INTRODUCTION

METHODS OF RESEARCH

LESSON 1:
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

Research is a key to progress. There can be no progress without research in almost if not all
human endeavors. In government, in education, in trade and commerce, and in all types and kinds of
industries, research is vital and essential. Therefore, the methods and techniques must be taught and
learned in graduate as well as in undergraduate educational work. This is imperative because the people
who have gone through the college and graduate levels of education are the ones who are most expected
to undertake research activities.
Due to the reasons above, it is the purpose of this book to make the study of research methods
and techniques as well as thesis writing easier, more practical and understandable but comprehensive
enough.

DEFINITION OF RESEARCH

There are almost as many definitions of research as there are authors writing about the subject.
Fortunately, the different definitions formulated by such authors have common elements. Sample of
research definitions are as follows:
 Research has been defined as “the process of gathering data or information to solve a
particular or specific problem in a specific manner”. (Manuel and Medel, p.5)
 Parel defines research as “systematic study or investigation of something for the
purpose of answering questions posed by the researcher.” (Cited by Sanchez, p.2)
 Treece and Treece commented that “research in its broadcast sense is an attempt to
gain solutions to problems. More precisely, it is the collection of data in a rigorously
controlled situation for the purpose of prediction or explanation.” (Treece and Treece,
p.3)
 Formulated in a more comprehensive form, research may 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.

PURPOSES OF RSEARCH (Aims, Objectives, Goals)

The definition of research is purposive. The main or principal purpose and goal of research is the
preservation and improvement of the quality of human life. All kinds of research are directed towards this
end.

For more specific purposes and goals of research, the following may be mentioned:

1. To discover new facts about known phenomena.

2. To find answers to problems which are only partially solved by existing methods and information.
3. Improve existing techniques and develop new instruments or products.
4. To discover previously unrecognized substances or elements.
5. To classify the researcher’s curiosity.
6. To find answers to queries by means of scientific methods.
7. To acquire a better and deeper understanding about one phenomenon.
8. To expand or verify existing knowledge.
9. To improve educational practices for raising the quality of school products.
10. To provide man with more of his basic needs.
11. To make work, travel, and communication faster, easier, and more comfortable.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH

A good research involves the following characteristics:

1. Something that evolves from a genuine desire to know rather than a desire to prove
something, seeking to know not only what but how much, and measurement is therefore a
central feature of it.
2. Must be logical and objective, applying every possible test to verify the data collected and the
procedures employed. The researcher must constantly strive to eliminate personal feeling and
preference. The emphasis is on testing, rather than on proving the hypothesis.
3. Research is patient and unhurried. The researcher is willing to follow his procedures to
conclusions that may be unpopular and bring social disapproval.

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4. Research is carefully recorded and reported. Every term is carefully defined, all procedures
are described in detail, all limiting factors are recognized, all references are carefully
documented, and all results are objectively recorded.

The characteristics of research may be summarized as follows:

1. Research is systematic. It follows an orderly and sequential procedure that leads to the
discovery of truth, solution of a problem, or whatever is aimed to be discovered.

2. Research is controlled. All variables except those that are tested or being experimented upon
are kept constant so that changes made on the subject of the study can be attributed only to
the experimental variable. This is especially true in an experimental research.

3. Research is empirical. All the procedures employed and the data gathered are perceived in
the same manner by all the observers.

4. Research is analytical. There is a critical analysis of all the data used so that there is no error
in their interpretation.

5. Research is objective, unbiased, and logical. All the findings and conclusions are logically
based on empirical data and no effort is made to alter the results of the research.

6. Research employs hypothesis. This is to guide the investigation process.

7. Research employs quantitative or statistical methods. Data are transformed into numerical
measures and are treated statistically to determine their significance or usefulness.

8. Research is original work. Except in historical research, data are gathered from primary
sources or first-hand sources and not from secondary sources.

9. Research is done by an expert. The researchers use valid and carefully designed procedures,
valid data-gathering instruments, and valid data.

10. Research is accurate investigation, observation and description. Research activity must be
done accurately so that the findings will lead to the formulation of scientific generalizations.
All conclusions are based on actual evidence.

11. Research is patient and unhurried activity. This is to ensure the accuracy. Research that is
hurriedly done or conducted carelessly due to racing against time may lead to shaky
conclusions and generalizations.

12. Research requires an effort-making capacity. No research can be conducted without the
exertion of much effort. No one without any effort making capacity can conduct a research
because research involves much work and time.

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 13. Research requires courage. Researchers oftentimes undergo hazards, discomforts and the
like. At times the researcher encounters public and social disapproval. Also, disagreements
with colleagues may arise.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESSEARCH AND PROBLEM-SOLVING

The researcher must be able to distinguish between research and problem solving. The
differences between the two are summarized as follows: (Treece and Treece, Jr., 47-48)

RESEARCH PROBLEM-SOLVING
1. There may not be a problem, only
1. There is always a problem to
interest in answering the question
be solved.
or a query.
2. A research problem is more 2. A problem to be solved is less
rigorous and broader in scope. rigorous and less broad.
3. The problem to be solved has
3. The research problem is not
to be defined specifically and
necessarily defined specifically.
identified definitely.
4. All research is intended to solve
4. Problem-solving does not
some kind of problem, but this is
always involve research.
not the primary aim.
5. Research is conducted not
primarily to solve a problem but to 5. Problem-solving is always
make a contribution to general intended to solve a problem.
knowledge.
6. Research is concerned with broad
problems, recurrent phenomena, 6. Problem-solving is concerned
and wide application through with a specific problem and
generalization. Research also once the problem is solved
generates more problems to that is the end of it.
explore. (Folta and Deck)

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