Patrick Ryan M.

Paez
BSGE 2 E

Assignment #6
10/17/2016

VI. Nature of Research

Research involves original work in answering a question or solving a problem. Of the
several different research approaches available, this book focuses on those approaches which can
be applied to solve questions or problems that are directly related to everyday life. The technique
of community involvement in practical issues is often called action research.
6.1 Meaning of Research
Research is an ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC way of FINDING
ANSWERS to QUESTIONS.

SYSTEMATIC because there is a definite set of procedures and steps which you will
follow. There are certain things in the research process which are always done in order to
get the most accurate results.
ORGANIZED in that there is a structure or method in going about doing research. It is a
planned procedure, not a spontaneous one. It is focused and limited to a specific scope.
FINDING ANSWERS is the end of all research. Whether it is the answer to a hypothesis
or even a simple question, research is successful when we find answers. Sometimes the
answer is no, but it is still an answer.
QUESTIONS are central to research. If there is no question, then the answer is of no use.
Research is focused on relevant, useful, and important questions. Without a question,
research has no focus, drive, or purpose.

6.2 Purpose of Research

THREE PURPOSES OF RESEARCH
Exploration
Description
Explanation
This section examines some of the main reasons why researchers research. In some cases, the
purpose is exploration: gaining some familiarity with a topic, discovering some of its main
dimensions, and possibly planning further, more structured research.
Some research has the purpose of description, as in the Census Bureau's report on how many
Americans there are, a political poll predicting who will win an election, or an anthropologist's
ethnographic account of a preliterate tribe.

Finally, research often has the aim of explanation. In addition to knowing which candidates
voters favor, we may go the next step to ask why? What kinds of voters--men or women, young
or old--prefer which candidates and why?
This may seem pretty straightforward, but you'll discover there are some twists and turns in
the road. In the case of description, for example, you'll see that the answer you get often depends
heavily on your definitions. What percentages of Americans are "conservative," for example?
You cannot answer that question without defining what you mean by "conservative," and the
definition you choose--from among the many possibilities--will move the percentage up or down
among a group of people who haven't changed.
Ironically, you will find that this is less of a problem in the case of explanation. You'll see we
might be able to say with confidence what causes people to be conservative even if we couldn't
agree on what the term meant.
6.3 Characteristics of Research

Empirical research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher.

Logical research is based on valid procedures and principles.

Cyclical research starts with a problem and ends with a problem.

Analytical research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering data, whether

historical, descriptive, experimental, and case study.

Critical research exhibits careful and precise judgment.

Methodical research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using systematic

method and procedures.

Replicability research design and procedures are repeated to enable the researcher to
arrive at valid and conclusive result.

References:
http://www.books.aisc.ucla.edu/cbrpdfs/tusgb1.pdf

http://linguistics.byu.edu/faculty/henrichsenl/ResearchMethods/RM_1_01.html
http://www.ebabbie.net/resource/practice/04/purposes.html
http://www.slideshare.net/jedliam/meaning-and-characteristics-of-research