PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

LESSON 1: NATURE OF RESEARCH

What is RESEARCH?
• Research follows a step-by-step process of GOALS FOR CONDUCTING RESEARCH
investigation that uses a standardized approach in 1. To produce evidence-based practice.
answering questions or solving problems (Beck & Polit, 2. To establish credibility in the profession.
2004). 3. To observe accountability for the profession.
• A systematic investigation that requires data to be 4. To promote cost-effectiveness.
collected, analyzed, and interpreted of any social or
natural phenomena where results and conclusions are RESEARCH PARADIGM
aimed at contributing to generalizable knowledge. The research paradigm is an outline that guides the
• Solutions to problems must be based on knowledge researcher in conceptualizing and conducting the research.
not on mere beliefs, guesses or theories.
• Must follow the scientific method, a standardized set of
techniques for building scientific knowledge.
• In research a systematic and well-planned procedure
is required to meet the need in order that information is
acquired and evaluate its accuracy and effectiveness.
• It is a process of inquiring.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
1. The research should be systematic.
2. The research should be objective.
3. The research should be feasible.
4. The research should be empirical.
5. The research should be clear.
6. The research should be reliable.
7. The research should be valid.
8. The research should be accurate.
9. The research should be generalizable.
10. The research should be controlled.

ROLES OF THE RESEARCHER

1. As principal investigator OUTLINE OF THE RESEARCH PAPER
2. As member of a research team Chapter 1: The Problem and the Review of Related Literature
a. Introduction
3. As identifier of researchable problems
b. Statement of the Problem
4. As evaluator of research findings
c. Review of Related Literature and Studies
5. As user of research findings d. Conceptual/Theoretical Framework
6. As patient or client advocate during study e. Scope and Delimitation of the Study
7. As subject/respondent/participant f. Significance of the Study
g. Definition of Terms
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH Chapter 2: Research Methodology
1. Research provides a scientific basis for any practice or a. Research Design
methodology in any field or discipline. b. Participants of the Study
2. Research is undertaken for the continuous c. Instrument of the Study
d. Validity and Reliability
development and further productivity in any field.
e. Statistical Treatment
3. Research helps develop tools for assessing
Chapter 3: Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data
effectiveness of any practice and operation. a. Presentation of Data
4. Research provides solutions to problems concerning b. Analysis
almost all issues encountered in the different areas of c. Interpretation
work. d. Discussion
5. Research impacts decision-making. Chapter 4: Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations
6. Research develops and evaluates alternative a. Summary of Findings
approaches to the educational aspects of any b. Conclusion
discipline. c. Recommendation
7. Research aims to advance the personal and
professional qualifications of a practitioner.

Prepared by: Ms. Ma. Veronica Anne E. Bengala, LPT

 LESSON 2: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH vs. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Qualitative research is expressed in words. It is used to 4. Collection of data is continuous until saturation, or
understand concepts, thoughts or experiences. This type of when it reaches the point where no new information is
research enables you to gather in-depth insights on topics that revealed with respect to the key themes emerging from
are not well understood. the data.

Common qualitative methods include interviews with open- 5. Qualitative data collection examines everyday life in its
ended questions, observations described in words, and natural context or in an uncontrolled naturalistic
literature reviews that explore concepts and theories. setting.

Quantitative research is expressed in numbers and graphs. It Strengths of Qualitative Research

is used to test or confirm theories and assumptions. This type of
research can be used to establish generalizable facts about a 1. Qualitative research can offer the best light on or best
topic. answers to certain phenomena-social, economic,
political or even psychological.
Common quantitative methods include experiments,
observations recorded as numbers, and surveys with closed- 2. Research results are exhaustive; even underlying
ended questions. meanings surface.

3. It offers several avenues to understand phenomena,

behavior, human conditions and the like.

4. It can build on or even develop theories through

consistent themes, categories, relationship,
interrelationships that are crystallized during the data
gathering and data analysis processes.

Weaknesses of Qualitative Research

1. Total immersion in the natural setting of the research

can be time-consuming and tedious, and resource-
draining, as well.

2. There comes a point when the personal-self and the

researcher are inseparable, so, subjectivity, on the part
of the researcher, can happen.

Types of Qualitative Research

1. Phenomenological Study. This study explores the

complex meanings of simple units of experience. It
seeks to understand a certain phenomenon as it is
perceived and experiences by the research
participants. It aims to describe what it is like to be in a
Characteristics of Qualitative Research particular situation based on one’s personal
experiences.
1. Qualitative research is conducted in a systematic and
rigorous way. However, it is more flexible than ➢ “What are the common experiences encountered
quantitative research. by a person with a spouse who is undergoing
rehabilitation?”
2. It usually follows an iterative process, which means
that data collection and analysis occur simultaneously. 2. Ethnographic Study. This study involves the
Data already collected are updated by the ongoing collection and analysis of data about specific groups of
data collection. people sharing a common culture. In this type of
research, the researcher immerses himself or herself
3. It focuses on gathering information from people who
in a community to observe the behaviors and
can provide the richest insights into the phenomenon
interactions of its members up close and experience
or interest. As a result, small samples are commonly
some of their daily activities and struggles firsthand.
used in qualitative research. Study participants are
usually selected in a purposive manner, using only ➢ “How do children with an indigenous cultural
those for whom the topic under study is relevant. orientation learn and use several speech varieties
in different social contexts? (Jamora, 2014)

Prepared by: Ms. Ma. Veronica Anne E. Bengala, LPT

 3. Historic Study. This study is concerned with the
identification, location, evaluation, and synthesis of
data from past events. This is not only limited to
obtaining data from the past, but it also involves
relating their implications to the present and future
time. Importance of Qualitative Research
➢ What were the roles of women in the Katipunan? 1. Social Inquiry. For better understanding of behavior
➢ Document – printed materials that can be found and social interactions among individual.
in libraries, archives, or personal collections 2. Information and Communication Technology. It is
➢ Relics and artifacts – physical remains or objects to examine the trends and tendencies in the use of
from a certain historical period information technology.

➢ Oral reports – information that is passed on by 3. Arts. It is to investigate methods or approached that
word of mouth. enhance one’s creativity.

➢ Primary sources – materials providing first-hand 4. Science. Its importance is to determine the
information (oral histories, written records, diaries, effectiveness of a newly developed medicine,
eyewitness accounts, pictures, videos, and other treatment, or approach in addressing health problems.
physical evidence. 5. Agriculture and Fisheries. It is to examine how
➢ Secondary sources - second-hand information agriculture in a particular community is influenced by
such as an account based on an original source, global trends.
or a material written as an abstract of the original 6. Sports. It is to understand the relationship between
materials. one’s health and athletic performance.
4. Case Study. It is an in-dept examination of an 7. Business. It is to assess approached that will help
individual, a group of people, or an institution. It companies in their decision-making practices.
involves a comprehensive and extensive examination
of a particular individual, group, or situation over a
period of time.

➢ “How do cancer survivors look at life?”

5. Grounded Theory Study. The method involves

comparing collected units of data against one another
until categories, properties, and hypotheses that state
relations between these categories and properties
emerge.

➢ Ten school counselors were given structured

interviews to help determine how their
professional identity is formed.

6. Narrative Analysis. The main sources of data for this

type of research are the life accounts of individuals
based on their personal experiences. The purpose of
narrative analysis is to extract meaningful context from
these experiences by identifying patterns, themes, or
meaning, based on particularly on chronology.

➢ Psychological – this involves analyzing the story

in terms of internal thoughts and motivations. It
also analyzes the written text or spoken words for
its component parts or patterns.

➢ Biographical – this takes the individual’s society

and factors like gender and class into account.

➢ Discourse Analysis – this studies the approach

in which language is used in texts and contexts.

Prepared by: Ms. Ma. Veronica Anne E. Bengala, LPT