Meaning of Research

Research is defined as the scientific investigation of phenomena which includes collection, presentation,
analysis and interpretation of facts that lines an individual’s speculation with reality.
Characteristics of Research
1. Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher.
2. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles.
3. Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process because it starts with a problem and ends
with a problem.
4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data,
whether historical, descriptive, experimental and case study.
5. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
6. Methodical. Research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using
systematic method and procedures.
7. Explicability. The research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to
enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.
Qualities of a Good Researcher
1. Research-oriented
2. Efficient
3. Scientific
4. Effective
5. Active
6. Resourceful
7. Creative
8. Honest
9. Economical
10. Religious
Characteristics of the Researcher
1. Intellectual Curiosity. A researcher undertakes a deep thinking and inquiry of the
things, and situations around him.
2. Prudence. The researcher is careful to conduct his research study at the right time
and at the right place wisely, efficiently, and economically.
3. Healthy Criticism. The researcher is always doubtful as to the truthfulness of the
results.
4. Intellectual Honesty. An intelligent researcher is honest to collect or gather data or
facts in order to arrive at honest results.
5. Intellectual Creativity – A productive and resourceful investigator always creates
new researches.
Values of Research to Man
1. Research improves the quality of life.
2. Research improves instruction.
3. Research improves students’ achievement.
4. Research improves teacher’s competence.
5. Research satisfies man’s needs.
6. Research reduces the burden of work.
7. Research has deep-seated psychological aspects.
8. Research improves the exportation of food products.
9. Research responds to the economic recovery and austerity measure of the country.
10. Research trains graduates to become responsive to the economic development of the
country and to compete globally.

Types of Research
1. Basic Research.
This is also called as “fundamental research” or “pure research”. It seeks to discover basic
truths or principles.
Examples:
· Boyle’s Law
· Charles’ Law
 · Archimedes’ Principle
· Hooke’s Law
· Newton’s Law
2. Applied Research.
This type of research involves seeking new applications of scientific knowledge to the
solution of a problem, such as a development of a new system or procedure, new device, or new
method in order to solve the problem.
3. Developmental Research.
This is a decision-oriented research involving the application of the steps of the scientific
method in response to an immediate need to improve existing practices.
4. Historical Research.
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.
5. Descriptive Research.
Descriptives 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?) [1] The characteristics used to describe the situation or
population are usually some kind of categorical scheme also known as descriptive categories.
For example, the periodic table categorizes the elements. Scientists use knowledge about the
nature of electrons, protons and neutrons to devise this categorical scheme. We now take for
granted the periodic table, yet it took descriptive research to devise it. Descriptive research
generally precedes explanatory research
6. Experimental Research.
Experimental Research is a systematic and scientific approach to research in
which the researcher manipulates one or more variables, and controls and measures
any change in other variables.
7. Case Research.
Basically, a case study is an in depth study of a particular situation rather than a
sweeping statistical survey. It is a method used to narrow down a very broad field
of research into one easily researchable topic

THE VARIABLE
Meaning of Variable
A variable is defined as a quantity susceptible of fluctuation or change in value or magnitude
under different conditions.
Types of Variable
1. Independent Variable.
This is the stimulus variable which is chosen by the researcher to determine the
relationship to an observed phenomenon.
2. Dependent Variable.
This is the response variable which is observed and measured to determine the effect of
the independent variable.
3. Moderator Variable.
This is a secondary or special type of independent variable chosen by the researcher to
determine if it changes or modifies the relationship between the independent and dependent
variables.
4. Control Variable.
This is the variable that is controlled by the investigator in which the effects can be
neutralized by eliminating or removing the variable.
5. Intervening Variable.
This is a variable which interferes with the independent and dependent variables, but its
effects can either strengthen or weaken the independent and dependent variables.
What is the difference between related studies and
related literature in research?
 When we say related literature, we are pertaining to written information’s about a certain subject of interest which
will include those of the books, journals, articles, and internet resources. While when we say related studies, these are
focused on the discussion regarding a certain phenomena that could be testable descriptively or experimentally, so it's
not just based on information but through inferences.
  The difference between literature and studies is: Literature refers to texts, books, pieces of writing; written works.
Studies refers to research, analysis and/or experimentation regarding a subject, and may refer to written work that
regards such studies.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
* Validity
 It means the degree to which a test or measuring instrument measures what it intends to measure.
Types of Validity
 Content validity – It means the extent to which the content or topics of the test is truly representative of
the content of the course.
 Concurrent validity – It is the degree to which the test agrees or correlates with a criterion set up as an
acceptable measure.
 Predictive validity – It is determined by showing how well predictions made from the test are confirmed
by
evidence gathered at some subsequent time.
 Construct validity – It is the extent to which the test measures a theoretical construct or trait.
* Reliability
 It means the extent to which a research instrument is dependable, consistent and stable.

Methods in Testing the Reliability of a Good Research Instrument

 Test-retest method – In this method, the same instrument is administered twice to the same group of
subjects and the correlation coefficient is determined.

rs = 1 – Z6D2
N3-N
 Parallel-forms method – Parallel or equivalent forms of a test may be administered of the group of
subjects, and the paired observations correlated.
 Split-half method – The test in this method may be administered twice, but the test items are divided
into two values.
rwt = Z(rt)
1 + rnt
 Internal-consistency method – This method is used with psychological test which consist of dichotomously
scored items.
Kuder-Richardson Formula 20

Rxx = [N] [SD2 - ∑piqi]

N-1 SD2
* Usability
 It means the degree to which the research instrument be satisfactorily used by teachers, researchers,
supervisors and school managers without expenditures of time, money and effect.
Factors to Determine Usability
1. Base of administration. To facilitate the administration of a research instrument, instruction should be
complete and precise.
2. Base of scoring. It depends on the following aspects:
· Construction of a test in the objective type.
· Answer keys are adequately prepared.
· Scoring directions are fully understood.
3. Ease of interpretation and application. Results of test are easy to interpret and apply if tables are provided.
4. Low cost. It is more practical if the test is low cost material-wise.
5. Proper mechanical make-up. A good research instrument should be printed clearly in an appropriate size
for the grade or year level for which the instrument is intended.

1. countable noun
A thesis is an idea or theory that is expressed as a statement and is discussed in
a logical way.
This thesis does not stand up to close inspection.
...the thesis that computers can be programmed to do anything a human mind does.
Synonyms: proposition, theory, hypothesis, idea More Synonyms of thesis
2. countable noun
A thesis is a long piece of writing based on your own ideas and research that you do as
part of a university degree, especially a higher degree such as a PhD.
A dissertation is a long formal piece of writing on a particular subject, especially for
a university degree.
He is currently writing a dissertation on the Somali civil war. [+ on]
.
a written thesis, often based on original research, usually requiredfor a higher degree
2.
a formal discourse
a formal and lengthy discourse or treatise on some subject, esp. one based on original
research and written in partial fulfillment of requirements for a doctorate
see also thesis
Action research is either research initiated to solve an immediate problem or a reflective process of progressive problem
solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a "community of practice" to improve the way they address
issues and solve problems.[1] There are two types of action research: participatory and practical[further explanation needed]. Denscombe
(2010, p. 6) writes that an action research strategy's purpose is to solve a particular problem and to produce guidelines for
effective practices.
Action research involves actively participating in a change situation, often via an existing organization, whilst simultaneously
conducting research. Action research can also be undertaken by larger organizations or institutions, assisted or guided by
professional researchers, with the aim of improving their strategies, practices and knowledge of the environments within which
they practice. As designers and stakeholders, researchers work with others to propose a new course of action to help their
community improve its work practices.
Kurt Lewin, then a professor at MIT, first coined the term "action research" in 1944. In his 1946 paper "Action Research and
Minority Problems" he described action research as "a comparative research on the conditions and effects of various forms of
social action and research leading to social action" that uses "a spiral of steps, each of which is composed of a circle of planning,
action and fact-finding about the result of the action".