Practical Research

What is Quantitative Research?

Quantitative research is a study that uses numbers to explain, measure, or prove something. It is like math mixed with questions.

What are the characteristics of Quantitative Research?

1. Objective: focuses on facts, not personal feelings.

2. Numerical Data: uses numbers, graphs, and statistics.

3. Systematic: follows steps (plan → gather data → analyze → conclude).

4. Replicable: others can repeat the study and get the same results.

5. Large Sample: usually asks many people to make results stronger.

What are the strengths of Quantitative Research?

1. Gives clear, exact results in numbers.
2. Easier to compare and generalize because many people are studied.
3. Helps prove relationships (ex: more sleep = better grades).
4. Can be used in science, business, education, health, and more.

What are the weaknesses of Quantitative Research?

1. Numbers cannot explain deep feelings or personal stories.
2. Needs a lot of people (big sample) which can be hard to gather.
3. Requires math and statistics, which some find difficult.
4. Sometimes too focused on numbers, missing human emotions.

What are the kinds of Quantitative Research?

1. Descriptive: describes what is happening. Example: “How many students play online games every night?”
2. Correlational: checks if two things are related. Example: “Does more study time relate to higher grades?”
3. Causal-Comparative (Ex Post Facto): looks at cause-and-effect by comparing groups. Example: “Do students from public and private schools have different test scores?”
4. Experimental: tests cause-and-effect by doing an experiment. Example: “If students listen to music while studying, will their scores improve?”

What is a Research Question?

The main question the study wants to answer. Example: “Does sleep affect academic performance?”

What is a Hypothesis?

An educated guess or prediction. Example: “Students who sleep more will have higher grades.”

What is Related Literature and Studies (RRL) and what is its purpose?

RRL means reading books, articles, journals, or past studies related to your topic.

Purpose:

• To see what others already discovered.
• To avoid repeating the same study.
• To give your research a strong background.

Example: If your study is about “sleep and grades,” your RRL should include past studies where other researchers also studied sleep and performance.

What is an Abstract in a research paper?

The "short story" of the whole research, usually one paragraph and 150–250 words. It tells:

• What the problem/question is.
• Who the participants are.
• How you studied them (methods and steps).
• What you found (results).
• What it means (conclusion and implications).

Keywords (3–4 important words) are added after the abstract. Think of it as the movie trailer of your research.

What is an Acknowledgment in a research paper?

The part where you say thank you to people, schools, teachers, family, friends, or groups who helped you. This is your “thank you card” part of the research.

What is a Dedication in a research paper?

A personal note where you write who you want to dedicate your research to, such as parents, family, or friends who inspired you. This is like writing a small love letter.

What is a Table of Contents in a research paper?

Like a map or menu of your research paper. It lists all the parts and shows the page numbers, helping readers find what they need quickly.

What is covered in Chapter 1 – The Problem and Its Background?

1. Introduction: Explains what the study is about and why it is important.
2. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework: Uses existing theories or a diagram to show the connection between variables.
3. Statement of the Problem (and Hypotheses): Lists the main problem and questions, including a guess you want to test.
4. Significance of the Study: Explains who benefits from the research.
5. Scope and Delimitation of the Study: Defines what the study covers and what it does not include.
6. Definition of Terms: Explains important words, conceptually (dictionary meaning) and operationally (how the study uses them).

What is the purpose of the Introduction in Chapter 1?

It is the start of the research. It explains what the study is about and why it is important.

What is the difference between Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks?

1. Theoretical Framework: Uses existing theories from experts to support your study.
2. Conceptual Framework: A diagram or map that shows the connection between your variables (e.g., Independent → Dependent).

How are terms defined in a research paper?

Terms in a study can be defined in two ways:

1. Conceptual: The dictionary or academic meaning (e.g., Sleep = a natural rest for the body and mind).
2. Operational: How the study specifically uses the term (e.g., Sleep = the number of hours students report resting per night).

What is the purpose of Chapter 2 – Review of Related Literature (RRL)?

This chapter provides background reading from other researchers, books, or articles about your topic. Its purposes are:

• To support your study with evidence.
• To avoid repeating what others already did.
• To connect your study with existing knowledge.

What is covered in Chapter 3 – Research Methods?

1. Research Design: Explains what type of research was used.
2. Participants of the Study: Tells who joined the study (number, age, grade, gender).
3. Setting of the Study: Tells where the study took place.
4. Research Instrument: The tool used to collect data (e.g., survey, interview guide, test results).
5. Data Gathering Procedure: Explains the steps for collecting data.
6. Data Analysis: Explains how the collected data was studied (e.g., counting, percentages).

What is presented in Chapter 4 – Presentation, Analysis & Interpretation of Data?

This chapter shows the results of the study, usually in tables, graphs/charts, or figures.

• Analysis: explains what the numbers mean.
• Interpretation: connects results to the research question.

What is covered in Chapter 5 – Summary, Conclusions & Recommendations?

1. Summary: Tells the important points of the whole research: problem, participants, methods, findings.
2. Conclusions: The answer to the research questions.
3. Recommendations: Suggestions for improvement or action.