Chapter 1 Research Perspective

1. CHAPTER 1
R E S E A R C H P E R S P E C T I V E
RESEARCH - from the French word “cerchier”
-Webster’s Third New International Dictionary
defines research as “ newly discovered facts or
the practical application of such new or revised
conclusions, theories or laws.
-According to Wiersma (1995) “research is a
process, an activity in the search for knowledge
through recognized methods of data collection,
analysis and interpretation.
-Hillway defined research as a “way mankind
perfected it very slowly over a period of several
centuries and at present it is considered as the
most reliable means of advancing knowledge.

2. - Helmstadler said about research as the activity of
solving problems which leads to new knowledge using
methods of inquiry that are currently accepted as adequate by
scholars in the field.
- Kerlinger :Systematic, controlled, empirical and
critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory
and hypothesis about the “presumed” relations among such
phenomena.
- According to Calderon and Gonzales (1993), research
may be defined as 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 of human life.

3. Research Functions:
1. Research discovers new facts or new “truths” about known
phenomenon for primal existence.
2. Research corrects perceptions as well as expands them.
3. Research gathers information on subjects or phenomena with little
knowledge/information.
4. Research expands or verifies existing knowledge.
5. Research finds answers to queries by means of scientific studies.
6. Research develops and evaluates concepts, practices and theories.
7. Research also develops and evaluates method that test concepts,
practices and theories.
8. Research obtained-knowledge can be utilized for practical purposes.
9. Research provides hard facts which serve as basis for planning,
decision making, monitoring and evaluation.
10. To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity by searching again exhaustively
new facts either for personal satisfaction or society’s gain.

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD RESEARCH
According to Paul Leedy and Best
1. Systematic
2. Controlled
3. Empirical
4. Analytical
5. Objective, unbiased and logical
6. Employs hypothesis
7. Employs qualitative or statistical methods
8. Original work
9. Done by an expert
10. Patient and unhurried activity
11. Requires an effort-making capacity
12. Requires courage and intelligence

5. Qualities of a Good Researcher:
1. Reasoning Power.
2. Alert
3. Accurate
4. Intellectually Honest
5. Zeal for Investigation
6. Organize and systematic
7. Efficient
8. Resourceful/Innovative
9. Prompt / has Time Management
10. Hard Work
11. Positive thinker
12. Wide reader
13. Patient and has perseverance
14. Has good working knowledge on statistics
and grammar
15. Enjoys doing research

6. RESEARCH FOLLOWS A BASIC PROCEDURE
1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
2 DATA COLLECTION
3. ANALYSIS
4. SUMMARIZING RESULTS
5. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
Philippine Research Trends:
1. SHORT TERM RESEARCH
2. LONG TERM RESEARCH

7. According to Calmorin (2004)
R - research oriented
E - efficient
S - scientific
E - effective
A - active
R - resourceful
C - creative
H - honest
E - economical
R - rational

8. WHAT IS A THESIS?
According to Cole and Bigelow – a thesis is a report of a
scholar upon some piece of research which he has completed. A
substantial research project. As the word it means a proposition or a
point of view defended through agreement/argument.
WHAT IS DISSERTATION?
According to Campbell, a dissertation is a research paper
submitted by a candidate for the doctorate degree. This requires
more research and more extensive development of ideas than a
master’s thesis.
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PAPER?
This is a library paper which does not require complete parts
of a thesis and is usually assigned to an undergraduate student or in
some cases to a graduate student as a partial requirement of the
course.