MODULE 1: Introduction to the Research Enterprise
Objective:
At the end of this module, the students must have:
1. Familiarized on the basic concepts and principles of the scientific method of
inquiry
2. Broadly surveyed the various approaches to research
Readings:
Content:
A. Science and the Scientific Method
a. Science defined:
It is consisting of 1) a BODY OF KNOWLEDGE (the accumulation of facts,
generalizations, theories, laws), and 2) a METHOD OF INQUIRY (the process of
data-gathering and analysis)
Of these two components, the Method of Inquiry comes first, since it is the process
by which the Body of Knowledge is generated, such that
METHOD OF INQUIRY BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
Therefore the Method of Inquiry is the process while the Body of Knowledge is the
product.
b. The Method of Inquiry:
The Method of Inquiry is also known as RESEARCH. While people interested in
knowing has many ways of attaining knowledge (such as intuition or kutob lang,
resorting to authority (such as considering the Bible as unquestionable truth), or
basing it from experience, the Scientific Method is different from all of these because
Its product, or the Scientific Knowledge, can only be based on OBSERVATION.
Observation may be defined as the knowing of reality by using the five senses (sight,
hearing, smell, touch, taste). Observation however becomes scientific when done
systematically. Therefore, Scientific Method is none other than Systematic
Observation. Specifically, observation becomes scientifically acceptable if:
It is done objectively (without bias, seeing reality as it is is and not as what
one wants it to be)
It is done accurately and precisely (the observation is as near as possible to
the reality being observed; so it typically makes use of measuring instruments
to convert reality, into quantities or numbers)
It is done systematically (following logical steps and procedures)
It is done by trained persons (the experts, those who possess the skills and
know-how); taking up this course in the Master’s Program is part of the
training to be able to do research
It is done under controlled condition (the observer must have the assurance
that what he/she observes is that is intended to be observed; so certain
measures are implemented, such as making observation in a laboratory
setting, like doing experiments)
NOTE: anything short of the above characteristics makes your inquiry less scientific.
c. The logic of the Scientific Method
3
In engaging in scientific research, one starts by identifying a slice of reality out there
that one wants to know and understand. Some call this the topic (example: the
economic conditions of Catandunganons during the pandemic, or the learning that
pupils achieve in the “new normal”. Then one goes through the following process:
MODELLING OBSERVING
Purpose: Purpose:
- establish the slice of reality to focus - to see whether the model holds
on true in actual reality
- create a picture (an imagin3ation)
of the structure of such a slice
Components: Components:
1. Statement of the problem 1. Data gathering
2. Hypothesis 2. Data processing
3. Conceptual framework 3. Data analysis
- Variables, constructs 4. Conclusions
- Relations between variables,
constructs
4. Definition of terms
- Must be operational
- Must include all the constructs
and variables
RESEARCH DESIGN
NOTE THAT:
The Scientific Method has two broad stages: 1) the “Modelling” phase, where
the investigator/researcher comes up with an imagination (a model) of the
reality that he/she wants to know and understand; 2) then he/she goes to that
reality and checks if the model is true as imagined; this done by making actual
observations, subject those observation to processing (treatment, analysis,
interpretation). After the second phase, the researcher makes conclusions
about the reality being observed and then compares the model to the actual
Components 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the “Modelling” are about one and the same
thing, expressed in different manner; they all must harmonize with each other
closely and completely
The Research Design is nothing but the plan of action on how to move from
model to knowing the actual real
The model serves as guide for observing reality. In scientific observation, one
does not simply plunge into the reality the one wants to observe; he/she must
have a plan based on the model (the imagined reality)
Take note: having a good understanding of this process is key to the making
of the first three chapters of the thesis, or the thesis proposal
B. What is Research?
In its most common usage, research is any conscious and systematic activity to
gather information in order to gain knowledge on any subject matter. It is typivally
used in institutional setting particularly the academe. But anybody, desiring to gain
knowledge engages in research in one form or another:
NOTE THAT:
There are two general ways of doing research: 1) PRIMARY research which
involves going to the reality being studied and making direct observation, and
SECONDARY research which is getting access to materials that have already
beens established by other researchers (such as going to the library and
reading books and other forms of source of information), an indirect form of
research.
The scientific method involves primary research because it must be based on
observation. However, doing secondary research is an important step before
doing primary research. This is known as background reading or review of
related literature. Before venturing into in independent and original research
(such as writing a masteral thesis), one needs to know first what other
scholars have already doing on the topic.
a. Purpose of primary research
Fundamentally, primary research is aimed at the generation of new knowledge.
But knowledge is not always generated for its own sake, merely to satisfy human
curiosity. Knowledge is generated to serve more practical reasons in order to
improve the lives of people. The following illustration lays out the various purposes of
research and their interrelatedness:
GENERATION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE UTILZATION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE
BASIC/PURE Application in
RESEARCH Instruction
RESEARCH IN APPLIED RESEARCH Adoption by Community/
THE ACADEME Utilization in Real World
Set-up
PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
Commercialization
Feed back that becomes basis for new research
NOTE THAT:
Pure or basic research is done simply to generate new knowledge for its own
sake and satisfy basic human curiosity, asking fundamental questions such as
“Why do the earth rotate on its axis?” or “What makes the plants grow””or
“How do people get to agree with each other?”
Applied research is done to address and give solution to specific human
problems. It answers questions such as “What remedy can we have for
COVID-19?” or “How can we improve plant growth?” or “How do elementary
pupils perform in the new normal learning modalities?”
Product development refers to the designing, actualization and assessment of
products that can offer improved ways of doing things, such as a car that runs
on solar energy, a food preparation from a particular plant, a way of extending
the shef-life of and freshness of eggs, a software application that will facilitate
enrolment in schools.
Basic research is done first, nd which becomes basis for applied research,
which in turn becomes basis for product development
Commercialization is when the product developed through research is made
available in the market for sale.
Masteral thesis can be any of these types of research (pure, applied, product
development).
C. Research according to type of research question
One undertakes research in order to fill in a gap in human knowledge. In doing so,
one formulates questions that may be any or a combination of the following:
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH – the aim is to merely describe reality or
phenomenon. It typically tries to determine the specific characteristics or
conditions of something.
EXPLANATORY RESEARCH – the aim is to understand why things happen
or why they are the way they are. It tries to establish cause and effect. Strit;y
speaking, this is done through experimentation, especially in the physical
sciences. In the social sciences however, there are other ways of
establishing cause-and-effect.
NOTE THAT: Descriptive research is logically done first before doing explanatory
studies. You must know what the reality is before trying to ask why it is like what it is
like. But a study can have both descriptive and explanatory questions at the same
time.
Self-Learning Activity:
Answer the following in essay form and submit to your professor:
1. In your own words, when can you say that knowledge is scientific? What will
be your criteria in determining if knowledge is scientific?
2. Is there any other source of knowledge other than science? Describe some of
them. What do you think makes scientific knowledge reliable?
3. Explain the MODELLING-OBSERVING schema of scientific inquiry. What is
the role of the “modelling” phase?
4. Have you done primary research before? If yes, please describe your
previous experience in this regard.
5. What is the importance of the scientific method in your own field of
specialization? Cite some concrete examples in how the scientific method is
useful in your field of specialization.
