Practical Research 2 – Introduction to Research

Etymology and Basic Definitions

• Middle-French origin: “recherche” – act of searching closely
◦ Split into prefix “re–” (again) + root “search” (look for)
• Dictionary sense: any systematic process of inquiry for discovering new facts, revising theories, or applying knowledge to real-world problems.

Personal Reflection Prompt

• Slide prompt: “What is research for you? – ‘Nagresearch ka kung…’”
◦ Meant to encourage students to relate research to everyday situations (e.g., googling a fact, comparing product prices, validating gossip, etc.).
• Emphasises that the core of research is curiosity + verification.

Thesis vs. Research Paper

Purpose

• THESIS
◦ Mandatory capstone work that earns an academic degree (under-grad, master’s, doctoral).
• RESEARCH PAPER
◦ Course requirement, conference, or journal submission; demonstrates mastery of a topic within a semester.

Time Frame

• Thesis: multi-year endeavour (commonly 1–3 years).
• Research Paper: a few weeks to several months.

Word / Page Count

• Thesis: $20{,}000 \text{ – }25{,}000$ words (≈ $100\text{–}130$ pages).
• Research Paper: $10{,}000 \text{ – }15{,}000$ words (≈ $50\text{–}60$ pages).

Research Goals

• Thesis: multiple comprehensive goals (develop theory, produce solution, extend methodology).
• Research Paper: usually one focused goal.

Formality & Outcome

• Thesis (often labelled “professional research”): fully formal, strict academic protocols, almost always leads to publication / archiving.
• Research Paper (sometimes “personal research”): may employ less rigid structure; grading is primary; publication optional.

Two Broad Ways of Doing Research

• FORMAL (“professional”) – structured design, pre-set instruments, ethical review, aim for dissemination.
• INFORMAL (“personal”) – ad-hoc data collection, unstructured observation, mainly for immediate decision-making.

Both still rely on a cycle of problem → data → analysis → conclusion.

Major Research Approaches

QUALITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE
MIXED-METHOD

Below: definitions, features, strengths & limits.

Qualitative Approach

• Produces narrative descriptions of human experience or behaviour.
• Main tools: in-depth interviews, focus groups, ethnography, document analysis.
• Output form: themes, patterns, grounded theory, thick description.
• Emphasis on context, meaning, participant voice.

Quantitative Approach

Core Definition

• “To quantify the problem” – converts observations into numerical data and applies statistics.

Key Characteristics

• Reliable & objective; seeks generalisation.
• Reduces complex reality into a limited set of variables.
• Studies relationships (look at variable connections; tests $\text{cause}\rightarrow\text{effect}$ under controlled conditions).
• Tests theories / hypotheses.
• Assumes sample ( $n$ ) represents population ( $N$ ); subjectivity is secondary.

Strengths

• Larger sample sizes ⇒ broader external validity.
• Objectivity/accuracy through standardised instruments.
• Replicable; findings comparable across studies.
• Able to summarise vast data quickly; comparisons across categories / over time.
• Researcher distance + neutral facilitators minimise personal bias.

Limitations

• Weak at capturing rich context or lived experience (qualitative nuance).
• Often conducted in artificial settings (labs, controlled surveys).
• Large samples demand more time, money, logistics.
• Results reduced to numbers; may miss “why” behind behaviours.
• Fixed-choice items risk misrepresenting participants’ true answers.

Types of Quantitative Research

DESCRIPTIVE
CORRELATIONAL
COMPARATIVE

1. Descriptive Research

• Collects data to describe characteristics of variables.
• Typical question stems: “How may ___ be described?” or “What is ___?”.
• Rarely begins with a hypothesis—hypothesis often emerges after data analysis.
• Example prompts:
◦ Level of client satisfaction?
◦ College readiness of students?
◦ Preferred learning modality?
◦ Leadership style of students?

2. Correlational Research

• Determines degree of relationship (strength & direction) between two quantitative variables.
• Statistical symbol: Pearson’s $r$ or Spearman’s $\rho$ .
• No variable manipulation—observes natural co-variation.
• Caution: correlation ≠ causation; yet can aid prediction.
• Example pairs:
◦ Coffee consumption vs. level of alertness.
◦ Class attendance vs. academic performance.
◦ Parenting style vs. child personality.

3. Comparative Research

• Compares two or more groups (may be experimental or non-experimental).
• Often spans nationalities, socioeconomic brackets, demographic strata.
• Example comparisons:
◦ Motivation level: males vs. females.
◦ Learning style: public vs. private school students.
◦ Social engagement across SHS strands.

Mixed-Method Approach

• Integrates qualitative + quantitative techniques in a single study.
• Provides “rich explanation” (qualitative insight) while supporting it with statistical evidence (quantitative rigour).
• Designs: sequential explanatory, sequential exploratory, convergent parallel, embedded, etc.

Practical + Philosophical Takeaways

• Choice of approach should align with research problem, resources, timeframe, and philosophical stance (positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism).
• Ethical obligation: uphold confidentiality, consent, accuracy regardless of chosen method.
• Real-world relevance: research underpins policy, product design, medical breakthroughs, and daily decision-making ("Nagresearch ka kung…").
• A strong thesis or paper, though different in scope, shares the same backbone: systematic inquiry aimed at generating trustworthy knowledge.

Numerical Quick-Ref

• Thesis length: $\approx100!–!130\text{ pages}$ (20k–25k words).
• Research paper length: $\approx50!–!60\text{ pages}$ (10k–15k words).
• Correlation coefficient: $-1 \le r \le 1$ (strength & direction).
• Sample size notation: $n$ ; population size: $N$ .

End of consolidated notes.