Introduction to Research

1. THE NATURE OF RESEARCH
JOCELYN I. BARTOLATA, Ed.D.

2. DEFINITION
 “No longer does man ascribe natural phenomena to
supernatural influences, and no longer does he rely
blindly upon accepted authority. He has developed an
orderly system of searching for truth which, by basing
conclusions upon factual evidence and by using logic
as a means of showing relationships between related
ideas, has given him better and more accurate
answers to his many questions. This orderly system
is what we call research.”1
Hillway, Introduction to Research (Cambridge,
Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 1956), 18.

3. Following are other important definitions worth mentioning:
 “Ideally, the careful, unbiased investigation of a problem based
upon demonstrable facts and involving refined distinctions,
interpretations and usually some generalizations.”2
 “A systematic and refined technique of thinking, employing
specialized tools, tools, instruments and procedures in order to
obtain a more adequate solution of a problem than would be
possible under ordinary means. It starts with a problem, collects
data or facts, analyzes these critically, and reaches decision
based on actual evidence.”
Carter V. Good, Dictionary of Education, (New York: Mc
Graw-Hill Book Company, 1956), 346.

4. These definitions tell us:
 that research involves original work instead of a
mere exercise of personal opinion;
 that it evolves from a genuine desire to know
rather than a desire to prove something;
 that it is a systematic search for pertinent
information or data on a specific topic and
problem; and
 that it draws original conclusions based on
relevant information.

5. CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
 A summary of these characteristics is made by Best and
is presented as follows:3
1. Research gathers new data or knowledge from
primary or first-hand sources.
 Do not merely restate or reorganize what is already known or
what has already been written.
John W. Best, Research in Education (Eaglewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1959), 7-8.

6. 2.Research is expert, systematic and
accurate investigation.
 As a researcher you should know what is already
known about your problem. Have an adequate
literature review to be able to thoroughly
conceptualize the problem. Proceed from this
point, carefully planning the procedures. Data
are gathered, recorded and analyzed with as
much accuracy as possible.

7. 3. Research is logical and objective, applying
every possible test to verify the data
collected and the procedures employed.
Research endeavors to organize data in
quantitative terms, IF POSSIBLE.
Research is patient and unhurried. You
should be willing to exert painstaking effort,
suspending judgment to permit the data and
logic to lead to a sound conclusion.

8. 4. Research is carefully recorded and reported.
 Every term is carefully defined
 All procedures are described in detail
 All limiting factors are recognized
 All references are carefully documented
 All conclusions and generalizations are carefully
arrived at
Thesis is a substantial research project which is
scholarly and original. Thesis writing is the end
product of research among college and master’s
students.

9. TYPES OF RESEARCH
It is customary to classify research as either applied research or
basic research. Applied research is directed toward the solution
of an immediate, specific, practical problem. Basic research is
concerned with the formulation of a theory or a contribution to the
existing body of knowledge.
 In addition to the broader classification of applied and basic
research, nearly all studies may be classified as historical,
descriptive, or experimental research. Their classification may be
determined by posing the following questions:4
Billy L. Turney and George P. Robb. Research in Education:
An Introduction. (Illinois: Dryden Press Inc, 1971), 7.

10.  Does the research deal with what once was? If it
does, then it is historical research.
The educational historian may seek either to produce
an accurate description of unique events that have
happened in the past or to suggest through the
survey of these events fruitful generalizations from
prior experiences that may act as controls for
behavior in the present or future. His purpose is to
produce evidence that will help us profit by the
experiences of the past in the solution of current
problems.

11.  Does the research deal with what is? If it does,
then it is descriptive research.
Descriptive research is that process that is
concerned with characterizing the features of
situations, objects, or practices. It allows one to
find out pertinent information about an existing
situation. Descriptive research usually is thought
of as an effort to determine current practices or
status so that we may develop guidelines for
future practices.

12.  3. Does the research deal with what can be when certain
factors are controlled? If it does, then quite likely some
attempt is being made to establish cause and effect
relationships in a controlled situation.
Experimental research is an attempt to control all
essential factors with the exception of one or more
independent variables that can be manipulated, with the
purpose of determining and measuring the effect of their
operation under given circumstances. Once these effects
are determined through demonstration, then true control
of behavior or the environment becomes possible.

13. For AB English researches are normally
descriptive in nature. Descriptive research is
fact-finding with adequate interpretation. It is
something more and beyond data gathering.
It is reflective thinking.

14. SOME DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
1.Content Analysis – studying and analyzing
communications in a systematic, objective and
quantitative manner. Instead of observing
people’s behavior directly or asking them to
respond to questionnaires, the researcher takes
hold of communications which the people have
produced and he asks questions regarding the
communication. Content analysis can be
applied to available materials like letters, diaries,
newspapers, stories, essays and others.

15. 2. Case study – a complete analysis and report
of the status of an individual subject with
respect to specific phases of his personality.
3. Survey – the collection of information from a
fraction or sample of a population to arrive at
generalizations about the population.

16. 4. Key Informant Interview – the source of information
depends largely on the recall ability of individuals who
have been participants in the given culture.
5. Participant observation – a systematic process of
data gathering which requires the researcher to
immerse himself/herself totally in the lives of the
people and this is done through months of residence
in the community and involvement in the various
activities of the people he is studying.

17. REFERENCES:
Best, John. Research in Education .Eaglewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice Hall, Inc., 1959.
Good,Carter V. Dictionary of Education. New York: Mc Graw-Hill
Book
Company, 1956.
Hillway,Tyrus. Introduction to Research.Cambridge, Mass.:
Houghton Mifflin, 1956.
Turney, Billy and and George P. Robb. Research in Education:
An Introduction. Illinois: Dryden
Press Inc, 1971