RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY

Research is a key to progress. There can

be no progress without research in almost
if not all human endeavors.

Research a purposive, systematic and

scientific process of gathering, analyzing,
classifying, organizing, presenting, and
interpreting data for the solution of a
problem, for prediction, for invention, for
the discovery of truth, or for the expansion
or verification of existing knowledge, all for
the preservation and improvement of the
quality of human life.

PURPOSES OF RESEARCH
Discover new facts about known
phenomena (e.g. alcohol is a known
phenomenon and research has
turned it into a kind of fuel equal in
quality to gasoline.
Find answers to problems which are
only partially solved by existing
methods and information (cancer is a
serious disease which is only partially
cured by present methods but due to
intensive and continuous research,
the disease may be eradicated later

Improve existing techniques and develop

new instruments or products. (This goal
envisages the invention of new gadgets and
machines, food products, and others, used
by man)
Discover
previously
unrecognized
substances or elements (previously we had
only 92 elements but due to research we
now have more than 100)
Discover pathways of action of known
substances and elements (due to research
we come to know the dangers from the
abusive use of unprescribed drugs and some
poisonous substances)

To satisfy the researchers curiosity (curiosity of a

researcher about how a hen hatches her eggs made
him conduct a research on that and invented the egg
incubator)
to promote health and prolong life (very obviously
demonstrated in pharmaceutical, nutritional, and
medical research)
Provide man with more of his basic needs - more and
better food, clothing, shelter, etc (IRRI in Los Banos,
Laguna is a good example)
To make work, travel, and communication faster,
easier, and more comfortable (due to research
airplanes are made to fly faster, labor-saving
machines have been invented and improved, radio
and TV bring news immediately to remote areas, and
more wonders of electricity are making life easier and
better)

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD RESEARCH

1. Research is systematic. It follows an orderly
and sequential procedure that leads to the
discovery of truth, solution of a problem, or
whatever is aimed to be discovered.
2. Research is controlled. All variables except
those that are tested or being experimented
upon are kept constant (not allowed to
change or vary) so that the changes made
on the subjects of the study can be
attributed only to the experimental variable.
This is especially true in an experimental
research.

3. Research is empirical.
All the
procedures employed and the data
gathered are perceived in the same
manner by all observers.
4. Research is analytical.
There is
critical analysis of all the data used so
that there is no error in their
interpretation
5. Research is objective, unbiased, and
logical.
All
the findings
and
conclusions are logically based on
empirical data and no effort is made to

6. Research employs hypothesis. This is to

guide
the
investigation
process.
In
experimental
studies,
hypotheses
are
expressly stated.
7. Research employs quantitative or statistical
methods. Data are transformed into numerical
measures and are treated statistically to
determine their significance or usefulness.
8.
Research is original work.
Except in
historical research, data are gathered in
primary sources or first-hand sources and not
from secondary sources.

9. Research is done by an expert. The researcher

uses valid and carefully designed procedures,
valid data gathering instruments, and valid data.
He subjects his data to expert scrutiny.
10.
Research
is
accurate
investigation,
observation, and description.
In fact, every
research activity must be done accurately so that
the findings will lead to the formulation of
scientific generalizations.
All conclusions are
based on actual evidence.
11. Research is patient and unhurried activity.
This is to ensure accuracy.
Research that is
hurriedly done or conducted carelessly due to
racing against time
may lead to shaky
conclusions and generalizations.

12.Research requires an effort-making

activity. No research can be conducted
without the exertion of much effort. No
one without any effort-making capacity
can conduct a research because research
involves much work and time.
13. Research requires courage.
The
researcher/s oftentimes undergo hazards,
discomforts and the like. At times the
researcher/s encounter public and social
disapproval.
Also disagreements with
colleagues may arise.

KINDS OF RESEARCH
BASIC OR PURE RESEARCH is done
for the development of theories or
principles. It is conducted fort the
intellectual pleasure of learning.
APPLIED RESEARCH is the application
of the results of pure research. This
is testing the efficacy of theories and
principles.

The Scientific Method of Research

- One of the characteristics of good research is that,
it is systematic. It follows the scientific method of
research which includes the following sequential
steps:
1. Determining (recognizing) the problem
2. Forming a hypothesis
3. Doing the library search
4. Designing the study
5. Developing the instruments for collecting data
6. Collecting the data
7. Analyzing the data
8. Determining implications and conclusions from
the findings
9. Making recommendations for further research

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Problem is any significant, perplexing and
challenging situation, the solution of which
requires reflective thinking
- A perplexing situation after it has been
translated into a question or series of
questions, that help determine the
direction of subsequent inquiry
- Implies that an investigation, inquiry or
study is to be conducted, or that the
problem is ready for investigation, inquiry
or study

ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

Aim or purpose of the problem for
investigation. This answers the question
Why? Why is there an investigation,
inquiry or study?
The subject matter or topic to be
investigated. This answers the question
What? What is to be investigated or
studies?
The place or locale where the research is
to be conducted.
This answers the
question Where? Where is the study to
be conducted?

 The period or time of the study

during which the data are to be
gathered. This answers the question
When? When is the study to be
carried out?
Population from whom the data are
to be collected. This answers the
question Who? or From whom?
Who are the respondents? From
whom are the data to be gathered?

Example:
Aim/purpose:To determine the status
of
Subject matter/topic: The teaching of
science
Place/locale: In the private secondary
schools of Ilocos Sur
Period or time: During the school year
2010-2011
Population:
The respondents are
implied to be either the teachers or the
students, or both

GUIDELINES IN THE SELECTION OF A

RESEARCH PROBLEM/TOPIC
There are certain guidelines/criteria in the
selection of a research problem to make it more
interesting and the research work more
enjoyable to the researcher, as well as to ensure
the completion of the study.
The research problem/topic must be chosen by
the researcher himself.
This is to avoid
blaming others or offering excuses for any
obstacle encountered.
It must be within the interest of the researcher.
This is to make sure that the researcher will
focus his full attention on the research work.

 It must be within the specialization of

the researcher. This will in some way
make the work easier for him
because he is working on familiar
grounds. Besides, this may improve
his
specialization,
skill,
and
competence.
It must be within the competence of
the researcher to tackle.
The
researcher must know the method of
research
and
other
research
procedures applicable to his problem
and he must knowhow to apply

 It must be within the ability of the researcher to

finance, otherwise, he must be able to find
funding for his research. Research involves not
a small amount of expense and the researcher
must be able to foot the bills until his study is
completed.
It is researchable and manageable. Data must
be available and accessible; data must meet
the standards of accuracy, objectivity, and
verifiability; answers to specific questions can
be found; hypotheses formulated are testable,
that is, they can be rejected or accepted;
equipment and instruments for research are
available and can give valid and reliable results.

 It can be completed within a reasonable

period of time. Provide for a time table for
its completion.
It is significant, important, and relevant to
the present time and situation, timely, and
of current interest. The research project
must be able to make a substantial impact
upon situations and people it is intended
for or addressed to.
It requires original, critical, and reflective
thinking to solve it. A novel and new
research has not yet been studied before
and the data gathered are from new and
original sources.

 It must contribute to the national

development
goals
for
the
improvement of the quality of human
life.
It must contribute to the fund of
human knowledge. All the facts and
knowledge that we have are mostly
the products of research. Any study
to be conducted must add a new bit
of knowledge to what we already
have.
There must be a consideration of the
hazards involved, either physical,

PARTS OF A THESIS PROPOSAL

1. Introduction
2. Statement of the Problem
3. Scope and Delimitation
4. Review of Literature and Studies
5. Conceptual Framework
6. Definition of Terms
7. Hypothesis
8. Research Methodology
.Research Design
.Materials/Equipment
.Data Gathering Procedure/Instrument
.Statistical Treatment of Data

INTRODUCTION
The introduction of a thesis should
contain a discussion of any or all of the
following:
1. Presentation of the Problem. The
start of the introduction is the
presentation of the problem, that is,
how the problem is all about. This
will indicate what will be covered in
the study.
2. The existence of an unsatisfactory
condition, a felt problem that needs

3. Rationale of the study.

The reason or
reasons why it is necessary to conduct the
study.
4. Historical background of the problem.
5. A desire to discover something.
6. Importance or significance of the study.
Who
are
the
individuals,
groups,
or
communities who may be placed in a more
advantageous position on account of the
study
Possible contribution to the fund of knowledge
Possible implications
7. A link between the introduction and
statement of the problem

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

There should be a general statement

of the whole problem followed by the
specific questions or sub-problems into
which the general problem is broken
up.
Guidelines in Formulating the General
Problem and the Specific Sub-problems
1. The general statement of the
problem and the specific subproblems or questions should be
formulated first before conducting
the research.

2. It is customary to state specific sub-problems in

the interrogative form. Hence, sub-problems are
called specific questions.
3. Answers to each specific question can be
interpreted apart from the answers to other
specific questions.
4. Answers to each specific question must
contribute to the development of the whole
research problem.
5. Summing up the answers to all the specific
questions will give a complete development of the
entire study.
6. The number of specific questions should be
enough to cover the development of the whole
research problem or study.

7. Generally, there should be a general

statement of the problem and then this
should be broken down into as many
sub-problems or specific questions as
necessary.
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SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

A brief statement of the general

purpose of the study
The subject matter and topics
studied and discussed
The locale of the study, where the
data will be gathered/expt conducted
The period of the study. This is the
time during which the expt will be
conducted
WHAT..WHERE..WHEN

Related Literature and Studies

Related Literature is composed of
discussions of facts and principles to
which the present study is related. These
materials are usually printed and found in
books,
encyclopedias,
professional
journals, magazines, newspapers, and
other publications.
Related
studiesare
inquiries,
researches, or investigations already
conducted to which the present study is
related or has some bearing or similarity.

Importance, Purposes, & Functions of RLS

A survey of review of literature and studies is
very important because such reviews serve as
foundation of the proposed study. This is because
RLS guide the researcher in pursuing his research
venture. Reviewed literature and studies help or
guide the researcher in the ff ways:
1. They help or guide the researcher in
searching for or selecting a better research
problem or topic.
By reviewing related
materials, a replication of a similar problem may
be found better than the problem already
chosen. Replication is the study of a research
problem already conducted but in another place.

2. They help the researcher understand his

topic for research better. Reviewing RLS may
clarify vague points about his problem.
3. They ensure that there will be no duplication
of other studies. There is duplication if an
investigation already made is conducted again
using practically the same variables. This is
avoided if a survey of RLS be made first.
4. They help and guide the researcher in
locating more sources of related information.
This is because the bibliography of a study
already conducted indicate references about
similar studies.

5. They help and guide the researcher

in
making
his
research
design
especially in:
The formulation of specific questions
to be researched on;
The formulation of assumptions or
hypotheses if there should be any;
The
formulation
of
conceptual
framework;
The selection and application of the
methods of research;
The selection and application for

 The selection and/or preparation and

validation of research instruments for
gathering data;
The selection and application of statistical
procedures;
The analysis, organization, presentation,
and interpretation of data;
The making of the summary of
implications for the whole study;
The formulation of the summary of
findings,
conclusions
and
recommendations; and

 They help and guide the researcher

in making comparison between his
findings with the findings of other
researchers on similar studies with
the end in view of formulating
generalizations or principles which
are the contributions of the study to
the fund of knowledge.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RLS
The surveyed materials must be as recent
as possible. This is important because of
the rapid social, economic, scientific, and
technological changes. Findings several
years ago may be of little value today.
Materials surveyed must be relevant to
the study.
Only materials that have
bearing or similarity to the research
problem at hand should be reviewed.

 Surveyed materials must have been

based upon genuinely original and
true facts or data to make them valid
and reliable. There are cases where
fictitious data are supplied just to
complete
a
research
report
(thesis/dissertation).
Reviewed materials must not be too
few nor too many. They must only
be sufficient enough to give insight
into the research problem or to
indicate the nature of the present
investigation.

The number may also depend upon the

availability of related materials.
For
undergraduate thesis, from five to ten may
do.
The numbers, however, are only
suggestive
and
not
imperative
nor
mandatory.
SOURCES OF RLS
Books, encyclopedias, almanacs, and other
similar references
Articles published in the professional
journals,
magazines,
periodicals,
newspapers, and other publications

 Manuscripts, monographs, speeches,

letters, and diaries
Unpublished theses and dissertations
The constitution, and laws of the land
Bulletins, circulars, official reports
and
orders
emanating
from
government offices and departments
Reports from seminars, and the like

Sources of RLS
Libraries
(government,
school,
private)
Government and private offices
The National Library ( is a rich
depository of related materials,
particularly unpublished theses and
dissertations)

WAYS OF CITING RLS

BY AUTHOR OR WRITER
- in this method, the ideas, facts, or
principles are explained or discussed
separately and cited in a parenthetical
note (e.g. Santos et al., 2010) with
their respective authors/writers.
According to Santos et al. (2010),
..
Aquino and Cruz (2011) found
out..

 BY TOPIC (THEMATIC)
- In this case, if different authors or
writers have the same opinion about
the same topic, the topic is discussed
and cited under the names of the
writers or authors. This is a summary
of their opinions.
This is to avoid
separate and long discussions of the
same topic.

 CHRONOLOGICAL
- Related materials may also be
cited chronologically, that is, according
to the year they were written.
Materials which were written earlier
should be cited first before those
which were written later

WHAT TO CITE
Cite only the major findings, ideas,
generalizations,
principles,
or
conclusions in related materials
relevant to the problem.
Generally, such findings, etc. are
summarized,
paraphrased,
or
synthesized

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The conceptual framework becomes
the central theme, the focus, the main
thrust of the study. It serves a s a
guide in conducting the research.
The paradigm is a diagrammatic
representation
of
a
conceptual
framework. It depicts in a more vivid
way what the conceptual framework
wants to convey.

Conceptual Framework
The experimental paradigm which will
be used in the study is presented in
Figure 1:
INPUT
PROCESS
Color Reaction
Presence of
Tests
Phytochemicals
OUTPUT
Psidium guajava leaf
extract in different
concentrations

Kirby-Bauer
Disk Diffusion
Method

Figure 1

Antifungal Property

DEFINITION OF TERMS
CONCEPTUAL/THEORETICAL
DEFINITION books, encyclopedia,
dictionaries,
other
publications
(acknowledge source)
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION how the
term is used in the study
e.g. Extract This refers to the
concentrated solution obtained by
submerging the finely cut guava
leaves in ethyl alcohol

Only technical terms or terms that

have special or unique meaning
should be defined.
Definitions should be as brief, clear,
and unequivocal as possible.
Acronyms should always be spelled
out fully especially
if it is not
commonly known or if it is used for
the first time
May define terms alphabetically or as
they are written in the conceptual
framework

HYPOTHESIS
A tentative conclusion or answer to a specific
question raised at the beginning of the
investigation
It is an educated guess about the answer to a
specific question
FORMS OF HYPOTHESIS
Operational Form expressed in the affirmative
e.g. There is a significant difference between and
among the diameters of growth inhibition of the
three test organisms subjected to Psidium
guajava leaf extract using ethanol as solvent.

Null Form is stated in the negative

e.g. There is no significant difference
between and among the diameters of
growth inhibition of the three test
organisms
subjected
to
Psidium
guajava leaf extract using ethanol as
solvent
In
experimental
investigations,
hypotheses have to be explicit, they
have to be expressed. They have to be
expresses also in comparative and

METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH DESIGN (EXPERIMENTAL)

MATERIALS
AND
EQUIPMENT
(EQUIPMENT/WARES; MICROORGANISMS;
REAGENTS,CULTURE MEDIA, EXTRACTS)
PROCEDURE
A. Authentication of plant specimen
B. Procurement of test organisms
C. Sterilization process
D. Plant extract preparation
(schematic flowchart of the
methods)

E.
Screening
for
antibacterial/antifungal property
1. Preparation of the Nutrient Agar
2.
Preparation of the Sabouraud
Dextrose
Agar

.
Incubation and Observation of the
Plates
Reading and Interpretation