Handout in

METHODS OF RESEARCH

Objectives:

1. Compare and contrast the different kinds of research methods;

There are four kinds of research methods: (1) historical; (2) descriptive; (3) experimental; and (4)
case study.

Historical Method

Historical method is scientific and the narration thereof is an art. History differs from the natural
sciences because it is based on the reports of observations which cannot be repeated, although
similar events may occur. Natural sciences on the other hand, are based on experimentation.

In other words, historical research is a scientific critical inquiry of the whole truth of past events
using the critical method in the understanding and interpretation of facts, which are applicable
to current issues and problems.

Uses of Historical Research

1. Historical research is useful in searching the past for solutions to contemporary problems
and needs
2. It is used to throw light at the present situation
3. It gives people a sense of continuity from the past to the present
4. It enables communities to grasp their relationship with the past and how it relates to
current issues
5. It records events of enduring worth, which confer upon the individual a consciousness of
unity and the feeling of importance of human achievement

Major Steps of Historical Research

1. Collection of data, with consideration of documents and remains or relics of primary and
secondary sources, of bibliographical procedure and organization of materials
2. Criticism of the data collected, including the processes of external criticism and internal
criticism
3. Presentation of the facts in readable form involving problems of organization,
composition, exposition and interpretation
Descriptive Method

In descriptive method, the study focuses on the present situation (what is). The purpose is to find
new truth. The truth may have different forms such as increased quantity of knowledge, a new
generalization or new “law,” an increased insight into factors which are operating, the discovery
of new causal relationship, a more accurate formulation of the problem to be solved, and many
others.

Descriptive research is valuable in: (1) providing facts in which scientific ‘judgment may be based’;
(2) providing essential knowledge about the nature of objects and persons; (3) for closer
observation into the practices, behavior, methods and procedures; (4) playing a large part in the
development of instruments for the measurement of many things; and formulating policies in
the local, national and international level.

Types of Descriptive Research

There are nine usual types of descriptive research. These are:

(1) Descriptive-survey – this type is suitable whenever the subjects vary among themselves and
one is interested to know the extent to which different conditions and situations are obtained
among these subjects. The word ‘survey’ signifies the gathering of data regarding the present
condition. A survey is useful in (1) providing the value of facts and (2) focusing attention on the
most important things to be reported.

(2) Descriptive-normative – This type is used to compare the local results with the national or
standard norms.

(3) Descriptive-status – This approach is problem-solving which seeks to answer questions about
real facts relating to existing conditions. This is a technique of quantitative description which
determines the prevailing conditions in a group of cases chosen for the study.

(4) Descriptive-analysis – This method describes the nature of an object by separating it into
parts. Its purpose is to discover the nature of things. In other words, the researcher should
determine the composition, structure and substructure, which occur as units within the larger
structure. It also determines the individual parts and units integrated into an internal system. It
also considers the forces that hold them together and the strains that tend to destroy the system.

(5) Descriptive-classification – This method is applied in natural science subjects like Botany,
Zoology, Biology, Ichthyology, Phycology, Mycology and the like. This is the system by which
different species are classified into groups or clusters.

(6) Descriptive-evaluative – This method appraises carefully the worthiness of the present study.
(7) Descriptive-comparative – The researcher in this method considers two variables and
establishes a formal procedure to compare the variables and conclude that one is better than the
other.

(8) Correlational survey – this method determines the strength of the relationship between two
variables.

(9) Longitudinal study – this design involves much time allotted for investigation of the same
subjects of two or more points in time.

Experimental Method

Experimental method focuses the study on the future (what will be) when the variables are
carefully controlled or manipulated. Experimental method can be basic, applied or
developmental research. For applied and developmental type of research, experimental method
involves the 7Ms of resources, namely: manpower, money, materials, methods, machinery,
moment and marketing.

Experimental research is given priority by research institutions in giving grant-in-aid because

Even if the experiment is conducted in the field or laboratory, it is expected to reveal cause and
effect relationships. The problem is to determine the conditions under which an event occurs and
to observe the whole transaction closely so that one can be reasonably sure that causation is
present.

Types of Experimental Research

The following are the types of experimental research design but are not restricted to those
included below:

(1) Single-group design – This design involves one treatment with two or more levels. Single-
group design is univariate analysis because there is only one variable but with two or
more levels.
(2) Two-group design – This design has two comparable groups employed as control and
experimental groups or two groups that are both experimental groups. Two-group design
is bivariate analysis because it has two or more variables.
(3) Two-pair group design – This design is an extension of the two-group design wherein
there is one pair of control and one pair of experimental group.
(4) Parallel group design – This type of experimental design consists of three or more groups
wherein one group is the control group with two or more experimental groups. The
 control group or parallel group serves as the basis of the experimental group, which are
manipulated or changed.

Case Study Design

A case study design is a problem-solving technique that studies the past, present and future. The
case study is an intensive investigation of a particular individual, institution, community or any
group considered as a unit. It includes the developmental adjustment, remedial, or corrective
procedure that suitably follows the diagnosis of the causes of maladjustment or favorable
development.

Case study is not only limited to conditions of maladjustments such as behavior problem,
underprivileged conditions and substandard conditions but can also be applied to normal or well-
adjusted conditions and in understanding a normal situation.

The Cycle of the Case Study

The usual steps of a case study design involves the following:

1. Recognition and determination of the status of the phenomenon to be investigated

Individual Activity

Think of four possible research titles related to the field of engineering for the four kinds of
research method. For each of the research titles you designed, explain why you think it would fit
the research method it is intended for.