METHODS OF RESEARCH

Research is a systematic study in a field of knowledge, undertaken to discover or establish facts or principles. It is a systematic process of collecting and analyzing data to find an answer to a question or a solution to a problem, to validate or test an existing history.
Basically, there are 9 (nine) methods of research according to scientific purposes:
1. Historical research is a type of research that examines past events or combinations of events to arrive at an account of what has happened in the past.
2. Descriptive research is used to obtain information concerning the current status of the phenomenon to describe “what exists” with respect to the conditions in a given situation.
3. Developmental research investigates patterns and sequences of growth and or change as a function of time.
4. Case & Field research is a collaborative study of the intensity of the background, its current status and environmental interactions of a given social units – an individual group, institution or community.
5. Correlational research is a method of research in which a researcher compares one variable with another to determine if there is a relationship between them.
6. Causal-comparative research determines the cause or consequences of differences that already exist between or among a group of individuals. This method is also known as ex post facto a Latin words that mean "after the fact.
7. True Experimental research is used to investigate possible cause and effect relationship by exposing one or more experimental groups to one or more treatment conditions and comparing the results to one or more control groups not receiving the treatment. Subjects are randomly assigned to groups.
8. Quasi-Experimental research is used to approximate the conditions of the true experiments in a setting which does not allow the control and or manipulation of all relevant variables.
Historical research is the type of research that examines past events or combinations of events to arrive at an account of what has happened in the past. Historical research can show patterns that occurred in the past and over time which can help us to see where we came from and what kinds of solutions we have used in the past. We usually will see that what we do today is specifically rooted in the past. Understanding this can add perspective on how we examine current events and educational practices. It can also show us that we do not need to continually reinvent the wheel because we should always start with what history tells us.

The 5 characteristics of historical research are:
1. Dependable on the data observed by others than by the investigator
2. Rigorous and systematic
3. Dependable on the two kinds of date which are primary sources – author was a direct observer of the recorded event; and secondary sources – author is reporting the observations of others
4. Has two basic forms of criticism which weighs the value of the date – external criticism and internal criticism
5. Exhaustive approach – seeking information from larger array of sources

There are four steps involved in the conduct of historical research. These are:
1. Identification of the research problem or question.
2. Formulation of the research objectives and hypothesis.
3. Data collection or literature review
4. Reporting of findings, including a statement of the problem, a review of the source material, methods used to test the hypothesis, the findings, interpretation, conclusions and bibliography.

Descriptive Research is the systematic describing of the facts and characteristics of a given population or area of interest in a factual and accurate way. One of its characteristics is describing the situation or population in usually some kind of categorical scheme also known as descriptive categories. It Generally precedes explanatory research. The description is used for frequencies, averages and other statistical calculations. Often the best approach, prior to writing descriptive research, is to conduct a survey investigation.

The primary purposes of survey studies are to:
• Collect detailed factual information that describes existing phenomema
• Identify problems or justify current conditions and practices
• Make comparisons and evaluation
• Determine what others are doing with similar problems or situations and learn from their experience in making future plans and decisions

The four basic steps in conducting descriptive research are:
1. Definition of the objectives using clear and specific terms
2. Designing of approach
3. Data collection
4. Reporting of the results

Developmental research. By its purpose, developmental research is the investigation of patterns and sequence of growth and or change as a function of time. It focuses mainly on the study of variables and their development over a period of time. Its subjects are limited hence the bias on the longitudinal study which complicates the sampling problem.

The five basic procedures in conducting developmental research are:
1. Definition of the problem and objectives
2. Review of the literature in order to establish the baseline of existing information and comparing the research methodologies including instruments and data-collection techniques.
3. Designing of approach
4. Data collection
5. Evaluation of the data and reporting of the results

Case and field study research is intensive study of the background and environmental interaction of a given social unit, individual, group or community. It is useful as background information for planning investigation. It also provides useful anecdotes or examples to illustrate more generalized statistical findings. On the other hand, case studies are particularly vulnerable to subjective biases and are limited in their representative because of their narrow focus on a few units.

The five basic steps in case and field research are:
1. Statement of the objectives – the unit and characteristics of the study.
2. Designing of approach – basis of selection of units and sources of data
3. Data collection
4. Organization of the information in such a way that the unit of study is coherent and well integrated.
5. Reporting of the results of discussion of its significance.