Republic of the Philippines

North Eastern Mindanao State University

CRIM 7 – Criminological Research 1 and Statistics

STUDY GUIDE

Course Description:

This course focuses on how writing a research paper/thesis is done, and the applicable
statistical tools, understanding the different parts of the thesis, their interplay, and the governing
rules in writing a technical paper, the development of a research problem, the instrument, the
data gathering methods, and the treatment of the data collected. (CMO 05, s. 2018)

PART I. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

A. The Value and Importance of Research

What is research?

Research defined as a systematic process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting information or

data in order to increase the understanding of phenomenon about which the community or
organization is interested or concerned.

Research is the process of thoroughly examining a subject or studying a particular issue using
specialized scientific technique (Caño et. al, 2023).

It entails:

 Collection of data
 Documentation of critical information
 Analysis interpretation of data/information

Its primary function is the search for

 Understanding
 For “knowing” with the aim of contributing to the body of knowledge or a theory in the
domain of research.

Research Characteristics

1. Originates with a question or problem

2. Requires clear articulation of a goal
3. Requires specific plan for proceeding
4. It usually divides the principal problem into more manageable subproblems
5. Guided by the specific research problem, question or hypothesis.
6. Accepts certain critical assumptions
7. Requires the collection and interpretation of data in an attempt to resolve the problem that
initiated the research.
8. Research by nature, cyclical or more exactly, helical.

The Value of Research

Frequently ask questions to address the value of research:

 What goals does research aim to achieve?

 Why do academics engage in research?
  What are the advantages of understanding research for students?
 Does research help in addressing issues in the community?
 Does research contribute to strengthening the economy?
 How is research viewed in higher education?

Multiple ways to generating value of research

Increasing the amount of knowledge that is beneficial.

Educating professionals.
Developing new scientific tools and technique, working with users to employ these tools
or procedures.
Collaborating with users on research initiatives and networks.

The Importance of Research

Below are the importance of Research:

 It provides the basis for many government policies

 It is the fountain of knowledge and provides guidelines for solving problem.
 Only through research can be made
 Higher gain and productivity; improved quality of products
 Leads to identification and characterization of new materials, new living things, new
stars;
 Optimizes the problems on business and industry
 Social research helps find answers to social problems.

Types of Research

Here are some types of research according to data or information collected, interpreted and
utilized:

a. Quantitative Research – the process of collecting and analyzing NUMERICAL data. Its
characteristics are the following:

o It is numerical, non – descriptive, applies statistics or mathematics and uses numbers.

o It is an iterative process whereby evidence is evaluated.
o The results are often presented in tables and graphs.
o It is conclusive.
o It investigates the WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN of decision making.

b. Qualitative Research – it involves collecting and analyzing non – numerical data for
example, text, video or audio to understand concepts, opinions or experiences. It can be
used to gather in – depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research. The
characteristics of a qualitative research are:

o It is non – numerical, descriptive, applies reasoning and uses word.

o Its aim is to get the meaning, feelings and describe the situation.
o Qualitative data cannot be graph.
o It is exploratory.
o It investigates the WHY and HOW of decision making.

c. Mixed Method Research – a type of research combines elements of quantitative and

qualitative research in order to answer the research questions. The type of research that
may be the right choice if the research process suggests that quantitative and qualitative
data alone will not sufficiently answer the research question.
 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Other types of Research
a) Exploratory – is a methodology approach that investigates research questions that have
not previously been studied in – depth. It is often qualitative in nature.

b) Descriptive – aims to accurately and systemically describe a population, situation or

phenomenon. It can answer what, where, when and how questions, but not why
questions. Descriptive research is an appropriate choice when the research aim is to
identify characteristics, frequencies, trends and categories.

c) Explanatory – is a type of research method that explores why something occurs when
limited information is available.
d) Correlational Research – research design investigates relationship between variables
without the researcher controlling or manipulating all of them. A correlational reflects the
strength and/or direction of the relationship between two or more variables.
e) Longitudinal Research – focuses on how certain measurements change over time
without manipulating any variables.
f) Cross – sectional - is a type of research design in which the researcher collects data from
many different individuals at a single point in time.
g) Action Research – refers to the process of examining a person’s or one’s actions,
assessing their effectiveness in bridging about the desired outcome and choosing a course
of action based on your results.
h) Policy – Oriented research – designed to inform or understand one or more aspect of the
public and social policy process, including decision making and policy formulation,
implementation and evaluation.
i) Comparative Research – designed to identify similarities and differences between two
individuals, subjects or group

Two types of Research Approaches

1. Inductive Research Approach

- Also known as theory – building research designed to collect data that may help
develop a new theory about a process or phenomenon. Its starts by gathering data,
taking a broad view gathered data and search for patterns and finally make general
conclusions that might be incorporated into theories.

2. Deductive Research Approach

- Opposite with inductive type of research and moves from broad to specific. This
commonly used in scientific research and it’s specifically associated with quantitative
research.

Select a research problem and create a problem statement

Develop falsifiable hypotheses
Collect your data with appropriate measure.
Analyze and test your data
Decide whether to reject your null hypothesis

Classification of Research

Two main classification of Research shown below:

 1. Basic/Fundamental Research – is an investigation on basic principles and reasons for
occurrence of particular event or processes or phenomenon. It helps build new frontiers
of knowledge. Its characteristics are:

 It seeks generalization;
 Aims at basic processes;
 Attempts to explain why things happen;
 Tries to get all the facts; and
 Reports in technical language of the topic

2. Applied Research - in applied research, one solves certain problems employing well
known and accepted theories and principles. It has the characteristics to:

 Study individual or specific cases without the objective to

generalize;
 Aims at any variable which makes the desired difference;
 Tries to say how things can be changed;
 Tries to correct the facts which are problematic; and
 Reports in common language

PRACTICE EXERCISES

To measure understanding of the lesson, answer the activity below:

Activity #1

Reflective Essay

Instructions: In a short bond paper, write your understanding about the following questions
below and follow the format provided:

Name:
Section: Date:
Rating: Professor:

I. Introduction
II. Discussion
III. Conclusions
IV. Takeaways
V. References

Guiding Questions

1. What is the value and importance of criminological research?

2. Discuss briefly the ways to generating value of research.

End .
Do a good turn daily.