Bridging the GAP: Literary Survey
According to Linus Paul, “The best way to have
a good idea is to have a lot of ideas”.
Discovery- deals with realizing the concepts
already found by other researcher in the field.
Advocacy- focuses on understanding the
limitations of past studies.
A researcher takes responsibility for:
a. digging deeper into the extent of the
knowledge that was reported
b. checking the accuracy of that
knowledge disseminated to the public
c. linking it to your proposed study
Sources of Information can be classified for:
a. Primary Sources are those containing
firsthand information or those that have not been
edited such as transcript and translations.
Example: Texts of laws and other
original documents. Newspaper reports,
Speeches, diaries, letters and interviews.
Original research. Datasets, survey data, such
as census or economic statistics. Photographs,
video, or audio that capture an event.
b. Secondary Sources are those that have
checked for accuracy and proofread by other
parties.
Example: books, web sites, lecture and
presentation, journal articles, newspaper article,
indexes, databases, bibliographies, and abstract
(Hocks, 2009)
c. Interview is a conversation for gathering
information.
A research interview involves an
interviewer, who coordinates the process of the
conversation and asks questions, and an
interviewee, who responds to those questions.
Interviews can be conducted face-to-face or
over the telephone.
Types of Interview
Structured interviews:
The interviewer asks a set of standard,
predetermined questions about particular topics,
in a specific order. The respondents need to
select their answers from a list of options. The
interviewer may provide clarification on some
questions.
Semi-structured interviews:
The interviewer uses a set of
predetermined questions and the respondents
answer in their own words. Some interviewers
use a topic guide that serves as a checklist to
ensure that all respondents provide information
on the same topics. The interviewer can probe
areas based on the respondent’s answers or ask
supplementary questions for clarification.
Unstructured interviews:
The interviewer has no specific
guidelines, restrictions, predetermined
questions, or list of options. The interviewer asks
a few broad questions to engage the respondent
in an open, informal, and spontaneous
discussion.
Unstructured interviews are particularly
useful for getting the stories behind respondents’
experiences or when there is little information
about a topic.
d. Survey research is one of the most important
areas of measurement in applied social
research. A "survey" can be anything form a
short paper-and-pencil feedback form to an
intensive one-on-one in-depth interview.
e. Peer reviewing reviewers evaluate the
scientific merit of the study, the reliability and
appropriateness of the methods employed, the
correctness of the interpretation of data, and the
overall impact on the contribution of the study to
existing knowledge.
“Macromolecules publishes original
research on all fundamental aspects of
macromolecular science including synthesis,
polymerization mechanisms and kinetics,
chemical modification, solution/ melts/solid-
waste”.
f. Journal articles. Contain an abstract or a
section that summarizes the content of the
paper including significant findings.
g. Databases are online repositories of various
sources of information.
Example: PubChem, ProQuest,
Medline, Web of Science, Wikipedia, PubMed
Central, MSDSonline, Google and Directory of
Open Access Journals.
Credibility of the sources maybe evaluated
using the following criteria:
a. Clear statement of objectives
b. Relevance and scope of study
c. Integrity and expertise of the authors
d. Suitability and reliability of the methodology
e. Accuracy of results
f. Appropriateness and specificity of the
interpretation
Bibliography is a list of works on a subject or
by an author that were used or consulted to
write a research paper, book or article. It can
also be referred to as a list of works cited. It is
usually found at the end of a book, article or
research paper.
Research Strategies: Gantt Chart or timeline contains an
Planning Your Own Research itemized list of activities, planned in
accordance with the expected outcomes
Tips in preparing a research proposal and research objectives.
(Guyatt, 2006)
Flowcharts and schematic diagrams are
 Pose a well-founded research useful features of any research proposal or
question. representations are included to present the
 Identify appropriate proposed stages of research project.
supporting/funding agencies.
 Demonstrate a multidisciplinary and
Symbol Name Utility
collaborative approach.
Oval/oblong Signifies
 Prepare a high-quality well-written
proposal. start or end
 Establish your credentials, of process
qualifications, and expertise, and Arrow Denotes
create an excellent research track connection
record. between
 Draft a solid and an effective review steps
of related literature to demonstrate represented
that your proposed study is feasible. by symbols
 Be accountable for every aspect of Diamond Signifies
your work. that
decision has
Introduction contains the background of to be made
the study, its potential significance or Parallelogram Indicates
contribution to existing knowledge, and its data (input
scope and limitation. or output)
Rectangle Suggest a
Variables are factors that can be
manipulated and measured. process

Independent Variables are to be Flowcharts perform the role of

manipulated and subjected to experiments. simplicity the various stages of the research
Dependent Variables are those observed or study.
upon the subjects after they have been
influenced by independent variables. Schematic Diagrams illustrate specific
procedures or methodologies that may be
References it will strengthen your argument
quite difficult to visualize mentally.
by demonstrating traceability.
Proposal Title

-12 to 15 words
- suggestive of the purpose of the planned
study and the overall goal of the inquiry
-be specific and self-explanatory
-it denote novelty, innovation, or
breakthrough

Budget Proposal
A budget proposal accompanies a
strong research proposal.
The extent of the activities of a
research shall determine the approximate
financial support that is being requested.
 Unearthing the Unknown
via
Experimentation
Questionnaire and survey forms must contain
questions or queries raised in a straightforward
manner and are as concise as possible such that the
target information would easily be obtained.
Survey/Interview calls for a description of people’s
attitudes, perceptions, or feelings about a certain
issue.
Data gathering entails two techniques:
 Observation- an act or instance of
noticing or perceiving.
 Experimentation- the act, process,
practice, or an instance of
making experiments.
Repeatability and Reproducibility of experimental
Data
 Reproducible data arise from within sample
measurements
 Repeatable data are those obtained from
between sample runs.
Reproducibility can be
Accuracy and Precision of Experiments
Ethical Consideration in the Conduct of
Experiments
 When conducting an experiment, beware
that ethical considerations must be strictly
observed.
 Never plagiarize experimental procedures.
 Secure necessary permits or licenses with
regard to the use of test animals and ensure
that the policies are enforced in every step of
the experiment.
 Most important of all, never fabricate and
never falsify experimental data.
 Refers to past studies. So that, money, time,
and effort will not be wasted.
 Make sure you document your results
thoroughly and appropriately.
Common Research Errors
 Experimental Errors
Gross error it will render the
whole inquiry process invalid and
useless.
Systematic error a type of error can
be detected and corrected.
Random error is an error obtained
from uncontrolled variables in the
experiment such as those parallax
errors when reading the weight
using a pan balance or reading the
volume of the liquid contained in a
graduated cylinder.

Accuracy
Precision refers to the closeness of your experiment
data with one another.

a. Accuracy b. Precision
*shows highly accurate * demonstrate
and highly precise inaccuracies and poor
experimental data as precision in the
those black circles are experimental data.
very close to the target
value and are consistently
the same.