Topic Outline

What research is notWhat research isDistinct characteristics of

researchThe research cycleChecklist in evaluating

research Tools of research

What is not researchResearch is not mere

information gathering.Research is not mere

transformation of facts from one location to another.

Research is not merely rummaging for information.

What is research? Research is a systematic

process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting data in order to increase our understanding of a phenomenon we are interested or concerned

Distinct characteristicsResearch originates with a question

orResearch requires clear articulation

of a goal.Research requires a specific plan for

proceeding.Research usually divides a principal

problem into more manageable sub-problems.

What is research (cont)Research is guided by the specific research

problem, question or hypothesis.Research accepts certain critical assumptionsResearch requires the collection and

interpretation of data in an attempt to resolve the problem that initiated the research.

Research is, by its nature, clyclical or, more exactly, helical.

Research originates with a question

Examples:Are Filipinos well nourished?What do streetchildren eat in a day?

Why are there thin and fat students?

How does diabetes develop in overweight children?

….requires clear articulation of a goal

What problem do you want to solve? Malnutrition? i.e., micronutrient deficiency, PEM, overnutrition

Improve food quality? Change behavior? Practice breastfeeding,

Improve nutrition compliance to diet?

…requires a specific plan

Not groping in the dark to find a solution

A planned discovery with outlined steps for attacking the problem

design of study specific to get relevant data

…divides problem into sub-problemsMain problem divided to into more manageable

problems that will answer the main problemExample:

Main problem : “How do you go to Manila?”Sub-problems :

What are the ways to go there?What is the most convenient transportation? How much will it cost to travel by these

routes?How long will the trip last?

… guided by specific research problems, questions and hypothesisA hypothesis is a logical supposition , a

reasonable guess, an educated conjecture that provides a tentative explanation for the phenomenon under investigation. It can also provide information in resolving the specific problem and in the process, the main research problem.

Ex. If you switch on the lamp and it does light what is your guess as to the reason why it does not light?

… accepts certain critical assumptions

Assumptions are similar to axioms in geometry – self –evident truths -the sine non qua of research. They must be valid for the research to be meaningful.

For example, if a research wants to evaluate the knowledge gained from a nutrition education class, one assumption would be regular attendance to the class of participants.

… requires collection and interpretation of data to resolve problem initiated

Data collected based on objectives or research questions

Data collected becomes meaningful when it is interpreted correctly

Methodology of the project controls how data are to be collected, arranged, synthesized and interpreted

… research by nature is cyclical, or helical

Follows logical developmental steps:Questioning mind asks “why?”One question becomes the problemProblem divided into simpler sub-problemsPreliminary data gatheredData seem to point to alternative solutionData collected more systematicallyData are processedDiscovery is madeHypothesis supported or not

the research process

ChecklistQuestions to consider when evaluating

research In what source did you find the article? Was it

reviewed by experts in the field before publication?

Does the article have a stated research question or problem? Or, can you determine the focus of the work?

Does the article describe the collection of data, or does it synthesize other studies in which data were collected?

ChecklistQuestions to consider when evaluating

researchIs the article logically organized and easy

to follow? Does the article contain that outlines and

reviews previous studies? In what way is this relevant to the research problem?

Are the procedures clear enough that you could repeat the work and get similar results?

How were the data collected and how were they analyzed? Do you agree with what was done?

Do you agree with the interpretation of results?

Reflect on the entire article. What, for you is most important? What are interesting? What are the strengths and weaknesses? Will you remember the article in the future?

Checklist

Tools of researchA tool is a specific mechanism or

strategy that researchers use to collect, manipulate or interpret data

Not to equate tools of research with methodology

A methodology is the general approach that a researcher takes in carrying out the research process

Six general tools of research

Library and its resourcesComputer and softwareTechniques of measurementStatisticsThe human mindLanguage

The libraryCard catalogIndexes and abstractsReference librarianBrowsing the shelves

The computer and its softwareThe internet and World Wide

WebElectronic mail

Measurement as a tool of research

Measurement is limiting the data of any phenomenon- substantial or insubstantial – so that those data maybe interpreted and compared to acceptable qualitative or quantitative standard.

Four scales of measurement of data Nominal, ordinal, interval , ratio

Summary of measurement scalesMeasurement scale

Characteristic of the scale

Statistical possibilities of the scale

Nominal scale

Measures names or designation of discrete units or categories

Determines mode, percentage value, or the chi-square

Ordinal scale Measures ranking, values of more or less , larger or smaller, but without specifying the size of the intervals

Determines the median, percentile rank and rank correlation

Interval scale

Measures equal interval or degrees of difference but the zero point is arbitrarily established

Determines the mean, standard deviation and product moment correlation, allows conduct of inferential statistical analysis

Ratio scale Measures in terms of equal intervals and with absolute zero

Enables determination of the geometric mean and percentage variation; allows one to conduct any statistical analysis

Validity and reliability of measurement instrument

Validity – extent to which the instrument measures what it is supposed to measure

Reliability – the consistency with which a measuring instrument yields a certain result when the entity being measured has not changed.

Both validity and reliability reflect the degree to which we may have error in measurements

Statistics

Function of statistics in research:Describe the data (descriptive

statistics)Draw inferences from the data

(inferential statistics)

The human mindStrategies used by the human mind to

discover the unknownDeductive logic - reasoning that begins with a

premise (assumptions, widely accepted “truths” then to the conclusion; useful for generating hypothesis and testing theories.

Inductive reasoning – begins with an observation from where conclusions are drawn ; observe sample and draw generalization to the population

The human mind (cont)Scientific method – method where insight

into the unknown is made by 1) identifying a problem that defines the goal , 2) states the hypothesis that when confirmed, resolves the problem , 3) gathering data relevant to the hypothesis, 4) analyzing and interpreting data to see if data supported the hypothesis nor not; also uses both deductive and inductive reasoning

The human mind (cont)Critical thinking - involves evaluating

information or argument in terms of accuracy and worth; it may involve:Verbal reasoningArgument analysisDecision makingCritical analysis of prior research

Collaboration with others

LanguageEnables us not only to communicate but also

to think more effectivelyUse of language in writing is important in

research.Advantage of writing down ideas

Identifies specific ideas known and not known about the topic

Clarifies and organizes thoughts sufficiently to communicate to readers

Detect gaps and logical flaws in thinking

Writing to communicateSay what you mean to sayKeep primary objective in writing and focus

discussion accordinglyProvide overview of what will be discussedOrganize ideas from general to specific using

headings and subheadingsProvide transitional phrase, sentences or

paragraphs to help readers follow your train of thought.

Writing to communicate (cont)Use concrete examples to make abstract

ideas understandableUse appropriate punctuationUse tables and figures to organize ideas

and findings.,Summarize what was said at the

conclusion of the paperAnticipate revision of draft of report.

What research is and is notCheck list in the conduct of researchResearch uses different tools

Summary