Meaning and Characteristics of Research

Meaning of Research

Research is defined as the scientific investigation of phenomena which includes collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of facts that links an individual’s speculation with reality. In other words, research is the systematic study of trend or event which involves careful collections, presentation, analysis and interpretation of quantitative data or
facts that relates man’s thinking with reality.

Characteristics of Research

There are seven characteristics of research. These are (1) empirical, (2) logical, (3) cyclical, (4) analytical, (5) critical, (6) methodical, and (7) replicability.

1. Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher. The collection of data relies on practical experience without giving consideration to scientific knowledge or theory.

2. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles. Scientific study is done in an orderly manner so that the investigator has confidence on the results. Systematic examination of the procedures used in the research enables the investigator to draw valid conclusions. Thus, the logic of valid research makes it important for decision making. For instance, the study is “Weight-Length Relationship of Prawn Cultured in Fishpond Using Pellets and Bread Meal as Feeds.” If the correlation value obtained is 0.91, very high relationship, then the researcher can draw valid conclusion that the heavier the weight of prawn, the longer is the length or as the weight increases, the length also increases.

Another example, if the study is “Academic Achievement of Senior Teacher Education Students in Public and Private Universities in Region 6 (Western Visayas).” If the results showed no significant difference on the academic achievement of senior teacher education students in public and private universities really differ with each other. One is better than the other; either students from public or private universities have better academic achievement. Thus, research is logical.

3. Cyclical. Research is a cycle process because it starts with a problem and ends with a problem. For instance, an investigator who completes his study states his findings and draws up his conclusions and recommendations. In his recommendations, several studies may be conducted, hence, research is cyclical. For example, his study is “Luncheon Meat from Bone Meal of Milkfish and Goatfish as Offal of Boneless Milkfish and Goatfish Tapa”. His recommendations are follows:

• Another study on utilization of bone meal from siganid and sardines as offal of boneless siganid and canned sardines should be conducted;
• Nutritive values of luncheon meat from bone meal of milkfish and goatfish should be conducted;
• Another study should be conducted on commercial and fish bone meal luncheon meat;
• Utilization and commercialization of fish bone meal luncheon meat and its shelf-life should be conducted and many others. From these recommendations, there are four possible researches to be conducted, hence,
  research, is cyclical.

4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data, whether historical, descriptive, experimental, and case study. In historical research, the data gathered focus in the past; in descriptive research, the study focuses on the present situation; experimental, future; and case study, past, present, and future.

• Descriptive research is most common among the four research designs conducted by graduate students. Experimental research is seldom applied by graduate students due to time consuming. But this design is encouraged to be conducted by experts in research. Due to the expected return of investment (ROI), the research budget must not be exhausted. In other words, INVEST-HARVEST principle is applied. If a researcher invests or spends money in research, he has to harvest or gain money to have return of investment. Commercialization of research output must be done by the researcher.
• However, historical research is least conducted by researchers, but case study method is commonly conducted by guidance counselors.

5. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment. A higher level of confidence must be established. For instance, 1.0 percent or 5.0 percent level of confidence may be scientifically utilized to test the research hypothesis. Based on these levels of confidence, the investigator is confidently precise in his interpretations on whether to reject or accept the null hypothesis.

6. Methodical. Research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using systematic method and procedures. For instance, if the researcher’s study is experimental research with two variables, control and experimental groups or two experimental groups, hence, he uses two-group design; if three or more variables, parallel-group design.

• If the study is — “The Effectiveness of Teaching English to Grade Three Pupils Using Rhetoric and Content-Based Approaches,” two-group design is appropriate because there are two variables, namely, rhetoric approach and content-based approach. And the most appropriate statistical tool to be
  used is t-test because t-test is applicable to bivariate experimental design.
• If the study has three or more variables, for instance, “Acceptability, Salability, Profitability and Nutritive Values of Luncheon Meat from Bone Meal of Milkfish, Goatfish, Siganid, and Sardines,” parallel-group design is appropriate because there are four variables. These variables are bone meal luncheon meat from milkfish, goatfish, siganid, and sardines. F-test or analysis of variance is the appropriate statistical tool used because this is applicable to multivariate experimental design. Hence, research is methodical.

7.Replicability. The research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results. Similarities and differences of replicated researches can be compared. The more replications of researches, the more valid and conclusive results would be. Replicability of the study means using the same instrument, method, and procedure but to different subjects and venue. For instance, if the subjects of the previous study were grade three pupils in public schools in Metro Manila, but the subjects of the present study is different, it can be
grade three pupils from public from public schools in Iloilo City.