UNIT I: INTRODUCTION

A. Learning Objectives
At the end of the unit, the students must have:
1. Compared science and common sense and discussed the importance of research as a scientific method.
2. Defined science and research
3. Identify the types and classification of research and different research methods and approaches.
4. Appreciated the meaning, purpose, value and role of research.

B. Activate: How do We Know Things around Us?

Asking the question: "how do we know things around us?” seems immaterial. By just using our
senses, we are able to recognize and acquire knowledge on things we would like to know. Actually,
there are countless "mysteries" or unknown things that surround us.

C. Acquire:

Lesson 1: Science and Common Sense

These are the things we continue to uncover as we search for more truths through various reliable
processes. But knowing these processes can actually lead us to better ways of acquiring reliable
knowledge and enhance our understanding of our surroundings. The information that comes into our
awareness can be known through 1) sensory experiences, 2) agreement with others, 3) expert opinion,
4) logic, and 5) scientific processes (Fraenkel and Wallen, 1998; Gregorio, 2000). Let us explain briefly
these modes of acquiring information.

Sensory experience. Using our sensory organs for tasting, hearing touching, seeing, and
smelling, we are able to know things around us, these constitute our sensory experiences which build up
through time. Though this way of learning seems realistic and satisfactory, it has a lot of flaws concerning
the reliability and validity of information obtained. Among others, these include:
1. The information is very relative.
2. The information may not be reliable or valid.
3. The information may not indicate magnitude - quantity or quality.
4. The information may not be complete or adequate as desired.
5. Information from our senses necessarily requires other sources for supplementation, amplification,
verification or validation.

Agreement with others. Being a social being, we all live in association with others. By this sort, we
talk and confer with our peers revealing our state of life and problems sometimes. An agreement of a
number of persons is not a guarantee that the information is correct. That is, a majority of opinions cannot
be right all the time. A more systematic and accurate way of finding it out is necessary.

Expert opinion. When we are confronted with issues or problems, we often think of a person
whom we consider as an authority. If our animals get sick we think of veterinarians; if we wished our fruits
would last longer in storage, we think of a post-harvest specialist maybe. Expertise which is usually earned
through experience cannot be relied because situations or conditions also vary relative to time and place of
occurrence.

Logic is basically using common sense. This way of knowing things brought about through logical
reasoning and judicious use of judgment.
Logic which uses argument and reason arriving to a generalization may not be correct at all times.
Scientific way. The most reliable and verifiable information one can get is obtained through the so-
called scientific way which involve more rigorous and systematic processes done to produce new and
verifiable information.

What Science Means?

It is a systematically arranged body of knowledge as in various known disciplines (biology,
climatology, agronomy). It is also a term referring to refined procedures of conducting formal inquiries to
discover new knowledge or seek explanations to an unknown phenomenon; a method which tries to
explore and find sensible solution to pressing problems we met in the home, in the society, in the farm and
everywhere.
In research, science is used as a method or procedure employed to verify and produce new
knowledge of interest to the investigator.

Science as a Method
The term systematic implies that science employs a well-planned step by-step procedure in
conducting an inquiry to achieve desirable results.
Empirical investigation means actual observation or experimentation guided by well-planned
procedures, practical experience, and existing knowledge as basis. Empirical data are observations directly
obtained from field experiments involving actual collection, consolidation, analyses and interpretation of
data.
The term unbiased is closely synonymous to the term objective which denotes impartiality, non-
prejudicial, and absence of personal beliefs, preference or inclination. A researcher who is unbiased in his
work avoids personal beliefs but accepts product of pursuits that have scientific basis.
Accurate is a term which indicates an effort to eliminate or minimize errors and flaws in a scientific
activity. Accuracy implies a deliberate attempt to be precise and exact.
Critical is a term describing an activity involving analytical thinking and requires thorough
evaluation before coming to a conclusion.
The term analytical implies that in scientific work, we need to examine our subject of interest part
by part, section by section or component by component.

Lesson 2: Research as a Scientific Method

Science is defined as a systematized body of knowledge (Webster, 1984). Research as a scientific
method, involves a systematic way of gaining knowledge or the process of testing ideas (hunches,
guesses, or hypotheses) to see to if an idea holds true in a given situation or under controlled conditions.
This is the scientific way of knowing things. The definition given to science earlier suggests what
scientific method is described as objective, accurate, systematic, analytical, and determinate. According to
Bhattacherjee (2012), this method employs standardized procedures aimed at building scientific
knowledge. It has three major concerns namely: 1) generation of valid information, 2) adequate
interpretation of results, and 3) making valid conclusions out of the results.
As a scientific method, research involves the following steps:
1. Identification of a problem
2. Formulation of hypotheses
3. Data collection
4. Data analysis
5. Drawing of conclusions research.

Lesson 3: Nature, Types and Classification of Research

What Is Research?
Research is a French word Cerchier which means to try to find, to seek or to search for. The prefix
re means to repeat or "do it again." In common usage, research is understood as a method or process
seeking to discover, find out and explain phenomena that are not fully understood or something that is not
known. In the scientific community, it is an activity characterized as a diligent, unbiased, and exhaustive
inquiry of a particular event or other subjects of interest to the investigator. Its primary aim is to increase
knowledge and advance the frontier of science. Research may be scientific or non-scientific. When
research employs the process and procedures of the Scientific Method such is scientific, and non-scientific,
if otherwise.
Research is defined as a careful, systematic study in a field of knowledge that is undertaken to
discover or establish facts or principles (Webster, 1984). It is also defined as 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 theory.

Aims of Research
Research is conducted to attain.one or more of the following major aims:
1. To serve as a tool in the continued search for more knowledge to enrich science, and satisfy
human curiosity.
2. To enhance greater understanding of human behavior, environment, and their relationships and
interactions.
3. To generate and develop more efficient technologies and innovation essential for socio-economic
and technological development and improvement.
4. To test, verify, modify or evaluate new and existing technologies and innovations in the biological
fields such as in agriculture, fishery and forestry, the environment as well as industries.
5. To test hypotheses for their validity and tenacity.

Characteristics of Research
 Characteristics of research as described by Best, et al. (1989).
1. Problem-solving Activity
Every research activity begins with a problem, so to speak. There is no doubt then that research is
done primarily to provide solution to a particular problem. After a planned inquiry is conducted, it is
expected that this inquiry would bring forth new or updated knowledge.

2. Development of New Principles and Generalizations

Generalizations that lead to the formation of principles and new theories are inherent outputs of
research work. Establishing new or validating existing relationships in nature can be done by this
activity.

3. Done Through Empirical Observation

Research is basically done by employing an actual conduct of inquiries primarily to secure first-
hand experiences and generate empirical evidence to support or nullify a hypothesis or a particular
claim of knowledge.

4. Requires Expertise and Resources

Research is an intellectual activity which indispensably requires long exposures, relevant
experiences and expertise of workers.. Research is also resource oriented; it requires material and
financial resources for its smooth and successful implementation. Research is an "unhurried" activity
that requires time and in most cases allows no "short-cuts" to enable us to do enough field observation.

5. Systematic and Well-planned Activity

Research as an activity requires adequate planning. Activities and observations need to be
carefully recorded, analyzed, interpreted, and reported.

6. Needs a Virtuous Worker

Aside from an adequate knowledge of the subject under study and exposure to research work, the
nature of this activity requires a number of virtues and desirable traits like creativity, honesty, patience,
determination, industry, courage, stamina, resourcefulness, openness, critical thinking, positive attitude,
and the like.
7. Requires Validation and Testing
Research must be exhaustive, objective and accurate. It requires appropriate statistical tests and
analyses to ascertain that the observations collected and conclusions reached are valid, accurate and
precise.

Classification of Research
Librero (1985) as cited by Gregorio (2000) classified basic types of research and categorized them
according to purpose and methods for which the research is conducted.

According to Purpose
1. Basic or pure research, which as the name suggests, is the starting point in the search for new
knowledge. It is a kind of research done for knowledge-sake involving general and abstract
 questions (Popoola, 2008) or involving investigation of underlying phenomena of observable facts
(Afolabi, 2010).

2. Applied research mainly concerned with the practical application of what has already been
discovered, developed, documented or theorized (Afolabi, 2010). Applied research is conducted
under field or outdoor conditions.

3. Action research is primarily concerned with the production of results for immediate utilization or
application to address an existing problem. It improves methods and practices and generates
technologies for application to specific technological situations.

According to Methods
1. Historical research it basically intends to document and describe past events. It investigates
records, analyzes and interprets events and conditions of the past to explore some concepts and
generalizations to better explain and interpret present situations.

2. Descriptive research intends to describe present conditions, that is, it describes and documents
events that are presently occurring. Descriptive research answers the question "what is?” (who,
when, where, an how).
Example of research topics.
 The management style of campus administrator in ISAT U system.
 The allelopathic effect of gmelina.
 Production practices of farmers in Leon.

3. By nature, experimental research (intervention) aims to find out what occurrences would come
about if certain variables are modified or changed or when an intervention is provided. Example, on
a study "effect of water salinity on the growth of oysters," the researcher controls what amount and
intensity water salinity should be provided to the experimental organism.

The immediate aim of experimental research is to observe whether the intervention has an effect on
the experimental subject. It seeks to determine and establish "cause and effect relationship" among the
variables being studied. Experimental research is the method of research used in the conduct of natural
and biological science experiments. Example of research problem.
 Organic Fertilizers and Biofertilizers to Improve Growth, Yield and Nutrient Quality of Soybean
(Glycine max L.)
 Response of Pechay (Brassica napus L.) to Different Levels of Compost Fertilizer
 The Effect of Botanical Pesticide Extract Addition on the Nutrient Release of Fertilizer from Poultry
Manure

Qualitative vs Quantitative Research Approach

Some writers also classify research on the basis of the kind of data that would be gathered. These
are the qualitative and the quantitative research. This kind of classification is often noted in the social
sciences and is seldom mentioned in the natural and biological sciences. Knowingly or otherwise, however,
researchers usually employ these two approaches together in combination in the conduct of field
experiments to produce both qualitative and quantitative information.

The term qualitative research method simply means that the researcher will collect qualitative
instead of numerical data from his study. In quantitative research, the data are expressed in quantities or
numerical terms which can be statistically analyzed (Best and Kahn, 1989) Plant height or weight, crop
yields, gain in weight of animals, and others, are more conveniently expressed in numerical values rather
than as quality.

Quantitative Research. This type of research seeks to quantify or reflect in numbers the
observations on the characteristics of the population being studied. It measures the number of respondents
or objects possessing a particular characteristic.
Example of quantitative research topics.
 The Impact of El Nino on Rice Production in the Philippines
 Performance of Green Amaranth (Amaranthushybridus) As Influenced by Poultry Manure and Inorganic
Nitrogen Rate.
 The Socioeconomic Profile of Tomato Farmers in the Municipality of Leon.

Qualitative Research. This type of research emphasizes verbal descriptions and explanations of
human behavior and practices in an attempt to understand how the units or members of the study
experience or explain their own world. To gather population information, the researcher makes use of one
or a combination of the participant observation, key informant techniques: following interview, focus group
discussion, direct observation, and in-depth analysis of a single case. Example of quantitative research
topics.
 Postharvest quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) varieties grown under greenhouse and open
field conditions
 Meat Quality Evaluation of Minimally Aged Broiler Breast Fillets from Five Commercial Genetic Strains
 Menopause: Women’s Perceptions and Experiences

Research Methods

There are various research methods which one can use to study a problem (Mercado, 1994).
1. Experimental Method. The experimental method is used to determine the effectiveness of a treatment
or an intervention or the "cause and effect" relationship of certain phenomena under controlled
condition. Among the different research methods, the experimental method yields the most conclusive
research findings.

2. Survey method. The survey method obtains data to determine specific characteristics of a group. The
purpose of a survey is to get a general picture of the characteristics of a study population at a particular
time. The use of the survey approach is appropriate for most descriptive and correlation studies.

3. Historical Method. The historical approach is used to determine the growth and development of a
group, organization or institution. The description is based on information about some past aspects of
the group, organization or institution.
4. Content Analysis is usually used when the intention of the researcher is to ascertain the quality of
message or information found in a document or in mass media.

Development or Technological Research

Development or technological research is another method of study which is very seldom seen in
existing literatures. This approach of studying things has obviously emerged with the "birth" of the so-called
R&D which means Research and Development now commonly used by research organizations worldwide.
Primarily concerned not on the generation of new knowledge but more on the utilization of research-based
data and information aimed at producing or innovating newer and more improved products, practices and
technologies.

The Value of Research

Educators, health service providers, entrepreneurs, managers, policy makers, counselors,
administrators, teachers and students, need information to make decisions, or to perform their functions
more effectively.
As a decision-maker, a manager and administrator needs accurate information before selecting a
course of action. When several options are available, data about the options can help the decision-maker in
selecting the best or the better alternative that will yield a better outcome.
Research has several functions.
1. It helps us answer questions, solve problems and make decisions.
2. It enables us to see and understand how and why a situation or a problem exists.
3. It helps us discover new things and ideas.
4. It allows us to validate existing theories or generate new ones.
5. It helps us identify and understand the causes and effects of a situation or a phenomenon.

The Role of Research in Improving Our Quality of Life

Through research, new knowledge or technology is discovered. New knowledge can result in
development or improvement of skills, behavior or practices, while newly discovered or developed
technology can lead to the development of new tools or devices. Improved skills, behavior or practices can
lead to better conditions and better quality of life. Moreover, new or improved tools or strategies can result
in improved performance and/or better service delivery, which contribute to the improvement of man's living
conditions and quality of life.

The Role of Research in Development

Development projects/programs are designed to improve the welfare of man. There are
development projects in education, health, housing, employment, business, agriculture, etc. The
development process involves planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. In each stage of
development, research plays an important role (Mercado, 1994).
 Research is needed in describing and analyzing existing social or economic problems or conditions.
 Research data are important inputs to planning and in designing a program/project/activity intended
to address an existing problem.
 Data on the background and needs of target clients of a proposed program/project are needed in the
preparation of the intervention
 Program managers or project implementers should continue collecting, analyzing and using relevant
data to determine if, or to make sure that a project/program is being implemented as planned.
 Project implementation should be closely monitored to check progress and quality of implementation.
Upon completion of a project, its performance or impact needs to be evaluated.