STEPS IN CONDUCTING A SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The steps of scientific research are based on the scientific method. The scientific research process
is the way that people in the field of natural and social sciences go about asking and solving scientific
questions. The following are the steps of the scientific research process:

STEP 1: Observing and Identifying the Research Problem

During this phase, researchers strive to formulate research inquiries that mirror the actual
challenges they intend to tackle. These inquiries subsequently become the central nucleus of the
study's attention. Most scientists commence their endeavors by closely observing their
surroundings or context. This practice enables them to pinpoint processes or elements that stand
in need of enhancement. When identifying the problem, researchers must not only focus on their
interest but also should focus on answering societal problems that can surely benefit the entire
community through the help of 17 Sustainable Development Goals or the SDG’s from United
Nations.

Goal 1: No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Goal 2: Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture.
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all
ages. Goal 4: Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote
lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Goal 5: Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water
and sanitation for all.
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and
modern energy for all.
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable
economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive
and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequality: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive,
safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and
production patterns.
Goal 13: Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Goal 14: Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine
resources for sustainable development.
Goal 15: Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,
sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt
biodiversity loss.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for
sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and
inclusive institutions at all levels
Goal 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal: Strengthen the means of implementation and
revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

STEP 2: Conducting Background Research

In the early stages, researchers often embark on an initial exploration of the background by
examining their existing understanding of the subject matter. This initial understanding is then
allowing them by searching into a wide scope literature, which enables them to search deeper into
the subject. This phase furnishes foundational comprehension of the research dilemma. The
literature review delivers valuable insights into prior studies undertaken, the methodologies
employed to address previous issues, and the outcomes and broader implications of past research
endeavors.

STEP 3: Formulating Research Hypothesis

A hypothesis is nothing more than a good scientific guess. Most of the time, researchers formulate
their hypothesis based on the information they gathered from the literature review. The initial
problem identified can be too broad in scope. In this step, the researcher clarifies and narrows the
scope of the study based on the information collected from the literature search. After narrowing
down the scope, the researcher formulates the assumption for the expected results if the
specific problem has been addressed. The hypothesis guides the researchers in determining
possible ways of answering the problem by designing the methodology of the research. Formulating
a hypothesis is a pivotal step in scientific research. It guides the research process and serves as
a basis for experimentation and analysis. You can make hypothesis after clearly identifying the
problem and done doing a research background. This will be discussed further on preceding units.

STEP 4: Testing the Hypothesis by Designing the Research Methodology

Research methodology refers to the set of methods, procedures, or techniques that will be used
for the overall handling of data about a topic. The methodology serves as a road map in executing
the testing of the hypothesis of the study. This part requires specifying the variables and samples
involved in the study and how data will be collected. Designing the research methodology
includes several decisions and considerations for constructing a comprehensive plan in
answering the research questions.

STEP 5: Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data

Once the research methodology is completed, the researcher starts the actual study by collecting
the necessary data to answer the research question. Data collection is a critical step as this
provides the framework for the conclusion of the study. Data can be collected in several ways, which
will be discussed in the succeeding lessons. After data collection, the researchers need to perform
the analysis to extract the essential information needed to answer the research questions. Data
analysis is done with the use of statistical methods that you have learned in your statistics and other
research classes. The results of the analysis must then be interpreted and discussed based
on supporting details collected from previous knowledge about the topic.
STEP 6: Drawing Conclusions and Recommendations
The results generated from the analysis and interpretation of the collected data need to be
summarized in relation to the set of research questions. After the summary, researchers
generalize the essential information to form the conclusion of the research. This serves as the
primary answer to the identified research problem. On the other hand, the recommendation comes
in the form of future regarding what the researchers could do to improve the generated answer from
the study. It can also suggest future directions of the field that might open new problems related to
the current topic.

STEP 7: Sharing Your Research Output

After doing the entire research process, from gathering to the interpretation of data, researchers are
obliged to present and share their findings to other people working in related fields or even
to the public. These are usually in the form of posters and oral presentations during organized
conferences for a specific field of science. Researchers are also required to publish their works in
journals or any form of media that allows their work to be known by other people. Through
publication, researchers allow other people to replicate their work, and if similar results keep coming
out, a scientific consensus can be formed. In this manner, most theories and laws are developed

A good research problem must be:

• Specific: The problem should be narrowly focused, not too broad or vague. It should identify what
exactly you are studying.
• Measurable/Researchable: The problem must be something that can be investigated through data
collection, observation, or experimentation. You need to be able to collect real information to answer
it.
• Achievable: Consider if the problem can realistically be done with the resources, time, and skills
you have available. A highly ambitious problem might be interesting but impossible to complete.
• Relevant: The problem should address a meaningful gap in knowledge, solve a practical issue, or
contribute to understanding a phenomenon that matters. It should have some significance.
• Time-bound: While not always explicitly stated in the problem itself, a good problem implies that it
can be completed within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., a school semester or year).

STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

Often phrased as a clear question. Common structures include:
• "What is the effect of [Independent Variable] on [Dependent
Variable]?"
• "How does [Factor A] affect [Factor B]?"
• "Is there a relationship between [Variable X] and [Variable Y]?"
Construction of a RESEARCH TITLE
Concise - Keep it short and to the point, avoiding unnecessary words. Aim for
clarity with minimal words.
Clear - It should be easily understood by someone who reads it without needing
further explanation.
Descriptive - The title should give a good idea of what the research is about and what
specific variables or subjects are involved.
Includes key variables - Ideally, the title mentions the main independent and dependent variables
of your study, so readers immediately know the focus.
Avoids Jargon - Unless you are writing for a highly specialized audience, try to use plain language
that is accessible to a wider readership. Avoid acronyms or highly technical terms that might not be
universally understood.
Avoids “A study of ......” “An Investigation of ” - These phrases are often redundant; the title
itself implies it's a study or investigation.