The Nature of Research

The Nature of Research

What is research? 

Kerlinger (1973) defines research as a systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomena.

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According to Sevilla (1990), research means searching a theory or solving a problem.

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Aquino (1971) has a more detailed definition of research. He says that research is, simply, the systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic or problem.

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Barredo

and Ramirez define research as the scientific method of exploring issues from different

areas of knowledge and of finding solutions to those issues by the application of your intelligence, experiences and observations. 

The

term research according to Fraenkel and Wallen (1993), can mean any sort of careful,

systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to discover or establish facts and principles. 

The

word research means finding out and searching repeatedly.

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Research is central to a university life and to the lives of thousands of people employed in institutions of higher learning. Indeed, some would say that it defines higher education.

But

it is

also hugely influential in society. It is intimately tied up with a countrys prestige, its wealth, its history, and its destiny. Is research similar to a

report?

Similarities - Both

papers depend on various sources.

Presents facts and opinions about a particular subject matter. Includes the researchers own interpretations

-

Differences -

Kind of data each presents.

A research paper includes the researchers own interpretation about the subject matter. A report, on the other hand, doesnt add anything new to the body of facts and opinions opinions presented. -

The importance of research. There

are a number of reasons why research is important. Research allows us to identify problems and

find solutions. Fonollera (1993) identified some importance of research as follows: 

Research is a journey towards the search for infinite knowledge both in modern and social sciences which are always unfinished processes.

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Research allows us to identify problems in treatment and find solutions.

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In the field of business, research has been undertaken to serve as a voice on key national issues by providing research-based information to the commercial and industrial sectors as well as services, such as product, consumer advertising and image studies, public opinion polls, labor and employment data, viewership and listenership of mass communication, and information for local and foreign investors.

The purpose of a research paper. 

To

free yourself, to a certain extent, from the domination domination or strong influence of a single

textbook or of the instructors lone view point or spoonfeeding; 

To

learn how to work independently;

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To

learn how to work systematically or scientifically;

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To

improve your thinking skills by following top -level thinking needed in research work 

inferring, criticizing, comparing-contrasting, analyzing, synthesizing, generalizing and creating;

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To

have an in-depth knowledge of a certain topic;

To

be familiar with the basic tools of research and the various techniques of gathering data, as

well as the ways of presenting the results; and 

To

improve your writing skills.

haracteristics of a Characteristics

good college research paper.

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Accuracy

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Objectiveness

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Timeliness

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Relevance

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Clarity

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Completeness

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Systematic

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Neatness

Techniques in writing a research paper. 

Think



Give

of the objectives, the readers, and the appearance of your paper.

your topic the best and the latest data or information.

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Prove the correctness of your data by revealing the exact identity of the sources of your information.

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Avoid plagiarism by writing in the text and in the bibliography, the names of the original owners of copied, paraphrased, or summarized ideas.

Kinds of research. (According to application)

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Pure Research  This

is also called basic research or fundamental research. It aims to

discover the basic truths of scientific knowledge. It is concerned with knowledge for the sake of  theory. Its design is not controlled by the practical usef ulness of the findings. Basic research is designed to advance knowledge with no application to existing problems in view. The audience for basic research consists almost exclusively of scholars or researchers interested in learning about phenomena. 

Applied Research  This is the application of scientific knowledge to the solution of a problem. There

is a development of a new system or procedure, new device, or new method in order to

solve the problem. In this type of research, a problem is identified and a new system or method is applied in order to solve the problem. It is concerned with showing how the findings can be applied to or summarized in some type of teaching methodology. methodology. Applied research is designed to help solve particular, existing problems so there is much larger audience eager to support research that is more likely to be profitable or solve problems of immediate concern. lassification of Classification 

Library

research. Research  Research is conducted in the library in such a way that answers to the

specific questions/problems of the research study are available in the library. Historical research is an example of library research because the study is focused in the past where the primary and secondary sources are available in the library. 

Field

Research  Research is conducted in a natural setting.

There

are no changes in the

environment. Field research is both applicable to descriptive and experimental methods. 

Laboratory Research 

Research is conducted in an artificial or controlled conditions by isolating

the study in a rigorously specified and operationalized area. The purposes of this research are: to test the hypothesis derived from a theory, to control variance under research conditions, and to discover the relations between the dependent and the independent variables. Types of research (According to objectives) ob jectives) 

Historical

Research - Involves studying, understanding and explaining past events. It is

envisioned to assess the meaning and the message of the past happenings or occurrences that may help to explain present events and anticipate future ones.

The

purpose of historical

research is to reconstruct past events. This can be accomplished by collecting and interpreting data in an objective or unbiased way. Data can be from primary sources. If secondary sources

are used for the purpose of data collection, these sources must be evaluated for accuracy and bias. 

Descriptive Research  it involves the description, recording analysis, and interpretation of the present nature, composition or processes of phenomena. The focus is on prevailing conditions, or how a person, group or thing behaves or functions in the present. It often involves some type of comparison or contrast.

The

process of descriptive research goes beyond mere gathering and

tabulation of data. It involves the elements or interpretation of the meaning or significance of  what is described. 

Experimental

Research  looks at cause and effect relationships by comparing two or more

similar groups, usually chosen by random selection.

This

is accomplished by including an

experimental group undergoing a new treatment approach and a control group receiving the treatment. In this way, the two groups are compared and the effectiveness of the new approach can be evaluated.