RESEARCH

Paradigm

Paradigm

A cluster of beliefs and dictates which for scientists, in a particular discipline, influence what should be studied, how research should be done, and how results should be interpreted

Qualitative Research

An inquiry process of understanding a social or human problem based on building a complex, holistic picture, formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants, and conducted in a natural setting.

Quantitative Research

An inquiry into a social or human problem, based on testing a theory composed of variables, measured with numbers, and analyzed with statistical procedures in order to determine whether the predictive generalizations of the theory hold true

IMRAD Format

The organization of a research report into four main sections: the Introduction, Method, Results, and Discussion sections.

Introduction

This contains the Background of the Study and Research Questions

Methodology

This contains the Research Method and Research Design

Results

This contains the Findings of the research study

Discussions

This contains the Conclusions and Recommendations of the study.

Data

any information that has been observed and collected to validate research findings and use as bases for drawing conclusions. These can be qualitative or quantitative.

Primary Sources

observation, interview, questionnaire

Secondary Sources

literature, studies

Primary Data

provide raw and first-hand information

Observation

Information obtained through the senses.

Non-participant Observation

Observing behavior without interacting with the participants

This occurs when a researcher does not get involved in the activities of the group, but remains a passive observer by watching and listening to the group's activities and drawing conclusions from them.

Participant Observation

Means the observer takes part in the situation being studies while carrying out the research.

Hawthorne Effect

Individuals modify or improve an aspect of their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed.

Observer Effect

Another name for Hawthorne Effect

Interview

A researcher asks the participants questions in a one-on-one or small group setting.

It is a face-to-face interaction between the involved parties

In-depth Interview

A one-on-one interview between a professional researcher and a research respondent conducted about some relevant business or social topic.

Focus Group Discussion

An interview by a facilitator of a small group of people who are selected because of their knowledge about the topic.

Used to gather participants from similar backgrounds or experiences to discuss a specific topic of interest or phenomenon.

For data validation purposes only

Structured Interview

A selection interview that consists of a predetermined set of questions for the interviewer to ask

Unstructured Interview

An interview wherein there's no predetermined list of questions, the order or sequence of questions is according to the context of the interview, and depending on the flow of the interview, leading to the goal of the study, and by answering the research questions/

Semi-structured Interview

The interviewer does not strictly follow a formalized list of questions..

This type of interview gives interviewees more opportunities to fully express themselves, but in a way that objectives of the study are still met.

Questionnaire

A printed or written form used to obtain information from a respondent.

Secondary Data

data that are usually second-hand information, discussion, and analysis from other writers and researchers.

(books, thesis, dissertation, etc.)

Population

A large collection of individuals that have a common characteristic or trait and are the main focus of a scientific query.

Sample Size

The subset of the population being studied. It represents the larger population and is used to draw inferences about the population.

Simple Random Sampling

Simplest form of Probability Sampling

A sampling procedure in which each member of the population has an equal probability of being included in the sample.

Systematic Random Sampling

A method of sampling in which sample elements are selected from a list or from sequential files, with every nth element being selected after the first element is selected randomly within the first interval

Stratified Random Sampling

A form of probability sampling; a random sampling technique in which the researcher identifies particular demographic categories of interest and then randomly selects individuals within each category.

A type of probability sampling technique which intends to guarantee that the sample represents specific subgroups or strata (section/batch).

Cluster Random Sampling

dividing the total population into groups, then using simple random sampling to select which clusters participate; all observations in a selected cluster are included in the sample

Convenience Sampling

Using a sample of people who are readily available to participate

Purposive Sampling

Selecting sample members to study because they possess attributes important to understanding the research topic

A biased sampling technique in which only certain kinds of people are included in a sample

Quota Sampling

A nonprobability sampling technique in which researchers divide the population into groups and then arbitrarily choose participants from each group

Snowball Sampling

A variation on purposive sampling, a biased sampling technique in which participants are asked to recommend acquaintances for the study

Qualitative Research

(DESCRIPTIVE) purposive sampling, in-depth interview

Quantitative Research

(DESCRIPTIVE) probability sampling, survey questionnaire

Experimental Research

observation, quantitative, variables