ENGLISH 10 – 4TH QUARTER

Topic: RESEARCH (Distinguished Technical Terms Used in Research)

March 11, 2025

RESEARCH PAPER

What is “Research?”
Research can be defined as “a systematic and scientific procedure of data collection,
compilation, analysis, interpretation, and implication pertaining to any problem.” It involves the
quest for answers to unsolved problems. Moreover, research methods may be defined as “a
systematic and scientific procedure of data collection, compilation, analysis, interpretation, and
implication pertaining to any problem (Bajpai, 2011, p.4).” * Naval Bajpai, who authored the book
Business Research Methods, published by Pearson Education India in 2011.

Research is collecting data and information, learning and finding new things. It is also an
advanced knowledge which follows a systematic process of collecting and analyzing information
in order to understand more the phenomena under study.

Examples of Research:
 Action research - is a research method that focuses on solving real-world problems
through active participation and continuous improvement. It is commonly used in
education, business, healthcare, and community development to bring about positive
change.
 Thesis - is a research paper or document that presents a writer’s argument, findings, or
analysis on a specific topic. It is commonly written by students as part of their academic
requirements, especially in college and graduate school. A thesis is based on in-depth
research and provides evidence to support the claims made.
 Dissertation - is a long and detailed research paper that is usually required for a doctoral
(Ph.D.) degree. It presents original research, new findings, or a fresh perspective on a
topic. A dissertation is more extensive than a thesis and requires in-depth analysis, data
collection, and critical evaluation.
 case study - is a research method that involves an in-depth analysis of a specific subject,
such as a person, group, event, or organization. It is commonly used in social sciences,
business, medicine, and education to understand complex issues in real-world contexts.

Why is research important?

The main purpose of research is to inform action, to prove a theory, and contribute to
developing knowledge in a field or study. * The purpose of research is to advance knowledge, solve
problems, and improve the world around us.

The two major types of research methods can be broadly divided into quantitative and
qualitative categories. Quantitative research “describes, infers, and resolves problems using
numbers. Emphasis is placed on the collection of numerical data, the summary of those data
and the drawing of inferences from the data.” Qualitative research, on the other hand, is based
on words, feelings, emotions, sounds and other non-numerical and unquantifiable elements. It
has been noted that “information is considered qualitative in nature if it cannot be analyzed by
means of mathematical techniques (Picknell, 2021). “ * James V. Reyes-Picknell, who authored the book
ISO 55000: A Layman's Guide, published in 2021.

Concept is a term that abstractly describes and names an object, a phenomenon, or an idea.
Examples of concepts include common demographic measures:
- Income – P5,000 – P8,000
- Age – 18 y/o – 20 y/o
- Education Level – High School Graduate, College Graduate, Post Graduate
- Number of Siblings – 3 siblings in the family, 4 or more siblings in the family

Theory is an organized body of concepts and principles intended to explain a particular

phenomenon. Examples include the Behaviorism, Constructivism, Cognitivism, Humanism, and
Connectivism.

Quantitative Method
This is a method that focuses on numbers, objective hard data. It proves hypotheses by
statistical analysis and scientific method. It is called a formal, objective, systematic process in
which numerical data is used to obtain information about the world. It is used to describe
variables. It examines relationships among variables.
Example is a drug abuser telling you how many pills they consume per week.
o A customer satisfaction survey asking respondents to rate their experience on a scale of
1 to 5.
o A clinical trial testing the effectiveness of a new drug by comparing outcomes in a
treatment group and a control group.
o Observing the frequency of certain behaviors in a classroom and recording the data.

Qualitative Method
It uses words instead of numbers to display data. It focuses on feelings not numerical data.
Small amount of participants involved in a qualitative research study. This kind of research
method utilizes interviews, archived written information, and observations to measure the
significance of a relationship between variables.
Examples is a drug abuser telling you how they feel about abusing drugs.
o Interviewing patients about their experiences with a particular medical condition.
o Conducting a focus group with consumers to gather feedback on a new product.
o Observing interactions between teachers and students in a classroom.

Variables are any quality of a person, group subject, event, condition or situation that varies or
takes on different values.
Examples are age, sex, business income and expenses, country of birth, capital expenditure,
class grades, eye color and vehicle type

Hypothesis is a logical supposition, a reasonable guess, and educated conjecture. It provides a

tentative explanation of a phenomenon under investigation.
For example, a researcher might be interested in the relationship between study habits and test
anxiety. The researcher would propose a hypothesis about how these two variables are related,
such as "Test anxiety decreases as a result of effective study habits."
Sampling it is the process of selecting participants who are representatives of a larger
population – gain an understanding of a larger population.
For example, a random sample may include choosing the names of 25 employees out of a hat in
a company of 250 employees. The population is all 250 employees, and the sample is random
because each employee has an equal chance of being chosen.

SMART is a good way to remember the fundamentals of research paper writing, and to help
prepare an author in writing a successful research paper.

▪ Specific: A research paper should be specific. It should maintain its focus on the given subject
of research - answering a specific research question - and not be inconsistent or aimless as to
convey information or make claims on other, unrelated topics or subjects.
▪ Measurable: A research paper must contain specific, proven research, and cites all research
sources and related literature.
▪ Attainable: A research paper must provide a thesis statement, one that answers the research
question and contributes to the knowledge of the given subject. It can't propose to answer a
question that doesn't relate to real life or isn't based on an existing body of knowledge.
▪ Realistic: A research paper is objective and realistic. Should it be made to present
interpretations, arguments, or evaluations, then it should do so based on valid evidence from
reliable sources.
▪ Time: A research paper cannot be written without the researcher knowing the limits,
timeframes, and focus of the required work. Without the writer / researcher stating the scope
and limitations of the research paper, it is likely that the thesis statement will be hampered by
an inability to answer the given research question or focus on the given research subject.

Once you have chosen a research topic, you will need to narrow it down into a research
statement or question. The sooner you do this in your research process, the more time you'll
save because you can conduct more focused searches. Here are some common ways you can
narrow down a research topic:
By demographic characteristics
Narrow it down by age group, occupation, ethnic group, gender, etc. e.g. challenges faced by
international college graduates entering the workforce
By relevant issues
Try to identify key issues related to your topic, especially ones that you have an opinion on. You
can turn your opinion into your thesis statement or research question. e.g. challenges faced by
college graduates who are unable to find meaningful or relevant work
By location
Focus on a specific country, province, city, or type of environment (rural vs. urban). e.g.
challenges faced by college graduates entering the workforce in rural Ontario
By timeframe
Decide whether you want to study recent events or a historical time period. This will also help
you decide how current the information you use must be. e.g. challenges faced by college
graduates entering the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic
By causes
You can take the perspective of looking for causes of an issue you are researching. e.g. Why do
employers hire fewer college graduates?