1.

NATURE AND FUNCTIONS OF RESEARCH

The Meaning of Research. Research can be well-defined from several

standpoints: from the point of view of an educator, historiographer, entrepreneur,
agriculturist, health specialist and social expert to name a few. Their characteristics are
part to their area of specialization but underlying them all is the connotation which is
basic and therefore appropriate to all fields of study.

On the origin of its formation, research suggests that the person has to pursuit or
take more careful look to find more (Selltiz and others, 1976).

Research is an activity which is intended to obtain better knowledge by

relearning what is already known through methodical observations and investigations. It
is acquiring new knowledge or perspectives by synthesizing into a new form the
disparate in the materials being examined (F. Landa Jocano).

Research is a methodical, measured, practical and critical investigation of natural

phenomena guided by an idea and hypothesis about the supposed relations among
such phenomena (Kerlinger, 1986).

Research is a organized and objective analysis and listing of meticulous

observations that may lead to the progress of simplifications, principles or ideas
resulting in calculation and control of events (Best and Khan, 1989).

A more basic and all-inclusive definition of research is: Research is a

systematic, objective and comprehensive investigation of certain phenomena which
involves accurate gathering and recording, and critical studies and understanding of all
proofs about the phenomenon for theoretic or applied ends.

The Characteristics of Research. The following features of research stated by

Best and Kahn (1989) will make strong research essence and meaning.

1. Research is engaged to the answer of a problem.

2. Research highlights the progress of generalities, principles or ideas that will

support in forecasting future occurrence.

3. Research is based upon evident experience or observed proofs.

4. Research demands accurate observations and descriptions.

5. Research involves gathering new data from primary or firsthand sources using
existing data for a new purpose.
6. Though research activity may be somewhat casual and disorganized, it is
more often considered by sensibly designed measures that apply hard analysis.
 7. Research requires expertise.

8. Research attempts to be impartial and rational, conducting every possible trial

to prove the procedures made, the data consolidated, and the conclusion attained.

9. Research includes the pursuit for answers to unanswered problems.

10. Research is measured by persistence and unhurried activity.

11. Research is carefully recorded and reported.

12. Research sometimes requires courage.

Good and meaningful research comes from asking the right questions. According
to Aristotle, research springs from what he calls wonder, the well spring of all science
and ultimately wisdom.

Two Major Types of Research. In general, there are two basic types of
research namely: basic and applied.

Basic research is the kind of research which is steered for the sake of
significance. It is also identified as theoretical research because it is intended to
disclose theoretical issues regarding phenomena such as: thought, feeling, drive or
social conduct. Its main objective is to examine or to confirm at an idea with decisive
goal of creating general ideologies (Fox, 1969). Whatever knowledge it gains is not
intended for any practical purpose such as improving the lot of the poor or solving social
problem. The knowledge is increased so as to expand on what man previously knows
and thus increase the boundary of human understanding. It is consequently a quest of
information for the sake of information.

Applied research is to be started when the purpose is to find information for

practical utilization or valuable ends, thus it is also recognized as practical research. In
this kind of research, the purpose is not just to obtain knowledge but to utilize that
knowledge to explain problems or expand the prevailing condition which in its current
state is unacceptable but which has still room or option for betterment. According to Gay
(1976), the drive of practical research is to apply, examine, and assess the practicality
of an idea or data arrived at in resolving problems.

The Research Process. The research process involves several stages. The
order of the stages should be followed, particularly by the beginners in research
because the succeeding stage is defined or determined by the preceding stage.
 Basic Stages in the Research Process

Problem Identification

Objectives Formulation

Review of Related Literature

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Formulation of Hypothesis

Conceptual Framework Construction

Research Design Selection

Data Collection

Data Processing

Data Analysis and Interpretation

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Functions of Research. Below are the general functions of research.

1. Research corrects perceptions and expands them.

2. Research gathers information on subjects or phenomena we lack or have little

knowledge of.
3.analysis develops and evaluates ideas, practices and theories.

4. analysis additionally develops and evaluates ways that take a look at ideas, practices

and theories.

5. analysis obtains data for sensible functions like determination troubles on population

explosion, white plague, misbehavior and therefore the like.

6. analysis offers difficult data that function basis for designing, decision-making,

venture implementation, observation and analysis.

It is maybe within the social sphere of existence that search has its best

contribution. With the ultimate purpose of enhancing the pleasant of social life,

researchers provide improvement staff scientific basis for choice creating, designing

and implementation of improvement interventions, and furnish them with ability and

tools for observation as properly as evaluating declared interventions. The position of

analysis within the methodology of development is illustrated as follows: Assessment 1.

outline the subsequent terms: 1.1 research 1.2 basic analysis 1.3 applied analysis 1.4

research method
1. Answer the following questions:

1.1 In what way is research related to the problems or difficulties of mankind?

1.2 What is the basic distinction between basic and applied research?
1.3 How are the stages of the research process related with each other?
1.4 In what way does research contribute to the expansion of human
knowledge?
1.5 What is the importance of the study of research to your particular
endeavor: study, work, project, etc.?

2. Expected Outputs

2.1 Analysis of a research report focusing on the following: type of research,

problem investigated, objectives or goals, procedures used in data
collection and processing and major findings.

2.2 Identification of a research topic for personal research project using the
following steps:

2.2.1 enumerating problems prevailing in the work setting

2.2.2 ranking them according to seriousness with # 1 assigned as the
most serious
2.2.3 explaining or justifying the rating of the problem as the most serious
using statistical records and published report.
2. RESEARCH PROBLEMS, OBJECTIVES AND OTHER CONCEPTS

The Research Problem. According to Fisher (1991), a problem is an apparent

difficulty, a sense of discomfort with the system things are, a inconsistency between
what someone have confidence in should be and what is. Deprived of a problem no
research can be initiated. As Leedy (1980) stated, the problem is the core of each
research activity since it is top in significance to the accomplishment of the research,
therefore the condition is clear: NO PROBLEM means NO RESEARCH. Selltiz (1959),
even opposes that the preparation of a problem is often more vital that its solution.

Features of Researchable Problems

1. when there is no identified answer to the problem such that gap in information
exists;

2. when there are likely solutions to it but the success of which is unverified or
unknown yet;

3. when there are answers to the possible outcome of which may seem or
precisely contradictory;

4. when there are numerous plausible explanations for the undesirable

condition; and

5. when the presence of a phenomenon needs explanation.

Moreover, problem is researchable when it meets the following conditions (Selltiz

and others, 1976):

1. the ideas must be strong enough one can identify in words exactly what the
question is;

2. the ideas must be such that they can be characterized by some sort of
indication which is obtained through straight observation or other less straight
activities; and

3. it must be achievable to carry out such process or activities.

Sources of Research Problems. There are actually various sources from which
a researcher may draw a problem to be investigated.

1. Personal experience

2. Common sense

3. Theories
 4. Past researches

5. Journals, books, theses, and dissertations

6. Technological changes

7. Friends, colleagues and professors

8. conferences, symposia, dialogues, and even ordinary meetings

Features of an Ideal Research Problem. In the light of the experience of

researchers, the following criteria proved useful in making a decision to which among
the probable problems or topics is sound or good.

1. The research problem must be of the specialization to the researcher.

2. The research problem should be relevant and useful to a specific group of

people.

3. The research problem is good when it is novel in that is possess the element
of newness or freshness.

4. The research problem should be well-defined and specific.

5. The research problem must be quantifiable.

6. The research problem is time bound.

7. The research problem does not cause ethical or moral violations.

8. The research problem contributes to the refinement of certain important

concepts, creation or improvement of research instruments and analytical
systems and will permit generalizations.

9. The research problem can be manageable.

Explaining the Research Problem. To define a research problem the

researcher should observe the following steps.

1. Define clearly the major concepts or terms such that they mean according to how
the researcher wants them to be understood and they can be represented by
some evidence which can be obtained through direct and indirect activities which
are feasible to carry out.
 2. Limit the scope of the study in terms of the following:

2.1 issues or concerns

2.2 area coverage
2.3 subjects or respondents
2.4 time allotment
2.5 data requirement- qualitative or quantitative or both

Validating the Research Problem/s. The choice of the problem can be justified
by various reasons. To come up with convincing opinions on the worth of learning the
problem the next guide questions will be helpful:

1. Is the problem a present and timely?

2. Is it persistent or extensive?

3. Does it affect a specific group of people?

4. Does it convey to present program?

5. Does it relate to broad societal, economic, and health matters?

6. Who else is concerned?

7. What are its primary and secondary short and long-range influence on the
wellbeing of a specific group of people or society as a whole?

The Research Objectives

The term objective is an effect that is desired or expected to be achieved by an

activity, project or program (Blumenfield, 1985). Research objective then states to the
account of persistence for which the examination is to be conducted. They define the
intentions or goals that are anticipated to be achieved at the conclusion of the research
procedure.

Research objective maybe classified into two broad categories which are general
and specific. The general objective is a broad statement of purpose which uses
abstracts and non-measurable concepts. The exact objective is a declaration of
persistence which uses distinct and quantifiable ideas the preparation of which must be
built on and rationally flow from general objective.