Guide- Taller de investigación

Research Protocol

The architectural plan of a research project outlining what will be investigated, why it matters, and how it will be conducted.

Block A of a Research Protocol

The 'WHAT?' section defining the phenomenon, including the problem, research question, and objectives.

Block B of a Research Protocol

The 'WHY?' section explaining the rationale and justification for why the study matters.

Block C of a Research Protocol

The 'HOW?' section detailing the strategy, including the hypothesis, methodology, and schedule.

Difference between Topic and Problem

A topic is a broad subject, whereas a problem is a specific situation or phenomenon within that subject requiring investigation.

General Objective

The single primary goal of an investigation, formulated using an infinitive verb (e.g., to analyze, to evaluate).

Specific Objectives

The sequential steps or intermediate goals necessary to achieve the general research objective.

Spatial Filter

The delimitation filter that answers WHERE the phenomenon takes place.

Temporal Filter

The delimitation filter that answers WHEN or over what period the phenomenon is studied.

Demographic Filter

The delimitation filter that answers WHO or which population group is being studied.

Social Relevance (Justification)

The rationale criterion assessing who benefits from the research and how it addresses a social issue.

Practical Implications (Justification)

The rationale criterion assessing whether the research helps solve or provide solutions to a practical problem.

Theoretical Value (Justification)

The rationale criterion assessing whether the research contributes new knowledge or fills an existing gap.

Hypothesis

A tentative prediction or proposed cause-and-effect answer to the research question formulated prior to investigation.

Explanatory Research

A type of research focused on uncovering the causes and underlying reasons behind a phenomenon (answering 'WHY?').

Participatory Action Research (PAR)

A research framework where researchers collaborate with affected community members to study a problem and actively transform reality.

Empirical Characteristic of Research

The requirement that research findings be based on real-world observation and evidence rather than purely personal beliefs.

Deductive Method

A logical reasoning path moving from general principles or theories down to specific cases.

Inductive Method

A logical reasoning path moving from specific observations up to general patterns or conclusions.

Analytical Method

A reasoning path that breaks a complex phenomenon into its constituent parts to analyze each separately.

Synthetic Method

A reasoning path that reconstructs and integrates individual components to comprehend the overall phenomenon.

Experimental Design

A study design where the researcher intentionally manipulates independent variables to observe their effects on dependent variables.

Non-experimental Design

A study design where the researcher observes phenomena as they naturally occur without manipulating variables.

Quantitative Approach

A research paradigm centered on numbers, statistical measurements, countable data, and questions such as 'how many?'

Qualitative Approach

A research paradigm focused on meanings, feelings, opinions, experiences, and descriptive insights.

Mixed Approach

A research paradigm that integrates both quantitative (statistical) and qualitative (descriptive) methods.

Hierarchy of the Research Toolbox

The four-level sequence: Approach (Lens) -> Method (Strategy) -> Technique (Action) -> Instrument (Tool).

Research Technique vs. Instrument

Technique refers to the action taken to gather data (e.g., asking or observing), while Instrument is the physical or digital tool used (e.g., questionnaire or form).