STEPS IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS

WEEK 3 –QUARTER 1

The Research Process is a cyclic process. Most of the time, the conclusion that is at the end of the
investigation leads to other problems which other researchers may undertake in the future.
Opportunities for more inventions and discoveries arise from the cyclic nature of research. In essence, it
perpetuates the dynamic nature of science and ensures its continuous growth.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. describe the nature of research process;

2. state the various steps in the research process;
3. describe each step in the research process; and
4. explain the importance of each step in the research process.

The research process, like any other processes is made up of several steps. Each step leads logically to
the next one. The time it takes for each of these steps depends on the kind of problem being
investigated, the experience of the researcher and the availability of resources needed for the study.

The steps in the research process are essentially the same as those in the scientific method. The
scientific method is a sequence of problem-solving skills that scientists use to answer questions or
problems. Some of these skills include identifying a problem, formulating a hypothesis, doing library
research, observing, performing experiments, analysing data, drawing conclusions and communicating
results.

Each of the steps in the process and its corresponding output is deemed necessary and useful as it
relates to the problem. One of the evaluation criteria used to judge the success of the research is the
significance of the identified problem.

It is always useful to refer some criteria when one has to decide on what research to pursue. A checklist
of guidelines is given in the table in the next page.

IDENTIFICATION OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

A problem identified by the researcher keeps him focused throughout the entire research process. It is
the basis of all subsequent research activities he is going to undertake. It guides him to the hypothesis,
work plan, interpretation of findings, and finally to the conclusion.

In the identification of a research problem, several things must be considered. The statement of the
problem must be clear. It must be organized and specific. It must define the scope and set the limits of
the problem to help determine the feasibility of doing the actual investigation.

The statement of the problem identifies or specifies the variables to be measured and observed. Some
of these variables are manipulated by the investigator, some are response variables and others are held
constant or controlled. The investigator must be sensitive enough to recognize all the variables that may
influence the result of the investigation.

Let us consider this problem: Effects of Varying Temperatures and Concentrations on the Index of
Refraction of Sugar Solution. The main objective of the study is to find the effects of temperature and
concentration on the index of refraction of sugar solution. Specifically, the study seeks to find effects of
(a) varying temperatures on the index of refraction of sugar solution, and (b) varying concentrations on
the index of refraction of sugar solution.

The statement of the problem above is clear, organized, concise and specific. Its scope and limits are
defined. It also provides the basis for the formulation of hypothesis.

FORMULATION OF A HYPOTHESIS

After identifying a problem, an investigator proceeds to formulating a hypothesis relevant to the

problem. The hypothesis serves as a tentative solution to the problem prior to any experimentation.
More importantly, it also serves as a guide to the research work plan or design. A hypothesis is tested by
conducting the actual experimentation.

A hypothesis is an educated guess. It is a tentative answer to a research question or problem. It may be

based on factual knowledge, experiences and observations. A hypothesis can be defined as a possible
answer to a problem based on gathered information.

Usually, scientists suggest an answer to a problem they have defined by formulating a hypothesis. The
hypothesis that they have formed is usually based on the information they gathered. They may form
more than one hypothesis from a single information since there are many possible solutions to a
problem. Each possible solution must be tested. Therefore, a hypothesis must be testable.

To test whether a hypothesis is correct or not, scientists make observations and do experiments to see
whether the results of these observations or experiments support it.
A hypothesis is based on the on the objectives of the study. It is whether therefore used as guide in
doing the experimental design. It may be stated in any of the following forms:

a. The null statement;

b. The alternative statement, and

c. The cause and effect statement.

To demonstrate how the three forms are stated, let us consider again the research problem that we
identified earlier. The Effects of Varying Temperatures and Concentration on the IndexRefraction of
Sugar Solution.

In this problem, the question being investigated is “What factors affect the index of refraction of sugar
solution?” There are two suggested factors: temperature and concentration. Hence, two hypotheses are
to be formulated. We can state them in any of three forms.

Null hypothesis

1. Varying temperatures have no significant effect on the index of refraction of a sugar solution.
2. Varying Concentrations have no significant effect on the index of refraction of a sugar solution.

Alternative hypothesis

1. Varying temperatures have a significant effect on the index of refraction of a sugar solution.
2. Varying concentrations have a significant effect on the index of refraction of a sugar solution.

Cause and Effect hypothesis

1. If temperature is varied, then the index of refraction of a sugar solution is affected.

2. If concentration is varied, then the index of refraction of a sugar solution is affected.

In conducting a research, we need to develop creative strategies for producing the desired results.
Reviewing relevant literature helps in formulating creative procedures for solving the research problem.
This further survey of scientific literature is more focused than the initial one because the search is now
limited to the information needed for the identified problem.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

In some cases, a research problem is not immediately recognized or identified. It requires preliminary
survey or related literature. By reading, through various publications and surfing the internet, we
become aware of the previous works already done. In fact, it could even spur an idea or two that can be
the subject of a research investigation. Experienced researchers also go through this step just to ensure
that they are not duplicating other people’s studies unless there is a need to validate the findings with
more advanced detection and measuring techniques.

PREPARATION OF A RESEARCH DESIGN

A research design is necessary because it functions as the work plan for the research investigation. It
specifies not only the resources needed for the study but also indicates how the resources will be
utilized to answer the problem.

A more comprehensive form of research work can be prepared. It is called a research proposal.
Professional researchers usually send research proposals to funding agencies to obtain financial support
for their study. The research proposal contains not only the research design but also the timetable for
actual investigation and breakdown of expenses for each phase of the actual experimentation.
The research design is being prepared to systematize the work during actual experimentation. It
maximizes the research output since there is a plan to follow and revise if necessary. The researcher
knows what experiments to do as soon as the steps into the laboratory.

Furthermore, only relevant data will be collected since the research design specifies in detail how and
what data should be obtained. A valid research design is the basis for the validity of the entire research.

ACTUAL EXPERIMENTATION

Actual experimentation is an implementation of the research work plan or design. An experiment is an

activity that generates observations or data which, upon processing and analysis, result to the solution
of the research problem or generate further studies.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Unorganized and unprocessed data are tedious to look at and deal with. It is also difficult to summarize
them into meaningful statements. Data gathered are organized into tables and graphs before they are
analyzed using statistical methods. The statistical conclusions can be explained further in terms of the
research objectives. This explanation is a simpler presentation of the meaning of the statistical
conclusions.

FORMULATION OF CONCLUSION

A conclusion summarizes the significant results of the experiment. Just like any activity with a beginning,
research must come to an end and thus, a conclusion must be stated for each research. In many cases,
the conclusion does not only end the research but also suggests future questions left unanswered in the
course of the investigation. These unresolved questions lead to a new research. Knowing the objectives
and the conclusion, the reader can evaluate the merit of the completed research.

KEY CONCEPTS:

 Research is a multi-step and cyclic process.

 Identification of a research topic is facilitated by reading previous works on a related subject.
 The tentative solution to the identified research problem can be obtained by proposing
hypothesis prior to the actual experimentation.
 The research methodology used to solve a research problem is guided by the hypothesis.
 During an actual experimentation, the observation or data collected can be processed and
analyzed to attain the objectives of the research.
 A conclusion can be stated to summarize the major findings of the research and state their
importance and future application.

LIST OF REFERENCE:

Caintic, H.E, Cruz, J.M, 2008, Scientific Research Manual, C&E Publishing Company, Quezon City, pp 6-15