Pr 1

• Research is a systematic investigation to extend the knowledge of what is already known of the physical, biological, or social world (University of San Diego)
• Practical research is directed towards problems which have a practical day-to-day application
• Importance of Research in our Daily Lives:

  1. Research provides or discovers new knowledge or concepts

  2. Research describes what is happening around us

  3. Research explains why things happen in certain ways 4. Research predicts what will happen 5. Research helps solve our problems. 6. Research evaluates what happened in our lives. 7. Research influenc our decisions in life. 8. Research promotes continuous development
• Characteristics of Research:

  • Unbiased and logical: results must be based on data and not biased
  • Controlled: all variables, except those tested/experimented on, are kept constant
• Characteristics of Research:

  • Analytical: data gathered must be critically analyzed to avoid errors in interpretations
  • Original work: research requires effort to conduct the researcher's own investigation and produce necessary data
• Characteristics of Research:

  • Empirical: based on observations and experimentation
  • Feasible: research must be possible to conduct
• Characteristics of Research:

  • Systematic: follows orderly and sequential procedures
  • Objective: research must have specific objectives
• Processes involved in research:

  • Define research problem
  • Review related literature
  • Formulate hypothesis
  • Design research
  • Collect data
  • Analyze data
  • Interpret and report findings
• Research problem: the issue or situation that causes the researcher to feel some concern and that needs to be resolved or dealt with
• Review related literature: examining existing research and publications related to the topic of study
• Formulate hypothesis: a testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables
• Research design: the overall plan for obtaining answers to the research questions
• Collect data: gathering information or evidence to answer the research questions
• Analyze data: examining and interpreting the collected data to draw conclusions
• Interpret and report findings: explaining the results of the data analysis and presenting them in a coherent manner
• Ethics in Research:

  1. Honesty:

  • Researchers must honestly report data, results, methods, procedures, and publication status
  • Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data
  • Do not deceive colleagues, research sponsors, or the public

  1. Objectivity:

  • Researchers must avoid bias and self-deception in every aspect of research