Practical Research 1_2022-2023_Second Semester Qualitative Research

INTRODUCTION: What is research?

Research is a careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern or problem using a process
of inquiry. According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie, “Research is a systematic inquiry to
describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon.
Researchers undergo the systematic process of acquiring information or data, analyzing, and
interpreting these data to increase knowledge about a phenomenon. They utilize scientific method of
gathering information and arrive at accurate and conclusive results. The scientific method allows researchers
to describe the relationship between and among factors, to predict what might possibly happen, to control
variables which leads to certain cause or condition, and to explain phenomenon.

Senior high school students who engage in Inquiry-Based Learning are placed in an environment in
which learning is driven by a process of inquiry. They identify their own problems, and find answers to these
problems, thus acquiring requisite knowledge (Center for Excellence in Inquiry-Based Learning 2010).
What is the importance of Research in Daily Life?
1. Gain Essential Information: Research provides important information in the different areas of interest. It helps
you get acquainted with the process and resources involved in your research.
2. To Make Changes: Research creates change as a result of intense study on existing knowledge and policy.
3. To Enhance the Standard of Living: New inventions are made possible through research that made the life
of man comfortable. It resulted to the advancement of knowledge leading to the development in different
fields like transportation and communication.
4. For a Safer Life: Discoveries resulted to improved life expectancy and health conditions of humankind. New
machines and drugs helped in treatment and diagnosis of different diseases.
5. To Know the Truth: The results of research helped us to mark out the thin line between truth and lie.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

1. Empirical. The researcher acquires empirical evidences (e.g. facts, data and information) generated
through observation and experimentation. Research is based on firsthand experience or observation by
the researcher.
2. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles. It is guided by the rules on logical
reasoning.
3. Cyclical. Research is cyclical because it originates with a question or a problem and ends with another
problem.
4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data, whether historical,
descriptive, and experimental and case study. Careful analysis and interpretation of data is necessary in
order to establish why something behaves in such a manner or how it came to be.
5. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
6. Methodical or Systematic. Research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using
systematic method and procedures. It follows a certain method or procedure in order to obtain objective
results.
7. Replicability. The research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to enable the researcher to
arrive at valid and conclusive results.
8. Accuracy. The research must give correct or accurate data, which the footnotes, notes, and
bibliographical entries should honestly and appropriately documented or acknowledged.
9. Objectiveness. The research must deal with facts, not with mere opinions arising from assumptions,
generalizations, predictions, or conclusions.
10. Timeliness. The research must work on a topic that is fresh, new, and interesting to the present society.
Practical Research 1_2022-2023_Second Semester Qualitative Research

11. Relevance. Its topic must be instrumental in improving society or in solving problems affecting the lives of
people in a community.
12. Clarity. Research must succeed in expressing its central point or discoveries by using simple, direct,
concise, and correct language.
13. Original. The research output must be original and a product of novel ideas.
RESEARCH PROCESS
Step 1: The researcher begins with selecting a
general problem which is interesting and aligned
with one’s specialization.
Step 2: Reviewing related literature allows the
researcher to explore further the chosen problem.
Literature review can reveal what has been studied.
Results of similar researches may also surface.
The researcher may also identify the research GAP,
the missing piece of a puzzle in a study.
Step 3: After a thorough literature review, the researcher is now ready to formulate a specific research
problem, question or hypothesis.
Step 4: Data gathering follows. Researcher needs to make sure that the specific research problem and
questions are the main focus of collecting data.
Step 5: When the data are made available, these have to be carefully analyzed and presented.
Step 6: The researcher interprets the findings and formulates conclusions and recommendations.
ETHICS IN RESEARCH
Research Ethics provides guidelines for the responsible conduct of research. It educates and monitors
the conduct of researches to ensure high ethical standards.
Ethical Principles in Research
a. Honesty: Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate,
falsify, or misrepresent data.
b. Objectivity: Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review,
personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research.
c. Integrity: Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and
action.
d. Carefulness: Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your own work and the
work of your peers. Keep good records of research activities.
e. Openness: Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.
f. Respect for Intellectual Property: Honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Do
not use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission. Give credit where credit is due.
Never plagiarize.
g. Responsible Publication: Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your
own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.
h. Responsible Mentoring: Help to educate, mentor, and advise students. Promote their welfare and
allow them to make their own decisions.
i. Non-Discrimination: Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of sex, race,
ethnicity, or other factors that are not related to their scientific competence and integrity.
Informed Consent –ask permission and assure that everything (information/data) should be kept with
confidentiality and it will be used for the purpose or research only.
Assent (Minors as Respondents) Assent is the agreeing of respondents after being informed of all the
features of the study that could affect the participants willingness to participate. When dealing with minors as
participants, their parents or legal guardians should be informed in the activity.
Protection from Mental and Physical Harm –Do not force somebody to be a participant of the study. The
participant has all the rights to decide whether to continue or not.
Confidentiality, Anonymity and the Concept of Privacy. Confidentiality of the responses/answers must be
ensured. Names of the participants must never be disclosed. Information and the recordings that contain the
information must be kept by the researchers.
Referencing–cite the references to avoid plagiarism.
Plagiarism - Turning in someone else's work as your own