Criminology 7

Research Methods
with
Applied Statistics
Definitions of Research:
• The word research is derived from the prefix re, which
means to repeat or redo, and the root word search,
which means to find or look for:

• Therefore, research literally means to repeatedly

looking for something, which had been in existence
before.
Definitions of Research:
• Research has been defined as the process of
gathering data or information to solve a particular or
specific problem in a scientific manner. (Manuel &
Medel)
Definitions of Research:
• Parel defines research as a systematic study or
investigation of something for the purpose of
answering questions posed by the researcher.
Definitions of Research:
• Research is concerned with finding answers (Mason
& Bramble). It is systematic, organized search for
knowledge or answers to questions.
Definitions of Research:
• It is systematic process of collecting and logically
analyzing information or data for some purpose
(Macmillan & Schumacher)
Definitions of Research:
• It is a process of obtaining knowledge through
techniques where truth, accuracy, validity,
reliability, and other criteria can be ascertained
(Genato et al)
Definitions of Research:
• It is a systematic inquiry geared towards providing
information to solve problems (Emory)
• It is a continuous discovery and exploration of the
unknown. It entails an investigation of new facts, leading to
the discovery of new ideas, new methods, or improvements
(Charles)
Definitions of Research:
• Research may also be defined as a purposive, systematic and
scientific process of gathering, analyzing, classifying,
organizing, presenting, and interpreting data for the solution
of a problem, for prediction, for invention, for the discovery
of truth, or for the expansion or verification of existing
knowledge,
• all for the preservation and improvement of the quality of
human life.
Definitions of Research:
• From the foregoing definitions, it is evident that research is a
process.
• As a process, however, research is systematic, organized,
objective, critical, exhaustive, and comprehensive. It is done
for the purpose of solving a problem or adding to the body of
existing knowledge. In addition to the foregoing, it is
emphasized at the point that without discovery, there is no
research to speak of.
Characteristics of Research:
1. It is systematic because there are steps or procedure to be
observed in solving a problem.
• It originates with a problem, followed by the gathering of data
in a logical and orderly manner guided by a reasonable guess
or hypothesis and ends with a conclusion based on
observable facts or data.
Characteristics of Research:
2. It is objective because it is not based on
guesswork.
• Empirical data have to be gathered by the researcher
prior to the making of conclusions or proposing new
solutions to an identified difficulty or problems.
Characteristics of Research:
3. It is comprehensive because if a researcher is
serious about understanding a phenomenon, he needs
to examine and analyze all aspects or angles before
making a generalizations or conclusions.
Characteristics of Research:
4. It is critical because the procedures employed by
the researcher must be able to withstand critical
scrutiny by other researcher.
Characteristics of Research:
5. It is valid because whenever a researcher
formulates conclusions, these have to be based on
actual findings.
Characteristics of Research:
6. It is verifiable because other researchers can
check on the correctness of the results by replicating
the study, based on methods and procedures employed
by the researcher.
Characteristics of Research:
7. It is empirical because generalization drawn by a
researcher are rooted upon hard evidence gathered
from information collected from real-life experiences
or observations.
 The Research Process:
• As a systematic process of solving a problem or
adding to the existing body of knowledge, research is
not haphazardly done. It follows a standard
procedure in a logical sequence of steps, as follows:
 Step 1 – Idea- Gathering Phase:
• Research begins with an idea in which the
researcher has interest.
It is in this phase wherein the researcher has to identify topics
that interests him the most. It is in this step where he has to
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, talk with people who are
knowledgeable in the area and begin thinking about it.
 Step 2 – Problem Definition Phase:
• As the ideas generated in the first phase are very
general or vague, the researcher has to refine them.
This is the problem definition phase.
This step involves the following activities: Identification and
definition of the variables to be studied; development of
theoretical and conceptual framework of the study; the
formulation of the major and specific problems to be
investigated, and the formulation of hypothesis.
Step 3 – Procedures – Design Phase :
• After identifying the problems, and hypothesis, the
researcher has to decide on the methods and
procedures he will use in the collection and analysis of
data. This is the procedures-design phase.
The activities a researcher has to undertake in this phase include
the following: selection of research participants; decision on what
research methodology to employ, development and validation of
data-gathering tools, specification of the procedures to be
observed in the actual collection of data, and planning and
analysis of the data gathered.
 Step 4 – Data-Collection Phase:
• After preparing the research plan, the researcher has
to proceed collecting the data from the subjects of
the study.
It is in this phase where the procedures, designed in the
previous step, are implemented by the researcher rigorously.
 Step 5 – Data-Analysis Phase:
• The researcher analyzes the collected data from the
previous step based on his data-analysis plan.
Appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and
procedures are then applied to the data that have been
recorded, coded and tabulated.
 Step 6 – Interpretation Phase:
• Having analyzed the data, the researcher continues to
make sense out of the data by interpreting the
results in terms of how they aid in responding to the
research problem posed at the beginning of the study
and how this answer contributes to knowledge in the
field.
After generating answers to the problem, the researcher has to
compare the results predicted based on the theoretical
framework of the study.
 Step 7 – Communication Phase:
• After completing the data analysis and interpretation
phases, 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.
This report has to include a description of all the above steps in
the research process.
Definition of a Problem
• A problem is
1. any significant, perplexing and challenging
situation, real or artificial, the solution of which requires
reflective thinking;
2. A perplexing situation after it has been
translated into a question or series of questions that
help determine the direction of subsequent inquiry.
Definition of a Research Problem
• A research problem
• is a definite or clear expression [statement] about an
area of concern, a condition to be improved upon, a
difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question
that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or within
existing practice that points to a need for meaningful
understanding and deliberate investigation.
 Elements of a Research Problem:
1.Aim or purpose of the problem for investigation.
This answers the question “Why” Why is there an
investigation, inquiry or study?
 Elements of a Research Problem:

2.The subject matter or topic to be investigated.

This answers the question “What?” What is to be
investigated or studied?
 Elements of a Research Problem:
3.The place or locale where the research is to be
conducted. This answers the question “where?”
Where is the study to be conducted?
 Elements of a Research Problem:

4.The period or time of study during which the data

are to be gathered. This answers the question
“When?” When the study is to be carried out?
 Elements of a Research Problem:
5. Population or universe from whom the data are
to be collected. This answers the question “Who?” or
From Whom?” Who are the respondents? From
whom are the data to be gathered?
 Elements of a Research Problem:
• Example of a research problem: To determine
the implication of drug addiction to peace in
order in Naga City during the calendar year
2003.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
1.The research problem or topic must be chosen by the
researcher himself. This is to avoid blaming others or offering
excuses for any obstacle encountered.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic

2.It must be within the interest of the researcher. This

is to make sure that the researcher will focus his full attention
on the research work.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
3. It must be within the specialization of the
researcher. This will in some way make the work easier for
him because he is working on familiar grounds. Besides, this
may improve his specialization, skill, and competence in his
profession.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
4. It must be within the competence of the
researcher to tackle. The researcher must know the method
of research and other research procedures applicable to his
problem and he must know how to apply them. He must have a
workable understanding of his study.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
5. It must be within the ability of the researcher to
finance, otherwise he must be able to find funding for his
research. Research involves not a small amount of expense
and the researcher must be able to foot the bills until his study
is completed. There must be a budget which he must be able
to shoulder.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
6. It is researchable and manageable
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
7. It can be completed within a reasonable period of time.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
8. It is significant, important, and relevant to the present time
and situation, timely, and of current interest.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
9. The result are practical and implementable.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
10. It requires original, critical , and reflective
thinking to solve it.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
11. It can be delimited to suit the resources of the
researcher but big or large enough to be able to give
significant, valid, and reliable results and generalization.
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic
12. It must contribute to the national development
goals for the improvement of the quality of human life
 Guidelines in the Selection of a Research
Problem or Topic

13.There must be a return of some kind to the

researcher.
Research Title
The title summarizes the main idea or ideas of
your study. A good title contains the fewest possible
words needed to adequately describe the content
and/or purpose of your research paper.
Guidelines in Writing the Title:
1.Generally, the title is formulated before the start of
the research work. It may be revised and refined later if there
is a need.
Guidelines in Writing the Title:

2.The title must contain the subject matter of the study,

the locale of the study, the population involved, and the
period when data were gathered or will be gathered.
Guidelines in Writing the Title:
3. It must be broad enough to include all aspects of the
subject matter studied. Hence, the title indicates what is
expected to be found inside the thesis report.
Guidelines in Writing the Title:

4. It must be as brief and concise as possible.

Guidelines in Writing the Title:
5. Avoid using the terms “An Analysis of”, “A Study of”,
“An Investigation of”,
Guidelines in Writing the Title:

6. If the title contains more than one line, it must be

written like an inverted pyramid, all words in capital letters.
Example of a complete title:

DRUG ADDICTION IN NAGA CITY: ITS IMPLICATION TO

PEACE AND ORDER DURING THE
CALENDAR YEAR 2015
Definition of a Research Proposal
Preparation of a research proposal is an important
step in the research process. Many institutions require
that a proposal be submitted before the project is
approved as this will provide a basis for evaluation of
the project. (Best and Khan, 1989)
Definition of a Research Proposal
A research proposal is a written presentation on the
planned investigation of a research problem or issue which the
thesis researcher contemplates to undertake for his study.
It is defended before a Research Proposal Committee
that decides on whether the research is to proceed with his
study of whether he has to change or to modify his title and its
planned content domain by improving parts thereof.
Definition of a Research Proposal
Generally, a research proposal embodies the
preliminaries, tentative text of Chapter I- The Problem,
Chapter II – Review of Related Literature and Studies; and,
Chapter III – Methods and Procedures.
Definition of a Research Proposal
The goal of a research proposal is to present and
justify the need to study a research problem and to present
the practical ways in which the proposed study should be
conducted.
Definition of a Research Proposal
The only elements missing from a research proposal
are the findings of the study and your analysis of those
results. Finally, an effective proposal is judged on the quality
of your writing and, therefore, it is important that your writing
is coherent, clear, and compelling.
Regardless of the research problem you are
investigating and the methodology you choose, all
research proposals must address the following
questions:
1.What do you plan to accomplish? Be clear and
concise in defining the research problem and what it is you are
proposing to research.
Regardless of the research problem you are
investigating and the methodology you choose, all
research proposals must address the following
questions:
2. Why do you want to do it? In addition to detailing
your research design, you also must conduct a thorough review
of the literature and provide convincing evidence that it is a
topic worthy of study. Be sure to answer the "So What?"
question.
Regardless of the research problem you are
investigating and the methodology you choose, all
research proposals must address the following
questions:
3. How are you going to do it? Be sure that what you
propose is doable. If you're having trouble formulating a
research problem to propose investigating, go here.
Beginning the Proposal Process:
As with writing a regular academic paper, research
proposals are generally organized the same way throughout
most social science disciplines.
Proposals vary between ten and twenty-five pages in
length. However, before you begin, read the assignment
carefully and, if anything seems unclear, ask your professor
whether there are any specific requirements for organizing and
writing the proposal
A good place to begin is to ask yourself a series
of questions:
• What do I want to study?
• Why is the topic important?
• How is it significant within the subject areas covered in my class?
• What problems will it help solve?
• How does it build upon [and hopefully go beyond] research
already conducted on the topic?
• What exactly should I plan to do, and can I get it done in the time
available?
 In general, a compelling research proposal should document
your knowledge of the topic and demonstrate your enthusiasm
for conducting the study. Approach it with the intention of
leaving your readers feeling like - "Wow, that's an exciting
idea and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!"
What is a research paper?

A research paper is an expanded essay that presents

your own interpretation or evaluation or argument. In fact, this
guide is designed to help you navigate the research voyage,
through developing a research question and thesis, doing
the research, writing the paper, and correctly documenting
your sources.
What is a research paper?

Research-paper is a substantial piece of academic

writing, usually done as a requirement for a class, in which the
author does independent research into a topic and writes a
description of the findings of that research.
What is a research paper?

Writing a research paper involves four main stages:

• choosing a topic,
• researching your topic,
• making an outline, and,
• doing the actual writing.
The paper won't write itself, but by planning and
preparing well, the writing practically falls into place.
 A thesis or dissertation is a document submitted in
support of candidature for an academic degree or professional
qualification presenting the author's research and findings. In
some contexts, the word "thesis" or a cognate is used for part of
a bachelor's or master’s course, while "dissertation" is
normally applied to a doctorate, while in other contexts, the
reverse is true.
 A thesis is a long essay involving personal research,
written by a candidate for a college degree.

The term graduate thesis is sometimes used to refer to

both master's theses and doctoral dissertations.