RESEARCH: AN INTRODUCTION We wonder about numerous things in this

world and tend to ask questions such as how, why, who, where and the like.
For every question you need an answer, for every issue you need clarification
and for every problem you need a solution. But how are you going to find for
the valid and reliable answers to all your queries? How are you going to
connect the pieces of the puzzle? Your inquisitive and curious nature fuel your
desire to unearth answers to your questions and solve the things the puzzles
you. By doing so, you start to investigate and inquire on things systemically.
Hence, you now start to behave like a true researcher. Research is an area
that is commonly misunderstood, but an indispensable component of
academic and industry practices. Students must maximize al the
opportunities to be knowledgeable on the research process while still under
schooling to create an excellent knowledge base for future career as a
researcher or scientist. Being a full-pledged researcher doesn't happen
overnight. It entails a lot of effort and perseverance to become an expert in
the research field. However, budding researchers can start by appreciating the
worth of doing studies, and by engaging in simple/basic research, such as
qualitative approach research papers.

Qualities of a Good Quantitative Inquirer

• TECHNICAL COMPETENCY The ability to use available technologies

• UTILITY COMPETENCY - the ability to troubleshoot during unexpected
scenario
• PATIENCE- intra (within) and extra (outside) group
• SERVICE-willingness of the researcher to serve others, to do good
• EFFORT time and skill
• GUTS AND RISK considering options
• CARE distinct characteristics of a researcher
THE RESEARCH PROCESS Research is, first and foremost, a process.
Students conducting research should follow a series of steps to arrive at a
good and quality research paper. Research projects typically undergo several
phases of development, namely: (1) Conceptualization Phase, (2) Design
Phase: (3) Empirical Phase, (4) Analytical Phase, and (5) Dissemination Phase.

Research projects start at the Conceptualization Phase. This is where the

topic is identified. Studies are recommended to focus on a not-too- broad but
not-to-specific concept to allow flexibility and further exploration. Literature
reviews are required for quantitative studies but optional in qualitative
inquiries. Topic selection is followed by objective framing or identifying the
Central Question' that needs to be addressed. Researchers must note that a
central question in qualitative inquiry shall focus on understanding human
experience using words rather than quantifying a perception.

The Design Phase is known as the planning phase where researchers decide
on the detailed procedures in gathering and analyzing data. Researchers must
arrive on a consensus regarding the how, where and when the study will be
conducted and analyzed. Actual data gathering and collection are conducted
at the Empirical Phase. In this phase, the researchers are equipped with the
necessary attitude, behavior and tools in gathering data, from the prospective
data sources. In qualitative studies, respondents are known as key informants
or sometimes co-researchers Interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD)
are commonly employed with the use of the interview guides or 'Aide
Memoire'

Analytical Phase is the most challenging phase of the research process.

Researchers in this phase are preparing and assessing the data through the
use of several tools and even the researchers own understanding as
supported by his belief and previous researches published the same area of
interest. In qualitative studies, interview texts are being delimited to
manageable statements and thematized. In most papers, a model (or
simulacrum) is being produced to summarize an understanding of the themes
that emerged in the study. The results of the studies are interpreted in this
phase before the actual write-up or research manuscript.

Dissemination Phase is the most valuable but often neglected by the

researchers. Research results in the form of a well-written full research
manuscript are advised to be shared to the general public if not on the
specific population or professional groups that can benefit from its result.

Qualitative research - an approach for exploring and understanding the

meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem

Quantitative research an approach for testing objective theories by examining

the relationship among variables
Mixed approach inquiry involving collecting both quantitative and qualitative
data, and integrating the two forms of data

The Research Manuscript

Research manuscripts are the final written output of a research study. It is the
product of the research process in written and/or soft copy file form. Though
researchers are following series of steps in orderly phases, the outline of the
written research manuscript does not follow the chronology of the research
process. The content and format of the research manuscript should follow
specific research content guidelines and format. Traditionally, research
manuscripts are written in by-chapter, while others adopt the internationally
(IMRAD) format and accepted Introduction-Method-Results-Discussion
content based on the American Psychological Association (APA, 6th Edition)
Standards. The Our Lady of Fatima University Research Development and
Innovation Center promotes the use of the APA style and content. It promotes
the use of 6,000 9,000-word range (OLFU- RDIC) for the whole manuscript and
the following sections/outline of the manuscript:
GANTT CHART: In writing a research proposal, it is important that we plan
things to do in the following weeks and months ahead. Planning provides
direction and ensures that you stay focused on the course towards achieving
your goals and objectives. This also allows you to optimize the desired
outcomes. Gantts the most used and famous approach in research. Students
is down the actives or tasks with a followed time frame in which the task must
be achieved

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Definition: In doing quantitative research, your aim is to find out the

relationship between one variable to another. which is the independent
variable (the cause) and the dependent variable (the effect). Expressions in
numerical form, objectivity of data, and the use of statistical methods are
signs of a quantitative research. To define clearly a quantitative study, it is the
systematic empirical investigation of an observed phenomena through the
use of statistical, mathematical or computational methods (Given, 2008).
Quantitative research focuses on numeric, specific and detailed data and
deductive reasoning rather than inductive reasoning Quantitative research can
either be experimental or non- experimental. An experimental study
establishes causality and often used when an intervention is being studied,
whereas the non- experimental only establishes the association or connection
between variables.

Characteristics of Quantitative Approach

Researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective

answers are sought.

Project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future results,
or investigate causal relationships.

All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.

The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.

Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software, to
collect numerical data.

The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the
population.

Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables, chats,
figures, or other non-textual forms.

The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high
reliability.
Importance

Quantitative research is important in generating evidence-based knowledge

because it relies on precise measurement and interpretation of data through
the use of statistical methods. This type of study is Useful, to understand and
explain certain events, people and concepts in an objective manner. This also
allows the researcher to generalize results to a much larger scale. To use this,
the researcher must use reliable methods and instruments to obtain objective
information. The validity and reliability of results makes quantitative research
a popular approach in the field of social and hard sciences. This type of
approach a show the difference and relationship between characteristics, and
can also determine the effectivity of a specific intervention.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages

Can be used when large quantities of data need to be collected.

The result is Usually numerical (quantifiable) and hence considered more

"objective"

The data is considered quantifiable and usually generalizable to a larger

population.
It can provide a clear and quantitative measure to be used for grants

Results need to be calculated and analyzed LFU and proposals.

Disadvantages:

Access or data analysis software (such as SPSS). that may not be always
available.

The larger the sample, the more time it takes to analyze the data and analyze
results

The larger the sample the more time it takes to collect data.

The quantitative data ignores a very important human element.

CLASSIFICATION

There are two classification of research design for a quantitative research

approach

• Non-Experimental
• Experimental Research

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

A type of quantitative research design that is used to determine the outcome

of a specific intervention. The student conducts the study by providing a
specific treatment to one group and withholding it from another to determine
how both groups scored on an outcome.

Experimental research is classified into two: (1) true experimental that

involves random assignment of the subjects, and (2) quasi-experimental that
used non- randomized assignment (Creswell, 2014)

A true experimental design means the researcher has control over the
experiment, Who, where, when and how is the experiment going to be
conducted.
This involves an experimental group and a control group, that must have the
similar qualities. The experimental group receives the intervention and the
control group remains unmanipulated.

Quasi-experimental design depends on how the participants were recruited

for the study, if there is no randomization in the sampling procedure then the
study automatically becomes a quasi-experimental

NON-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

This type of quantitative research design seeks to discover the answers to

problem by describing the data quantitatively or numerically. It determines the
relationship of variables but is incapable of establishing the cause and effect.
This type of research lacks manipulation of an independent variable, random
assignment of participants to conditions. Data is collected through surveys or
structured interviews, observations, review of documents and so on.

Non experimental research is most often used in the field of social Science.

Survey Research

• Cross-sectional
• Study Longitudinal
• Study

Correlational Research

Survey Research

This type of study provides a quantitative or numeric description of trends,

attitude or behavior from a sample drawn in a specific population. This allows

The researcher to generalize or to draw conclusion and inferences to the

population. This is the most used type of non- experimental research
especially in the field of social science. The data gathering instrument in
Survey research is called the survey tool.
The survey is the most common method used for quantitative study and be in
a form of questionnaire or interview. According to Creswell (2010). there are
components that we must consider for a survey plan.

Checklist of Questions for Designing a Survey Method (Creswell, 2010)

Is the purpose of the survey design stated?

Are the reasons for choosing the design mentioned?

Is the nature of the survey (cross-sectional vs longitudinal) identified?

Is the population and its size mentioned?

How many people will be in the sample?

On what basis was this size chosen?

What will be the procedure for sampling (random or nonrandom)?

What instrument will be used in the survey?

Who developed the questionnaire?

What procedure will be used to pilot-test the survey?

What is the timeline for administering the survey?

What are the variable in the study?

Two types of Survey Research

Cross-sectional Study: A type of survey research that collects data from a

population or subset population through observation, survey or interview at a
specific point in time.

Longitudinal Study: A type of survey research that collects data through

observation, survey or interview of the same subjects over a period of time up
and can last up to several years