This document discusses the importance, characteristics, processes, and ethics of research. It begins by defining research and outlining its main purposes. Some key points made include: research is a systematic process used to build knowledge, understand issues, and support or disprove ideas; it involves asking questions, making observations, and testing theories; the research process typically involves refining topics, designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting findings; characteristics of good research include being empirical, logical, analytical, and replicable. The document also discusses qualitative research methods.

1. Importance, characteristics, processes and ethics of research
This is just the scientific way of what you are doing in your everyday
life - exploring things, asking questions, observations and other activities
that you experience. This is just the start of the conventional way of
providing answers to your questions and observations - and that is through
research which you will explore in this lesson. Specifically, you are expected
to share research experiences and knowledge, explain the importance of
research and describe the characteristics, processes and ethics of research.
Research is an investigation or experimentation aimed at the
discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws
in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised
theories or laws (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Retrieved from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/research).
According to Zarah (2020), the main purpose of research is to inform action,
to prove a theory and contribute to developing knowledge in a field or study.
This article will highlight the significance of research with the
following points:
1. a tool for building knowledge and for facilitating learning;
2. means to understand various issues and increase public awareness;
3. an aid to business success;
4. a way to prove lies and to support truths;
5. means to find, gauge and seize opportunities;
6. a seed to love reading, writing, analyzing and sharing valuable
information; and
7. nourishment and exercise for the mind.
Moreover, since the purpose of research is to inform action. Thus, a
research study should seek to contextualize its findings within the larger
body of research. Research must always be of high quality in order to
produce knowledge that is applicable outside of the research setting.
Furthermore, the results of the study may have implications for policy and
future project implementation.
To read further about the importance of research, you may copy this
link to your browser: https://graduate.kennesaw.edu/newsletter/posts/
seven_reasons_why_research_is_important.php
Research involves a systematic process that focuses on being objective
and gathering a multitude of information for analysis so that the researcher
can come to a conclusion. The scientific research process is a multiple-step
process where the steps are interlinked with the other steps in the process.
If changes are made in one step of the process, the researcher must review
all the other steps to ensure that the changes are reflected throughout the
process.
The research process often begins with a very broad idea for a topic
you’d like to know more about. You do some preliminary research to identify
a problem. After refining your research questions, you can lay out the
foundations of your research design, leading to a proposal that outlines your
ideas and plans. Although different models of the research process exist,
each containing different numbers of stages, most include the same general
elements.
To read further about the research process, you may copy this link to
your browser: https://www.scribbr.com/category/research-process/
Research is a process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting
information to answer questions. But to qualify as research, the process
must have certain characteristics: it must, as far as possible, be systematic,
controlled, rigorous, valid and verifiable, empirical and critical.
Characteristics of Research
1. Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or observation by
the researcher.
2. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles.
3. Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process because it starts with a
problem and ends with a problem.
4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in
gathering the data, whether historical, descriptive, and experimental and
case study.
5. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
6. Methodical. Research is conducted in a methodical manner without
bias using systematic method and procedures.
7. Replicability. The research design and procedures are replicated or
repeated to enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.
Quantitative from qualitative research, Characteristics, Strengths and
Weaknesses, Kinds, and Importance of Qualitative Research
According to Fraenkel et.al (2012) “Qualitative research is a type of
educational research in which the researcher relies on the views of
participants; asks broad, general questions; collects data consisting largely
words (text) from participants; describes and analyzes these words for
themes; and conducts the inquiry in a subjective, biased manner”. While,
qualitative research is a type of educational research in which the
researcher relies on the views of participants; asks broad, general questions;

2. collects data consisting largely words (text) from participants; describes and
analyzes these words for themes; and conducts the inquiry in a subjective,
biased manner. (Fraenkel.et.al. 2012).
Sources Fraenkel, J.R. Wallen N.E, and Hyun H.H. (2012) How to design and Evaluate Research in Education.
New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
Qualitative research can be easily characterized by carefully observing
how some research elements such as: research design, data collection
procedure, and data analysis have been put into considerations. As cited
from Spalding University Library (2020), these three key elements will guide
the researcher to properly conduct a qualitative research study. To further
understand this kind of research, its characteristics are presented as
follows:
1. Qualitative research is naturalistic.
2. Qualitative research is purposeful
3. Qualitative research is detailed.
4. Qualitative research requires engagement and neutrality.
5. Qualitative research follows an inductive procedure
6. Qualitative research is viewed in a holistic perspective
Strengths and Weakness of Qualitative Research
It is known that a qualitative type of research focuses more on
explaining why subjects under investigation think and behave in certain
ways. With such purpose, it can be observed that there are corresponding
strengths and weaknesses a qualitative research may have once it is
employed by the researcher. As cited from University of Denmark Library
(2020), this type of research has its strengths and weaknesses presented as
follows:
Strengths:
1. Qualitative research complements quantitative data.
2. Qualitative research provides more detailed information to explain
complex issues.
3. Qualitative research is cost efficient.

3. Weaknesses:
1. Qualitative research cannot generalize the findings to the study
population.
2. Qualitative research is more difficult to analyze.
3. Qualitative research is time consuming.
Importance of Qualitative Research Qualitative research
Qualitative research is oriented toward analyzing concrete cases in
temporal and local particularity. It starts from the respondents’
perspectives, expressions, and activities in their local context. In this case,
qualitative research is important across many fields of inquiry because it is
designed for social sciences, psychology, and other fields. With this,
qualitative research would verify or validate the tendencies, transform it into
research programs, and maintain the necessary changes toward its
objectives and tasks.
Designing research project and writing research title
Research is not just a valuable tool in building a crucial knowledge,
but it is also the most reliable way to understand the complexities of various
issues in our everyday living. Designing a research project is just like
making a blueprint of our dream houses. It always starts with the essential
questions that will be resulted to a better plan.
Choosing and Developing a Research Topic
The ability to develop a good research topic is an important skill. An
instructor may assign you a specific topic, but most often instructors
require you to select your own topic of interest. When deciding on a topic,
there are a few things that you will need to do:
• brainstorm for ideas;
• choose a topic that will enable you to read and understand the
literature;
• ensure that the topic is manageable and the material is available;
• make a list of key words;
• be flexible;
• define your topic as a focused research question;
• research and read more about your topic; and
• formulate a research statement.
Be aware that selecting a good topic may not be easy. It must be narrow and
focused enough to be interesting, yet broad enough to find adequate
information. Before selecting your topic, make sure you know what your
final project should look like. Each class or instructor will likely require a
different format or style of research project.
To read further about the importance of research, you may copy this
link to your browser: https://www.umflint.edu/library/how-select-
research-topic
Effective Research Title
Writing a research title may seem a simple task, but it requires some
serious thought. It might come as a surprise to most people that an author,
having successfully written a detailed account of his/her research study,
experiences a block while attempting to title the research paper. However,
most authors, by virtue of possessing comprehensive details of the research
paper, are perplexed with regard how to make their research paper title
concise without sacrificing any relevant elements.
Abueg (2020) stated that research title is similar to road sign in
research. He expressed that the title is a tool which guides the researcher
in focusing their inquiry. In addition, it provides opportunity to convey the
central idea behind one’s own research.
Tips on Drafting a Research Title
Drafting a research title is a key task in research as this will capture the
essence of what you wish to do in your inquiry. There are various ways that
can help you develop one.
1. Consider the ideas behind your research topic. Identify these main ideas
and how they are related to one another. Try to inform a possible title using
these main ideas. (Example: If your topic is about the STEM students and
their motivation in choosing such strand in Senior High School, then the
main ideas would be the STEM students and their motivations.)
2. Completing the following sentence: “My study is about…” can also aid
you in drafting a research title as it captures the essence of your research
topic in one sentence. (Example: My study is about how the STEM students
choose their strand in Senior High School.)
3. You may also consider citing several attributes of your research such as
its purpose, conceptualization, approach, design and methods used (Abueg,
2020).
4. In addition, Trinidad (2018) considered to make the research title as
concise as possible and to deflect “unnecessary words.” Note: Avoid using
these phrases: “An Approach to…” or “A Study of…”
5. You may consider also developing a single title or a two-part title.
(Example: Science ATM Card: A Motivational Tool in Teaching and Learning

4. Science 11) Remember: The first part is a snappy phrase intended to catch
audience attention while the second part is more descriptive the actual
study. Having a two-part title can provide the (1) additional context; (2) the
temporal cope of the research; (3) the main theory; (4) approach; and (5)
methodology used (University of Southern California, 2016).
Parts of Research Title
A Catchy Hook - this is the least important part of an academic title,
introduces the paper in a creative way.
Topic Keyword - the "what" of the paper. This identifies concepts to be
explored. They are present in the title both for humans’ scanning lots of
articles and for search engine indexing.
Focus Keyword - the "where/when" of the paper. Along with “topic keyword",
these more specific keywords are vital so that researchers can drill down to
specific articles that pertain to their research.
Qualitative Research Design
Design is a word that means a plan or something that the mind
conceptualizes. In research, a design serves as a model or structural
structure of your research analysis. Thus, a research design is a step-by-
step approach used by a researcher to conduct a scientific study.
Choosing a research design allows you to finalize your mind on the
intent, conceptual basis, and data types of your study, including your data
collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation process. It is a plan
which directs your mind to multiple stages of your study.
Generally, qualitative research exercises five study designs that are
widely found in qualitative analysis. Although these are seldomly marked as
qualitative research, these designs entail a greater role in the methodology
and collection of data for qualitative analysis.
Types of Qualitative Research Design
1. Case Study. It is a detailed study of persons, groups, events,
decisions, periods, policies, institutions, or other systems and
investigates a phenomenon within its real-life context. A case study is
mostly used by social scientists to examine contemporary real-life
situations since it provides detailed descriptions of specific and rare
cases. A case study usually centers on a single or individual subject
matter. The intense exposure to this study may give biases to a
researcher’s interpretation of the findings.
2. Ethnography. It is a study of natural behavior in a culture or the
entire social group. It requires an analysis of a specific ethnic
community or organization in which you, the researcher, will
completely immerse themselves in the lives, culture, or situation they
are studying. 3. Historical Study. The primary purpose of a historical
research design is to collect, verify, and create evidence from the past
to establish facts that defend or disprove a hypothesis. This research
design utilizes secondary sources and various evidence, such as
diaries, official records, reports, archives, and non-textual
information.
4. Phenomenology. This design focuses on the commonality of a lived
experience within a particular group. The central objective of the
method is to arrive at a description of the nature of a phenomenon.
5. Grounded Theory. In this research design, the theory is developed
and based directly on the collected and analyzed data made by the
researcher. The main purpose of this design is to develop or “ground”
a theory in the situation in which the phenomenon under study
occurs.
6. Symbolic Interaction. It is a communication between human beings
via symbols such as words, definitions, roles, gestures, rituals, and
others.
Data Collection Methods
The gathering of information or data is just the start of the research
process. Once the information is collected, it is necessary to organize
and to think about it. Quantitative research makes use of data to
provide numerically expressible responses. The qualitative research,
explored in this article, is all about context. Data is a word describing
valid information capable of helping a researcher answer his/her
questions. It may derive from several different sources.
DATA COLLECTION
Data are the foundation of any research. The integrity of every
research project relies highly on the value and veracity of data used in
fulfilling the research objectives and addressing the research questions.
(Fong & Tigno, 2016). Likewise, data collection refers to the procedure of
collecting, measuring and analyzing accurate insights for research using
standard validated techniques. Researchers can evaluate their hypotheses
on the basis of collected data.

5. TYPES OF DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
1.Traditional Techniques
• In-person Interviews
Pros: In-depth and a high degree of confidence in the data
Cons: Time consuming, expensive and can be dismissed as anecdotal
• Mail surveys
Pros: Can reach anyone and everyone - no barrier
Cons: Expensive, data collection errors, lag time
• Phone Surveys
Pros: High degree of confidence in the data collected, reach almost
anyone
Cons: Expensive, cannot self- administer, need to hire an agency
2.Modern Techniques
• Web/Online Surveys & Online Interview
Pros: Cheap, can self-administer, very low probability of data errors
Cons: Not all your respondents might have an email address/be on the
internet, they may be wary of divulging information Online.
METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
A. Interview -the interaction where verbal questions are posed by an
interviewer to elicit verbal responses from an interviewee.
TYPES OF INTERVIEW
•Structured - The interviewee will ask the respondent the same questions
in the same way. Conducting and analyzing the interview data with care
and consideration. (Using closed-ended questions).
•Unstructured Can be referred to as 'depth' or 'in depth' interviews -free-
. wheeling exchange of ideas, in the form of normal conversation. The
interviewer may frame the interview questions based on the interviewee
and his/her previous response. (Using open-ended questions).
•Semi-structured -has set of questions prepared and additional probes.
(Using both open-ended and close-ended questions).
B. Documentary Analysis -analyzing data from sources or documents.
C. Observation-This may take place in natural settings and involve the
researcher taking lengthy and descriptive notes of what is happening.
(watching what people do) where researchers observe ongoing behavior. The
researcher participates actively in the conduct of research
•Structured -checklist as a data collection tool. •Unstructured-observing
things as they happen.
D. Questionnaire - the most commonly used instrument in research. A more
formal way of gathering facts, data, opinions through
well-constructed instruments with a very clear purpose, and directions.
•Structured -provides possible answers/ with choices
•Unstructured -does not provide options/ choices
E. Focus Group Discussion- six to eight persons participate in the
discussion because of the variety of depth of opinions, views,
and perspectives shared, this type of discussion is a very rich source of data.
DATA ANALYSIS AND PROCEDURES
Data Analysis According to Yin as cited by Bunsuceso, et.al. (2016)
data analysis consists of examining, categorizing, tabulating, or otherwise
recombining the evidence to address the initial prepositions of a study.
Some of the most commonly used approaches include:
• Systematics Analysis- In this procedure, the research analyst reads the
data, marks segments within a” code” a word or a phrase that suggests
how the associated data segments address the research objectives.
• Content Analysis - used to analyze and interpret verbal data, or
behavioral data. Content can be analyzed descriptively or
interpretatively.
• Narrative Analysis - used to analyze text that may come from a variety
of sources including transcripts from interviews, diaries, field notes,
surveys and other written forms. It is often involving reformulating
stories presented by people in a different context and based on their
different experiences.
• Discourse Analysis - a method of analyzing naturally-occurring spoken
interactions and written text and is concerned with the social context in
which the communication occurred.
• Grounded Theory - also called analytic induction. This is a method that
attempts to develop causal explanations of a phenomenon from one or
more cases being studied.
• Conversation Analysis - examines the use of language by people as a
type of action or skilled accomplishment. A key concept in this analysis
is the principle of people taking turns in conversation.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD DATA-COLLECTION INSTRUMENT
• concise but able to elicit the needed data
• seeks information that cannot be obtained from other sources
• questions are arranged in sequence (simple to complex)
• questions are arranged according to SOP (statement of the problem)
should pass the validity and reliability easily tabulated and interpreted