NATURE AND FUNCTIONS OF RESEARCH Lecture # 1

DEFINING RESEARCH

It implies that the person has to search again, to take another more careful look,
to find out more”.

Why?
o Information may not be enough
o Misleading information
o Totally wrong

It is an activity which is meant to acquire better knowledge by “relearning what

we already know through systematic observation and experimentation.”
- Filipino anthropologist F. Landa Jocano

Research is a systematic, objective and comprehensive investigation of certain

phenomenon which involves accurate gathering and recording and critical analysis and
interpretation of all facts about the phenomenon for theoretical or practical ends.
- Best and Kahn(1989)

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

1. Research is directed towards the solution of a problem.

2. Research emphasizes the development of generalizations, principles or theories that
will be helpful in predicting future occurrence.
3. Research is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence.
4. Research demands accurate observation and description.
5. Research involves gathering new data from primary or firsthand sources using
existing data for a new purpose.
6. Although research activity may at times be somewhat random and unsystematic, it is
more often characterized by carefully designed procedures that apply rigorous analysis.
7. Research requires expertise.
8. Research tries to be objective and logical, applying every possible test to validate the
procedures employed, the data collected, and the conclusions reached.
9. Research involves the quest for answers to unsolved problems.
10. Research is characterized by patience and unhurried activity.
11. Research is carefully recorded and reported.
12. Research sometimes requires courage.

MAJOR TYPES OF RESEARCH

BASIC/THEORETICAL RESEARCH – type of research which is conducted for the sake

of knowing.
OBJECTIVES:

a. It is known as theoretical because it is designed to add to our understanding and

store of knowledge, but without any particular practical goals.
b. Its other main objective is to test or arrive at a theory with ultimate goal of
establishing general principles.

APPLIED RESEARCH – to be undertaken when the purpose is to obtain knowledge for

practical application or useful ends, thus, it is also known as PRACTICAL RESEARCH.

The intention is to use the newly-acquired knowledge to solve problems or

improve the prevailing condition which in its present state is unsatisfactory, or may be
satisfactory but which has still room or possibility for betterment.

PURPOSE(according to Gay, 1976):

The purpose of applied research is to apply, test, and evaluate the

usefulness of a theory or knowledge arrived at in solving problems.

BASIC STAGES IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS:

1. Problem identification
2. Review of Related Literature
3. Objectives Formulation
4. Formulation of hypotheses and Assumptions
5. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework Construction
6. Research Design Selection
7. Data Collection
8. Data Processing
9. Data Analysis and Interpretation
10. Report Writing

FUNCTIONS OF RESEARCH

1. Research corrects perceptions as well as expands them.

2. Research gathers information on subjects or phenomena we lack or have little
knowledge about.
3. Research develops and evaluates concepts, practices, and theories.
4. Research obtains knowledge for practical purposes like solving problems on
population explosion, drug addiction, juvenile delinquency, and the like.
5. Research also develops and evaluates methods that test concepts, practices and
theories.
6. Research provides hard facts which serve as bases for planning decision-
making, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
RESEARCHER FACTOR

1. Objectivity
2. Critical mind
3. Openness
4. Resourcefulness
5. Patience
6. Logical Thinking
7. Ethical

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCHABLE PROBLEM

1. When there is no known answer or solution to the problem such that gap in
knowledge exists.
2. Where there are possible solutions to it but the effectiveness of which is
untested or unknown yet.
3. When there are answers or solutions but the possible results of which may be
seem or factually contradictory.
4. When there are several possible and plausible explanations for the undesirable
condition.
5. When the existence of a phenomenon requires explanation.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

1. Personal experience
2. Common sense
3. Theories
4. Past researches
5. practical problems
6. Journals, books, theses and dissertation, and mass media
7. Technological changes
8. Friends, colleagues, professors, consultants
9. Conferences, symposia, dialogues, ordinary meetings

GOOD RESEARCH PROBLEM

1. Research problem should be of great interest to the researcher.

2. Research problem should be relevant and useful to a specific group of people.
3. Research problem is good when it is novel in that it possesses the element of
newness or freshness.
4. A good research problem should be well-defined or specified.
5. A good research problem should be measurable.
6. It should be time-bound.
7. It is good if it does not cause ethical or moral violations.
 8. It is good if the study of it will contribute to the refinement of certain important
concepts, creation or improvement of research instruments and analytical
systems, and will permit generalizations.
9. It is good if it is manageable.

HOW TO DEFINE A RESEARCH PROBLEM

1. The researcher should see to it that the major concepts or terms and variables in
the study are clearly defined. The concepts/terms/variables must be such that
they mean according to how the researcher wants them to be understood and
they can be represented by some evidence which can be obtained through direct
or indirect activities which are feasible to carry out.
2. Limit the scope of the study in terms of issues, concerns, or subjects; area
coverage; target population and/or sample population, source of data or
respondents; time allotment; and data requirement – qualitative or quantitative, or
both.