Methods of

Research
Week 3
Textbook: Adanza, E., Bermudo, P. Rasonabe, M. 2009.
Methods of Research: A Primer. Manila. Rex Book Store

 1. Basic researches are those that deal with the process of

objects and things, or information about different topics with
no concern for a direct pay-off.
Among these are studies on relationship, comparative analyses,
trends and projections.
Examples:
Relationship between emotional quotient and leadership skills
The intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors of students to enroll
in IT courses
Cost benefit analysis of contractual workers in manufacturing
cars.

Basic Applied and

Empirical Researchers

 2. Applied researches are those that probe into the unknown

using directly the results to a current problem.
examples:

Studies on rice substitutes

Modern methods for gall bladder operations
Different contraceptives for birth control
Use of native plants to serve as gasoline

Basic Applied and

Empirical Researchers

 3. Empirical researches are more specific than basic

researches, but imply their nature from the use of data,
whether quantitative or qualitative.
Basically, they have the following important characteristics:
Based upon observations and experiences;
Derived from direct data;

Basic Applied and

Empirical Researchers

 Deal with population samples; and

Generally use estimations and hypothesis testing.

Problems that involve differences and relationships of

behavior or measurable characteristics are generally empirical
researches.

Basic Applied and

Empirical Researchers

 Pure researches -are researches which do not use empirical or

direct data, but are researches where the laboratory is the
human mind and are geared towards the resolution or a
simplification of a problem or derivation of a concept or a
theory or even a formula.
Examples:
Thesis and dissertation of students for a Master of Science degree
in Mathematics, Statistics or Physics.

Pure Researches

 Examples of Sources of Problems:

Subjects in the classroom
The interaction of age and gender on the Process Methods
of Science in Teaching
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors of students to take
computer course
Intelligence theories and academic performance

Sources of Problems

 Examples of Sources of Problems:

Work experiences
Interpersonal relations with co-workers
Communication flow in the three processes
The relationship between management styles of school
managers and faculty empowerment
The implementation of TQM
Relationship between academic preparation and nursing
licensure examination

Sources of Problems

 Examples of Sources of Problems:

Theories which need Empirical Support

Motivation-Hygiene theory with job satisfaction

Intelligence theories on learning and teaching
Cost-benefit of hiring contractual workers
Hollands theory with occupational preference

Sources of Problems

 Examples of Sources of Problems:

Technological and Science Researches
Quality of life among people living on the riverbanks of a
certain region
Drug addiction
Issues on pollution, global warming, tsunami, tornadoes,
earthquake
Use of computers for aids in navigation
Quality health care

Sources of Problems

 Examples of Sources of Problems:

Management Practices of Organizations
Practices in different organizations which need assessment
and improvement.
Some rules and regulations in government corporations may
be assessed in aid of legislation.

Sources of Problems

 The characteristics of a good problem are the following.:

1. firstly, it should be of interest to the researcher himself; one can
be eloquent on a subject matter which one knows and is interested
in.
2. it should have practical value to the researcher, the school;
3. it a current and novel issue;
4. more importantly, it can be finished within the allotted time,
depending on the subject, which is a requirement.

Characteristics of a Good
Problem

 The characteristics of a good problem are the following.:

5. it should not carry moral or legal impediment, nor should it be
controversial.
6. The data are available;
7. The variables are clear, separable, and updated.
8. It shall incur expenses affordable to the researcher.

Characteristics of a Good
Problem

 A researcher paper usually has numerous constraints and

there are factors that limit the successful performance of
the project:
The researcher should be aware of these things of :

1. availability of data
this is the most important consideration that
a researcher should be concerned of.
One can never do an empirical research
without data.

Factors that Influence the

Selection of the Problem

Funds
it is also one of the constraints.
A research activity is an investment and therefore, needs
funds.
One needs fund for questionnaires, data analysis, for papers,
other materials and for the typing of the manuscript.
3. Capability of the writer
one should not write a topic on theory on numbers
when one has no9t taken the course.
One should write on topics which he believe he is capable
of doing.

2.

Factors that Influence the

Selection of the Problem

Attitude and Interest of the researcher

one will be motivated to do the research if
one has the proper attitude and interest in
what one is doing.
5. Interest of the sponsor or the Benefactors should
be considered
should not conflict with the interest and
capability Of the researcher.
4.

Factors that Influence the

Selection of the Problem

 6. Importance of the issues involved

- topics that are already saturated with
findings should be avoided. It should be a
topic that is current and likewise popular.
7. Regency of the issue
it is an event or an issue that is
contemporary and of interest to many.

Factors that Influence the

Selection of the Problem


8. cooperation of other People
one should be assured of others who will
play an important part in the research report.
9. Facilities and Instruments are available
- facilities and instruments needed in an
experiment should be available, especially
laboratory equipment and chemicals

Factors that Influence the

Selection of the Problem

 Considerations for choosing the title of the report:

1. it should not be long and should not be more than 20
words.
2. It should include the variables (independent and
dependent) and the method of analysis
3. it should give insight virtually on what the research is
all about
4. it should serve as a reference for the whole research
report which others can use.

The Title of the Research

Report

 Considerations for choosing the title of the report:

5. it should enable one to claim the paper as his own, and
helps other rese3archers to refer to ones work as they survey
some theories themselves.
6. the following words should not be a part of the title since all
researches are studies, an analysis of variables, and an
investigation like: A Study of, An Analysis of, or An
Investigation of,
7. It should not important to include the date and location
the investigation as these can be placed in the Scope and
Delimitation of the Study

The Title of the Research

Report

 The relationship Between Emotional Quotient and Leadership

Skills of Managers of a Manufacturing Firm
1. Independent Variable- Emotional Quotient
2. Dependent Variable leadership Skills
3. Method of Analysis Correlational analysis may
proceed to simple and multiple linear regression
Major Sources of Stress and Performance of Managers of Top
Corporation in Makati
1. Independent variable Sources of Stress
2. Dependent Variable Performance
3. Method of Analysis correlation analysis and proceed to linear
regression analysis

Examples of Title of the

Research Report

 The Role of Strategic Planning on the Organizational

Effectiveness of a Manufacturing Firm
1. Independent Variable- Strategic Planning
2. Dependent Variable Organizational Effectiveness
3. Method of Analysis simple linear regression
Total Quality Management as an Organizational Development
Intervention on Faculty Empowerment
1. Independent variable Total Quality Management
2. Dependent Variable Faculty Empowerment
3. Method of Analysis Pre and Post result, use dependent t-test

Examples of Title of the

Research Report

 Independent versus dependent

independent variable (IV) is presumed to cause changes
in another variable
dependent variable (DV) is changed because of another
variable; it measures the effect of the independent
variable
example effect of anxiety (IV) on memory (DV)

Variables in Quantitative
Research (cont'd)

 Independent versus dependent

extraneous variables are those that compete with the
independent variable in explaining the DV.

Variables in Quantitative
Research (cont'd)

 Mediating and moderating variables

a mediating variable occurs between two other variables
in a causal chain (e.g., anxiety causes distraction
(mediating variable) which affects memory)
moderating variables qualify a causal relationship as
dependent on another variable - e.g., the impact of
anxiety on memory depends on level of fatigue
(moderating variable)

Variables in Quantitative
Research (cont'd)

 There are two kinds of research formats:

1. The format of a thesis and dissertation; and
2. A format for a scientific research journal

Parts of a Research Report

There are two kinds of research formats:

1. The format of a thesis and dissertation
Example:
Chapter Titles
1 The Problem and Its Background
2 Review of Related Literature and Studies
3 Methods of Research and Procedure
4 Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
5 Summary of Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations

Parts of a Research Report

2. A format for a scientific research journal

A. Abstract
B. Key Concepts
C. Objectives
D. Methodology
E. Results and Discussions
F. Conclusion and Recommendation

Parts of a Research Report

 Introduction
The first word in the introduction should be strong
enough to cause an impact on the reader or stimulate
interest in the paper.
Statement in this chapter should signify the importance of
the paper through statement supported and substantiated
by references from important researches.
Reports or quotation taken from references should not be
more than one-third of a page.

Detailed Discussion of
Chapter 1

The research report may rest on a theory or set of theories.

It is a general statement which shows an interplay of variables, a
happening with an eventual result, a guide or a road map of what the
research should be.
If the study has no theoretical framework, the researcher may build up
his own conceptual framework, putting all the variables in a schematic
diagram.
All the variables stated in the problem and the dynamics of such
variables should be considered in this part.
Variables found in the study, but not mentioned in the framework, are
bound to be questioned as irrelevant to the research.

Theoretical Framework or
Conceptual Framework