Research Methodology and Ethical Considerations

SAN BEDA UNIVERSITY

## INTEGRATED BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

• Upholding 500 Years of Filipino Catholic Faith and Education

• Practical Research 2 (PR2) Academic Year: 2023-2024

LESSON 7: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

LEARNING TARGETS:

• Understand key elements of Chapter 3:

  • Demonstrate understanding of research setting, ethics, sampling procedures, and sample.

  • Construct instruments and establish validity and reliability.

  • Plan data collection procedures and data analysis using statistics and hypothesis testing.

  • Present a written research methodology.

INTRODUCTION:

• Provide an overview of Chapter 3, mentioning sub-areas to be addressed and connection to the problem statement, purpose of the study, and research questions.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

• Purpose:

  1. Replicate the study.

  2. Evaluate the outcomes.

CONTENTS OF CHAPTER 3:

1. Introductory Statement

2. Research Design

3. Research Setting

4. Research Subjects

5. Research Ethics

6. Research Instruments

   • Validation of Instruments

7. Data Gathering Procedure

8. Statistical Treatment

RESEARCH DESIGN:

• Definition: A blueprint for the research study.

• Dimensions:

  • Approach: Qualitative or quantitative.

  • Design Types: Experimental, non-experimental, descriptive, etc.

• Justification for design choice must be provided.

• Specification of variables:

  • Independent Variables (IV)

  • Dependent Variables (DV)

  • Criterion & Predictor Variables with levels and measurements.

RESEARCH SETTING:

• Description of geographical characteristics of the study's location.

• Justification for choice of locale.

• Note on anonymity considerations.

RESEARCH SUBJECTS:

• Demographic characteristics of participants in the study.

• Population and sampling procedures:

  • Number of respondents

  • Respondent profiles

  • Sampling technique used.

SAMPLING:

• Definition: Process of selecting a sample from a population.

• Importance of larger samples to reduce sampling error, which causes:

  • Over-representation or under-representation of segments of the population.

• The degree of sampling error is influenced by the sample size.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES:

1. Non-Probability Sampling Techniques:

   • Convenience Sampling

   • Purposive Sampling

2. Probability Sampling Techniques:

   • Simple Random Sampling

   • Systematic Sampling

   • Stratified Sampling

   • Quota Sampling

   • Snowball Sampling

   • Cluster Sampling

RESEARCH ETHICS:

• Definition: Moral principles guiding researchers in their work.

• Overview of ethical regulations agreed upon by communities or governing bodies.

KEY ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

1. Ensure no harm to participants.

2. Respect participant dignity.

3. Obtain full consent before participation.

4. Maintain confidentiality of research data.

5. Protect privacy of participants.

6. Ensure anonymity of participants and organizations involved.

7. Avoid deception or misrepresentation of research aims.

8. Declare any affiliations, sources of funding, and conflicts of interest.

9. Maintain honesty and transparency in all communications.

10. Avoid misleading interpretations of data.

RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS:

• Detailed descriptions of each questionnaire used in the study:

  • Types of questionnaires

  • Number of items

  • Specify if instruments are borrowed, adapted, or self-made (permissions required for borrowed instruments).

  • Descriptions of modifications or constructions of study-specific tools.

EXAMPLE OF RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS:

1. Socio-Demographic Questionnaire:

   • Self-generated to collect personal information from participants (e.g., name, area of residence, age, gender).

2. Psychological Distress Measurement:

   • Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10):

     • Measures likelihood of mental disorders based on emotional state in the past 30 days.

     • Contains 10 questions rated on a 5-point Likert scale (from "none of the time" (1) to "all of the time" (5)).

     • Scores range from 10 (low psychological distress) to 50 (very high psychological distress).

     • Interpretations: Very High (30-50), High (25-29), Moderate (20-24), Low (10-19).

VALIDATION OF INSTRUMENTS:

• Reliability: Consistency of the instrument.

• Validity: Accuracy; whether the instrument measures what it intends to measure.

• Must contextualize the reliability and validity of the instruments used in the research.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE:

• Comprehensive explanation of the data collection process, including any interventions applied during the study.

EXAMPLE DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE:

1. Conduct research with 60 detainees in a selected jail custody.

2. Participants are chosen based on criteria (age, number of imprisonments, types of crimes).

3. Instruments validated, and approval obtained to conduct research.

4. Schedule study execution with detention officers.

5. Administer Emotional Quotient and Purpose in Life tests with no time constraints.

6. Data analysis to determine relationship between emotional quotient and purpose in life.

STATISTICAL TREATMENT:

• Explanation of statistical formulae used to analyze gathered data.

• Percentage Formula: P = \frac{f}{n} \times 100 Where:

  • $f$ = frequency

  • $n$ = sample size

STANDARD STATISTICAL TREATMENTS:

• Mean formula: \bar{X} = \frac{\sum X}{n} Where:

  • $\bar{X}$ = sample mean

  • $X$ = value of any observation

  • $\sum X$ = sum of all observations

  • $n$ = total number of values in the sample

OTHER STATISTICAL TREATMENTS:

• z-test

• t-test (Paired sample and Independent sample)

• Spearman rank correlation (Spearman’s rho)

• Pearson product-moment correlation (Pearson’s r)

• Chi-square test

• Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

DATA ANALYSIS:

• Determine significance of findings using One-way ANOVA and Pearson Correlation:

  • One-way ANOVA: Analyzes significant differences among means of independent groups.

  • Pearson Correlation: Measures the relationship between two quantitative variables.