. Original work. Researcher’s own
investigation.
Six Blind Men and the Elephant
It was six men of Indostan,
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The First approach'd the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"
The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, -"Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear,
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"
The Third approach'd the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," -quoth he- "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"
The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
And felt about the knee:
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," -quoth he,-
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said- "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"
The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," -quoth he,- "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
Implications to Educational Research:
• A Picture of Relativism and Tolerance
• In turn, each individual creates his/her own version of
reality from experience and perspective.
• Therefore, research provides a solid foundation for the
discovery and creation of knowledge.
• Warning: Limited touch of truth turn into overreaching
misinterpretations and misjudgments.
• Synthesis: Open our eyes wider and seek every
opportunity to discover/experience the totality.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research

1. Concern for context and meaning

• Human experience
2. Naturally occurring settings
• Behavior as it happens naturally in a school,
classroom, community or organization
3. Humans as Instruments
• Only human being can do the field work
methods
Characteristics of Qualitative Research

4. Descriptive Data
• Data used are in the form of words or pictures
or other visuals rather than numbers and
statistics.
5. Emergent Design
• The design cannot be finalized at the onset.
Ethics and Research
ETHICS- Norms of conduct that distinguish
between acceptable and unacceptable
behavior.

Research Ethics:
1. A research project needs to be designed to
create valid outcomes if it is believed to be
pursuing truth.
Research Ethics:
2. Researchers have a duty to ensure that they do not
deliberately mislead participants as to the nature of the
research.
3. Researchers have a duty to avoid causing both physical
and psychological difficulties to participants.
4. Researchers are ethically bound to maintain the
privacy of participants and confidentiality for any
information they give and anonymity for their identity.
Research Ethics:
5. Society trusts that the results of research
reflect an honest attempt to describe the world
accurately and without bias.

Synthesis: It is the researcher’s ethical

responsibility not to harm the human
participants.
Some Ethical Principles
1. Honesty
2. Objectivity
3. Integrity
4. Carefulness
5. Openness
6. Respect for Intellectual Property
Some Ethical Principles
7. Confidentiality
8. Responsible publication
9. Respect for colleagues
10. Social Responsibility
11. Non-discrimination
12. Competence
13. Legality
• Ethical Challenge: Conflict of interest between
the researcher and the what is being researched
Ethical Issues:
1. The researcher may uncover or get hold of
practices that may not be acceptable.
2. The issues of anonymity and confidentiality.
3. The researcher is expected to give back to the
participants of the research and to show
appreciation for their commitment of time,
effort and cooperation.
4. The researcher writes a letter and seeks to be
allowed to conduct a study.
KNOWING THE RESEARCH PROCESS

37
 The Research Process
1
• CONCEPTUALIZATION PHASE

2
• DESIGN PHASE

3
• EMPIRICAL PHASE

4
• ANALYTICAL PHASE

5
• DISSEMINATION PHASE
38
 The Research Process
Conceptualization Phase
1.Topic/Problem Identification
2.Review of Literature
3.Hypotheses/Proposition Development
4.Framework Development
5.Objective Formulation

Dissemination Phase
Design Phase
10.Communicating and Utilizing the
6.Research Plan Formulation
Findings

Analytical Phase
Empirical Phase
8.Data Analysis & Interpretation
7.Data Gathering/Collection
9.Conclusion
39
Define the Research
Review the Literature Formulate Hypothesis Design Research
Problem

Interpret Analyze Collect

and Report Data Data

The Research Process

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN CONDUCTING
RESEARCH
1.KNOWLEDGE
2.TIME
3.AFFORDABILITY
4.ACCESSIBILITY
5.APPLICABILITY
6.NOVELTY
 APPROACHES TO RESEARCH

QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE
APPROACH APPROACH
 QUANTITATIVE APPROACH
THE INVESTIGATOR PRIMARILY USES QUANTIFIABLE CLAIMS FOR
DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE (e.g., cause and effect thinking,
reduction to specific variables and hypotheses and questions,
use of measurement and observation, and the test of theories),
EMPLOYS STRATEGIES OF INQUIRY SUCH AS EXPERIMENTS AND
SURVEY, AND COLLECTS DATA ON PREDETERMINED
INSTRUMENTS THAT YIELD STATISTICAL DATA.

based on numbers and mathematical

calculations
 QUALITATIVE APPROACH

One in which the inquirer often makes knowledge claims based

primarily on constructivist perspectives (i.e., the multiple
meanings of individual experiences, meanings socially and
historically constructed, with an intent of developing theory
or pattern) or advocacy/participatory perspectives. It also
uses strategies of inquiry such as narratives, phenomenology,
ethnographies, grounded theory studies, or case studies. THE
RESEARCHER COLLECTS OPEN-ENDED, EMERGING DATA WITH
THE PRIMARY INTENT OF DEVELOPING THEMES FROM THE
DATA
based on written or spoken narratives
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Purpose The purpose is to explain and The purpose is to explain,

gain insight and predict, and/or control
understanding of phenomena phenomena through focused
through intensive collection of collection of numerical data.
narrative data.
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Smaller and not randomly Larger and randomly

selected selected

Group Studied
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Sampling Purposive: Intent to select Random: Intent to select

“small, ” not necessarily “large, ” representative
representative, sample in sample in order to
order to get in-depth generalize results to a
understanding population
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Study of the whole not Specific variables studied

variables

Variables
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Words, images Numbers and statistics.

Type of Data Collected

 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Qualitative data such as Quantitative data based on

open-ended responses, precise measurements using
interviews, participant structured and validated
observations, field notes, data-collection instruments
reflections

Form of Data Collected

 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Identify patterns, features, Identify statistical

themes relationships

Type of Data Analysis

 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Approach subjective, holistic, Objective, focused, outcome-

to Inquiry process- oriented oriented

Research Controlled setting Controlled to the

Setting not as important degree possible
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Measurement Non-standardized, Standardized, numerical

narrative (written word) (measurements, numbers)

Design and Flexible, specified only in Structured, inflexible, specified in

Method general terms in advance of detail in advance of study.
study. Nonintervention, minimal Intervention, manipulation and
disturbance All Descriptive— control- Descriptive, Correlation
History, Biography, Ethnography, Causal-Comparative, Experimental.
Phenomenology, Grounded Consider few variables, large group
Theory, Case Study, (hybrids of
these) Consider many variables,
small group
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Researcher and their biases Researcher and their biases

may be known to participants are not known to participants
in the study, & participant in the study, & participants
characteristics may be known characteristics are
to the researcher deliberately hidden from the
researcher

Role of Researcher
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Data Raw data are in words. Raw data are numbers

Analysis Essentially ongoing, involves Performed at the end of
using the study, involves statistics
observations/comments to (using numbers to come to
come to a conclusion. conclusions).
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Scientific Exploratory or bottom-up: Confirmatory or top-down:

method the researcher generates a the researcher tests the
new hypothesis and theory hypothesis and theory with
from the data collected the data
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Focus Wide-angle lens: examines Narrow-angle lens: tests

the breadth and depth of specific hypotheses
phenomena
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Study behavior in a natural Study behavior under

environment controlled conditions:
isolate causal effects

Nature of
Observation
 Comparison chart
Qualitative Quantitative

Narrative report with Statistical report with

contextual description & correlations, comparisons of
direct quotations from means, & statistical
research participants significance of findings

Final Report
What is Qualitative Research?
• As an inquiry process of understanding a
social or human problem based on building a
complex holistic picture formed with words,
reporting detailed views of informants and
conducted in a natural setting (Cresswell,
1994).
What is Qualitative Research?
• Qualitative researchers are interested in
understanding the meaning people
have constructed, that is, how people make
sense of their world and the
experiences they have in the world. (Merriam,
2009. )
What is Qualitative Research?
Synthesis: Is interpretive, follows a non-linear
research path and speaks a language of “cases
and contexts.” Cases that arise from daily life
are closely examined.
Qualitative Research Methods?
1. Participant Observation- Immersion in the
natural setting.
2. Observation- systematic noting or recording
of events.
3. In-depth Interviewing- Large amount of data
are gathered quickly and immediate follow-up
and clarifications are possible.
Qualitative Research Methods?
4. Focus Group Interviewing- Asks focused
questions, in order to encourage discussion and
the expression of differing opinions and points
of view.
5. Content Analysis- Systematic examination of
forms of communication to document patterns
objectively.
Qualitative Research Methods?
6. Narratology- Narrative inquiry (story telling,
retelling and reliving of personal experiences)
7. Films, Videos and Photography- Provide
visual records of events.
Strengths of Qualitative Research
1. Offers the best light on or best answers to
certain phenomena-social, economic,
political or even psychological.
2. Results are exhaustive.
Strengths of Qualitative Research
3. Offers several avenues to understand
phenomena, behavior, human conditions and
the like.
4. Can build on, or even develop theories
through consistent themes, categories,
relationships.
Weaknesses of Qualitative Research
1. Total immersion in the natural setting of the
research can be time-consuming, tedious
and resource-draining.
2. The personal-self and the researcher-self are
inseparable, so, subjectivity, on the part of
the researcher, can happen.
Begin with a
TOPIC in
mind 69
TOPIC
Relevant
Clear Ethical
Feasible
70
Characteristics of a Good Research Problem
1. A research problem must be relevant.
Contribute to knowledge and development, problem should be worth
investigating and worth the time, money and effort to be spent on it.

2. A research problem must be feasible.

Adequate technical expertise skills, equipment, experience
Adequate number of respondents/participants
Affordable time and money
Manageable in scope
3. A research problem must be clear.
It should be specific, clear and unambiguous. Deals with a limited aspect
of a certain phenomenon.

4. A research problem must be ethical.

The conduct of study should not pose any danger, embarrassment, hurt or
any risk to research respondents/participants or anyone.
SOURCES OF RESEARCH TOPICS
1. Pressing issues on an individual, organizational
or societal level or success stories
2. Wide reading/critical film viewing (books,
journals, magazines, newspapers, monographs,
films, videos and documentaries)
3. Social networking
SOURCES OF RESEARCH TOPICS
4. Replication (theses and dissertations)
5. Lectures, Talks, Seminars
6. Gray Areas (these are points of interest but very
little is known about them)
Ex: Is female circumcision still practiced among
specific groups of people?
Synthesis: Your interest will bring you to wider reading,
pursuit of relevant materials like pictures, videos and the
like, and equally important, to people who have knowledge
of interest in your topic.
WRITING A RESEARCH TITLE

Title: Original, Clear, Concise &

Specific
3 Basic tips on writing a good research
paper title
1] Keep it simple, brief and attractive: The primary
function of a title is to provide a precise summary
of the paper’s content. So keep the title brief and
clear.
2] Use appropriate descriptive words: A good
research paper title should contain key words used
in the manuscript and should define the nature of
the study.
3 Basic tips on writing a good research
paper title
3] Avoid abbreviations and jargon. Lesser-known or
specific abbreviations and jargon that would not be
immediately familiar to the readers should be left
out.
Randomized trial of X therapy for improving cognitive function in
40 dementia patients from 6 cities in Japan reports improved
cognitive function

Randomized trial of X therapy for improving cognitive function in

40 dementia patients
(Length of finalized title: 13 words)

Subtitle title
X therapy improves cognitive function in 40 dementia patients: A
randomized trial
(Title length: 12 words)
 Broad and Specific Topics
Broad: Low Self-Esteem
Specific: Low Self-Esteem in Adolescents: Root
Causes, Manifestations and Intervention

Broad: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Specific: HIV: Causes, Prevention, Treatment and
Care
 Broad and Specific Topics
Broad: Pre-Service Teachers
Specific: Pre-Service Teachers: Experiences,
Achievements and Challenges
Broad: Smoking
Specific: Health Hazards of Direct and Indirect
Smoking: Prevention and Cure
 Stating Research Questions
Specific: Low Self-Esteem in Adolescents: Root
Causes, Manifestations and Intervention
Research Questions:
1. What are the root causes of low self-esteem in
adolescents?
2. What kind of behavior do adolescents with low
self-esteem manifest?
3. What intervention program could be proposed
to boost the self-esteem of adolescents?
 Stating Research Questions
Specific: Experiences of Filipino Fathers and
Mothers on Natural Disaster
Research Questions:
1. What reactions do Filipino fathers and mothers
experience during and after a natural disaster?
2. How do they cope with the experience of a
natural disaster?
3. How do the experiences of Filipino fathers and
mothers differ in terms of coping and reaction?
 Stating Research Questions
Specific: Impoverished School Children in Tarlac
City: A Case Study
Research Questions:
1. How are the impoverished school children analyzed in the
following conditions:
1.1 Social
1.2 Economics
1.3 Health and Nutrition
2. What are the difficulties and concerns of these school children
in attending school?
3. What assistance program could be proposed to help in the
 RESEARCH DESIGNS
(QUALITATIVE APPROACH)
Case Study Design. Is a problem solving technique that the study is
described from the past, present and future. Is an intensive
investigation to a problem or an issue faced by a particular individual or
group of individuals.
Examples: Single Mothers of Tarlac Province
Victims of Domestic Violence in the Municipality
of Concepcion, Tarlac
Phenomenological research. The goal of phenomenological
research is to describe participants’ experiences in a specific
context and understand a phenomenon.

• examines uniqueness of individual's lived situations, each

person has own reality; reality is subjective
Examples:
A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of
Caregivers

Pagpapatawad at Pagpapalaya: A Phenomenological Study

Ethnographic Research. Is an inquiry process guided by experience
in the research setting. Ethnography as a branch of anthropology
dealing with the scientific description of individual cultures.

The mainstay of early culture anthropologists, ethnography is an in-depth

description of a people group done through “immersed” participant
observation and recorded in the vernacular of the host society.

Examples: Marriage Practices of Aeta Groups

Beliefs and Practices Among Farmers in Tarlac
Province
Historical Research. Is a systematic process of searching for the
facts and then using the information to describe, analyze and
interpret the past.
Example: Historical Development of Tarlac Cathedral
Difference Between Case Study and Phenomenology

Case Study: A case Phenomenology: Ph

study can be defined enomenology is a
as a research research
method that is used methodology as well
to investigate an as a philosophy that
individual, a group of explores the lived
people or an event. experiences of
people as well as the
structures of
meaning.
Difference Between Case Study and Phenomenology

Case Study: In a case Phenomenology: In

study, the attention Phenomenology, the
is paid to the attention is paid to
individual, a group or the lived
an event. experiences of
individuals.

Focus
Difference Between Case Study and Phenomenology

Case Study: A case Phenomenology: Ph

study is a research enomenology is a
method used in a philosophy as well
number of as a methodology
disciplines. used mainly in the
social sciences.

Nature
Difference Between Case Study and Phenomenology

Case Study: A case Phenomenology: Ph

study produces rich, enomenology
qualitative data. produces qualitative
data that mainly
explore the
subjective meanings
that people produce
and sustain.
Type of Data
Difference Between Case Study and Phenomenology

Case Study: Data Phenomenology: Int

collection methods erviews are the
include observations, main method of
interviews, data collection.
questionnaires, etc.

Data Collection
Difference Between Case Study and Phenomenology

Case Study: Data Phenomenology: Int

collection methods erview is the main
include observation, method of data
interview, collection (long and
questionnaire, intensive).
analysis of recorded
data, etc.

Data Collection
Difference Between Case Study and Phenomenology

Case Study: The Phenomenology: Inf

information obtained ormation relies
from a case study heavily on the
cannot be used to interviewing skills of
make the researcher and
generalizations. the articulate skills
of the participants.

Limitations
Difference Between Case Study and Phenomenology

Case Study: Phenomenology:

Children with Caregivers’ Journey
Autism: A Case Study with Autistic
Children: A
Phenomenological
Study

Example
OPEN FORUM

WORKSHOP

CRITIQUING OF OUTPUTS
 RESEARCH DESIGNS
(QUANTITATIVE APPROACH)
Descriptive Design- the study focuses at the present condition. It is
valuable in providing facts on which scientific judgments may be
based.
Types of Descriptive Design
1. Descriptive- Survey. This is appropriate wherever the object of any class
vary among themselves.
Example: Problems Met by Senior High School
Students in Tarlac Province
2. Descriptive-Evaluative. This is to appraise carefully the
worthiness of the current study.
Example: Evaluation on the Implementation of Special
Science Curriculum (SSC) in Tarlac City

3. Descriptive-Comparative. It is a comparative survey where the

researcher considers at least two entities
Example: A Comparative Analysis on the Implementation of
Kindergarten Curriculum Between Private and Public
Schools in Tarlac Province
4. Correlational Study. This is designed to determine the
relationship of two variables.
Example: A Correlation Between Personality Traits and
Learning Styles Among Senior High School Students of
Capas, Tarlac
Experimental Design- a problem-solving approach that the study is
described in the future on what will be when certain variables are
carefully controlled or manipulated.
Types of Experimental Design
1. Single-Group Design. It involves a single treatment with two or
more levels.
Example: Teaching Mathematics in Three
Methods
2. Two-Group Design. Two comparable groups are employed as
experimental and control groups.
Example: Effectiveness of Teaching Science Using the Traditional and
Modern Approaches
Experimental Group- Modern (CAI)
Control Group- Traditional (Chalkboard)
Example: Growth Rate of Tilapia Cultured in Fish Cage with and without
supplemental feeds
Experimental- with supplemental feeds
Control- without supplemental feeds
3. Two-Pair Group Design. Is an elaboration of the two –group
design wherein there are two experimental groups and two control
groups.
Example: Teaching Reading Using Two Traditional Approaches
(Control) and Two Modern Approaches (Experimental)
 Remember

Thinking is a multifaceted process,

not a singular one.
Questions???