Lecture Notes: Research Methods – Key Terms (Definition of Terms, Frameworks, Introduction, and Scope)

Definition of Terms

• Detainee
  • A person held in custody or confinement (Oxford Dictionaries, 2012).
  • In this study, they serve as the subjects of the research who are convicted in the chosen jail institution.
• Adaptability
  • The ability of a person to make changes in response to his or her environment (Vocabulary, 2014).
  • In this study, it pertains to one of the factors of emotional intelligence that the test aims to measure.
• Notes on terminology
  • The material distinguishes between terms with special or unique meanings in the study and those with general meanings.

Additional note on terms

• Conceptual definition
  • Describes what a construct or word actually means; dictionary meaning.
• Operational definition
  • Describes how the particular construct or word was used in the study.

Significance of the Study

• This section defines who will benefit from the findings and how they will benefit.
• Usual beneficiaries of a research:
  • Experts concerned about the problem.
  • Administrators who make decisions or implement programs.
  • The subjects themselves.
  • Future researchers.

Scope and Delimitation

• Sample Scope and Delimitation (example from one study):
  • Objective: provide information about students’ knowledge and perception of genetically modified foods and their family health practices.
  • Includes students’ personal information and the occupation of their parents and siblings.
  • Population: 120 Grade 12 students (Male and Female) enrolled in the First Semester, School Year 2019-2020, at Gusa Regional Science High School - X.
  • Respondents: each student answers a questionnaire.
  • Sampling frame: students from six different sections to reduce subjective perceptions.
• General scope/delimitation guidelines (what, where, when, who, why, how):
  • WHAT – topic and the variables included.
  • WHERE – venue or setting of the research.
  • WHEN – time frame of the study.
  • WHO – participants, population, and sampling.
  • WHY – general purpose of the study.
  • HOW – methodology (research design, methods, research instrument).

Scope and Delimitation (continued)

• Note: there are variations in scope wording across different studies, but the core elements remain the same: topic/variables, setting, time frame, participants, purpose, and approach.

Statement of the Problem

• The problem statement is usually framed as research questions.
• In the slides, it is indicated to refer to the research questions in the form of a problem statement.
• Example contextual label in the slide shows a reference to “Philippine Catholic Faith and Education” contexts (note: the exact problem wording in the slide may reflect a specific study focus).

Hypothesis

• A research hypothesis is a statement of expectation or prediction that will be tested by research.
• The research question, when stated as one sentence, is the Research Hypothesis.
• Example (Null Hypothesis, H0):
  • H_0: \text{There is no significant difference in the effectiveness and efficiency of different teaching approaches in delivering accounting content and supporting students to achieve their learning objectives, as outlined by the MELCS issued by the DepEd.}
• Example (Alternative Hypothesis, H1):
  • H_1: \text{There is a significant difference in the effectiveness and efficiency of different teaching approaches in delivering accounting content and supporting students to achieve their learning objectives, as outlined by the MELCS issued by the DepEd.}

Objectives of the Study

• Objectives describe the long-term goal expected to be achieved by the study.
• They are usually prefixed by: "The main objective of this study is to…"
• Example objective:
  • "The main objective of this study is to determine the emotional quotient and purpose in life of prisoners as well as formulate useful recommendations that aim to improve the mental state of the prisoners."

Conceptual Framework vs Theoretical Framework

• Conceptual Framework
  • Outlines the key concepts and their interrelationships in the research.
• Theoretical Framework
  • Based on established theories or models used to guide the study.
• Key distinction
  • Conceptual: constructs and their relationships as understood by the researcher.
  • Theoretical: anchored in existing theories to explain why the problem exists and to interpret results.

Chapter 1: The Problem and Background

• Chapter 1 of the research study is titled "The Problem" (or The Problem and Background).
• Purpose:
  • Introduce the research problem.
  • Clarify important variables.
  • Discuss delimitations.
  • Specify significance to the field of the study.
• Essential elements (as listed):
  • Introduction
  • Theoretical Framework & Conceptual Framework
  • Objective of the Study
  • Hypothesis
  • Statement of the Problem
  • Scope and Delimitation
  • Significance of the Study
  • Definition of Terms

The Introduction

• The Introduction is a crucial part for setting the cognitive context of the research.
  • Discuss why there is a need to study the problem.
  • Clarify important terminologies.
  • Establish the seriousness of the problem prompting the research.
• Practical guidance for writing the Introduction (a set of guiding questions):
  • What is the rationale of the problem?
  • What is the setting of the problem?
  • What is the basic literature foundations of the study?
  • How serious is the chosen research problem?
  • What is the general objective of the study?
  • What is the overall purpose of the problem?

The Introduction (continued)

• The setting of the problem helps delimit geographic and demographic boundaries.
  • When describing the setting, highlight peculiarity or uniqueness (e.g., school setting: vision/mission, special clientele, transportation, etc.).
• The Introduction should be concise: roughly two to three pages.

Theoretical Framework

• Theory: a set of ideas used to explain something, often based on general principles.
• Framework: a skeleton or basic structure to support something.
• In more complex studies, researchers may combine several theories.
• Step 3 (in some slide): Aims to:
  • Test whether a theory holds in a specific context.
  • Use theory as a basis for interpreting results.
  • Critique or challenge a theory.
  • Combine different theories in a new or unique way.

Formulating the Theoretical Framework

• Step 1: Identify the Key Concepts.
• Step 2: Evaluate the relevance of the theories.
• Step 3: Show how your research fits in with the theories.
• Additional note: There is no fixed rule for structuring the theoretical framework; create a clear and logical structure.
• Include in your paragraph: title of theory, author or proponent, theoretical principle, relationship/relevance to the present study.

Theoretical Framework: Examples

• Examples of common theories used in research:
  • Behaviorism (Pavlov)
  • Constructivism (Jerome Bruner)
  • Thinking (Jean Piaget)
  • Schema Theory (Roger Schank)
  • Motivation (Maslow, Vroom)
• Prompts to help write the theoretical framework:
  • The study is anchored on…
  • This study is supported by the theory of…
  • This study is founded on the theory of…
  • The theoretical underpinning of this study is…

Remember: Writing a Theoretical Framework

• Remember:
  • There is no fixed rule in structuring a theoretical framework.
  • Create a clear and logical structure.
  • Include in your paragraph: title of theory, author, theoretical principle, and how it relates to the present study.

Conceptual Framework (Illustrative Example)

• A sample conceptual framework may connect various factors such as:
  • Demographic Variables: Gender, Age.
  • Cognitive/Emotional factors: Anxiety, Reappraisal, Expressive Suppression, Emotional Regulation.
  • Psychological factors: Depression, Satisfaction with Life Scale.
  • Social factors: Significant Other subscale (Total Support) with subscales for Family and Friends.
  • Stress as an overarching factor.
• These components can be tied into a model showing how demographic and psychological factors influence outcomes like depression, life satisfaction, and perceived social support.
• Note: A tentative explanation of the phenomenon and the basis for the formulation of research hypotheses; the researcher’s own position on the problem based on related theories; the researcher’s new model rooted in prior models.

Conceptual Framework: Example Diagram (Descriptive)

• Example flow (illustrative):
  • Gender / Age / Demographic Variables → Cognitive/Emotional Factors (Anxiety, Reappraisal, Expressive Suppression) → Emotional Regulation → Psychological Outcomes (Depression, Life Satisfaction) and Social Support (Significant Other: Family, Friends) → Total Support; Stress as an influencing factor.
• The diagram helps to visualize relationships and to justify hypotheses and measurement instruments.

Conceptual vs Theoretical Framework – Summary

• Conceptual Framework
  • Focus on the researcher’s understanding of the key concepts and their interrelationships.
  • Often more flexible and tailored to the research context.
• Theoretical Framework
  • Grounded in established theories and models.
  • Provides justification for the chosen constructs and links to broader theory.
• In practice, researchers may begin with a theoretical lens and then develop a conceptual model that fits their data and research questions.

Pointers in Writing a Conceptual Framework

• Pointers to construct a solid conceptual framework:
  • 1) Familiarize yourself with the objective of the conceptual framework.
  • 2) Base the contents on your understanding of the elements and their relationships.
  • 3) Ensure all aspects relate to the research objective.

Theoretical Framework – Additional Notes

• Theoretical frameworks can include a variety of theories; the choice should be justified and clearly linked to the research problem.
• The framework should provide a rationale for the hypotheses and guide the interpretation of results.

Outline of Chapter 1 Elements (Recap)

• Introduction
• Theoretical Framework & Conceptual Framework
• Objective of the Study
• Hypothesis
• Statement of the Problem
• Scope and Delimitation
• Significance of the Study
• Definition of Terms

Practical Tips for the Introduction and Frameworks

• Keep the Introduction concise (2–3 pages).
• Use guiding questions to structure the introduction.
• When presenting the theoretical framework, clearly label each theory, its author, and the principle that links to the study.
• When presenting the conceptual framework, illustrate the relationships between variables with a logical flow.
• If presenting a real-world example or case (e.g., online learning impact), provide current context and relevance to the study.

Example: The Introduction Theme (Online Learning)

• Research Title example: "The Impact of Online Learning on Student Academic Performance".
• Rationale: Online education has grown due to convenience and accessibility, but its impact on student achievement is debated.
• Objective framing: Examine effects of online learning on student achievement to inform practice and policy.

Closing Notes on the Structure

• The material emphasizes that the Introduction should be succinct yet informative, establish the problem’s seriousness, and set up the theoretical and conceptual framework that follows.
• The framework sections should justify the constructs and show how the study contributes to existing theory and practice.
• Always align objectives, hypotheses, and framework with the overall research aim and questions.