PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

Quarter 3 – Module 2

Research, as a form of scientific inquiry plays a crucial role in addressing the phenomena.
Hence, it is very significant to learn the "what", "why", and "how' of research. Learn the salient topics
of research covered in this module.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH COMPARED

heal wounds, and the like. Ultimately, people thought of finding ways and means to improve
their life. Using their logical thinking skills, they began to discover technologies, enhance and
introduce them to society (Amorado, R. & Talili, I., 2017).
According to Study International.com., scientists carry out research and the rest of the
world benefits from their findings. We get to know the way of nature, and how our actions
affect it. We gain a deeper understanding of people, and why they do the things they do. Best
of all, we get to enrich our lives with the latest knowledge of health, nutrition, technology, and
business, among others.
 Research provides answer to a question
Since time immemorial, people have always been left with myriad questions about
anything else in the environment. At a higher level one may inquire about causes of climate
change, nuclear energy for water desalting, impact of online gaming to the youth, and others.
This is where the science of inquiry comes into play (Amorado, T. & Talili, I., 2017).
When curiosity and intuition are applied in a systematic approach to find the answers to
questions like these, when we draw on experience and the knowledge we’ve already acquired,
then we’re doing research. All of us in our daily lives explore, investigate, invent, solving
problems at work, and others. Dedicating our lives to research means making study and
experiment our profession, and leads these activities to the acquisition of new knowledge
(https://www.researchitaly.it, 2021).
 Research assists in decision- making
Depending on individual circumstances, research findings serve as an excellent basis
for making decisions. Suppose you are asked to plan and implement a school project as a
student- leader. Being doubtful at first what best specific intervention you may apply, you
probably need to conduct a survey research to ascertain the most suitable intervention to carry
out the research study. This is why research plays a significant role in decision- making
(Amorado, T. & Talili, I., 2017).

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
Over and above, scientific research can be further described in the following ways:
REMEMBER the term, LACCREM (LOGICAL, ANALYTICAL, CYCLICAL, CRITICAL,
REPLICABLE and VERIFIABLE, EMPIRICAL, and METHODICAL AND CONTROLLED
1. Logical - Research report is generally presented coherently and consistently and
with correct reasoning.
2. Analytical - Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering data,
whether historical, descriptive, experimental, or case study.
3. Cyclical - Research starts with a problem and ends with a problem.
 4. Critical - Research results are drawn from careful and precise scrutiny of procedures
and methods.
5. Replicable and Verifiable - Research design and procedures are repeated to enable
the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.
6. Empirical - Research data is generated from actual sensory observation or from the
participants` rich experiences.
7. Methodical & Controlled - Research is conducted in methodical manner without
bias using systematic methods and procedures. source: Qualitative Research- A Practical Approach

RESEARCH AS A PROCESS
Research is the scientific process of collecting empirical data that are intended for
drawing conclusion. The diagram below shows the cyclic progression of the research process.

Key Points
1. Defining a research problem
Research problem is also called in layman`s term as research topic. Defining a
research problem is usually carried by a researcher at the beginning of the entire research
process. To explore possible research topics, others may simply read any literature while
traditional researchers considered the SMART requirement of choosing a research problem.
This means that the topic should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-
bounded. Contemporary researchers, however, added newness or novelty and international
character in defining a research problem (Amorado, T. & Talili, I., 2017).
2. Developing a research plan
Researchers must lay out a plan which will serve as their guide in carrying out the
research endeavor. This will include specific research aim, background, and significance,
related readings, and research design and methods to use (Amorado, T. & Talili, I., 2017
3. Collecting research data
It is one of the important steps in conducting a scientific inquiry. It can be carried out
using an approach called methodological triangulation which is usually considered a
powerful tool to build up a qualitative research. This technique considers three usual
activities: observation, interview, and document analysis (Amorado, R. & Talili, I., 2017).
4. Analyzing research data
 In qualitative method of research, the researcher carefully analyzes the textual data by
determining significant statements from the text and thereby formulating clustered themes.
While in quantitative research, the researcher processes data using statistical techniques so
that the researcher can draw conclusion based from the hypotheses being tested as well as
its research findings (Amorado, R. & Talili, I., 2017). Improper statistical analyses distort
scientific findings, mislead casual readers (Shepard, 2002), and may negatively influence
the public perception of research. Integrity issues are just as relevant to analysis of non-
statistical data as well.
5. Presenting the research findings
Checking the accuracy and completeness of the research data is an essential task
before writing and revising the contents of the research paper; otherwise the presentation
of data would appear insufficient, and questionable (Amorado, R. & Talili, I., 2017).
6. Disseminating and utilizing the findings
Regardless of stature in conducting research, one should strive to disseminate
the research results which may be considered an excellent baseline information for
another study. Modern -day research scientists present their research findings in
research conferences; others may publish them in reputable scientific journals which
should be made the ultimate purpose of knowledge creation (Amorado, R. & Talili, I.,
2017).

ETHICS OF RESEARCH
The core of a research undertaking lies in its ethical considerations. Research in
general requires the researcher`s sense of accuracy and responsibility in managing or
handling data.
A. Writing and Publication of Research
1. Never misrepresent or falsify research data.
Do not attempt to create, invent, or produce data just to finish your research on -
time or to be appreciated of the results of your study.
2. Respect the data found or discovered.
Never intentionally conceal actual facts or materials in research results reported,
or falsely represent actual facts discovered.
3. Observe the required process to complete.
Never file research reports and/or publish research findings without having
completed the research process indicated.
4. Respect the real author.
Never claim to be the author of the research which was performed by others.
5. Respect lives of animals and human beings.
Protect the human subjects and or ensure the welfare of laboratory animals.
6. Report objectively.
Present a concise and accurate research results.
7. Prepare a detailed and sufficient report.
Submit a manuscript which is scientifically done which can be followed when
other researchers want to verify or replicate it.
8. Give due credit to the references or sources of information.
Acknowledge the source of knowledge or research results which give you ideas
to complete your study. Cite the author and recognize the publication that
directly or indirectly gives you an idea.
9. Avoid self- serving manuscript.
It is inappropriate for an author or co- author to write a discussion of his/her own
manuscript; except in the case of a rebuttal, closure to criticism or discussion
offered by others.
10. Avoid specifying brands or company names in the manuscript.
 It is inappropriate to submit manuscripts with an obvious commercial intent. The
authors should reveal to the editor any potential conflict of interest that might be
affected by publication of the results contained in a manuscript.
B. Actual Conduct of Research
1. Be transparent to possible risks.
Research Inform the researcher, parent or guardians, participants and
respondents the possible risks and potential consequences in the conduct of the
research.
2. Observe confidentiality.
Researchers are responsible for taking appropriate cautions to protect the
confidentiality of both participants and data to the full extent provided by law.
3. Be honest.
Researchers, participants and the representatives of the institution should be
honest in dealing with one another.

4. Respect at all times.

Educational researchers should be sensitive to any locally established
institutional policies or guidelines for conducting research.
5. Avoid exploitation.
Researchers should not use their powers, authorities or influence for personal
gain to compel subordinates, students and respondents to participate in
research.
6. Be sensitive
Be careful to handle cultural, religious, gender, and other significant differences
within the research population in the planning, conduct, and reporting of the
research.
7. Protect the integrity of the participating institutions or individuals.
Researchers should ensure the integrity of the participating school, agency, or
company that might be at risk due to the conduct of the study.
8. Have an open communication.
Researchers should inform the concerned research population, institutional
representatives and other stakeholders on the findings and the practical
significance of their research in clear, straightforward, and appropriate language.
Source: Qualitative Research- A Practical Approach

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM
An individual who undertakes on research or writing carries with itself huge
responsibility towards the public. Due to the availability of ready-to-use printed and mostly
online materials, people tend to copy and paste giving no credits to the rightful owner. Hence,
plagiarism comes into play and causes some ethical issues in research.
The word plagiarism comes from the latin word “plagiare” which means to “kidnap”
(https://www.iilsindia.com/). It simply means copying the work of others such as text, photo,
video, and others and claim as one`s own. Others refer to such act as academic theft.

The table below presents the common situations showing the act of plagiarism.
Plagiarism in text Plagiarism in music, videos, and other
media
1. Turning in someone else's work as your 1. Copying media (especially images)
own from other websites to paste them into
2. Copying words or ideas from someone your own papers or websites.
else without giving credit 2. Making a video using footage from
3. Failing to put a quotation in quotation others’ videos or using copyrighted music
marks as part of the soundtrack.
4. Giving incorrect information about the 3. Performing another person’s
source of a quotation copyrighted music (i.e., playing a cover).
5. Changing words but copying the 4. Composing a piece of music that
sentence structure of a source without borrows heavily from another
giving credit composition.
6. Copying so many words or ideas from a
source that it makes up the majority of your
work, whether you give credit or not

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