APP 006 – Practical Research 2: Week 1 Comprehensive Notes

Subject Orientation – APP 006: Practical Research 2 (Week 1)

Learning Objectives

• Explain the contents and scope of the subject APP 006.

• Develop effective communication with group-mates about research expectations and collaborative tasks.

Course Road Map (Week 1 Slide Overview)

• 01 Subject Description

• 02 Performance Tasks

• 03 Grading System

• 04 Classroom Rules

• 05 Activity (Buzz Group)

Foundational Concepts

What is “Research”?

• Word-origin view:
  • “Re-” = again; “search” = to look for something ⟶ “to look for something again.”

• Formal definition:
  • A systematic and organized process of collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data to answer people’s questions.

Primary Aims of Research

• Verification of existing knowledge.

• Acquisition of new knowledge.

• Application of newly generated knowledge.

• Advancement of the researcher’s own expertise and field.

Functions of Research

• Exploration → Exploratory research.

• Explanation → Explanatory research.

• Description → Descriptive research.

Key Characteristics of Quality Research

1. Realistic

2. Logical

3. Cyclical (iterative)

4. Analytical

5. Objective

6. Critical

7. Replicable

Subject Focus & Scope

• APP 006: Practical Research 2 is dedicated to quantitative research.
  • Emphasis for STEM students: Experimental research.
  • Emphasis for other tracks (GAS, ABM, HUMSS, TVL): Descriptive research.

Essence of Quantitative Research

• Collects and analyzes numerical data.

• Typical goals:
  • Describe characteristics of a population.
  • Detect or measure correlations among variables.
  • Test hypotheses statistically.

Descriptive Research (for GAS, ABM, HUMSS, TVL)

• Purpose: Accurately and systematically describe a population, situation, or phenomenon (Scribbr 2019).

• Primary data-collection tool: Survey Questionnaire.

• Example Instrument (condensed):
  • Topic: Perception of Selected 3rd-Year BSEd Students on How College of Education Learning Environment Affects Academic Performance.
  • Likert-scale items, rating $1$ (Strongly Disagree) to $5$ (Strongly Agree).
  • Measures facets such as motivation, safety, teacher approachability, classroom facilities, etc.

• Ethical implication: Ensures participants’ anonymity (name optional) and voluntary signature.

Practical Significance

• Generates baseline data for policy decisions about facilities and pedagogy.

• Empowers administrators to allocate resources based on students’ voiced needs.

Experimental Research (for STEM Acad & STEM Health)

• Defined as the scientific method of testing a hypothesis through manipulation of an independent variable (IV) and observing its effect on a dependent variable (DV).

• Core components:
  • Experimental set-up, control vs. treatment groups.
  • Precise measurement and replication.

Example Framework (Bach et al., 2021 – Fertilizer Study)

• Control Treatment (CT): Soil only + baseline minerals $N, K, Mg, Fe$.

• Fertilizer Treatment (FT): Phosphorus (P) recycled fertilizers or TSP + same minerals.

• Soils:
  • Type A – Silty sandy loam.
  • Type B – Clayey loam.

• Timeline highlights:
  • $-2$ days: Pre-watering to $70\%$ WHC.
  • $0$–$7$ days: Seedling & germination (maize + ryegrass).
  • $21$, $50$, $106$, $134$ days: Sequential harvests & soil/plant analyses.

• Measured variables: Soil pH, Ca, Mg, CAL-P; plant fresh mass (FM), dry mass (DM), nutrient $[P]$.

• Broader implication: Optimizes sustainable fertilizer use; assesses recycled vs. synthetic P sources.

Comparative View of Research Designs

Performance Tasks & Timeline

• 1st Achievement Test – July 21 to July 26.

• PT 1 (Chapters 1 & 2) – Aug 11 to Aug 16.

• 2nd Mini-PT (Chapter 3: Survey Questionnaire / Experimental Set-up) – Sept 29 to Oct 4.

• 2nd PT: Research Proposal – Oct 6 to Oct 18.

Practical Advice

• Start early literature review for your five prospective topics (see Buzz Group task).

• Treat mini-PT as pilot study; refine instruments before full proposal.

Grading System

• Written Works : $25\%$

• Performance Tasks : $45\%$

• Exam : $30\%$

Written-Works Details

• 15-point module activity (Face-to-Face).

• 15-item quiz (Remote Classroom).

• Leader’s rating component encourages equitable contribution tracking.

Exam Coverage

• 1st Periodical Exam: Modules $1$ – $11$.

Classroom Rules (3 Core Expectations)

1. Respect Time – punctual submission & attendance.

2. Focus – minimize distractions; active note-taking.

3. Engage – ask questions, participate in peer review.

Pedagogical Rationale

• Establishes professional research culture mirroring real-world project deadlines.

Buzz-Group Activity (Week 1 Ice-breaker)

• Meet assigned group-mates; produce one-page output containing:

  1. 1 Research Leader + 3 Sub-leaders.

  2. 5 tentative research topics (aligned with strand & feasible within term).

• Outcome fosters early team dynamics and brainstorming.

Instructor Support & Credits

• Instructor: Ma. Christine Jane Baino
  • Consultation Hours: Mon–Thu, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

• Template: Slidesgo; Icons: Flaticon; Infographics/Images: Freepik.

Integrative Takeaways & Future Connections

• Quantitative skills acquired here bridge to capstone projects, industry data analytics, and evidence-based decision making.

• Ethical consciousness (survey anonymity, responsible experimentation) builds professional integrity.

• Cyclical research mindset aligns with continuous improvement frameworks in businesses (e.g., PDCA cycle).

• Understanding of mixed-methods previews graduate-level methodologies.