Chapter 2
DEVELOPING RESEARCH SKILLS
Learning Objectives:
1. Define and relate the five phases on managing a research process to the research key
skills
2. Construct the first of the four framework of the conceptual framework.
3. Establish a research question or statement for the research project, and summarize
appropriate aims and obejctives for the research project.
4. Determine the most applicable literature to the research project.
5. Gather and organize the bibliography and use appendices accordingly.
This module specifically answers the different matters concerning crafting a possible
research project such as making a valid research argument, developing a research statement and
inquiries, outlining a research objective, efficiently sourcing research literature, identifying
possible counts of plagiarism in your research, and the research sin that this factor may bring to
your study. This module will also discuss the proper process of compiling a bibliography and
appendices and its use.
Overview:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Introduction
Five Phases in Managing a Research Project
How to turn Research Ideas into Research Process
Conceptual Framework: Beginning with Developing the Research Statement
Conceptual Framework: Identifying the Aim and Objectives from the Research
Statement
Obtaining Appropriate Literature
The Different Approaches to Research
Importance in Consideration of Plagiarism in Research
Ways of Compiling the Bibliography
The Uses of Appendices
1. INTRODUCTION
This module will be focusing on the fundamental key abilities that a researcher will need
in the process of making a good research project. Enlisted with this table provided by the book
which this module is derived, a researcher must possess these basic skills in the process of
making research.
The process of research demands a great time of perseverance and skills in order to
produce a good and competent project. The process includes reading connected textbooks on
research methodologies and research methods and gaining experience in working on research
1
projects, thus, this works should be done in basis with the prevailing theoretical and
academically approved process.
Table 2.1. Five Basic Research Skills
Derived from “The Basic skills required by every researcher” [Table]. (2016).
In Research Methods: Structuring Inquiries and Empirical Investigators (p. 22). Valenzuela
City, Philippines: JO-ES Publishing House.
Every researcher needs research skills that constitutes to the different steps in research
process. A research skill is most likely called the key skill. This chapter centers on the key skills
needed by each of researchers.
Different perspectives on developing key skills of a researcher have been elaborated by
numerous research authors. For every perspective, a competent researcher takes time to develop
such skills. To develop the key skills of a researcher, certain stages or processes a researcher
should apply. This involves continuous reading of text books or other references which discuss
research methodologies and research methods, and thru attaining experience in working on
research paper.
There are five phases on managing a research paper and detects some key skills of a good
researcher. Research key skills may develop through considering the phases on managing the
research project.
2. FIVE PHASES ON MANAGING A RESEARCH PROJECT
Researchers should contemplate of each phase before consideration of key skills needed
to efficiently takeaway research, for instance, designing research statement or question, research
design and critical analysis of research approaches.
Five Phases of the Research
Process
1
Conception
2
Realization
3
Investigation
4
Interpretation
5
Utilization
Table 2.2. Five Phases of the Research Process
2
Conception
This phase involves formation of ideas. Research ideas, statement or question may
develop through constantly thinking and reflecting issues, research studies and theories.
Researchers focus on their research statement or question and continually revising and enhancing
it by comprehending and reviewing related literature studies. It is often for a researcher to refine
their research question or statement during the development of research verdicts occur and
interpreted. Conceptualization and reconceptualization from reviewing related literature is
necessary for more comprehensive and viable research question. Researcher should repetitively
refine the question until the theory of the research fit or satisfy the methodology of the research
paper.
Realization
A research paper is about answering its research statement or question. It should be
viable research, attainable or it can be happen. Researcher also considers the reliability of valid
information to interpret the research statement. Planning and organizing is essential in working
on research to keep track and completed the paper in time. Planning and organizing also involves
identifying the source of needed data and financially prepared for travel, field work, interviewees
and interpreters expenses, and other research materials.
Investigation
Interpersonal skill is developing in this phase wherein the researchers enhance their
communication, understanding, valuing the rights of informants and observing ethical issues. An
interview skill is essential to be prepared and practiced. This skill focuses on issues like
preparing the right setting for the interview, making the interviewee comfortable and ensuring a
well-organized methodology on recording the information from interview. Investigation
comprises issues in gathering of information that supports the research paper.
Interpretation
Beginning the analysis consider important points. First is to conduct preliminary analysis
or interpretations based on the review of related literature. From all the collected data, a
researcher may use specific methodology in analysis of data, and eventually, as the researcher go
on with the analysis, collecting further data than actually needed will be necessary for
continuously analysis of the paper until the research project satisfies its objectives.
Utilization
Researchers develop writing skills regularly. As continually writing and reading the
research paper, the structure may change, improve and will attain a good structure of research
paper.
3
Figure 2.1 shows the relationship among all five phases on managing a research project.
It illustrates the cyclic movement or it continuously relates each phases to attain a good structure
in the research project.
Figure 2.1. Relationship of Five Phases of Managing a Research Project
Derived from “Five Stages of the Research Process” [Figure]. Unit 5: Research Skills
(p. 3). www.open.edu/openlearncreate/pluginfile.php/23676/mod/research_skills.doc
3. HOW TO TURN RESEARCH IDEAS INTO RESEARCH PROCESS?
Now that you’ve done reflecting the backbone of your study through research idea, you
are now set to turn that idea into a viable research project. You must focus on your study to
produce a good product. You must also consider reflecting on these possible questions such as,
“What keeps me do this research? Why did I am interested unto this?” and “What will I be
focusing in this study?”
From generating a research idea, the idea is then to be precisely defined research project.
Every researcher should focus on the idea created. The process of refinement of research idea
4
involves defining or answering guide questions: does the idea interest you? What is the focus of
my research project?
The focus of the research idea should also test its researchability. The test of
researchability includes availability of the time needed and financial capacity of the researcher,
and the accessibility of the necessary data to carry out the research project. The importance of
testing the research idea is to determine and help the researcher decide from the start whether it
is worth trying to develop the research idea to come up with the research paper. If any of the tests
take difficulty, then the research idea may not be researchable. The research idea may be too
ambitious and cannot be finished in a specified time, too costly for the availability of the budget,
or the data needed to perform the research is not accessible or attainable.
You may also reflect into the processing of testing your possible research unto the factor
of researchability. You must reflect if you have the time, the money, the data and accessibility
available in the whole process of research, then, if you have, then, it can be proved that you can
efficiently do your research.
This process of testing can help you distinguish from the start whether it is or it is not
sensible to develop the idea you have in your mind. If you think that it will bring any hardship
rather than it will bring a good effect to the factors stated above, then it most likely your study is
not researchable. It is important to be very precise about the factors stated above to ensure a
smooth process of research in the future.
It is essential to consider the factors in determining the researchability of the research
idea to help the researcher complete the research paper on time.
4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: BEGINNING WITH DEVELOPING THE
RESEARCH STATEMENT
Yes, you now have now you research idea that you will be working on, it is now the
time to form your simple research statement that will explain your concept for your target
research project. The statement will become the conceptual framework of the project. Hypothesis
of the research is generally constitutes from its conceptual framework.
In doing research project, four frameworks are to be followed in chronologically order
and each of the frameworks is related or connected to each other. Figure 2.3 shows the four
frameworks of research process: conceptual, theoretical, methodological and analytical
framework. The first framework of research is conceptual framework wherein it composed of
three steps in the research process: conceptualizing and refine an idea, compose a research
question or statement in one sentence, and define the aim and its respective objectives.
5
Figure 2.3 The Research Process: Four Framework of Research
To begin a research, a researcher is first to conceptualize an idea. After thorough
conceptualization of the idea and finalizing its area, the researcher is then to develop a simple
research statement that visibly expresses the idea of the research paper and then followed by
determining the specific aim and objectives or the statement of the problem. These procedures
are the conceptual framework of the research. The conceptual framework serves as the main idea
of the entire research paper. This framework generates the hypothesis of the researcher to the
research statement and contains all the key concepts of the whole research paper.
From the research idea, the entire research paper is stated in one sentence question or
statement in which it contains the outline of the research study. The focus of the whole research
study is in that one sentence question or statement.
A research statement is a simple statement of a research project. As a researcher, you
should target for a simple clear statement of the research. For example, you want to study the
field of human resource management, and you want to develop the idea into a research statement
or question, you have to ensure that the research statement or question that you will be producing
is researchable and the key concepts must be also harnessed in the conceptual framework that is
situated in the research statement.
Let us say that the idea is human resource management. The research statement might
read something like this:
“This research project is a case study that will examine the human resource management
scheme of ABCXYZ Engineering Company,”
The abovementioned research statement is a simple statement of a research project. As a
researcher, you should aim for a simple clear statement of the research. While it is clear and
simple, the research statement must contain all of the needed key concepts to easily track your
6
study and its connection to another field of study. These concepts will bring more focus to your
study and will dictate how the study will run according to the research principles.
The proposed research methodology, a case study, as it was mentioned in the statement,
seems to be a perfect methodology for the research project. The case study methodology is useful
in conducting a thorough study of bounded entities, such as a company, team, etc.
Through the chosen research methodology, you have now clearly outlined the focus of
your study, thus, setting a limit and scope to your study must be your second thought afterward.
You have now decided that you will be setting the examination to the human resource
management scheme of ABCXYZ Engineering Company, only.
There are two aspects to scope in every research project: depth and breadth. You might
decide to undertake a broad study that includes quite a number of engineering companies or just
examine one of them, it is your choice. It is also possible to limit the time span of the research in
the research statement.
Each research project should begin with a statement of the research. Your wellconceptualized research statement, the conceptual framework for your research project, should
be the first priority in your research.
5. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: IDENTIFYING THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES
FROM THE RESEARCH STATEMENT
Now, you are now set yourself in making a good research objective, the next step would be
the development of aims and objectives. As defined, the goal is a general statement of what you
intend to achieve while the objectives specify how you will intend to achieve this aim. The basic
process in doing this is to make one aim and a series of objectives.
After generating the research question or statement, the next step is to determine the aim
of the research study in which the intended output is accomplished, and specify the objectives of
the research project wherein it enumerates on how the intended output will be accomplished. To
work out with the aim and objectives of the research project, first is to generate with one aim and
followed by not more than six objectives. This is the simpler way of doing the aim and objectives
of the research project. A researcher may work out with more than one aim with respective series
objectives but this may result to a complex research study and a higher possibility of difficulty in
completing the research project.
A research statement or question is also the aim of the research project. The objectives of
the research develop from the aim of the research project. It is the order wherein it contains the
steps on how to accomplish the aim of the research. Objective is commonly written in short
phrases either in numbering or bullet points. The beginning of each phrase should use at least
one verb. Figure 2.4 illustrates the Bloom’s Taxonomy in which is helpful guide in creating the
objectives of the research project. The objectives of the research reflect as the actions of the
researcher in accomplishing the intended aim of the research project.
7
Figure 2.3. Bloom’s Taxonomy
Derived from “Bloom’s Taxonomy” [Figure]. (2019). Bloom’s Taxonomy.
The goal of the research is simply explaining the research statement, either expounded or
just re-stated as an aim. For example, the research statement could be on this format, same to the
research aim:
“The aim of this research study is to examine the human resource management scheme of
ABCXYZ Engineering Company,”
The objective of research usually emerges from the aim of the research. These objectives
are the basic process that the research will adapt in order to achieve the research goal. It is
usually written in short phrases, formed through bullet points. The objectives of the said study
could be interpreted as follows:
1. To examine the human resource management scheme of ABCXYZ Engineering
2. To compare the scheme to other prevailing schemes from other alike companies,
This objective of the research enumerates the actions the research is intending to do in
order to accomplish the research aim. This must not consist of any statement that is reviewing
the research literature, data gathering methods , explaining the methodology that will be used in
the research.
6. OBTAINING APPROPRIATE LITERATURE
Your crafted research statement will lead you in terms of searching related literature you
need in the study. You must have read part of your chosen connected article before you can
precisely draft a research statement or question of your research project. In sourcing literature,
the researcher must discern and look for the good and appropriate literature for the research
8
statement Reading related literature will develop your knowledge on the area that your research
is revolving on, focus on the gaps that these past research have been provided and can help
provide and fulfill these gaps.
When you have finally decided the list of related literature you will need, you may now
start to read the literature to develop your literature review. You have to read this literature to
understand the area of your study and to provide a clearer view of the process of research.
Primarily, researchers is recommended to thoroughly review published research studies which
will be a great contribution of knowledge to the research project. Understanding and
consideration of established concepts, theories and studies will give direction to the research and
will define the viability of the research paper.
It is also important to locate good research in conducting literature search; you need to be
more careful. You should take into consideration these following aspects in order to produce
good literature.
1. Check the date of publication and verify it is an up-to-date publication. Your
literature mirrors the current status quo in the field that your research is revolving at, so it
must be published not later than 5 years on the year of conduction of the research.
2. Verify the credentials of the authors. You must check the qualifications and expertise
that this/these author/s have to build confidence in your study. Establish whether they are
or they do not have a reputation to the field.
3. Check the credentials of the place where the work was published.
4. Read and try to be critical in reading literature to see the value of this study in your
research.
7. THE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO RESEARCH
You will discover in your pursuit that there are various methodologies in research. It is
helpful from the start to begin to build up a pinch of these various methodologies. These various
methodologies mirror the distinctive philosophical underpinnings of research ventures.
There are different philosophical frameworks that are present in the field of research and
these frameworks can deliver kinds of research. There are many methodologies that can be used
in providing research results. You may reflect this methodological table derived from the
different processes that can be derived in the process of research.
9
Methodological Table
Data Collection Methods
Research Methodologies
Fundamental Philosophies
• Observation
• Questionnaire
• Interviews
• Focus groups
• Scales
• Projective techniques
• Images
• Vignettes
• Life history
• Narratives
• Diary
• Documents/Records/Archives
• Survey
• Case studies
• Experimental Designs
• Ethnography
• Action research
• Grounded theory
• Content analysis
• Discourse analysis
• Documentary analysis
• Textual analysis
• Semiotics
• Image-based research
• Archival research
• Feminist research
• Positivism
• Constructivism
• Interpretivism
• Functionalism
• Critical theory
• Feminism
• Post structuralism
• Post modernalism
Table 2.3. Methodologocal Table
Derived from “The methodological pyramid” [Chart]. (2016). In Research Methods:
Structuring Inquiries and Empirical Investigators (p. 30). Valenzuela City, Philippines: JOES Publishing House.
8. IMPORTANCE IN CONSIDERATION OF PLAGIARISM IN RESEARCH
Plagiarism is the process of utilization and introduction of another person's creation and
claim as your own. As technology made it easy to source out various literature online, getting
information was very easy that it even had its own phrase: “copy and paste” whithout realizing
that could tantamount to stealing intellectual knowledge, thus it had become a serious violation.
Students who take part in plagiarizing can be ousted from their universities and organizations.
This can fruit impeding impacts on their vocations.
It is also significant to figure out how to reference appropriately. When you start
referencing, you will never again discover it as an errand. As your work on referencing, you will
rapidly figure out how to recognize another person's work and thoughts, and your own. Where
your thoughts have created from someone else's, you essentially reference the thoughts that you
have assembled your work upon.
Truly, plagiarism is a serious offense, and it carries change intertwined punishments. The
best approach to maintain an unplagiarized work is to submit work that you have kept really
worked out on your own—a work that is appropriately and completely referenced.
Whatever or wherever you read it from when you doing research, don’t forget to note and
mention the author, or the source to give proper credits to someone else’s work . (REACHIVY)
9. WAYS OF COMPILING THE BIBLIOGRAPHY
A bibliography of any research project is one of the most crucial part of the research
project. The bibliography that is properly listed exhibits the exemplary scholarly work of the
research and the viability of the research study.
10
As defined, the bibliography is the directory of all of the published work used in the
project: this includes all the journal articles, books, conference reports, government reports and
papers, theses, and proceedings and alike documents that the research have used in the whole
research study. And it is a compilation of the utilized sources producing the work and which is
usually referred to us in a text form. (Rigas Stradina Universitate)
In compiling the bibliography, the researcher should do:
- Ensure that he/she is applying the style required by the organization
- He/she should have copied the details of the reference article accurately
- Assure the correct usage of punctuations
- Avoid errors in spelling
- Situate the facts for each reference in the bibliography in the correct manner,
according to the prevailing norms
- Avoid using bullet points or any styles or any different format in the bibliography
Compiling and sourcing the research bibliography and appendices happen to be one of
the skills a researcher must possess. Just because it is inserted to the last part doesn’t lessen its
importance. To compile the bibliography, one must consider the style to be used, the details of
the reference, punctuation, make sure that there is no spelling errors and most importantly, do not
use bullet points or formatting styles in the bibliography.
Although it consumes so much effort, referencing should be always be precise, reliable
and right. You have to be patient in dealing with bibliographies.
10. THE USES OF APPENDICES
Appendices are any documents that have used in the study to detail a certain part of the
research study. The appendice may include the following documents:
1. Letters that might be written to the possible stakeholders that can be of help in the
study, lettes received from the stakeholders that answers the previously sent letters
and granting permission to the research to connect unto them
2. Copies of data collection methods and instruments have been used in the study. This
may include questionnaires, interview schedules, likert scales and alike.
3. Raw data that served as a supporting evidence
4. Facts that have contributed to your study.
5. Graphs, tables and statistics
6. Detailed maps, charts, photographs and drawings
7. Complete transcriptions of interviews
8. Financial statement
9. Curriculum Vitae of the research; and many more.
In writing the appendic page, the heading should be Appendix, followed by a letter or
number that symbolizes order in the documents. It must be also listed in the table of contents. It
must be placed and presented according to the order of how they have mentioned in your
research.
11
In furnishing the appendices, the researcher must include all the documents used and
gathered in the research project. The appendices is used to detail thesedocuments used. However,
the word count in the bibliography and appendices is not included in the words required in the
research study.
End of Chapter Questions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Enumerate and explain the five fundamental key abilities that a researcher should possess
in making research.
In making a research, you should consider the researchability of your target study. How
can you find your research as a viable one?
What should a research statement be consisting of?
Explain the differences between research aims and research objectives and how it will
help you in the process of a research study?
How will the literature help the researchers in the study?
What are the aspects that research should take into consideration in searching related
literature to their study?
Why is important to know different approaches in research?
What is plagiarism?
Why it is important to compile references in the bibliography?
What are the uses of appendices?
12
References:
Anderson, A. (2015), JIBC STUDENT RESEARCH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
FRAMEWORK,retrieved from https://www.jibc.ca/sites/default/files/research/pdf/StudentResearch-Skills-Development-Framework.pdf
Bloom’s
Taxonomy
(Vanderbilt
University).
https://www.cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/blooms-taxonomy/
retrieved
from
Handbook for Research Skill Development and Assessment in the Curriculum, retrieved from
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/rsd/docs/rsd_Handbook_Dec09.pdf
Methodological Guidelines for Citing References and Compiling Bibliography (Rigas Stradina
Universitate),
retrieved
from
https://www.rsu.lv/sites/default/files/imce/Dokumenti/Biblioteka/Methodological%20Guidelines
%20for%20Citing%20References%20and%20Compiling%20Bibliography.pdf
REACHIVY, retrieved from https://www.reachivy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Why-AreResearch-Skills-Important_-How-Do-I-Develop-Them_.pdf
Silva, D. (2016), In Research Methods: Structuring Inquiries and Empirical Investigators (p.
22). Valenzuela City, Philippines: JO-ES Publishing House.
Unit
5:
Research
Skills
(Open
Education).
retrieved
https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/pluginfile.php/23676/mod/research_skills.doc
from
13