Process of gathering data

or information to solve a
particular problem in a
scientific manner
Systematic search for
pertinent information
on a specific topic or
problem
To discover new facts
about known
phenomena
To find answers to
problems which are only
partially solved by existing
methods and information
To validate results or
findings
Improve existing
techniques and develop
new instruments or
products
To discover previously
unrecognized
substances or elements
To provide basis for
decision-making in
business, industry,
education, government
and other undertakings
To satisfy the
researchers curiosity
To find answers to
queries by means of
scientific methods
To improve educational
practices
To promote health and
prolong life
To provide man with
more of his basic needs
To make work, travel,
and communication
faster, easier, and more
comfortable
Systematic
Controlled
Empirical
Analytical and logical
Objective and unbiased
May employ hypotheses
May employ quantitative
or statistical methods
Original work
Requires expertise
Accurate investigation,
observation and description
Patient and unhurried activity
Requires an effort-making
capacity
Requires courage
Emphasizes development
of generalizations,
principles or theories
Involves gathering of new data
from primary or firsthand
sources or existing data for new
purpose
Characterized by carefully
designed procedures that apply
rigorous analysis

Strives to apply every possible
test to validate procedures
employed, the data collected
and the conclusions reached
Is carefully recorded and
reported

Basic research
carried out to get
new information; no
immediate application
Applied research
is done to improve a
product or a process
Action research
focused on immediate
application, not on devt of
theory or generalization
Findings are evaluated in
terms of local applicability
Historical research
describes what was
Descriptive research
describes what is
Experimental research
describes what will be
when certain variables are
carefully controlled or
manipulated
Any significant, perplexing
and challenging situation,
real or artificial, the
solution of which requires
reflective thinking
A perplexing situation after it
has been translated into a
question or series of questions
that help determine the
direction of subsequent
inquiry
Aim or purpose of the
problem for
investigation
The subject matter or
topic to be investigated
Population or universe
from whom the data are
to be collected
The place or locale
where the research is to
be conducted
The period or time of
the study during which
the data are to be
gathered
Is this the type of problem that can be effectively
solved through the process of research? Can
relevant data be gathered to test the theory or find
the answer to the questions under consideration?
Is the problem significant? Is an important principle
involved? Would the solution make any difference as
far as educational theory or practice is concerned?
Is the problem a new one? Is the answer
already available?
Is research on the problem feasible?
Is it a good problem for me?
Will I be able to carry it through to a successful
conclusion
Am I competent to plan and carry out a study of
this type?
Do I know enough about this field to understand
its significant aspects and interpret my findings?
Am I skillful enough to develop, administer and
interpret the necessary data-gathering devices
and procedures? Am I well grounded in the
necessary knowledge of research design and
statistical procedures?
Are the pertinent data accessible? Are valid and
reliable data-gathering devices and procedures
available? Will school authorities permit me to
contact the students, conduct necessary
experiments or administer necessary tests,
interview teachers or have access to important
cumulative records? Will I be able to get the
sponsorship necessary to open doors that
otherwise would be closed to me?
Will I have the necessary financial resources to
carry on this study? What will be the expense
involved in data-gathering equipment, printing,
test materials, travel and clerical help?
Will I have enough time to complete the project?
Will I have the determination to pursue the study
despite the difficulty and social hazards that may
be involved?
Chapter 1: The Problem
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
Chapter 3: Methods
Introduction
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Major
Minor
Hypothesis
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitation
Definition of Terms



Provides the reader with the necessary
background and setting (global, national,
local) to put the problem in proper context
Explains, defends and/or proves that the
current literature are inadequate, outdated
and/or inaccurate
Justifies and convinces the reader that the
study is needed
States the motive of the researcher


A statement addressing the over-all purpose of the
study
A brief summary of the potential impact the results
of the study may have on the current body of
knowledge in the area
Typically begins with:
The purpose of the study is/was...
The study is/was concerned with...
The focus of the research is/was...
The study aims/ed to...
State the sub-problems in the interrogative
form
Each specific question must be clear and
unequivocal
Each specific question is researchable apart
from the other questions
Each specific question must be based upon
known facts and phenomena


Answers to each specific question must
contribute to the development of the whole
research problem or topic
Summing up all answers to all specific
questions will give a complete development
of the entire study
The number of specific questions should be
enough to cover the development of the
whole research problem or study


Statements of what the researcher believes
to be facts but cannot verify
Self-evident truth which is based upon a
known fact or phenomenon
Not tested, neither defended nor argued
Can be explicit (clearly stated) or implicit
(hinted)

Tentative conclusion or answer to a specific
question raised at the beginning of the
investigation
Educated guess about the answer to a
specific question
Should be:
Reasonable
Consistent with known facts or theories
Stated in such a way that it can be tested and
found to be probably true or probably false
Stated in the simplest possible terms

Operational
Stated in the affirmative
States that there is a difference between two
phenomena

Null
Stated in the negative
States that there is no difference between two
phenomena


The rationale, timeliness or relevance of the
study
Who are to be benefitted and how they are
going to be benefitted
Shows why the research is worth the time,
effort, and expense



Establishes the parameters of the study
Limitations - those conditions beyond the
control of the researcher that may place
restrictions on the conclusions of the study
and their applications to the other situations
i.e. policy prohibiting the use of more than
one class for experiment, data-gathering
instrument that is not validated



Define only words/terms and phrases which
have special or unique meaning in the study.
Definitions should be operational.
Definitions may come from the
characteristics of the term defined.
Definitions should be brief, clear and
unequivocal.
Acronyms should be spelled out fully if it is
used for the first time.

Operational Definition also known as
functional definition. Terms are defined based
on the conceptual definition and
operationalized in the context.

Conceptual or theoretical definitions
universal or academic meaning attributed to
a word or group of words. These are
definitions from published materials