What Research is? 2. To UNDERSTAND better certain phenomena.

3. To APPLY specific knowledge in the field.

“Research is an inquiry-based activity that allows the researcher to read existing literature,
4. To IMPROVE something.
look for relevant data, interpret and analyze information then formulate questions and
5. To CONTRIBUTE to the body of knowledge.
recommendations.” (Jaca, C. n.d.)

According to Jaca, in conducting a research, one must keep these in mind: Types of Research According to their Purposes
1. Basic research- aims to provide additional information to the existing body of knowledge
1. Research is accurate. In conducting research, it takes careful analysis of the instruments in one’s discipline.
used in gathering data to in order to provide relevant and accurate information needed to 2. Applied research- aims to improve a product or a process to validate existing theories.
answer the research question. 3. Action research- aims to provide immediate solutions to existing problems on a limited
2. Research is systematic. There are specific steps that relate to a particular part of the area and on a very particular level.
research report that one needs to remember and follow. This means that a researcher must
organize his/her thoughts well, plans everything properly, and then follows procedures in General Types of Research:
every aspect of the research task to complete the research work. 1. Qualitative Research- deals with the description of a certain phenomenon. It focuses on
process.
3. Research is a careful investigation of a phenomenon. It observes specific procedures and 2. Quantitative Research- deals with the number of the occurrences, behavior and/or
follow certain procedures in looking into the details of phenomenon being observed in the reaction of the phenomenon being observed. It focuses on outcomes.
study. 3. Mix /combination
4. Research is a language activity that requires excellent oral and written communication
skills combined with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Research requires a lot of How do we do Research?
reading and re-reading of existing literature and consolidating information in order to relate To understand the research process, basic knowledge of the parts of a research paper is
them to the current research study. necessary. This is to ensure that in the conduct of research, the researcher understands that
documenting and writing information is expected.
5. Research is ethical. The conduct of research involves ethical considerations that must be
observed and followed. It is an attempt to improve a certain field without undermining the 1. Identify a Research Problem
dignity of the beneficiaries which understandably is the human person. Thus, research is 2. Formulate Research Objectives
undertaken to ensure that the human person as the recipient is integrally considered. 3. Read Related Literature and Theories
4. Design the Research Methodology
What Research is not A research is:
5. Collect, Analyze and Interpret Data
1. Not a mere collection of data.
6. Make Conclusions and Recommendations
2. Not about transferring information
7. Put everything into writing.
3. Not just reading about existing literature
4. Not just about following a template
Key Terms in Research (Jaca, C., n.d.)
5. Not just about writing the parts of a research paper.

Documentation is the system which formally acknowledged the sources you consult for
Why do we do research?
your research paper. Documentation includes all references ton resources within the text of
1. We want to KNOW more about a phenomenon.
your paper and to the full bibliographical entries at the end of your paper. It offers your
reader a way to retrace your steps as a researcher and writer of a research paper.

Paraphrase
Unlike a quotation (which repeats information exactly as it appears in the source), a
paraphrase repeats the information using different words and phrases, basically putting the
Quote/Quotation
“To quote” means to take information exactly as you found it on one of your sources and
place it into your paper. Quotation marks (““) are used primarily to identify quotations for
the reader, although sometimes they are placed around words or phrases to emphasize
them or show some kind of special meaning.

Source
A source is one of the materials you will find during your research which you will read for
information and will perhaps refer to in your paper. You will probably be asked to find at
least eight to ten sources to support your writing.
Types of sources: Books, journal articles, studies, TV, internet

Summary
Distinct from both quotation and paraphrase, a summary condenses information and
restates only its main ideas. A summary allows you to concentrate a lengthy discussion,
highlighting only the important points and omitting unimportant details which may cloud
your paper for you and your reader.

Plagiarism
This is one of the important considerations in conducting research. In writing the research
paper it requires some ethical considerations especially in acknowledging the sources of
information. Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s words or ideas without being
acknowledged. It occurs when a writer omits quotation marks when citing the exact
language of a source, fails to revise completely a paraphrased source, or gives no
documentation for a quotation or paraphrase.

Plagiarism is a crime, the theft of someone else’s words or ideas. If you use quotation,
paraphrase or summary and you do not provide proper documentation by giving the
source’s author credit for the information you have borrowed, you have committed an act
of plagiarism.