Practical Research

Research defined as "seeking for truth, information or knowledge." Information is sought through questioning.
Individuals carry on the process of inquiry from birth till death.
The process begins with gathering information and data through applying the various human senses.
Research is a systematic investigation to establish facts and reach new conclusions, developing appropriate solutions to improve an individual's quality of life.
It is the act of studying something carefully and extensively.
Central to research is the discovery of new knowledge and the application of knowledge in various ways.
Research puts us where problems exist; it involves the process of executing various mental acts for discovering and examining facts and information.
Importance of inquiry: it enables us to identify problems and seek truths; it drives the acquisition and application of knowledge.

To explore our history: understanding human history and our forebears has enabled us to understand more about ourselves.
To understand arts: research helps in the understanding and appreciation of works of artists.
To improve the standard of living: research can lead to new inventions that enhance life.
To have a safer life: discoveries from research have improved life expectancy and health conditions.
To know the truth: research investigates and exposes realities and brings out the truth.
(Note: some lines in the transcript are garbled, but the intended ideas emphasize history, arts, living standards, safety/health, and truth.)

Quantitative Research is a systematic investigation that uses numerical data and statistical methods to quantify problems, test hypotheses, and establish relationships between variables.

1) Descriptive Design

Used to describe a particular phenomenon by observing it as it occurs in nature.
Involves no experimental manipulation; the researcher does not start with a hypothesis.
Aims to identify relationships between variables.

2) Correlational Design

3) Ex-post Facto

Used to investigate possible relationships between previous events and present conditions.
Here, the independent variable is identified but not manipulated.
The group exposed to a certain condition (treatment) is compared to a group unexposed to that condition.

4) Quasi-experimental Design

Used to establish the cause-and-effect relationship between two or more variables.
Lacks full random assignment or full manipulation of the independent variable, but aims to infer causality.

5) Experimental Design

Used to establish the cause-and-effect relationship of two or more variables with stronger controls.
Involves manipulation of the independent variable and typically random assignment to groups to control for extraneous factors.

Kinds of variables can be objects, events, ideas, feelings, time periods, or any other type of category.
A variable is a measurable characteristic that changes in value in a data set; it may vary from one group to another.
In the context of the transcript, the independent variable is identified but not manipulated (as in Ex-post Facto), whereas other designs may involve manipulation and control to test effects.

Research drives new knowledge, technological and methodological innovations, and improved human welfare.
Ethical and practical implications include improving health, safety, life expectancy, and overall quality of life while remaining truthful and transparent in methods.
The choice of design affects the strength of causal inferences and the degree of control over confounding variables.

Descriptive: describe what is observed, no manipulation.
Correlational: assess associations between variables, no claim of causation.
Ex-post Facto: explore relationships based on existing conditions/events, without manipulation.
Quasi-experimental: test causality with some control, but incomplete randomization.
Experimental: test causality with full manipulation and randomization when possible.
Variables: independent (manipulated or identified), dependent (measured), and potentially extraneous/control variables.