INTRODUCTION

TO RESEARCH
DR. JOSEPH T. LOBO, LPT, MIHPE, CRS, CSS, CRDC
Assistant Professor IV
Head, College Research Service Unit and College Extension Service Unit
Head, University Journal Publications Office
College of Sports, Exercise and Recreation, Bulacan State University
Desired learning outcomes
▪ Define research;
▪ Identify the different kinds of research;
▪ Recognize sources of research; and
▪ Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the
research principles and concepts as applied
in respective field.
 OVERVIEW
In this lesson, you will learn what research is, its
definition, its importance, and its primary purpose of
research. The different types of research are
discussed for you to have an idea of what case
study you will conduct.
What is Research?
What is research?
▪ Research is a method of acquiring
knowledge based on the scientific method of
inquiry to enrich the system of objective
knowledge in the fields of natural and social
sciences.
According to various authors
▪ Polit & Beck (2001) stated that research is a systematic inquiry that
uses disciplined methods to answer questions or solve problems.
The goals of research are to develop, refine, and expand a body of
knowledge.
▪ Palispis (2001) cited that research is carried out for a specific
purpose to answer specific questions to solve a particular problem
or issue. It seeks new knowledge and provide useful information in
the form of verifiable data. It contributes to the attainment of the
development of goals of a nation. Research is not only conducted
because it is a prerequisite to obtaining a degree, but more so it can
potentially mobilize a country.
▪ Burns & Grove (2007), said that research is to search or
examine again and again carefully. Research is a diligent,
systematic inquiry or investigation to validate and refine
existing knowledge and generate new knowledge.
▪ Parel (1973) defined research as a systematic
investigation or something in order to answer the
questions posed by the researcher.
▪ Coleman & Briggs (2002) defined research as both a
critical and self-critical inquiry aimed at contributing
towards the advancement of knowledge and wisdom.
▪ Sanchez (2002) defined research as a discovery
and exploration of the unknown. It involves an
investigation of facts leading to the discovery of
new ideas and new methods. It proceeds from the
known to the unknown. The end result is the
discovery of truth. To arrive at such, the researcher
uses a method that suits his chosen field.
Research is systematic research on
any topic. Here are some examples:
▪ In art- when it deals with skills that require dexterity
(skill) and proficiency.
▪ In natural science- when it pertains to the empirical
inquiry of natural phenomena including biological life.
▪ In Social Science- when it involves a study of human
behavior and societies. It is “social’ research because
its primary interest is human being, the context of
his/her life and the environment.
Why is research important?
▪ Researchers must not simply set results and
recommend actions. According to Katigbak (2020), that
research should be measured on the extent to which
they are being actually carried out.
▪ Best & Khan (1993) described the research as “the
systematic and objective analysis and recording of
controlled observations that may lead to the
development of generalizations, principles, or theories,
resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate control of
events.”
▪ In an educational setting, conducting research is important
in every educator’s professional life (Educational Research,
2011). Researches in education improve practices, research
a way to develop new understanding about teaching,
learning and educational administration. This new
knowledge will lead to the improvement of educational
practice (Gall and Barg, 2003).
▪ Taflinger (1996-2011) cites two basic importance of
research, to learn something or to gather evidence. To learn
something is for your benefit. It is almost impossible for a
person to stop learning. Research is organized learning
looking for specific things to add to our store of knowledge.
Purpose of Research
▪ The purpose of research indicates the focus and the
direction of research (Denscombe, 2002). The
purpose of research may be organized into three
groups based on what the researcher is trying to
accomplish, explain a new topic, describe social
phenomena, or explain why something occurs.
Studies may have multiple purposes (both to
explore and to describe) but one purpose casually
dominates.
Exploratory/Formulative Research
▪ The researcher’s goal is to formulate more precise
questions that future research can answer.
Exploratory research helps ensure that a more
rigorous, more inclusive future study will not begin
with an inadequate understanding of the nature of
the problem.
Descriptive Research
▪ This research presents a picture of the specific
details of a situation, social setting, or relationship.
The major purpose of descriptive research is to
describe the characteristics of a population or
phenomenon. It seeks to determine the answer to
who, what, where, and how questions.
Explanatory Research
▪ The desire to know “why” to explain, is the purpose
of explanatory research. It builds exploratory and
descriptive research and goes on to identify the
reasons for something that occurs. Explanatory
research looks for causes and reasons. For
example, researchers are interested in learning
why some children bully other children.
Other purposes
▪ Research provides a scientific basis for any practice in any field
▪ Research is undertaken for sustainable development of and further
productivity in any field like education, management, business,
nursing, and other areas.
▪ Research develops tools for assessing the effectiveness of any
practice.
▪ Research provides solutions to problems encountered in the different
areas of work.
▪ Research develops and evaluates alternative approaches to the
educational aspects of any discipline.
▪ Research advances the personal and professional qualifications of
practitioners.
Characteristics of a Good
research
▪ To qualify as research, the process must
have certain characteristics. It must be
controlled, rigorous, systematic, valid,
verifiable, empirical, and critical (Kumar,
2009).
CONTROLLED
▪ Control implies that, in exploring causality (cause and
effect relationship) in relation to two variables, the study is
set up in a way that minimizes the effects of other factors
affecting the relationship. This can be achieved in the
physical sciences, as most of the research is done in a
laboratory. However, in social sciences, it is difficult as
research is carried out on issues relating to human beings
living in a society where such controls is impossible.
RIGOROUS
▪ This characteristic ensures that procedures
followed to find answer to questions are
relevant, appropriate, and justified. The
degree of rigor varies between the physical
and social sciences and within the social
sciences.
SYSTEMATIC
▪ The procedures adopted to undertake an
investigation follow a certain logical
sequence. The different steps cannot be
taken in a haphazard way.
VALID AND VERIFIABLE
▪ This implies that whatever one can conclude
on the basis of the findings is correct and can
be verified by others, too.
EMPIRICAL
▪ Any conclusion drawn is based upon hard
evidence gathered from information collected
from real-life experience or observation.
CRITICAL
▪ Critical scrutiny of the procedures used and
the methods employed is important to a
research inquiry. The process of investigation
must be free from any drawbacks. The
process and the procedures used must be
able to withstand critical scrutiny.
Thank you!