Practical research

• Objectives

  • Must be S-M-A-R-T
  • Statement of a long-term objective expected to be achieved by the study
  • It is usually prefixed by this introductory phrase: "The main objective of this study is to..."
  • S-M-A-R-T: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound
• Research Paradigm

  1. A diagrammatic representation of a conceptual framework

  2. It shows the flow of the research and how the study will be conducted

  3. It should follow the IPO Model (INPUT-PROCESS-OUTPUT): INPUT - Who are your respondents?, PROCESS - How will the study be conducted?, OUTPUT - What are the expected results of the study (main objective)
• Contributions

  • Determine WHO will benefit out of the findings of the study and HOW they will benefit from it
  • Usual beneficiaries of a research: Experts concerned about the problem, Administrators who make decisions or implement programs, The subjects themselves, Future researchers, Those who are directly and indirectly affected by the problem, Field of specialization or discipline that will gain contribution of knowledge, Specific sectors who will also benefit from the study
  • Refer to the statement of the problem
  • Write from general to specific
• Introduction

  • Must not contain exhaustive literature review
  • Discusses 4 relevant ideas: (T-I-O-C)
  • TOPIC
  • ISSUES
  • OBJECTIVES
  • CONTRIBUTIONS
  • Make it brief and concise
  • Define the problem
  • Make it well-organized
• Introduction

  1. Discussion of problem in general and the specific situations (macro to micro approach)

  2. Concepts and ideas related to the problem including clarification of important terminologies

  3. Discussion of the existing or present conditions and what is aimed to be in the future
• Conceptual Framework

  1. A tentative explanation of the phenomenon or problem and serves as the basis for the formulation of research hypotheses

  2. It includes the investigator’s own position on the problem based on the various theories related to the topic

  3. Narrative explanation of the research paradigm
• Theoretical Review

  1. Foundation of the research study; highly related theories and principles that were established and proven by experts/authorities

  2. Refers to a set of interrelated constructs, definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena
• Statement of the Problem

  1. Specific questions which are to be answered in the study

  2. It can be a general statement of the whole problem followed by specific questions or sub-problems into which the general problem is broken up
• Issues


  • Consists of factors that led the investigator to launch the study
  • Antecedents of the study can be included as well as the reasons why it is relative to previous studies