RESEARCH METHODS RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICSAND STATISTICS

SILVERIO “JUN” V. MAGALLON, JR.University of Southeastern PhilippinesCollege of Governance and Business

WHAT IS RESEARCH?WHAT IS RESEARCH?It is composed of two syllables, a prefix re

and a verb search.Re means again, anew or over againSearch means to examine closely and

carefully, to test and try, to probe.The two words form a noun to describe a

careful and systematic study in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principles (Grinnell, 1997).

It is a process of finding solutions to a problem.

Cont…Cont…A systematic way of asking

questions (Drew, 1980)Scientific and systematic search

for knowledge (Kothari, 2004)

BUSINESS RESEARCHBUSINESS RESEARCH“The application of the scientific

method in searching for the truth about business phenomena. These activities include defining business opportunities and problems, generating and evaluating ideas, monitoring performance, and understanding the business process.”

(Zikmund, 2010, p5)

STATISTICS IN RESEARCHSTATISTICS IN RESEARCH

Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem.

Statistics is the science of collecting, analyzing and making inference from data.

The role of statistics in research is to function as a tool in designing research, analyzing its data and drawing conclusions therefrom.

WHY STUDY RESEARCH?WHY STUDY RESEARCH?To meet course requirementsTo understand research reports

and journal articlesTo recognize the false use of

researchAs a guide in decision makingKnowledge creation

PURPOSES OF RESEARCHPURPOSES OF RESEARCHThe purpose of research is to discover

answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures.

1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (exploratory research studies)

2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group (descriptive research studies)

Cont…Cont…3. To determine the frequency

with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else (diagnostic research studies)

4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (hypothesis-testing research studies)

TYPES OF RESEARCHTYPES OF RESEARCH1. Descriptive vs. AnalyticalDescriptive research includes surveys and

fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. State of affairs as it existsNo control over variablesTry to discover causes (I.e., ex-post facto)

◦ Analytical research use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

2. 2. Applied vs. Applied vs. FundamentalFundamentalApplied (action) research aims at

finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization.◦Ex. marketing research or evaluation

researchFundamental research is mainly

concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory.◦ Ex. Researches concerning some natural

phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics and human behavior.

3. 3. Quantitative vs. Quantitative vs. QualitativeQualitativeQuantitative research is based on the

measurement of quantity or amount.Ex. interviewing methods such as

telephone, intercept and door-to-door interviews as well as self-completion methods such as mail outs and online surveys.

Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.

Ex. focus groups, in-depth interviews, observation research and case studies

4. Conceptual vs. 4. Conceptual vs. EmpiricalEmpiricalConceptual research is that related to

some abstract idea(s) or theory (for thinkers & philosophers)◦Relies on literature

Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone.◦ Data-based research, experimental

type of research.◦Capable of being verified by

observation or experiment◦Experimenter has control over variables

Other types of ResearchOther types of Research i. One time/ Cross sectional vs Longitudinal/

Developmental & Trend or prediction studies (the time domain)

ii. Field setting vs Lab / Simulation research iii. Clinical vs diagnostic studies iv. Exploratory vs Formulated (the degree of formulation

of the problem) studies v. Historical studies (Greater part of it is quantitative) vi. Content Analysis one such quantitative method –a

multipurpose method developed specifically for investigating a broad spectrum of problems in which the contents of communication serve as a basisof inference. Example: word usage rates, word counts, etc.

vii. Correlational research viii. Conclusion oriented or decision oriented research

RESEARCH PROCESSRESEARCH PROCESS1. Define research problem2. Review concepts and theories/

review of previous research findings3. Formulate hypothesis4. Design research5. Data collection6. Analyze data (test hypothesis)7. Interpretation and report writing

QUALITIES OF A GOOD QUALITIES OF A GOOD RESEARCHRESEARCH

1. Good research is systematic- reject the use of guessing and intuition in arriving at conclusions.

2. Good research is logical- guided by the rules of logical reasoning and the logical process of induction and deduction.

Cont…Cont…3. Good research is empirical-

research is related basically to one or more aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete data that provides a basis for external validity to research results.

4. Good research is replicable - research results will be verified by replicating the study and thereby building a sound basis for decisions.