Classification of Research

Research is classified into library research, field research, and laboratory research.

1. Library research. This is done in the library where answers to specific questions or problems of the study are available. The historical method of research lends itself to library research because the study is focused on the past and much of the secondary sources are found in the library. Some of the historical evidence may, of course, be from archeological findings.
Field and laboratory researches also make use of the library researches but the answers to certain problems are not available in the library. The data are gathered through survey or experimentation.

2. Field research. Here, research is conducted in a natural setting. No changes in the environment are made. Field research using the experimental method is the “Cultivation of Eucheuma Using Lantay and Staking Methods in Estancia Bay, Iloilo, Philippines.” In this study, Eucheuma is cultured in the natural environment. All things are made equal except on the methods used in cultivation. T-test is used to determine the significant difference on the mean weight of Euchema using lantay and staking methods.
Another example of field research is — “Cultivation of Oyster (Ostrea iredalei) in Carigara Bay, Leyte, Philippines using Hanging and Bamboo Raft Methods.” In this study, oyster (O.iredalei) is cultured in a natural environment. All things are held constant except on the methods used in cultivation. T-test is used to test the significant mean difference on the weight of oyster using hanging and bamboo raft methods.

3. Laboratory research. The research is conducted in artificial or controlled conditions by isolating the study in a thoroughly specified and equipped are. The purposes are: (1) to test hypotheses derived from theory, (2) to control variance under research conditions, and (3) to discover the relations between the dependent and independent variables.

Laboratory research is applicable to experimental, descriptive, and case study methods. An example of laboratory research using the experimental method is “Cultivation of Blue Crab (Neptunus pelagicus) in Aquaria Using Pellets and Bread Meal as Feeds.” The researcher used six aquaria for three replications each. Three aquaria for cultivation of blue crab using pellets and brad meal as feeds.

Another example of laboratory research is — “Effectiveness of Teaching Mathematics Using Conventional and Modern Methods.” The researcher who should be a Mathematics teacher should choose his subjects of the study with almost the same mental ability in both conventional and modern methods. Test is the instrument used in gathering data in this study. All things are made equal except the method used. T-test is used to test the significant mean difference of the scores of students in conventional and modern methods of teaching Mathematics.