RESEARCH

A systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomena (Kerlinger, 1986).

TYPES OF RESEARCH

A. Basic Research 1. Done to test a theory 2. Intended to add knowledge of basic principles and scientific laws 3. Advances further scientific inquiry 4. Concerned exclusively with knowing, explaining and predicting natural and social phenomena 5. Starts w/ a theory, a basic principle, or a generalization B. Applied Research 1. Concerned with the application and development of research-based knowledge 2. Aimed at producing knowledge relevant to providing solution to a general problem 3. Aimed at solving an immediate practical problem

C. Action Research Involves application of the steps of the of the scientific method for classroom problems A decision-oriented research usually conducted to solve a specific problem in the school Involves more precise sampling techniques

CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH BY GENERAL METHODOLOGY

Quantitative Research Uses numbers and statistics to describe, analyze and interpret the data and information gathered in the research in solving a particular problem. Qualitative Research Uses words to describe in detail the data and information gathered in the research.

CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH BY SPECIFIC METHODOLOGY

A. Survey Research Collects data from multiple respondents. Studies the relationships and distributions of variables. Manipulates no experimental variable. Employs questionnaire and interview. Deals with opinions, attitudes, preferences and perceptions of persons Studies variables as they exist in a situation. Experimental research One variable is manipulated to determine the effect of manipulation Effective tool to determine cause and effect relationship Subjects are assigned at random What is the effect of the experimental variable?

Quasi-Experimental Research At least one variable is manipulated Intact, naturally formed groups are used. Random assignment is not possible. What is the effect of the experimental variable Historical Research Studying a problem, an issue a phenomena in the past Uses documents and other artifacts Interpret collected data from the past What happened?

Causal-comparative Research Discover possible effects of variables that cannot be manipulated experimentally. Identify possible cause in certain variable Two groups of individuals who are generally similar are selected. Look for difference. Ethnographic Research Associated with anthropology Relies on observation, description and qualitative judgment. No so much theoretical base or few hypotheses are specified before the research

Correlation Similar in many ways to causal-comparative research Looks for relationship Individuals who vary on the measures or variables being studied are selected Sometimes classified as prediction study or relationship study

VARIABLES

Basic elements that are measured in the study Observable or measurable characteristics of persons or objects Types

Independent variable - presumed cause of any effect or change in the target audiences awareness, knowledge, attitude, skill and/or practice. Intervening variable is the presumed in-between factor found working in bet the independent variable and the dependent variable.
Dependent variable is the presumed effect or changes in the target audiences. These changes may be observed or measured in terms of the changes in knowledge, attitude, skill and/or practice