Nature of Research

Research- is almost synonymous to a research paper which is a well-organized discussion of the opinion, conclusions or
information derived from the extensive study and investigation of the work of other.
Characteristics of Research
1. Research gathers new knowledge or data from primary or firsthand source.
2. Research is expert, systematic, and accurate investigation.
3. Research is logical and objective, applying every possible test to verify the data collected in the procedures
employed.
4. Research endeavors to organized data in quantitative forms and express the, as numerical measures.
5. Research is carefully recorded and reported.
Purposes of Research
 To satisf a ’s ra i g for ore u dersta di g
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To improve his judgment

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To add to his power

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To reduce the burden of work

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To reduce suffering
To increase satisfaction in multitudinous way
2 Major Types of Research Paper
1. Analytical Research Paper
-is written when a researcher wants to take definite stance on an issue, usually, a research question is
posed followed by an explanation and evaluation of materials read.
2. Argumentative Research Paper
-an important goal of the argumentative research paper is persuasion, which means the topic chosen
should be debatable or controversial.
Research Paper is a paper in w/c students present their views; a finding about a chosen topic.
- Writing is an enjoyable activity that enables a student to discover new things.
Characteristics of a Research Paper
1. A research paper is the culmination and final product of an involved process of research, critical thinking,
source evaluation, organization of composition.
2. A research paper provides the student w/ an exceptional opportunity to increase his knowledge in a
particular field.
3. A research paper is not simply an informed summary of a topic by means of primary and secondary sources.
4. A resear h is either a ook report or a opi io pie e or a e positor essa o sisti g solel of o e’s
interpretation of a test nor an overview of a particular topic.
5. A research is a genre that requires one to spend time investigating and evaluating sources w/ the intent to
offer interpretations of the texts and not simply an unconscious regurgitation of sources used.
The library is the most important source of information.
Types of Available Sources
1. Traditional Print Sources
a. Books and textbooks
b. Newspapers
c. Academic and Trade Journals
d. Government Reports and Legal Documents
e. Press Releases and Advertising
f. Flyers, Pamphlets, and Leaflets
g. Multimedia
2. Internet-only Sources
a. Websites
b. Blogs
Steps in the Research Process
1. Methods for choosing a topic
Thinking early of a subject will boost your eagerness to search and finish the paper early.
2. Narrowing the topic
The topic you have chosen may be broad. If this is the case, there is a need to narrow it down so that it
will be limited enough for you to finish it on time.
Consider the following questions:
-What do I already know about this subject?
-Is there a specific time period that I want to cover?
-Is there a particular aspect of this topic that interests you?
3. Preparing a Tentative Bibliography
-a working bibliography is useful in organizing topics w/c you would like to include in your research.
4. Reading and Taking down notes
-they give several points of view
-they expand and give depth to your writing
-they highlight a striking phrase, sentence or passage by quoting the original
3 Types of Note Taking
1) Precise/ Summary - It is a brief restatement of the original material in your own words.
2) Paraphrase – This is a restate e t of the authors’ ideas i a out the same number of words as in
the original.
3) Direct Quotation - This is the exact copy of a portion of the original text copied verbatim.
5. Formulating a thesis statement
-It carries the main idea of a composition
5 pointers on how to write good thesis statement
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A good thesis statement is written as a complete declarative sentence.

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A good thesis statement is limited.

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A good thesis statement is unified.

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A good thesis statement is precise.
A good thesis statement includes support for the central thought and suggests the plan of
development.
6. Outlining
-It is a blueprint or a more elaborate structure
Types of Outline
1) Topic Outline- this makes use of phrases or single words in headings
2) Sentence Outline- this is a little bit of bulky and hard to comprehend. It makes use of complete
sentences.
3) Mixed Outline- this type puts main ideas in sentence form and subordinate ideas in topic form.
4) Paragraph Outline- lists the topic ideas of each paragraph in order.
Format of the Outline
1) Number-letter Sequence
-This makes use of Roman Numerals for major ideas, followed by capital letters for secondary
ideas. Third rank ideas make use of Arabic Numerals, small letters for fourth rank ideas, Arabic
numerals in parentheses for fifth rank ideas, then small roman numerals in parentheses for sixth
rank ideas.
2) Decimal Pattern
-Numbers are infinite; therefore, the decimal pattern is ideal for lengthy outlines.
7. Writing the First Draft
-The research paper may still need changes and undergo revisions before eventually writing the final
copy.
8. Documentation
-It is the process of acknowledging the sources used in developing the paper.
-This is also another way of helping those who may be later on reading your work to do further research
by themselves.
 Kinds of Documentation
a. Footnotes- these are cited sources placed at the bottom of the page. They are numbers
consecutively throughout the paper using small Arabic numbers called superscripts, appearing
both after the text and before the footnote.
b. Bibliography- is an alphabetical listing by authors’ last a es of the orks ited i the te t or i
the footnotes.
c. Endnotes- these are like footnotes, but they are typed on a separate sheet at the end of the
resear h paper efore the for al i liograph . The separate page is ith the headi g otes
and lists notes consecutively ff. the numbers in the text with the same form as the footnotes.
That is, indented, single-spaced, w/ double spaces between endnotes.
9. Writing the Final Copy
-After the final typing, proofread the copy again with great care for some more oversights.
The Basic Parts of a Research Paper
1. Title- fewest words possible to adequately describe the research paper.
2. Acknowledgements- it is the part of the research paper that expresses thanks to the colleagues, supervisors,
sponsors, teachers, co-workers for their assistance in the realization of the research paper.
3. Table of Contents- this includes the sections in sequence contained in the research paper.
4. List of Figures/Tables- this shows a list or a sequence of charts or diagrams that appear in the research paper.
5. Abstract- it provides an overview of the whole report for the reader
6. Statement of Problem- it shows a clear declaration of proposals and hypotheses.
7. Review of Related literature- this shows a survey of selected, relevant and appropriate reading, both primary
and secondary source materials.
8. Design of Investigation- this is a statement of and discussion of the hypothesis and theoretical structure in
which they will be tested and examined together with the methods used.
9. Measurement techniques used- this refers to a detailed description and discussion of testing devices used. It
also includes the analysis applied to the results of the study.
10. Findings- this is the presentation in logical order of the information and data gathered in the study.
11. Discussion and Conclusion- this part includes the presentation of principles, relationships, correlations and
generalizations shown by the results obtained in the study.
12. Summary- this is a concise account of the main findings and the inferences drawn from them.
13. Bibliography/references- this shows an accurate listing in strict alphabetical order of all the sources cite in the
text.
14. Appendices- it is a part that exhibits a compilation of important data as well as explanatory and illustrative
materials.
Steps: Field Research
1. Field Research- refers to research that is different from academic work. It is primarily a marketing strategy
utilized by companies and businesses to identify their target clientele. It involves the collection of primary data
and information collected through surveys and questionnaires tailored for its specific purpose.

 The business can be sure that the information gathered is up to date.

 The papers can design the research in the best way to discover the particular information
required.
2. Interview Report- it is designed as a purposeful face to face relationship between two persons, one of whom
called the interviewer and the other called the interviewee or respondent who supplies the information asked
for.

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Purposes of Interviews
To formulate specific questions or make hypothesis, to identify statistical methods w/c can be

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utilized in the research
To use the interview as principal tool for gathering pertinent data for research as well as

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supplement the data gathered utilizing other research techniques.
To have a knowledge of the proper construction and validation of questionnaire from
knowledgeable people.
  To gain information as well as observe overt, oral, physical and emotional reactions of the
subjects.
Paragraph Review
Paragraph- more than simply a group of sentences
Characteristics
1. A good paragraph contains a topic sentence, oppressed or implied. The heart of the idea w/c is to be, is being, or
has been developed.
2. A good paragraph contains a body of thought, not a mere fragment. The null-developed paragraph is never
sketchy or incomplete.
3. A good paragraph must be unified. Oneness of purpose is desirable extraneous detail must be eliminated.
4. A good paragraph contains full unified material estranged in proper order. Good arrangement of ideas implies
logical thinking.
5. A good paragraph is well-proportioned.
6. A good paragraph has a suitable length.
7. A good paragraph contains transitional aids. The thoughts w/in paragraph should make orderly, clear progress.
8. A good paragraph is a mechanically correct.
3 Good Qualities of the Paragraph
 Unity- means oneness in purpose and in content. All the sentences in the paragraph must contribute to

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development of the central idea and then no foreign material is included.
Coherence in the Paragraph- means the orderly arrangement of the sentences in the paragraph.

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-holding together.
Emphasis- is achieved when more prominence is given to more important ideas in the paragraph
Writing in English
-Writing, you see, is one effective way of penetrating into the minds of your readers and implementing their
opinions and their consciousness.

 Notes from a book

 Telephone message
 Birthday cards
 Shopping lists
 Comments on student marks
 Reminders list
 Agenda for meeting
 Invitations
 Diary
 Business Letters
How to be a good writer of English
1. Study more grammar
2. Memorize useful expressions and sentences.
3. Have a good teacher.
4. Read more.
5. Have a lot of practice in writing.
6. Study more vocabulary.
7. Think about what makes writing effective.
Types of Writing
1. Personal
2. Public
3. Creative
4. Social
5. Study
6. Institutional