REVIEWER FOR PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2
Research is a process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data in order to establish facts and
reach new conclusions. Research can be quantitative or qualitative.
Quantitative research comes from its root word “quantity” which means the “amount of” or “number
of”. It deals with numerals and how it can describe a phenomenon or infer a relationship.
Quantitative research focuses on convergent rather than divergent reasoning.
Descriptive research - It describes factors, variables, or phenomena that occurs in nature. (LOOK FOR
EXAMPLES)
Comparative research-Its primary objective is to compare variables in order to identify whether there
exist a causative relationship between them. (LOOK FOR EXAMPLES)
Correlational research-Example of a nonexperimental research design which primary objective is to
compare variables then identify the relationship between them. (LOOK FOR EXAMPLES)
Quasi-experimental research-It mirrors experimental research, but not true experimental. It differs
because random selection of samples is not possible due to innate or ethical reasons. (LOOK FOR
EXAMPLES)
True experimental research-The primary objective is to identify a cause-effect relationship between the
variables where sample are randomized.
Variables in quantitative research - - anything that can be observed by researchers, such as a person,
thing, place, situation, or even a phenomenon. It can be change or can inflict change.
4 CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIABLES
1. Numeric
Continuous Variables - They are infinite numbers, (sometimes called, interval) Generally, you
measure them using a scale. When you see decimal places for individual values, you're looking at a
continuous variable. Examples of continuous data include weight, height, length, time, and temperature.
Discrete Variables – They are finite numbers. It has an exact number value and it is a real
numbers. Examples of discrete variables are number of person in a household, Birthdate. Number of
months.
2. Categorical - -Describes a quantity or characteristics of unit data.
Ordinal Data – In order/ranking
Examples: Economic status, customer satisfaction, education level, letter grades, likert scale,
income.
Nominal Data – use to categorize and describe a data
Examples: Eye color, housing style, gender, hair color, religion, marital status, ethnicity,
dichotomous, these are nominal variables that can only take on two values (if it takes
the form of a word with two options (gender - male or female). It can be answerable by yes or
no.
polychotomous, a variable having more than two possible categories, either ordered or
unordered. (if it takes the form of a word with more than two options (education - primary
school, secondary school and university). Likert scale, socio-economic status.
3. Experimental
Independent (cause)- Also called as “causal variables” are presumed to cause a change
in the set-up. It is the variable that is being manipulated.
Dependent (effect) - Also called as “outcome variables” are variables that change
because of another variables. What is being measured in the study or experiment.
Extraneous - Variables that may be treated as independent or moderating variables but
should be excluded from the study itself since it may interfere with the research process.
For example, the height of the plant grow faster in warmer temperatures
Dependent: height of plant
Independent: temperature
Extraneous: type of plant (it affects the dependent variable)
4. Non-Experimental
Predictor- use to predict future outcome based on given circumstances. (independent)
Criterion-another name for a response variable and is a variable that is being predicted
in a statistical analysis. (dependent)
Example: I need you to miss thirty days of school and then report your grade point average to me?
grade point average within 30 days (criterion).
Thirty days o missing school (predictor)
ROLES OF VARIABLES
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INDEPENDENT - It influence another variable to change
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DEPENDENT - Can be change by another variable and measured by researchers using
standardized tools.
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MEDIATING - Also called as “intervening variables”. It shows connection between dependent
and independent variables.
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MODERATING - Variables that may have a strong conditioned effect on the relationship
between independent and dependent variables.
RESEARCH TITLE - Title is the first thing you see when reading a research paper. It summarizes
the content of the study in a concise manner.
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Generally, the research title should:
Summarize the main idea of the paper;
Be concise statement of the main topic;
Includes the major variables
Show the relationship of the main variables of the study;
Include the main task of the researcher about the major variables under study; and
Mention the participant and the setting.
THE TITLE MUST ONLY HAVE 10-15 WORDS (Articles and Conjunction NOT INCLUDED)
Characteristics of a Well-constructed Research Title
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FOCUS AND DIRECT
FORMAL
BRIEF AND SUBSTANTIAL
CLEAR
PROPER GRAMMAR AND CAPITALIZATION
Steps in writing a good research title
Put details of the research into segments.
Make a list of keywords based on the segment of the research details
Draft sentences that contain the keywords
Formulate your research title
Problem and its background
Its purpose is to introduce the research problem, clarify important variables, identify limitation
and identify the research gap.
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ELEMENTS
Introduction (with identified research gap)
Statement of the problem
Conceptual/ theoretical framework
Scope and delimitation
Significance of the study
Definition of terms.
Statement of the problem helps the researchers clarify various essential elements of research such as
the major variables, the general and specific objectives, and the appropriate methodology. It is an
integrative but brief discussion of the research problem, its context, and the questions of the study. Its
main goal is to provide a concise overview of the topic in relation to the research questions.
A statement of the problem usually begins with introducing the general statement of the problem
followed by the specific research questions that aims to address the research problem.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS - Identifies the specific aspects of the topic that the current study seeks to
investigate.
Descriptive research questions - Used to describe certain patterns and usually focus on single and
noncomplex variables. It only aims to describe results and observations and DO NOT provide explanation.
Comparative Research Questions - Mainly used to compare and contrast similarities and differences
between groups and variables.
Evaluative Research Questions - Are formed to assess a particular observation or phenomenon. It is also
used to assess how certain procedures or processes work.
Explanatory Research Questions - Mainly formed to explain relationships between variables and how
variable may have an effect to one another.
Characteristics of a good research questions
1. Relevant
2. Specific
3. Clear
4. Analytical
5. Measurable