There is a saying that “no two individuals are alike even identical twins are different.” Even if twins have the same sex, they differ in their personality, attitude, character, skills, abilities and values. This stems from the fact that individuals are different.

A variable research is defined as a quantity susceptible of fluctuation or change in value or magnitude under different conditions. Numerical values or categories represent these quantities.

Types of Variable

There are five types of variables. These are independent variables, dependent variable, moderator variable, control variable, an intervening variable.

1. Independent variable. This is the stimulus variable which is chosen by the research to determine its relationship to an observed phenomenon. For instants, an investigator wants to determine the effect of chicken dung (independent variable) upon the yield (dependent variable) of carrots planted in pots. He plants carrots in five pots with different treatments such as 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, and 7% of chicken dung as organic fertilizer. Chicken dung is the independent variable because it is the stimulus variable that is manipulated.

2. Dependent variable. This is the response variable which is observed and measures to determine the effect of the independent variable. It changes when the independent varies. For example, a research wishes to ascertain the effect of pellets upon the survival rate of prawn cultured in the fishpond. There are three rearing ponds with different treatments are 5%, 10% and 15% of pellets based on body weight of prawn. Survival rate is the dependent variable because it is the response variable and changes when the independent variable (pellets) varies.

In another example, a researcher wishes to determine the effect of academic rank professors, i.e., full professors, i.e., assistant professors, and observes their research performance. In this example, the dependent variable is research performance because it changes as a result of variation s in academic rank. If academic rank is high, what happens to research performance? If academic rank is low, what happens to research performance?

3. Moderator variable. This is a secondary or special type of independent variable chosen by the researcher to determine if it changes or modifies the relationships between the independent and dependent variables. For instance, if an investigator wishes to determine the effects of the independent variable A on the dependent variable B, but suspects that a third factor C changes or modifies the relationship between A and B, the C is considered as the moderator variable.

4. Control variable. This is a variable that is controlled by the investigator in which the effects of independent variable A on dependent variable B. He may control Z (control variable) because he cannot do many variables simultaneously. In other words, he may eliminate or remove D to neutralize the effects. Control variable will guarantee that it will not have a moderating effect on the relationship between A and B.

5. Intervening variable. This is a variable which interferes with the independent and dependent variables, but its effects can either strengthen or weaken the independent and dependent variables. For instance, a researcher wishes to determine how A (independent variable) will effect B (dependent variable). It is possible that F (intervening variable) might have an effect on B.

Suppose an investigator wishes to study the effect of pellets (5%, 10%, and 15%) as feed upon the survival rate of prawn cultured in the fishpond. Pellets (feed) are the independent variable. But it is possible that oxygen, salinity, temperature, and pH as intervening variables might have an effect on survival rate of prawn.

Another example is when a researcher wants the effect of lantay and hanging methods on the yield of Eucheuma cultured in Estancia Bay, Iloilo, Philippines. Lantay and hanging methods are independent variables and yield is the dependent variable. But it is possible that wave, salinity, temperature, oxygen, and pH as intervening variables might have an effect on the yield of Eucheuma.

As a third example, an investigator wishes to determine the effect of academic rank on the research achievement of professors. Academic rank is the independent variable and research achievement is the dependent variable. But it is possible that age, gender, civil status, experiences, socioeconomic status, values, and attitudes as intervening variables might have an effect on research performance.

The hypothesis

A hypothesis is defined as wise guess that is formulated and temporarily adopted to explain the observed facts covered by the study. A hypothesis guides the researcher in that describes the procedure to follow in conducting the study. Hypothesis is important for it tells me researcher what to do and how to go about solving a research problem. The investigator is in much better position if there are hypotheses to guide him on the kind of data to collect.

Types of Hypothesis

There are two types of hypothesis. These are null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis. These hypotheses are stated in declarative sentence form and are always based from the specific problems or objectives.

Null Hypothesis

The null hypothesis is a denial of an existence of a trait, characteristic, quality, value, correlation or difference of the results. Null hypothesis is always stated in negative form. In contrast, the alternative hypothesis is the opposite extreme of the null hypothesis because the former is stated in positive form. Alternative hypothesis is an affirmation of the existence of observed phenomena.

Alternative Hypothesis

Alternative Hypothesis is an affirmation of the existence of phenomena. It is always stated in affirmative form and is the opposite null hypothesis.

In a research paper, thesis, dissertation, and research project, either a problem or objective is used. It is not advisable to use both problem and objective in research paper, thesis, dissertation and research paper because each problem/objective of the study.

A research objective is defined as statement of purpose for which the investigation is to be conducted.The research objectives are a statement of purpose because this is to guide to be accomplished by the researcher in conducting his research project. Research objectives have the same characteristics, SMART, with research problem.

Similarly, the research objectives are stated specifically in simple language in order that the investigator finds them easy to measure by using research apparatus (i.e., refractometer or salinometer, DO meter thermometer, Ph METER AND OTHERS) or instruments )i.e., questionnaire test, checklist, raiting scale, interview) in gathering data and these data are achieved when correct statistical tools are used to arrive at real results (not maneuvered), but for every activity  to
be done , time frame is required because the shorter the completion of the activity, the better.

2. Innovative.  For instance the study is “Utilization and Commercialization of fish bone meal from Offal of Boneless Milkfish into luncheon Meat”. This study is new, original, and unique from it is the 1st of it’s kind in the world that offal of boneless milkfish which only pollutes the environment when thrown  are utilized into fish value added products, like luncheon meat. The product is salable and profitable, and contributes to the economic development of the country.

3. Cost effective. A good research problem should be economical and effective in solving the needs and problem of the society: it should also augment socioeconomic and health  conditions of the people and many others. The Invest and Harvest s or gains money from research output. In other words, a research output has return of investments (ROI). Moreso, it is nutritiously good for the health of the people. For example, the research output of milkfish luncheon meat is commercialized and is salable, profitable, economical, and with high turn of investments. Moreso, it contains protein and calcium. Protein is used to build and repair worn out tissues of the body, Calcium prevents osteoporosis (bone decay) and dental caries (tooth decay).

4. Relevant to the needs and problems of the people. Researches must keep in mind that they conduct research not for their personal aggrandizement but to solve the needs and problems of the people. A good research problem responds to the needs and problems of the people.

An example of a research project to respond to the foregoing need and problem of the people is “Utilization and Commercialization Of burger from offal to boneless milkfish and canned bones, dorsal fin, and flesh scrap as well  as canned tuna wastes such as backbone, head, trail, rib bones, and flesh scrap are utilized into burger.
Housewives, rural folks, fisher folks, out of school youths, jobless adults, and unemployed graduates should put up live hood projects on milkfish burger and tuna burger, thus, augment their income, alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life. Food security can also be attained.

5. Relevant to government thrusts. A research problem must respond to the government thrusts.

For instance, government’s thrust is on “waste management” or “WAR WASTES”. An investigator will conduct a study to fight against wastes. An example of a research problem on “war wastes” is utilization of fish wastes from goatfish tapa, canned sardines, and boneless siganid into sausage.” By so doing fish has “zero wastes.”

Another example on war wastes is Utilization of garbage into fertilizer. Hence, utilization of garbage into fertilizer respond to the government thrust. Likewise, TRASH TURNS TO CASH.

6. Measurable and time bound. A good research problem is measurable by using research instruments, apparatus or equipment, as well as statistical tools to arrive at scientific and meaningful results.

A good research project can be completed within a time frame stated. The shorter can the completion of the project, the better.

The sources of research problems are specialization of the researcher, current and past researchers, recommendation from theses, dissertations, and research journals, and original and creative ideas from the researcher based on the problems met in the locality and country.

1. Specialization of the researcher.
Specialization of the researcher is an impetus towards research. If the researcher’s forte is Fish Processing, he may investigate to determine the acceptability and nutritive values of fish value- added products from offal of boneless milkfish, goatfish tapa. Canned sardines. Canned tuna and boneless siganid. If the products are acceptable and nutritious, he recommends to the consumers through advertisement in radio and television that fish value-added products from offal boneless milkfish, goatfish tapa. Canned sardines, canned tuna and boneless siganid are acceptable and nutritious. Likewise the researcher disseminates also the information through technology transfer like outreach activities to housewives, rural folks, out of school youths, and unemployed graduates in order that these individuals can avail of these technologies and make them live hood projects hence , augment their income, alleviate poverty, and improve their quality of life.

On other hand, if English is the field of specialization of the researcher and wishes to improve his method of teaching
using his method of teaching English, thus, he conducts a study on teaching of English using a different methods too high and low achievers. If significant difference exists on the achievements of high and low achievers he may use the
best method of teaching English that is most effective to both high and low achievers.

2. Current and Past Researches. Current and past researches are rich sources of research problems even for research
replication by using the same instrument, apparatus or equipment. But for descriptive research, the instrument such as questionnaires or tests is administered to different groups of subject and areas in order to compare the similarities and difference of the findings.

3. Recommendations for theses, dissertations, and research journals. The researcher of the said thesis, dissertations and research journals recommend for future researches to be conducted as sources also of research problem.

4. Original and Creative ideas of the researcher based on the problems in the locality and country. For
instance, the problems met in the locality and country are fished bone meal as offal fishery products for export such as boneless milk and tilapia fillet are thrown here and there which pollute the environment . Through original and creative ideas of the researcher of these problems , he conducts as study on the utilization and commercialization of this fish
wastes.

Specific. The problem should be specifically stated. For instance. Euchema cultured in municipal waters of estancia, Iloilo, Philippines using lantay and hanging methods?
For descriptive research, “What is the mean growth increment of Euchema cultured in municipal waters of Estancia, Iloilo, Philippines using Lantay and hanging methods?

Measurable. It is easy to measure by using research instruments, apparatus o r equipments. For example, in experimental research , the equipment and apparatus used in collecting data on the cultivation of Euchema using Lantay and hanging methods are weighing scale to get the weight of seaweed: refractometer, salinity of water : thermometer,
temperature of water: DO meter , dissolved oxygen of water, and pH meter, acidity of water.
For descriptive research, the instruments used in gathering of data are questionnaires, tests, checklists, and many others.

Achievable.  The data are achievable using correct statistical tool used in this specific problem “ Is there a significant
difference on the mean growth  increment of Euchema using lantay and hanging, is better. If no- significant difference existed, this means the mean growth increment of Euchema using lantay and hanging methods are almost the same.

Realistic. Real results are attained because they are gathered scientifically and not manipulated or maneuvered.

Time bound. Time frame is required in every activity because the shorter completion of the activity , the better.

It is a must that thesis/dissertation writers and neophyte researches should know how to choose a researchable problem, formulate specific problems and objectives. They should also see that even simple questions are research problems stated in interrogative forms. Moreover, they should see the difference between research objectives and instructional objectives.

The Research Problem

There are five factors to consider determining whether that a problem is researchable or not. These factors are as follows: the problem is existing in the locality or country but no known solution to the problem; the solution can be answered by using statistical methods and techniques; there are probable solutions but they are not yet tested; the occurrence of phenomena requires scientific investigation to arrive at precise solution;  and serious needs/problems of the people where it demands research.

Based on the foregoing factors, the investigator can choose a researchable problem. The research must be stated vividly and explicitly expressed in interrogative form for “questions have the virtue of posing a problem directly.”

A good research problem should respond to the economic recovery of the country wherein the research output can be converted into small and medium enterprises (SMEs) . Descriptive research is held in abeyance in developing country, like the Philippines, because the budget is exhausted due to no return of investment (ROI) at all. Research should focus on INVEST-HARVEST principle. That is, if a researcher invests or spends money in research, he harvests or gains money. By so doing, the budget is not exhausted and the profit can contribute to the economic recovery of the country in the form of tax because the researcher/ entrepreneurs pays his taxes.

For example, an experimental research problem with return of investment is “Utilization and Commercialization Of Fish Bone Meal as Offal of Boneless Milkfish, Goatfish Tapa, and Tilapia Fillet into Luncheon Meat.” The specific
problems are as follows:

1. What is the acceptability of the quality attributes of fish bone meal as offal of boneless milkfish, goatfish tapa, and tilapia fillet into luncheon meat?
2. What is the gross sales and profit of luncheon meat from bone meal and with highest return in investment
3. Which of the products is most acceptable, salable, profitable, and with highest return of investment?
4. Is there a significant difference on the acceptability of the quality attributes of these product?
5. What is the percentage of protein and calcium contents of fish luncheon meat from bone meal of milkfish, goatfish, and tilapia?

Another example of experimental research problem wherein the research output can be converted into small and medium enterprises based on the results of the study is “Cultivation of Eucheuma Using Lantay and Hanging Methods in Municipal Waters of estancia, Iloilo, Philippines.” The specific problems are as follows.

1. What is the mean growth increment of Euchema cultured in municipal waters of Estancia, Iloilo, Philippines using lantay and hanging methods?
2. Which of the two methods, lantay or hanging is more effective in cultivation of Euchema?
3. Is there a significant difference on the mean growth increment of Euchema cultured in municipal waters of Estancia, Iloilo, Philippines using lantay and hanging methods?

Another example of experimental research is “Yield of Tomatoes Planted in Pots Using night Soil and chicken. Dung as Fertilizers.” This study is applicable in urban areas wherein there is no enough space to plant. The specific problems are as follows:

1. What is the yield of tomatoes planted in pots using night soil and chicken dung as fertilizers?
2. Which of the fertilizers, night soil or chicken dung, is more effective in planting tomatoes in pot?
3. Is there a significant difference on the yield of tomatoes planted in pots using night soil and chicken dung?

An example of descriptive research problem: The major problem is “Achievement and Nutritional Intake of Teacher Education Students Who Reside at Home and Boarding Houses.” The specific problems are as follows:

1. What is the achievement and nutritional intake of teacher education students who reside at home and boarding houses?
2. Which of the teacher education students, residing at home boarding houses, have higher achievement?
3. Is there a significant difference on the achievement and nutritional intake of teacher education students who reside at home and boarding houses?

Another examples of descriptive research problem is “Educational Qualification and Performance of Teachers in the city and Province of Iloilo, Philippines,” The specific problems are as follows:

1. What is the mean educational qualification of teachers in the city and province of Iloilo, Philippines?
2. What is mean performance of the teachers in the city and province of Iloilo, Philippines?
3. Is there a significant difference on the educational qualification and performance of teachers in the city and province
of Iloilo, Philippines when they are classified as to age, gender, civil status, experience, and academic rank?

There is a saying that “no two individuals are alike even identical twins are different.” Even if twins have the same sex, they differ in their personality, attitude, character, skills, abilities and values. This stems from the fact that individuals are different.

A variable is defined as a quantity susceptible of fluctuation or change in value or magnitude under different conditions. Numerical values or categories represent these quantities.

Types of Variable

There are five types of variables. These are independent variables, dependent variable, moderator variable, control variable, an intervening variable.

1. Independent variable. This is the stimulus variable which is chosen by the research to determine its relationship to an observed phenomenon. For instants, an investigator wants to determine the effect of chicken dung (independent variable) upon the yield (dependent variable) of carrots planted in pots. He plants carrots in five pots with different treatments such as 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, and 7% of chicken dung as organic fertilizer. Chicken dung is the independent variable because it is the stimulus variable that is manipulated.

2. Dependent variable. This is the response variable which is observed and measures to determine the effect of the independent variable. It changes when the independent varies. For example, a research wishes to ascertain the effect of pellets upon the survival rate of prawn cultured in the fishpond. There are three rearing ponds with different treatments are 5%, 10% and 15% of pellets based on body weight of prawn. Survival rate is the dependent variable because it is the response variable and changes when the independent variable (pellets) varies.

In another example, a researcher wishes to determine the effect of academic rank professors, i.e., full professors, i.e., assistant professors, and observes their research performance. In this example, the dependent variable is research performance because it changes as a result of variation s in academic rank. If academic rank is high, what happens to research performance? If academic rank is low, what happens to research performance?

3. Moderator variable. This is a secondary or special type of independent variable chosen by the researcher to determine if it changes or modifies the relationships between the independent and dependent variables. For instance, if an investigator wishes to determine the effects of the independent variable A on the dependent variable B, but suspects that a third factor C changes or modifies the relationship between A and B, the C is considered as the moderator variable.

4. Control variable. This is a variable that is controlled by the investigator in which the effects of independent variable A on dependent variable B. He may control Z (control variable) because he cannot do many variables simultaneously. In other words, he may eliminate or remove D to neutralize the effects. Control variable will guarantee that it will not have a moderating effect on the relationship between A and B.

5. Intervening variable. This is a variable which interferes with the independent and dependent variables, but its effects can either strengthen or weaken the independent and dependent variables. For instance, a researcher wishes to determine how A (independent variable) will effect B (dependent variable). It is possible that F (intervening variable) might have an effect on B.

Suppose an investigator wishes to study the effect of pellets (5%, 10%, and 15%) as feed upon the survival rate of prawn cultured in the fishpond. Pellets (feed) are the independent variable. But it is possible that oxygen, salinity, temperature, and pH as intervening variables might have an effect on survival rate of prawn.

Another example is when a researcher wants the effect of lantay and hanging methods on the yield of Eucheuma cultured in Estancia Bay, Iloilo, Philippines. Lantay and hanging methods are independent variables and yield is the dependent variable. But it is possible that wave, salinity, temperature, oxygen, and pH as intervening variables might have an effect on the yield of Eucheuma.

As a third example, an investigator wishes to determine the effect of academic rank on the research achievement of professors. Academic rank is the independent variable and research achievement is the dependent variable. But it is possible that age, gender, civil status, experiences, socioeconomic status, values, and attitudes as intervening variables might have an effect on research performance.

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.

1. Basic research.” This is also called as “fundamental research” or “pure research.” It seeks to discover basic truths or principles. It is intended to add to the body of scientific knowledge by exploring the unknown to extend the boundaries of knowledge as well as to discover new facts, and learn more accurately the characteristics of known without any particular thought as to immediate practical utility. In other words, the results of basic research in theoretical knowledge have no immediate usefulness or value to man. Some examples of basic researches are as follows:

• Boyle’s law. Robert Boyle’s law states that “If the temperature remains constant, the volume of a confined gas is inversely proportional to the pressure.”
• Charles’ Law. Jacques Charles’ Law states that “The volume of a dry gas is directly proportional to the Kelvin temperature, provided the pressure remains constant.”
• Archimedes principle. Aristotle Archimedes discovered what is known as Archimedes Law of Buoyancy. He stated that “An object in a liquid will experience a buoyant force just equal to the weight of the liquid displaced.” He extended his principle further as “An object with float if the buoyant force of the earth for the object.”
• Hooke’s Law. Robert Hooke’s law states that “Within the limit of perfect elasticity, strain is directly proportional to stress.”
• Newton’s Law. Isaac Newton conducted pure research known as Newton’s Law of motion which states that “A body at rest remains at rest and a body in motion will continue to move with the same velocity in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force.”

2. Applied research. This type of research involves seeking new applications of scientific knowledge to the solution of a problem, such as the development of a new system or produce, new device, or new method in order to solve the problem. In other words, applied research produces knowledge of practical use to man. For instance, fish wastes pollution problem. Fish bone meal as wastes or offal of boneless milkfish, goatfish tapa, tilapia fillet, boneless siganid, canned sardines, canned tuna, and many others are great problems in the community. The people in the community always smell putrid odor which is unhealthful. To solve this problem, utilization and commercialization of fish bone meals as offal of boneless milkfish, goatfish, tapa, canned sardines, canned tuna and many others into fish value-added products are conducted. Hence, fish wastes utilization is applied research because a new method and new procedure are applied to solve into food items.
Another problem is gas shortage. To solve this problem, research on the production of gas is conducted to roll back the prices of oil.

3. Developmental research. This is a decision-oriented research involving the application of the steps of the scientific method in response to an immediate need to improve existing practices. This process involves practitioners who study a certain problem in vivo and from such experience draw their decisions and development as well as evaluation. In other words, if a researcher continues to find practical applications from theoretical knowledge and use this existing knowledge to produce useful products it is called development research. Research and development (R and D) often refers to activities in this field performed or sponsored by funding agencies. For instance, the culture of seaweeds, particular Eucheuma using staking method has existed in a particular locality. This can be improved by using lantay method.