Practical Research 2 (Quantitative Research)

Research is a careful, detailed and systematic study of a specific problem, concern, or issue to establishfacts This is best accomplished by turning the issue into a question, with the intent of the research to answer the question. When is a research practical? Practical research means actual doing or using of something rather than theories and ideas. It involves inquiry methods and immersion activities in order to achieve the correct information. The Scientific Method 1. Ask a question- state the problem 2. Research- collect sources 3. Hypothesis- an educated guess (If I will…it will…) 4. Experiment- design and perform to test hypothesis and variables 5. Data/Analysis- record observations, analyze the data, prepare a graph or table 6. Conclusion- accept or reject hypothesis, communicate results Questions that Delimits Research 1. What is the meaning of life? 2. What is the origin of God? 3. Is the universe finite or infinite? 4. When did time begin? 5. Why is the future unknowable? 6. Why do we fear the unknowable? 7. Why are there exceptions to every rule? Types of Research 1. Qualitative- used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. Used in social science and natural sciences 2. Quantitative- deals in numbers, logic, and an objective stance. Quantitative research focuses on numeric and unchanging data and detailed, convergent reasoning rather than divergent reasoning. Used in psychology, marketing and political science Characteristics of Quantitative Research 1. Objective- impartial, unbiased and neutral 2. Clearly defined questions (What, Which, how much) 3. Structured research instruments (surveys, questionnaires, software) 4. Numerical data and statistical treatment (unbiased results) 5. Large sample size (represents a population) 6. Replication (high reliability—stable and consistent) 7. Future outcomes (new concepts and further studies) Kinds of Quantitative Research 1. Causal-comparative research attempts to determine the cause or consequences of differences that already exist between or among groups of individuals. a. Female and male employees and their job satisfaction b. Gender causes on differences in abilities 2. Correlational research determines the extent of a relationship between two or more variables using statistical data. a. Relationship between intelligence and friendliness b. Student’s hours of study and their stress level 3. Descriptive research provides systematic information about a phenomenon. a. The attitudes of scientists regarding global warming b. Impacts of Qatari diplomatic crisis on OFWs 4. Evaluation research provide a means to judge actions and activities in terms of values, criteria and standards a. Performance of newly-hired SH teachers in MMC for S.Y. 2017-2018 b. Water quality assessment of Boac River 5. Experimental research uses the scientific method to establish the cause-effect relationship among a group of variables a. Levels of heavy metal bioaccumulation of Nypa fruticans from Boac River b. Solar purification for water potability 6. A survey is a brief interview or discussion with individuals about a specific topic a. Acceptance of Boakenos to Boac cityhood b. Approval rate for Duterte Cabinet members Strengths 1. Fast speed data collection (sampling methods) 2. Findings can be generalized (if sample is from a population) 3. Easy to analyze data (use of statistical data) 4. Consistent and reliable data (use of research manipulations—experiment, surveys etc) 5. Can be anonymous (for sensitive topic) Weaknesses 1. Requires a large number of respondents 2. Costly and expensive 3. Secondary data may be unavailable 4. Many info are difficult to answer (sensitive topic) 5. More structured research instruments Importance of Quantitative Research Across Fields 1. Business- estimates consumer attitudes and behavior, market sizing, and marketing tactics 2. Political science- measures political behavior and attitudes of citizens and politicians 3. Psychology- measures human attributes/beahvior and analyzes psychological processes 4. Medicine- measures clinical and methodologic standards in medicinal prescription and composition and laboratory experimentations 5. Economics- evaluates economic behavior and designs economic policies and techniques 6. Demographics- discover patterns, associations, correlations, and other features of a population 7. Education- discover solutions to issues in educational research, assessment, and program evaluation and curriculum implementation Quantitative Research Variables Variables refer to factors or conditions that can change during the course of an experiment. 1. Discrete- variable that can only take on a certain number of values. In short, these are variables that are countable where the range of specified values is complete. a. Classroom attendance b. Grade level of students c. Number of cars in a parking lot d. Baby’s age in months 2. Continuous- a variable that has an infinite number of possible values. In short, these are variables that are obtained by measuring. a. Person’s weight/age/height b. Travel time from Boac to Gasan c. Price of commodities d. Family income 3. Independent variable is a variable in research that causes a change esp. on other variables. It can be controlled to monitor such changes. 4. Dependent variables result from the independent variables. It the variable being tested and monitored. A. The effect of temperature on plant pigmentation IV= temperature DV= plant pigmentation or color B. Effects of fertilizer on plant growth IV= brand/amount of fertilizer DV= height/weight/no. of leaves of plants C. Brightness of light has any effect on a moth being attracted to the light IV= brightness of light DV=reaction of moth D. Time spent studying and its effects the test scores of students IV= time spent studying DV=test scores E. relationship between disposable income and location amongst young adults IV=location DV=disposable income F. Salary and job satisfaction among Gasan residents IV=salary DV=job satisfaction Research Topic An area of focus that falls within the perimeter of a niche area or research environment, which directly relates to a particular discipline (field of study). Example: Effects of climate change Research Problem A research problem is a definite or clear expression [statement] about:  an area of concern  a condition to be improved upon  a difficulty to be eliminated, or  a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or within existing practice that points to a need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. Pertains to a particular problem within the research environment, which will form the primary focus of a research study (a real-life problem which can be mitigated and/or solved) Example: How do the Philippines respond to the effects of Climate Change? Remenyi, Williams, Money and Swartz (2009:46) intonate that the research problem should be a clear, unambiguous statement (perception) that is relevant to the research title, research topic, the identified niche area and respected discipline alike. CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH PROBLEM  the variables in the problem must be clear  it should be free from ethical constraints  it should be limited in scope and should be  good research problem must be specific, researchable  It must have a goal SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS / TOPICS  Contemporary issues  personal interest and experience  theory deductions  replication of previous studies  funding agencies  clarification of contradictory research  past researches and literature review results  casual observation  archive data  related and relevant literature  interdisciplinary perspectives Research Title A specialised area of focus that falls both within the boundaries of a research (delineation) and the perimeter of a niche area, which directly relates to a particular discipline. The title summarizes the main idea or ideas of your study (USC, 2017) Example: The Case of Climate Change in the Philippines: Responses and Measures to its Effects According to Watkins (2008:23) a research title should have the following characteristics: 1. Short, descriptive and to the point 2. Identify the main variables of the research 3. Allude to the area of study 4. Attract the attention and interest of the reader 5. Make academic sense Background of the Research  It identifies and describes the history and nature of a well-defined research problem with reference to the existing literature.  It indicates the root of the problem being studied, appropriate context of the problem in relation to theory, research, and/or practice, its scope, and the extent to which previous studies have successfully investigated the problem, noting, in particular, where gaps exist that your study attempts to address. Statement of the Problem  reflected to the research title  The problem must not be answerable by yes or no  must be arranged in the flow of the study  Introduces the reader to the importance of the topic being studied  Places the topic into a particular context that defines the parameters of what is to be investigated  Provides the framework for reporting the results  Indicates what is probably necessary to conduct the study  Explain how the findings will present the information. Research Questions Good research questions possess four essential characteristics as stated by Fraenkel and Wallen (2007, p.29). They are as follows:  The question is feasible (i.e. it can be investigated without an undue of time, energy, or money)  The question is clear (i.e. most people would agree as to what the key words in the question mean).  The question is significant (i.e. it is worth investigating because it will contribute important knowledge about the human condition).  The question is ethical (i.e. it will not involve physical or psychological harm or damage to human beings or to the natural or social environment of which they are part. Significance of the Study  The significance of the study will mainly focus on the question “Who will benefit from the study?”  This states the contribution of your study and the usefulness of your study in the society. Scope and Delimitations of the Study Parameters that prevent researchers from pursuing further studies due to time and budgetary constraints A. Scope- the coverage, range and period of the study B. Delimitations- weaknesses of the study beyond the control of the researcher Definition of Terms Terms used either operationally or technically in a research study A. Operational- definition based on how a word/s are used in the research study B. Technical- definition based on how a word/s are used in a particular field or specialization