3 Research Process

• Purposes of Research


  • To generate new knowledge
  • To develop new gadgets, techniques
  • To evaluate a program or technique
  • To validate theories
• Steps in Research


  1. Identify the problem

  2. Conduct literature review

  3. Identify theoretical/conceptual framework

  4. Formulate hypothesis

  5. Operationalize variables

  6. Select research design

  7. Ascertain and select sample

  8. Conduct a pilot study

  9. Collect data

  10. Analyze data

  11. Interpret results

  12. Disseminate information
• Research Problem


  A situation in need of description or quantification, solution, improvement or alteration
• Criteria to evaluate research problems

  • Significance of the problem
  • Researchability of the problem
  • Feasibility
  • Interest of the researcher
• Sources of research problems

  • Experiences
  • Review of related literature
  • Issues and popular concern
  • Replication studies
  • Intellectual curiosity
• Hypothesis


  Statements of the anticipated or expected relationship between the independent and dependent variables
• Types of Hypotheses


  • Null hypothesis – states no relationship between variables
  • Alternative hypothesis – gives the predicted relationship
• Complexity of Hypotheses


  • Simple – one independent and one dependent variable
  • Complex or Multivariate – 2 or more independent or dependent variable
• Qualitative Research Methods


  • Phenomenology
  • Case Study
  • Ethnography
  • Grounded Theory
• Quantitative Research Methods

  • Experimental
  • Quasi-experimental
  • Single subject
  • Comparative
  • Correlational
• Non-probability Sampling Techniques


  • Accidental/convenience
  • Quota
  • Purposive
  • Network/snowball
• Probability Sampling Techniques


  • Simple random sampling
  • Stratified random sampling
  • Cluster sampling
  • Systematic sampling