ELECT 1: INTRO TO

RESEARCH
DICKSON P. PAGENTE, MALE
College Department, SAIT
• A key to progress.
• A careful and diligent inquiry into a subject for the
purpose of discovering something and present this
discovery to the readers.
• A careful, critical, disciplined inquiry, varying in
technique and method according to the nature and
conditions of the problem identified, directed to the
clarification or resolution (or both) of a problem (Good,
p. 464).
• The systematic search for pertinent information on a
specific topic or problem. After the researcher has
analyzed and interpreted this information, he will then
prepare a research report on it (Aquino, p.1).

What is Research?
• The process of gathering data or information to solve a
particular or specific problem in a scientific manner
(Manuel and Medel, p.5).
• A systematic study or investigation of something for the
purpose of answering questions posed by the researcher
(Parel as cited by Sanchez, p. 2).
• An attempt to gain solutions to problems. More precisely,
it is the collection of data in a rigorously controlled
situation for the purpose of prediction or explanation
(Treece and Treece, p.3).

What is Research?
• To discover new facts about the known phenomena.
• To find answers to problems which are only partially
solved by existing methods and information.
• Improve existing techniques and develop new
instruments or products.
• To contribute to the body of knowledge and valid
generalizations into systematized science.
• To provide basis for decision-making in business,
industry, education, government, and in other
undertakings.
• To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity.
• To expand or verify existing knowledge.

Purposes of Research
• Research is systematic
• Research is controlled
• Research is empirical
• Research is analytical
• Research is objective, unbiased, and logical
• Research employs hypothesis
• Research employs quantitative or statistical methods
• Research can also employ qualitative approach
• Research is original work.
• Research is done by an expert
• Research is patient and unhurried activity
• Research requires an effort-making capacity
• Research requires courage

Characteristics of Research
• In research, there may not be a problem, only interest in
answering a question. In problem solving, there is always
a problem to be solved.
• All research is intended to solve some kind of problem,
but this is not the primary aim. Whereas, problem-solving
does not always involved research.
• Research is conducted not primarily to solve a problem
but to make a contribution to general knowledge.
• Problem-solving is always intended to solve a problem.

Research & Problem-solving

• QUANTITATIVE APPROACH – research that is based
on measurement and quantification of data.

• QUALITATIVE APPROACH – gives emphasis on the

qualities of entities and on processes and meanings that
are not experimentally examined or measured in terms of
quantity, amount, intensity, or frequency.

• MIXED-METHOD APPROACH – a combination of both

approaches (quantitative and qualitative approaches).

Approaches in Research
• NARRATIVE RESEARCH – an approach to qualitative
research that is both a product and method. It is a study of
stories or narrative or descriptions of a series of events that
account for human experiences.

• PHENOMENOLOGY – This type of study describes the

common meaning of experiences of a phenomenon (or topic
or concept) for several individuals. In this approach, the
researcher reduces the experiences to a central meaning or
the “essence” of the experience (Moustakas, 1999).

Qualitative Studies
(sub-approaches)
• GROUNDED THEORY – In this type of study, the
researcher generates an abstract analytical schema of a
phenomenon, a theory that explains some action,
interaction, or process.

• ETHNOGRAPHY – This is the study of an intact cultural or

social group (or an individual or individuals within the
group) based primarily on observations and a prolonged
period of time spent by the researcher in the field.

• CASE STUDY – This type of research involves the study of

a case within a real-life, contemporary context or setting
(Yin, 2009).

Qualitative Studies
(sub-approaches)
• VARIABLE – an attribute or characteristics of
individuals that researchers study (Cresswell, 2012).
Examples: academic performance, study habits,
motivation, learning interests, computer game addiction

• INDEPENDENT VARIABLE (IV) – an event, condition,

or measured attribute or characteristic that the researcher
for the most part controls (there is no manipulation or
control of an independent variable that is measured).

• DEPENDENT VARIABLE (DV) – this variable is

constant and is influenced (possibly) by and dependent on
the independent variable.

Variables (for Quantitative Studies)

 INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

ACADEMIC
STUDY HABITS
PERFORMANCE

PARENTING
STYLES

PERSONALITY
TRAITS

PEER
PRESSURE

IV and DV Relationship
For Correlational Studies
• INTERVENING / MEDIATING VARIABLES – stand
between the independent and dependent variables, and
they mediate the effects of the independent variable on
the dependent variable.

ACADEMIC
STUDY HABITS
PERFORMANCE

HEALTH
CONDITION

Variables (for Quantitative Studies)

• MODERATING VARIABLES – are independent
variables that affect the direction and / or the strength of
the relationship between independent and dependent
variables (Thompson, 2006).

• EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES – uncontrolled or

unknown factors that can potentially affect the results or
the response to the dependent variable.

Variables (for Quantitative Studies)

 INPUT OUTPUT

INTERVENTION
COHABITATION
PLAN

MENTAL FIVE – YEAR

HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT
CONDITION PLAN

LEVEL OF FINANCIAL
FINANCIAL LITERACY
LITERACY SEMINARS

Input and Output Relationship

For Descriptive Studies
• The Effect of Alcoholism to the Grade Point Average
(GPA) of Senior High Students
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

ALCOHOLISM GPA

• Financial Management Practices and Wellness of the

Employees of San Agustin Institute of Technology

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT (Financial) Wellness
PRACTICES

Identification of Variables
• Office Administration Students’ Attitude towards
Stenography
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE STENOGRAPHY

• Instructional Materials: Its Influence to the Learning

Interest of Grade 7 Students
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

INSTRUCTIONAL
LEARNING INTEREST
MATERIALS

Identification of Variables
• SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE
• SAMPLE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM & RESEARCH
QUESTIONS

Addenda
Identify the statistical tools to be used for the following
research questions:

1. Is there a significant difference between the academic

achievement of single and married college students?
2. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of
ethnicity and nationality?
3. What is the respondents’ level of academic performance?
4. Is there a significant relationship between compensation and
job satisfaction?
5. What is the extent of implementation of the senior citizen
program in Valencia City?
6. Which independent variable best influence the intrinsic
motivation of children?
7. Is there a significant difference between the learning interests
of college students when grouped according to their year levels?

TEST YOURSELF