ENGLISH REVIEWER

> Research ;
; systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts
and reach new conclusions. (Oxford)
; a process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data; documentation of critical
information; and analysis and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance with
suitable methodologies
; creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge

> Purposes of Research ;

; to improve our lives
; to answer a question that you (and other people) have about the world
; to find out what is known, what is not and what we can develop further
; to further understand the world and to learn how this knowledge can be applied to better
everyday life
; to understand the world around us or why things or process work the way they do
; to understand the applications of these processes
; to increase knowledge
; to provide evidence

> Main Purposes of Research ;

Exploratory -​ first research to be conducted around

a problem that has not yet been
clearly defined
-​ aims to gain a better understanding of
the exact nature of the problem

Descriptive -​ Descriptive research focuses on the

‘how’ and ‘what’, but not on the ‘why’
-​ expands knowledge of a research
problem or phenomenon by
describing it according to its
characteristics and population.

Explanatory -​ also referred to as casual research,

is conducted to determine how
variables interact, i.e. to identify
cause-and-effect relationships.
-​ deals with the ‘why’ of research

> Characteristics of Research ;

★​ Empirical – based on proven scientific methods derived from real-life observations and
experiments.
★​ Logical – follows sequential procedures based on valid principles.
★​ Cyclic – research begins with a question and ends with a question, i.e. research should
lead to a new line of questioning.
★​ Controlled – rigorous measures put into place to keep all variables constant, except
those under investigation.
★​ Hypothesis-based – the research design generates data that sufficiently meets the
research objectives and can prove or disprove the hypothesis. It makes the research
study repeatable and gives credibility to the results.
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★​ Analytical – data is generated, recorded and analyzed using proven techniques to

ensure high accuracy and repeatability while minimizing potential errors and anomalies.
★​ Objective – sound judgment is used by the researcher to ensure that the research
findings are valid.
★​ Statistical treatment – statistical treatment is used to transform the available data into
something more meaningful from which knowledge can be gained.

> Types of Research According to Purpose ;

BASIC RESEARCH - also known as pure Examples:

research, is an original 1. Study on the social
investigation into the structures of ancient
reasons behind a process, civilizations.
phenomenon or particular 2. Understanding the
event. cognitive development
- generally considered in infants.
‘non-commercial research’ 3. Exploring the impacts
because it does not focus of social media on
on solving practical society.
problems, and has no
immediate benefit or ways
it can be applied

APPLIED RESEARCH - investigates well-known Examples:

theories and principles in 1.​ A study on how to
order to enhance knowledge improve illiteracy in
around a practical aim. teenagers
- applied research focuses on 2.​ A study looking for
solving real-life problems ways to market
products for
millennials
3.​ A study trying to
decrease fraud on
social media platforms

> Types of Research According to Method ;

Qualitative Research - method that enables nonnumerical data

collection
- interviews, case studies and focus
groups.
- enables researchers to collect data on
personal experiences, feelings or behaviors,
as well as the reasons behind them.
- social science, psychology and philosophy

Quantitative Research -numerical data

-quantify variables, uncover relationships,
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and make generalizations across a larger

population.
-engineering, biology, chemistry, physics,
computer science, finance, and medical
research, etc.

> What does Research Involve?

- Scientific Method, which is carried out using an hourglass model.

- first starts with a problem statement, or rather, the research
purpose for engaging in the study.
- ‘scope of the study’ or ‘aims and objectives’ of your research
topic.
- literature review is carried out and a hypothesis is formed. The
researcher then creates a research methodology and collects
the data.
- In both cases, the study and its conclusion are officially written up
as a report or research paper, and the researcher may also
recommend lines of further questioning.
- dynamic and are therefore considered an iterative process

Research Objective & Problem

> research objective;

; statement designed to understand and gain knowledge about the identified topic of interest in
your research

★ Objectives answer the questions:

a. Why do we want to carry out the research?​

b. What do we hope to achieve?​
c. What do we want to know or investigate?

> types of objective;

- A general objective states what the research expects to attain in general terms. This usually
includes a broad statement of the goal of the study.

- A specific objective states specific goals that are narrowed down to become more
achievable. Clear-cut methods should also be presented on how to attain them. Statements of
goals that logically connect to one another.

> smart;

●​ Specific - Simple, brief, and concise

●​ Measurable - Observable and visible
●​ Attainable - In consideration of both human and material resources, should be easily
attained, be area population-specific.
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●​ Realistic - Accomplishment should be at hand and result-oriented.

●​ Time-bound - Attainable and done in a specific targeted time.

By having SMART research objectives:

-​ The study becomes focused;

-​ The purpose is made clear;
-​ The study becomes more organized and limits are set; and
-​ Progress of the study and data needed are monitored and clearly determined.

★ Problems and objectives are closely related, in which case, objectives are statement
forms of the problems presented.

> Research Problem;

- Complex thoughts, stating an area of concern, condition to improve, a difficulty to eliminate, or

scholarly questions being raised in the academe. This shows a need to attain a meaningful
understanding and deliberate investigation.

Good Problem Statement Bad Problem Statement

●​ Clear, precise, and specific ●​ Does not reveal the relevance of why
●​ Conveys importance, benefits, and you are investigating a topic
justification of the study ●​ Not familiar with the researcher
●​ Generates a variety of viewpoints ●​ Came from an unmanageable topic
from multiple audiences made up of ●​ Leaning towards a vague issue
able people
●​ Researchable
●​ No value-laden words and terms, but
the concept to be studied is identified
●​ Key concepts and terms are present
●​ Avoids unnecessary jargon
●​ Questions overarch and key factors or
variables are comprehensively
identified
●​ The study’s boundaries or parameters
are articulated

> formulating the research problem;

a. Outline the general context of the problem area.

b. Highlight key theories, concepts, and ideas current in this area.

c. What appear to be some of the underlying assumptions of this area?

d. Why are these issues identified important?

e. What needs to be solved?

~ Read about the area, subject, or topic to get to know the background and to identify unanswered questions or
controversies, and/or to identify the most significant issues for further exploration.
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Your research topic should start from a more general abstract research area, moving to a more specific and concrete
research topic based on researchable questions. ~

Steps in Problem Formulation​

In formulating problems in research, the following steps must be observed:

a. Identify a general area to study.​

b. Narrow the general areas of interest into smaller subcategories. Pick one of the
subcategories on which to focus.​
c. Look at journal publications, other print materials, and websites to learn about the given
subcategory of interest.​
d. Identify research gaps in your research knowledge base

e. Look at the objectives for each of your research questions to see whether it is feasible to
study and look for some answers about the questions being raised.

f. Restate your research questions as a statement that identifies the problem in terms of who,
what, why, when, and where.

g. Write out several sentences that very briefly explain the knowledge gap you identified and
then place your research statement at the end.

h. You can make it more specific by delimiting it to understand a particular segment of the topic.