RESEARCH

1. What is the meaning of research? What is its importance? Discuss the characteristics of
research. (10 pts)
Research comprises "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the
stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humans, culture and society, and the use of
this stock of knowledge to devise new applications." It is used to establish or confirm
facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems,
support theorems, or develop new theories.
Importance of research:
a. a tool in building knowledge and efficient learning,
b. a means for researchers to understand various issues
c. an aid to business success
d. a way to prove lies and support truths
e. Means to find, gauge and seize opportunities
f. A seed to love reading, writing, analyzing and sharing valuable information.
g. Nourishment and exercise for the mind
Characteristics of Research:
a. Empirical – research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher
b. Logical – research is based on valid procedures and principles.
c. Cyclical – research starts with a problem and ends with a problem
d. Analytical – research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering data, whether
historical, descriptive, experimental and case study.
e. Critical – research exhibits careful and precise judgement
f.
2. Review the concepts. Explain the following including the importance or relevance. You may cite
examples if necessary.
a. Historical research – a process of critical inquiry into the past events in order to produce
an accurate description and interpretation of those events.
- One type of qualitative research is historical research, which involves
examining past events to draw conclusions and make predictions about the
future. The steps in historical research are: formulate an idea, formulate a
plan, gather data, analyze data, and analyze the sources of data.
b. Null hypothesis - the hypothesis that there is no significant difference between specified
populations, any observed difference being due to sampling or experimental error.
- The statement being tested in a test of [statistical] significance is called
the null hypothesis. Usually, the null hypothesis is a statement of 'no effect'
or 'no difference'.
c. Sampling - is concerned with the selection of a subset of individuals from within a
statistical population to estimate characteristics of the whole population.
 - the process of selecting units (e.g., people, organizations) from a population
of interest so that by studying the sample we may fairly generalize our results
back to the population from which they were chosen.
d. Review of related literature - Review of related literature is the annotation of available
papers both published and unpublished that contain information or evidence related to
the topic that a person proposes to research on.
e. Experimental research - it is a collection of research designs which use manipulation and
controlled testing to understand causal processes. Generally, one or more variables are
manipulated to determine their effect on a dependent variable.
f. Conceptual framework - an analytical tool with several variations and contexts. It is used
to make conceptual distinctions and organize ideas. Strong conceptual
frameworks capture something real and do this in a way that is easy to remember and
apply.
g. Instrumentation- is the course of action (the process of developing, testing, and using
the device) that the researchers use for measurement device.
h. Descriptive research - is used to describe characteristics of a population or
phenomenon being studied. It does not answer questions about how/when/why the
characteristics occurred. Rather it addresses the "what" question (what are the
characteristics of Minnesota state population or situation being studied?)
- Descriptive research design is a scientific method which involves observing
and describing the behavior of a subject without influencing it in any way.
3. Why is there a need for the validation of a research instrument? (10pts)

Validity is the extent to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure and performs as it
is designed to perform. It is rare, if nearly impossible, that an instrument be 100% valid, so validity is
generally measured in degrees. As a process, validation involves collecting and analyzing data to assess
the accuracy of an instrument. There are numerous statistical tests and measures to assess the validity of
quantitative instruments, which generally involves pilot testing. The remainder of this discussion focuses
on external validity and content validity.
External validity is the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized from a sample to a
population. Establishing eternal validity for an instrument, then, follows directly from sampling. Recall that
a sample should be an accurate representation of a population, because the total population may not be
available. An instrument that is externally valid helps obtain population generalizability, or the degree to
which a sample represents the population.
Content validity refers to the appropriateness of the content of an instrument. In other words, do the
measures (questions, observation logs, etc.) accurately assess what you want to know? This is particularly
important with achievement tests. Consider that a test developer wants to maximize the validity of a unit
test for 7th grade mathematics. This would involve taking representative questions from each of the
sections of the unit and evaluating them against the desired outcomes.

(Subjective answer)
4. In a comprehensive manner, identify three (3)six step problems that beset the Philippine
bureaucracy or society. Describe each of the problems by looking at the probable causes and the
resultant consequences if not properly addressed. (15 points)

5. Using the six-step problem solving model, and applying some decision-making tools, be able to
identify a particular problem affecting a particular agency or organization. Discuss the following
comprehensively. (25 points)

5.1 Identify a problem

define the problem – Defining the problem is a crucial step that involves digging deeper
to identify what it is that needs to be solved. The more clearly a problem is defined, the
easier you'll find it to complete subsequent steps. A symptom is a phenomenon or
circumstance that results from a deeper, underlying condition. It's common to mistake
symptoms for problems themselves – and so to waste a lot of time and effort on
tackling consequences of problems instead of their causes. To define a problem, you can
use gap analysis, which involves comparing your current state to the future state you
want to be in, to identify the gaps between them.

5.2 analyze the potential causes

analyze the problem – You decide what type of problem it is – whether there's a clear
barrier or circumstance you need to overcome, or whether you need to determine how
to reach a goal. You then dig to the root causes of the problem, and detail the nature of
the gap between where you are and where you want to be. The five-why analysis is a
tool that'll help you get to the heart of the problem. Ask "Why?" a number of times to
dig through each layer of symptoms and so to arrive at the problem's root cause. You
can get to the root of a more complicated problem using a cause-and-effect diagram. A
cause is something that produces an effect, result, or consequence – or what
contributed to the current state of affairs. Categories of causes include people, time,
and the environment.

5.3 Identify possible solutions

identify as many potential solutions as you can – Brainstorm creatively – ask lots of
questions about the who, what, where, when, and how of the causes to point to various
possibilities. Don't limit yourself by considering practicalities at this stage; simply record
your ideas.

5.4 Select the best solution

1. choose the best solution – In evaluating your ideas, more options could present themselves.
You could do this by rating each possible solution you came up with in step 3 according to
criteria such as how effective it will be, how much time or effort it will take, its cost, and how
likely it is to satisfy stakeholders.

5.5 Plan of Action

plan of action – During this step, you determine what steps must be taken, designating
tasks where necessary. And you decide on deadlines for completing the actions and
estimate the costs of implementing them. You also create a contingency plan in case of
unforeseen circumstances so that if anything goes wrong with your plan, you have a
"plan B" in place. Typically, this stage involves narrowing down the possible ways to
implement the solution you've chosen, based on any constraints that apply. You also
should draw up an action plan. The complexity of the plan will depend on the situation,
but it should include the who, what, and when of your proposed solution.

5.6 Implement the solution

This is an ongoing process. You need to ensure the required resources remain available
and monitor progress in solving the problem; otherwise, all the work you've done might
be for nothing.
1. The need to have a competent, productive and progressive workforce is a vital factor in
Achieving quality management .In this light, be able to explain the following: (15 points)

1.1 The meaning and relevance of human resource management

Human resource management is a term used to describe formal system deviced
for the management of people within the organization. It is also the process of
attracting, developing and maintaining a high quality work force. The relevance
of human resource management is to build organizational performance capacity
through people to ensure that highly capable and enthusiastic people are
always available.
1.2 Human resource management is a coordinative and an interactive process
Human resource management is a coordinative process in the sense that you
cannot solve the problem alone. You need to consult others and coordinate
with them in solving a particular problem. Human resource management is an
integrative process because it has to be an integrated action among the
management and the labor. Any big office can’t run effectively with only
managers operating in such as it cannot function with mere labor or employees
at hand. In every organization management and labor coexist.

2. Plans are designed to meet the goals and objectives of an organization. In view of this,
present and discuss comprehensively the following.

2.1 a schematic diagram or framework of the planning process

Establish objective

Evaluate the environment

Determine the best alternative

Implement the action plan

Result evaluation

2.2 a comprehensive discussion of the schematic diagram

a. Establish objective – these are the targets set by the organization. Example is to put up
another branch in different area/location. Another is reducing cost of an organization by
15% etc.
b. Evaluate the environment – this refers to existing conditions within and outside the
organization. Those within the organization are funds, facilities, policies, personnel
resources and attitude, and balance of top management. For the outside of the
 organization, these refers to the environment as competitors and possible constraints to
the organization’s plans
c. Determine the best alternative – these are courses of action which are used to attain
the objectives of the organization. For example, you plan to put up a security system as
your objective for your organization, you have several alternatives to choose from,
these are security guards, police dogs and burglar alarm machine. In these way, you
have to determine the best alternative to use for your organization.
d. Implement the action plan – in this planning process, the best alternative action is the
best solution if it has the most advantages. Once the best alternative is determined and
evaluated, the next step is to implement it. Implementing the best decision requires an
action plan which involves the use of money, manpower, materials, machines and
methods. It also requires a timeframe.
e. Result evaluation – this is the last step in the planning process. Results are evaluated in
order to modify or control them if necessary. Implementation may not be perfect or
precise thus some needed changes have to be done to obtain optimum or maximum
results. Since the planning process is a continues process, it goes back to start

3. Briefly discuss the following concepts/approaches in management: (35 points)

3.1 cooperative education – education based on cooperative arrangement by the college
and employment to provide a practical work experience. Cooperative education
combines classroom study with related employment and is based on the principles that
learning does not confine itself to economic development achievement but is equally
dependent upon practical learning experience.
3.2 Devolution – is the transfer of power or authority or delegating responsibilities from one
superior to subordinate.
3.3 Decentrlaization – transfer of functions from central office to regional offices to
eliminate congestions at the central office.
3.4 corporate social responsibility – a process which aims to embrace responsibility for the
company’s action and encourage a positive response thru its activities on the
environment consumers, the employees, communities, stakeholders and all other
members of the public sector.
3.5 ethical responsibility – is conforming with standards, conduct on moral values that are
generally accepted and practiced. It is critical for a well functioning society because they
include an honest dealing with individual.
3.6 “sprit de corps” – promoting team spirit to build harmony and unity within the
organization.
3.7 Benchmarking – a measurement of the quality of an organization’s policies, products,
programs, strategies, etc. and there comparison with standard measurement on similar
measurement of its peers.
4. Present a comprehensive discussion of the following concepts of issues. Select only three (3)
problems and relate their importance to public resource management: (30 points)
4.1 the concepts of sustainable development
 refers to the development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs. It is
a harmonious integration of a sound and viable economy, responsible
governance, social cohesion and ecological integrity to ensure that development
is a life sustaining process. The best example is the plan of the government
towards the Yolanda victims that they should make a plan of helping victims as a
life sustaining process. Programs that would sustain the victims to go back to
their normal lives. Relief goods are just a mere short term plans for the victims.
The government should provide a program that could sustain the future of the
victims. As the saying says don’t give a man a fish but rather teach him how to
catch fish. This is an exact example of sustainable development one can teach to
a person.
4.2 fiscal resource management as a primary key to management success
Fiscal resource management as primary key to management success. For
revenue generation, resource mobilization, revenue sources as a vital ingredient
of management success. It shows that if fiscal management in an organization is
good, it is financially stable. An organization is financially stable if there is good
financial control. All the plans and programs of an organization will not be
implemented without this financial aspect. Whatever good or best planning
strategies fails if without the monetary disbursement in an organization. For
example, in our case we have plans of purchasing materials and equipments for
the improvement of our services a s a whole. Despite f our well planned
programs if the budget officer or any person involved in the release of monetary
needs fail to give support or hesitant to adopt change the said plan well not be
realized.

4.3 the highlights of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)

1. eradicate extreme poverty and hunger - these plan is to provide food to
eradicate hunger, provide a safe drinking water and provide food especially
to the underweight children ages 5 years old and below.
2. Achieve primary universal education – that by 2015, children are expected
to complete primary education. Programs such as free education is
promoted.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women – this is to eliminate gender
disparity to primary and secondary schools.
4. Reduce child mortality – this is to reduce mortality on children under 5 years
old
5. Improve maternal health – this is to reduce maternal mortality
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases – prevent the spread of HIV /
AIDS by 2015 thru public awareness and advocacy.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability – implement national strategies for
sustainable development by 2015 to reverse environmental abuse
 8. Develop global partnership for development – develop functions globally

4.4 the 100 days of the Aquino administration – an analysis

4.5 the reproductive health bill vis-à-vis POPDEV integration

1. What is public resource management?
Is the efficient and effective development of an organizations resources when they are
needed.
Is it an art or a science?
Both art and science. Science- it has universally accepted principles, it has cause effect
relationship and has organized body knowledge. Art because it requires perfection through
practice, practical knowledge, creativity and personal skills. Science provides the knowledge
and art deals with application of knowledge and application.
What is the importance or relevance of the study of public resource management?
A manager to be successful in his profession must acquired the knowledge of science
What characteristics should an ideal manager possess?

2. Over several decades, the search for one best running organization brought about paradigm
shifts in the field of management. In view of this, discuss comprehensively the different
schools of thought in management using the following as you guide: (20 points)
a. The ideas introduced by each school of thought
b. The specific contributions made to improve organizations
c. A critique of each school of thought
3. Discuss comprehensively the four (4) major functions of management
Discuss their interrelationships in making organizations productive
Cite examples if necessary. (20 points)
4. Briefly discuss the following (35 points)
a. synergy
b. the concept of teamwork
c. re engineering
d. total quality management
e. management information systems
f. empowerment
g. rationalization policy
5. Be able to explain the following statements (10 points)
“Managers must excise moral courage by placing the value of excellence at the top of their
agenda”