PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

- This course develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills through qualitative research.

1. Introduction
Discusses four (4) relevant ideas:
• TOPIC or subject matter: define and elaborate using methods of paragraph development like
classification and giving examples
• IMPORTANCE of the Topic: cite the role that the topic plays in your life and the benefits you derive
from it.
• REASONS for Choosing the topic: emphasized what motivated you to choose the topic.
• PURPOSE of the Study: discusses the objective of the study.

2. Background of The Study

- consists of statements on what led the investigator to launch the study.
- may have been generated by some empirical observations, the need to explore the problem and some
other relevant conditions.
- describe as clearly as possible the problem intended to be addressed and refer to the relevant literature
in the field.
- it is an overview of factors which have led to the problem, comprise the problem and historical
significance relative to the problem.
3. Statement of the Problem
- There should be a general statement of the whole problem followed by the specific questions or sub
problems into which the general problem is broken up.
4. Theoretical Framework
- This is the foundation of the research study. These are highly related theories and principles that were
established and proven by authorities
- refers to the set of interrelated construct, definitions, and prepositions that presents a systematic view
of phenomena
- an organized body that explains what has been done and what has been said on the topic or problem
being investigated.
5. What must be obtained from a theory?
- The name/s of author/s of the theory must be taken including the place and the time / year when he or
she postulated such a principle or generalization.
- the part or parts of the theory that are relevant to your study
- synthesis by relating to your findings
6. Conceptual Framework
- a tentative explanation or theoretical explanation of the phenomenon or problem and serves as the basis
for the formulation research hypotheses. -
- consists of the investigator’s own position on a problem after his exposure to various theories that have
bearing on the problem
- The conceptual framework becomes the central theme, the focus, the main thrust of the study. It serves
as a guide in conducting investigation.
- Paradigm. A paradigm is a diagrammatic representation of a conceptual framework. It depicts in a
more vivid way what the conceptual framework wants to convey.
7. Deductive Reasoning
- In deductive reasoning, a conclusion is reached reductively by applying general rules that hold over the
entirety of a closed domain of discourse, narrowing the range under consideration until only the
conclusion is left.
- a method of reasoning by which concrete applications or consequences are deducted from general
principles or theorems
8. Assumptions and Hypothesis
- Historical and descriptive investigations do not need explicit hypotheses and assumptions. Only
experimental studies need expressly written assumptions and hypotheses.
- Assumptions- a belief that forms one of the bases for the research. This belief is not to be tested or
supported with empirical data. Very often belief is not stated in a research proposal.
- Hypothesis is a tentative answer to a research question, it can be derived from the observation before
the research is conducted. This is called inductive hypothesis from the theory. This is called deductive
hypothesis.
9. Kinds of Hypothesis
- Research hypothesis is usually developed from experience, literature or theory, or combination of
these. This is the expected relationship between variables.
- Null hypothesis is the one that states NO relationship between variables. The function is to let the
research test the hypothesis statistically.
10. Scope and Delimitations
- The scope and delimitations should include the following:
• A brief statement of the general purpose of the study.
• The subject matter and topics studied and discussed.
• The locale of the study, where the data were gathered or the entity to which the data belong.
- The population or universe from which the respondents were selected. This must be large enough to
make generalizations significant.
- The period of the study. This is the time, either months or years, during which the data were gathered.
11. Limitations of the Study
- include the weaknesses of the study beyond the control of the researcher.
- The weaknesses spring out of the inaccuracies of the perceptions of the respondents.
12. Variables
- is the operationalized way in which the attribute is represented for further data processing.
- Values of each variable statistically "vary" (or are distributed) across the variable's domain Basically, a
variable is any factor that can be controlled, changed, or measured in an experiment.
13. Types of Variables
- The independent variable is the one condition that you change in an experiment.
- The dependent variable is the variable that you measure or observe. It is the factor that is dependent on
the state of the independent variable.
- A controlled variable or constant variable is a variable that does not change during an experiment.
- Extraneous variables are "extra" variables that may influence the outcome of an experiment, but aren't
taken into account during measurement.
14. Significance of the Study
- The rationale, timeliness and/or relevance of the study. The rationale, timeliness and/or relevance of
the study to existing conditions must be explained or discussed.
- Possible solutions to existing problems or improvement to unsatisfactory conditions.
- Who are to be benefited and how they are going to be benefited. It must be shown who are the
individuals, groups, or communities who may be placed in a more advantageous position on account of
the study. Possible contribution to the fund of knowledge.
- Possible implications. It should be discussed here that the implications include the possible causes of
the problems discovered, the possible effects of the problems, and the remedial measures to solve the
problems.
15. Definition of Terms
- Only terms, words, or phrases which have special or unique meanings in the study are defined.
- Terms should be defined operationally, that is how they are used in the study.
- The researcher may develop his own definition from the characteristics of the term defined.
- Definitions may be taken from encyclopedias, books, magazines and newspaper articles, dictionaries,
and other publications but the researcher must acknowledge his sources.
- Definitions should abe brief, clear, and unequivocal as possible. Acronyms should always be spelled
out fully

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2
Content: Nature of Inquiry and Research
Content Standard:
The learner demonstrates understanding of:
1. the characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and kinds of quantitative research
2. the importance of quantitative research across fields
3. the nature of variables
Performance Standard: The learner is able to decide on suitable quantitative research in different areas of
interest
Learning Competencies: Describes characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and kinds of quantitative
research.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
Features of Research
-Empirical - based on observations and experimentation on theories.
-Systematic - follows orderly and sequential procedure.
-Controlled - all variables except those that are tested/experimented upon are kept constant.
-Employs hypothesis - guides the investigation process
-Analytical - There is critical analysis of all data used so that there is no error in their interpretation
-Objective, Unbiased, & Logical - all findings are logically based on empirical
-Employs quantitative or statistical methods - data are transformed into numerical measures and are
treated statistically.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
1. Basic - The systematic, rigorous investigation of asituation or problem in order to generate
newknowledge or validate existing knowledge.
2. Applied - refers to scientific study and research that CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH seeks to solve
practical problems. Applied research is used to find solutions to everyday problems, cure illness, and
develop DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH innovative technologies, rather than to acquire knowledge for
ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH knowledges sake.
3. Problem Oriented - is conducted to understand the exact nature of the problem to find out relevant
solutions. The term “problem” refers to having issues or two thoughts while making any decisions.
4. Problem Solving - is the mental process of analyzing a situation, learning what options are available,
and then choosing the alternative that will result in the desired outcome or some other selected goal.
5. Qualitative - is a scientific method of observation to gather non-numerical data. This type
of research "refers to the meanings, concepts, definitions, characteristics, metaphors, symbols, and
description of things" and not to their "counts or measures".
6. Quantiative - a method of research that relies on measuring variables using a numerical system,
analyzing these measurements using any of a variety of statistical models, and reporting relationships
and associations and associations among the studied variables.

METHOD USED FOR QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

The three most common qualitative methods, explained in detail in their respective modules, are
participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. Each method is particularly suited for
obtaining a specific type of data.

- Participant observation is appropriate for collecting data on naturally occurring behaviors in their usual
contexts.
- In-depth interviews are optimal for collecting data on individuals’ personal histories, perspectives, and
experiences, particularly when sensitive topics are being explored.
- Focus groups are effective in eliciting data on the cultural norms of a group and in generating broad
overviews of issues of concern to the cultural groups or subgroups represented.
PURPOSE OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
The purpose of quantitative research is to generate knowledge and create understanding about the social
world. Quantitative research is used by social scientists, including communication researchers, to observe
phenomena or occurrences affecting individuals.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Theory / research ratio
Qualitative research: Inductive setting that is articulated in the context of “discovery”, the researcher
rejects the formulation of theories. Theory and research work simultaneously.
Quanti: Sequential phases, based on a deductive approach that is articulated in the context of
“justification”. The theory precedes the research.

Concepts
Quali: They seek to find the character of uniqueness.
Quanti: Definitive and operative, they are the theory and are converted from the beginning into variables.

Relationship with the studied environment

Quali: (active subject) Naturalistic approach: space and actions are analyzed in the present time during the
research.
Quanti: (passive subject) Experimental approach: the subject is not responsive but this is not a problem.

Interaction researcher/respondent
Quali: Essential, it is necessary that empathy arises between the two parts.
Quanti: Almost absent, the interviewer must be warm and human but must not interact outside the
questionnaire.

Search design
Quali: Without a structure, open, in search of unexpected options, it gets modified in progress.
Quanti: Closed structure, planned in advance.

Representativeness of the respondent

Quali: Inexistent. Different info are taken on different levels of depth.
Quanti: It is necessary to use representative samples.

Uniformity of the detection instrument

Quali: Absent. Not necessarily always the same.
Quanti: It is necessary to use a standard.

Nature of data
Quali: Soft: Data collected in their integrity, subjective.
Quanti: Hard: objective and standardized data.
Type of respondent
Quali: Unique individual.
Quanti: Variable individual.

Type of analysis
Quali: Case based, prospettiva olistica del comportamento umano.
Quanti: Variable based, mathematical and statistical techniques.

Presentation of data
Quali: Quotes, narrative-style extracts, to allow reality as it has been experienced during the study.
Quanti: Tables and graphs, statistics, analysis and comparison with data obtained and data from past years
and with estimates.

Generalization
Quali Absent. Identification of the Weberian ideal types, interpretation of reality.
Quanti: Necessary. Individual fragmentation, correlation between variables, conceptual unit in the random
model.

Scope of results
Quali: Limited number of cases.
Quanti: Significant number, representativity.

Methodology
Quali: Observation of the respondent in the focus room, interviews with privileged witnesses.
Quanti: Structured questionnaire for CATI, CAWI or PAPI.