Practical Research 1

Quarter 1 - Module 1:
Nature of Inquiry and Research

What is RESEARCH?
The word research is derived from the old french word cerchier, which means to
“seek or search.” “search” meaning to investigate. The prefix “re” means
“again” and signifies of the search. Literally, research means to “investigate
again”.
Research is an organized investigation and study of materials and sources to create
facts and reach new inferences. Research has come up with developing appropriate
solutions to improve the individual’s quality of life. Although it may take place in a
different setting and may use different methods, scientific research is universally a
systematic and objective search for reliable knowledge (Walker, 2010).
In most cases, research helps society to answer the WHAT, WHY and HOW
questions. It must be a proper investigation and should reach a valid conclusion that
would facilitate the finding of answers to the questions. Some of these questions
are: How can research affect society? What is the impact of the research to daily
life?

Major Characteristics of Research: Prieto, et.al. (2017)

1. EMPIRICAL - is based on observations and experiments of theories.
2. SYSTEMATIC - follows orderly and sequential procedures, based on valid
procedures and principles.
3. CONTROLLED - In research, all variables, except those that are tested/
experimented on, are kept constant.
4. EMPLOYS HYPOTHESIS - refers to a search for facts, answers to questions and
solutions to problems.
5. ANALYTICAL - shows analytical procedures in gathering the data, whether
historical, descriptive, and or case study.
6. OBJECTIVE - it is unbiased and logical. All findings are logically based on real-life
situations.
7. ORIGINAL WORK - it requires its own examination and produces the data
needed to complete the study.

Prieto, et.al. (2017) also added that the following are involved in the
Research Processes:
1. DEFINE RESEARCH PROBLEM: What is the problem?
2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE: What evidence is already presented?
3. FORMULATING HYPOTHESIS: How are we going to find/look for the answer to
questions being studied?
4. RESEARCH DESIGN: Where will the study be shown and with what population?
5. COLLECTING DATA: Are we ready to gather the data? Where do we find the
data?
6. ANALYZING DATA: How do the data answer the research queries?
7. INTERPRET AND REPORT: What are the implications of the results?

Ethical Codes and Policies for Research (Resnik, 2007)

1. Honesty Maintain all communication. Data should not be faked.
2. Objectivity Avoid biases in experimental designs, data analysis,
interpretation, expert testimony, and other aspects of research.
1. Integrity Keep your promises and agreements.
2. Carefulness Avoid careless errors and negligence.
 3. Openness Share data, results, ideas and tools. Be open to criticism and new
ideas.
4. Confidentiality Protect confidential communication.
5. Responsible Publication Avoid duplicating publications.
6. Responsible Mentoring Help to educate, mentor, and advise others.
7. Respect Colleagues Treat all peers fairly.
8. Social Responsibility Strive to promote social good. Avoid social harm.
9. Non- Discrimination avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on
the basis of sex, races, ethnicity, and or others.
10.Legality Be informed and obey relevant laws and institutional governmental
policies.
11.Respect of Intellectual Property Give proper acknowledgment or credits
to all researchers.
12.Human Subject Minimize risks that involve human lives, dignity, and
privacy.
Another Ethical Standards in Research Writing:
1. Plagiarism
Plagiarism refers to the act of using another person’s ideas, works, processes, and
results without giving due credit. It should not be tolerated as the unauthorized use
of original works, a violation of intellectual property rights.
Three different acts are considered plagiarism:
1. Failure to cite quotations and borrowed ideas,
2. Failure to enclose borrowed language in quotation marks, and.
3. Failure to put summaries and paraphrases in your own words.

KINDS OF RESEARCH:
There are two categories of research methodology:

Kinds of Research across Fields Areas of Interest

Developing an interest in different kinds of research will help you look into
something that affects your personality or your life in some important way. If you
are interested on a topic you are researching, you will enjoy reading and learning
about it. To define clearly the types of research in areas of interest you want to
embark, focus your scientific skills, your passion and ideas. It supports you to
connect to your career path. The examples of research in areas of interest will lead
you to choose specific topic of your research study which you will be exploring to
create new knowledge.

Kinds of Research Description Example of Studies

across Fields Areas
of Interest
Arts-Based Research Personal expression 1.The Role of Arts in Student
in various art forms is Achievement in Reading
 use as a primary
mode of inquiry 2.How Classroom Artistic
Structure Motivates Learning

Research in Deals with human culture 1 Values Education in the Public

Humanities such as philosophy, Schools: Practices and Challenges
religion, literature,
linguistics and history. 2. Children In-Conflict with the Law:
It includes ancient and A Resolution and Intervention
modern languages, human
geography, laws, politics
and other social sciences.

Sports Intended for athletes to 1.Student Involvement in Athletics

Research endure their health and and their Academic Performance
wellness goals through
proven high-quality 2.Sports and Fitness Support on
products. Students in Public Schools
It helps the coaches and
athletes to access
information and apply it to
develop programs and
techniques in sports.
Science Discover laws, postulates 1.Utilization of Garbage and other
Research theories that can explain Waste Resources as Cleaning
natural or social Materials
phenomena.
Applies systematic and 2.Making of COVID -19 Cure out of
constructed scientific Heat Transfer
method to obtain, analyze
and interpret data.
A strong and testable
hypothesis is the
fundamental part of the
scientific research.
Mathematics Provides mathematics 1.Student Difficulties in General
Research mastery topics and helps Mathematics: Remediation and
develops confidence and Interventions
interest to solve more
mathematical problems. 2.A Systemic Approach to Changing
It may also assist to find Classroom Practices for Enhancing
new methods to simplify Mathematics Outcomes
calculations.

Agriculture Improves productivity and 1.Green Space in School: Social and

Research quality of crops irrigation, Environment Perspective
storage methods, effective
farm management and 2. Is Urban Gardening as a Source
marketing of agricultural of Well-Being?
resources.
Agriculture is the backbone
of the economic system
providing food, raw
material and employment
opportunities.
 Fisheries Increase the productivity 1.Finding a Future: Sustaining Inland
research and management of fishery Fishery
resources to provide food:
protect and maintain 2.Fishing for Change: Fishery Policy
different bodies of water in the Philippines
for sustainable supply of
aquatic resources.

Information Aim to adapt current 1.The Role of ICT in the New Normal
and technology advancement Education
Communication which enhances
Technology development of resources. 2.Exploring the Interactive
(ICT) Research Computer Simulation in Public
Schools

Business Acquire information in 1.Developing a Framework for Small

Research business to maximize the Scale Business
sales and profit. It aids
business companies 2.Business Practices and Strategies
regulates which product or of Small Enterprises at SM Mall of
service is most profitable Asia
or in demand.

Social Science Finds solutions for human 1.The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
Research behavior gathering on Employment Opportunities
information about people
and societies. 2. Implementation of Enhanced
Community Quarantined in Low-Risk
Area of Misamis Oriental.

Qualitative Research
“Defined as “naturalistic method of research which deals with the concern of human
difficulty by discovering it straightly”; and concerned with the experiences,
understanding and words of the individual.”
Characteristics of a Qualitative Research
1. Takes place in a natural setting like home, school, institution, or community.
2. Researchers are sensitive to participants’ needs and participants are actively
engaged in the process.
3. Data are collected through observation, interviews, documents, e-mails, blogs,
videos, etc.
4. It may result in changes in research questions after new discoveries occur.
5. Collecting data in a real-life situations. It may be subjected to the researcher’s
personal interpretation.
6. Abounds with words and visuals. Presenting people’s view in a picture, video,
drawing or graphs.
Strengths of Qualitative Research
1. Issues can be analyzed through detailed and deep examination.
2. Interviews are not being delimited to specific questions and can be
guided/redirected by the researcher along the process.
3. The research framework and direction can be easily revised as new information
emerges.
4. The obtained data from human experience is powerful and sometimes more
interesting than quantitative data.
5. Data usually are collected from a few cases or individuals so findings cannot be
generalized to a larger population. Findings can however be transferable to another
setting.
Weaknesses of Qualitative Research
1. Research quality is heavily dependent on the researcher’s skills and may be
influenced by the researcher's outlooks.
2. The volume of data makes analysis and interpretation time-consuming.
3. It is sometimes hard to prove.
4. The researcher's presence during data gathering, which is often unavoidable in
qualitative research, can affect the subjects' attitudes towards the process.
5. Issues of anonymity and confidentiality can bring/result in problems when
presenting findings.
6. Findings can be more difficult and take time to visualize.
Kinds of Qualitative Research
1. Case Study - a long-time study of a person, group, organization or situation and
an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-
life context. The case can be an individual, person, event, group or an institution.
Ex. Cases of missing person, crimes
2. Ethnography - a study of a particular cultural group.
Ex. The Mangyan’s Burial Practices
3. Phenomenology- “live-experienced” of a phenomenon
- the study of how people give meaning to their experiences and a story
telling type of study.
Ex. Travails of Senior Citizen at the LRT/MRT
4. Historical Analysis - is a qualitative method where there is an examining of past
events to draw conclusions and make predictions about the future.
- this is the study of primary documents to explain the connection of past
events to the present time.
Example: Explaining the events during the Marcos regime.
5. Grounded Theory - takes place when there is a discovery of new theory which
underlies your study at the time of data collection and analysis.
Ex. Charles Darwin Theory
 Practical Research 1
Quarter 1 - Module 3:

Identifying the Inquiry and Stating the Problem Related to Daily Life
LESSON 1: DESIGNING A RESEARCH PROJECT RELATED TO DAILY LIFE

In designing your qualitative research, you have to consider whether the

topic you have chosen is relevant to you as a learner, as a constituent in your
barangay, and as a citizen of this country.
Therefore, the first question you should answer is, “What is the issue, phenomenon
or problem in my school, at home, and in the community that needs my special
attention by conducting research?”
Examples:
1. In School
Based on observation, what are the issues and problems I encounter inside the
classroom? Is it the lesson, teachers, learners’ attitude and hindrances to
graduation?
2. At Home
Considering my life on a daily basis, what are the things that bother me at
home?
3. In the Community
What are the usual complaints of my neighbor regarding ordinances, practices and
activities in the barangay? Or, what are the situations in my community that need
to be improved?
Once you have decided on area where you can focus on, you need to remember
the design of the qualitative research you will venture into.

Design of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is an emergent design which means that it emerges as you
make ongoing decisions about what you have learned.
As a design, qualitative research requires researcher’s decision-making like how to
gather data, from where and whom to collect, when to gather, and for how long is
the process will be.
To have a holistic picture of qualitative research project, you have to remember that
in deciding on a topic, you have to consider the kind and the field it belongs, as well
as its relevance to your daily life.
LESSON 2: WRITING A RESEARCH TITLE

Guidelines in Choosing a Topic

1. Interest in the subject matter
You are interested about the topic because you have experienced it.
2. Availability of information
It is important that when you decide on a topic, sources of information are
available.
3. Timeliness and relevance of the topic
The topic you have chosen can be of significance to the community.
4. Limitations on the subject
Sometimes, topic is limited to what the teacher suggests. An example of this
is when the teacher asks the entire class to focus on COVID-19 pandemic, then you
have no freedom to explore other topics aside from what is given.
5. Personal resources
Consider also if you can finish the research in terms of your intellectual and
financial physical capabilities.

Topics to be Avoided
1. Controversial topics
Avoid highly opinionated topics.
2. Highly technical subjects
Too technical topics requires expertise. If you don’t have enough knowledge about
it, then look for another one.
3. Hard-to-investigate subjects
Unavailability of reading materials and materials that are not updated make the
subject hard to investigate.
4. Too broad subjects
You lack focus if you deal with broad topics. The remedy is to narrow it down.
5. Too narrow subject
Some subjects are too narrow that extensive and thorough reading are required.
6. Vague subjects
Titles that start with indefinite adjectives such as several, many, some, etc., make
the topic vague.
Sources of Research Topics
1. Mass media communication-television, newspaper, ads, radio, films, etc.
2. Books, internet, journals, government publications
3. Professional periodicals- specialized periodicals in different fields
4. General periodicals- Reader’s Digest, Time Magazine, Women’s Magazine, etc.
5. Previous readings
6. Work experience
Examples of Research Topics and their Sources

Possible Area of Source Topic

Research
1. Social Problems Magazines, journals, social Cyberbullying and coping
media, books, mechanisms among senior
newspapers, high school students
2. Wide Reading/Critical Varied reading materials- SONA as information
Film Viewing books, journals, campaign of the
magazines, newspaper, President’s programs and
videos and documentaries projects
3. Social Networking Social Media: Facebook, Functionality of social
Instagram, Twitter media among students
during the pandemic
4. Replication of research Compilation of research in Inadequacies of private
the library schools in the K to 12
implementations
5. Gray Areas about Lectures, Talks, Seminars The fallacy about COVID-
issues, phenomena, etc. 19 vaccines

How to Narrow Down a Topic

1. You can narrow down the topic by exploring and extending the explanation of a
theory.
2. Talk over ideas with people who know research.
3. Focus on specific group. Ex: Students, Mothers, Teachers
4. Define the aim or desired outcome of the study. a. Is the study exploratory,
explanatory, or descriptive?
b. Is the study applied or basic?

Before deciding on your topic, ask:

1. What areas are not yet explored that I want to investigate?
2. Is my research useful to me, to my school, to my family and to my community?

Remember, a research study must be significant enough to make it worth

your efforts as the researcher.

Example of a Broad Topic Narrowed Down to Specific One

General Concept: Early Pregnancy

Narrow: Early Pregnancy among Senior High School Students
Narrow: Prevention of Early Pregnancy among Senior High School Students
 More Examples of Specific
broad and specific
topics: Broad
Lack of Self-esteem Lack of Self-Esteem among Introverts: Remedies and
Intervention
Drug Addiction Health Hazards of Vaping: Prevention and Intervention
Suicide Suicidal Teenagers in Urban Areas: A Case Study
COVID-19 Causes, Prevention, and Treatment of COVID-19

Now, we will tackle how you will formulate your research title.
⮚ Research title is the most important element of your research as it clearly
expresses the problem to be explored.

⮚ A research title capsulizes the main thought or idea of the whole research paper.
It also reflects the variables under study.

⮚ It is expressed in few words possible and just enough to describe the contents and
the purpose of your research.

⮚ It needs to be informative.

⮚ It contains the:
● What: the subject matter or topic to be investigated
● Where: place or locale where the research is to be conducted
● Who: the participants of respondents of the study
● When: the time period of the conduct of the study

Examples:
● Struggles in Online Learning Modality among Students of Quezon National High
School during School Year 2021-2021

What: Struggles in Online Learning Modality

Where: Quezon National High School
Who: Students
When: School Year 2021-2021

● Less Mastered Competencies of Senior High School Students in Bukidnon during

School Year 2020-2021

What: Less Mastered Competencies

Where: Bukidnon
Who: Senior High School Students
When: School Year 2020-2021