PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

Q2

Collecting Data and

the Research 1
1. Research is the process of gathering data to solve a particular
problem. By this definition, what phrase that is closely
synonymous with research?
A.Collecting data C. Scavenging information
B.Refining theories D. Solving conflicts

2. Research design refers to the scheme or plan of action for

meeting the objectives of the study. When should it be made and
formulated?
C.After data collection C. Before embarking on research
D.Before data processing D. During data collection

3. When should sample survey are often used instead of complete

enumerations or censuses?
A. If the population is quite large
B. If the population to be investigated is too few
C. If the research problem is too broad
4. Data is defined as research results from which inferences are
drawn. What does it mean?
A.Data are a product of observation, interviews and field
questionnaires
B.Data are made
C.Data must be seriously pursued
D.Data must be treated fairly

5. In conducting interviews, the interviewer must have an interview

guide. What is meant by interview guide?
E.The listing of interviews to be interviewed
F. The listing of topics that will be taken up during the interview
process
G.The listing of controversial issues to be taken up
H.All of the above

6. Which of the following is an exception of primary data?

I. Documents in the original form C. Organized group
7. Which of the following is not an advantage of the
questionnaire?
A.The distribution of questionnaire is easy and inexpensive
B.The questionnaire can be used as souvenir
C.The questionnaire is easy to construct
D.The responses shown in the questionnaire are easy to
tabulate

8. Why should research be conducted?

E.To contribute to the font of knowledge C. To make the
researcher an expert
F. To make the researcher credible D. All of the above

9. Which one of these is NOT normally associated with

quantitative data?
G.Analysis begins as data are collected
H.Analysis guided by standardized rules
10.Which is known as a tentative explanation or an answer to a
question about variables, their relationships, and other facts
involved in the research?
A.Hypothesis C. Statistics
B.Level of Significance D. Test-Statistic

11. If the null hypothesis is false, then which of the following is

accepted?
C.Alternative Hypothesis C. Null Hypothesis
D.Negative Hypothesis D. Positive Hypothesis

12. Which of the following is defined as the rule or formula to

test a NullHypothesis?
E.Null Statistic C. Test Statistic
F. Population Statistic D. Variance Statistic
13. What is the statement that is referring to null and alternative
hypothesis?
A.Depending sometimes on the entire population
B.Population parameters
C.Sample parameters
D.sample statistics

14. What are research hypotheses?

E.Formulated prior to a review of the literature
F. Statements of predicted relationships between variables
G.B but not A
H.Both A and B

15. Children can learn a second language faster before the age of 7,
what is meant by this statement?
I. A non-scientific statement C. A one-tailed hypothesis
J. A null hypothesis D. A two-tailed hypothesis
 Techniques in Collecting Quantitative Data

Collecting data is one major component of any type of research.

Undermining its importance would result in the production of
inaccurate data sufficient to render your research study invalid.
Hence, in collecting quantitative data, stress is given to the
accuracy or appropriateness of your data-gathering technique as
well as of the right instrument to collect the data. The following
are the most used quantitative data- gathering techniques along
with the data-gathering instruments (Baraceros, 2016).

1.Observation
Using your sense organs, you gather facts or information about
people, things, places, events, and so on by watching and 7

listening to them; then record the results of the functioning of

Expressing these sensory experiences to quantitative data,
you record them with the use of numbers. For instance,
watching patients lining up at a medical clinic, instead of
centering your eyes on the looks of the people, you focus your
attention on the number, weight, and height of every patient
standing up at the door of the medical clinic. According to
Cristobal & Cristobal (2016), there are two types of
observation (1) structured; the researcher uses a checklist as a
data collection tool. This checklist specifies expected behaviors
of interest and the researcher records the frequency of the
occurrences of these behaviors. And (2) unstructured; the
researcher observes things as they happen. The researcher
conducts the observation without any preconceived ideas
about what will be observed.

2.Survey 8
gathering instruments of interview and questionnaire. This is
the most popular data-gathering technique in quantitative and
qualitative researcher studies for the researchers are free to
use not just one survey i n s t r u m e n t but also these two
following data-gathering instruments. (1) Questionnaire; it is a
written or printed form containing the objectives of the study.
This is administered on the respondents to elicit the required
data based on the Procedures made by the researcher. It is
the most convenient and also the easiest way to gather data.
(2) Interview; it involves face-to-face contacts between the
interviewer and interviewee. In research, the interviewer is
the Researcher and the interviewee is the client or respondent.
Sometimes, a researcher interviews to confirm data obtained
data from the questionnaire. However, interviews alone would
be enough for gathering data, depending on the nature of the
problem. This data gathering technique is quite laborious
especially when the population is large. The researcher should
and needs to have adequate interviewing skills so that the
objectives of the study may be achieved (Baraceros 2016;
Vizcara 2003).

3.Experiment
An experiment is a scientific method of collecting data whereby
you give the subject a sort of treatment or condition then
evaluate the results to find out the manner by which the
treatment affected the subject and to discover the reasons
behind the effects of such treatment on the subjects. This
quantitative data- gathering technique aims at manipulating or
controlling conditions to show which condition or treatment
has effects on the subjects and to determine how much
conditions or treatment operates or functions to yield a certain
outcome.
application of any treatment or condition, and giving the
subjects post-test to determine the effects of the treatment on
them. These components operate in various ways.

4.Content Analysis
Content analysis is another quantitative data-collection
technique that makes you search through several oral or
written forms of communication to find answers to your
research questions. This data- collection is not only for
examining printed materials like photographs, films, video
tapes, paintings, drawings, and the like. Here, you focus your
study on a single subject or on two entities to determine their
comparative features. Any content analysis you want to do is
preceded by your thorough understanding of your research
questions because these are the questions to guide you in
to the main problem of your research.

5.Physiological Measures
The technique applied for physiological measures involves the
collection of physical data from the subjects. It is considered
more accurate and objective than other data-collection
methods. However, skills and expertise are needed to enable
the researcher to use and manipulate the measurement devices.
Examples used to collect physiological measures are the
following: thermometer, stethoscope, and weighing scale.

6.Psychological Tests
These include personality inventories and projective techniques.
Personality inventories are self-reported measures that assess
the differences in personality traits, needs or values of people.
that require responses or reactions. Examples of these are the
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the
Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS).

Measurement Scales for Quantitative Data

In quantitative research, measurements of data expressed in

numerical forms in scale or one that consists series of
graduated quantities, values, degrees, numbers and so on.
Thinking about the type and scale of measurement that you
have to use in your quantitative research is important because
your measurement choices tell you the type of statistical
analysis to use in your study. Not knowing which scale of
measurement to use may result in your erroneous examination
of the data.
Examples:

1.Nominal Scale- categorizing people based on gender, religion,

position, etc. (one point for each)
Religion- Catholic, Buddhist, Protestant, Muslim
Gender- male, female
Position- CEO, Vice-President, Director, Manager, Master
Teacher

2.Ordinal Scale- ranking or arranging the classified variables to

determine who should be the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc., in the group

3.Interval Scale- showing equal intervals or differences of

people’s views or attitudes like this one example of a scale
called Likert Attitude Scale.
Examples:

1.Nominal Scale- categorizing people based on gender, religion,

position, etc. (one point for each)
Religion- Catholic, Buddhist, Protestant, Muslim
Gender- male, female
Position- CEO, Vice-President, Director, Manager, Master
Teacher

2.Ordinal Scale- ranking or arranging the classified variables to

determine who should be the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc., in the group

3.Interval Scale- showing equal intervals or differences of

people’s views or attitudes like this one example of a scale
called Likert Attitude Scale.
Enrichment Activity
Instructions: Give the ideas signaled by the headings of the table about
each research question. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Research Questions Quantitative-Data Quantitative Data- Quantitative Scale

Collection Collection of Measurement
Technique Instrument
How long did the
audience clap for
Duterte’s SONA?
What percentage of the
students said they do not like
the style of their new school
uniform?
What difference, if any,
is there between intermediate
learners
(ages 10-12) and high school a
learner (ages 13-16) in their
fondness of cell phone texting?

16
Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a working guide in research, the expected

outcome of the study. Hypothesis is defined as an “educated
guess.” Hypotheses are based on the statement of the problem
and sub-problems. The number of sub-problems is also the
number of hypotheses in
the study (Vizcarra, 2003). According to Baraceros (2016), it is a
tentative explanation or an answer to a question about variables,
their relationships, and other facts involved in the research.

Testing of Significance

Inferential parametric and nonparametric statistics are used to

answer problems regarding significant relationships or
18
variables involved in the study. In the measures of correlation,
statistics like Pearson r and its other special cases (point biserial,
phi, Spearman, etc.), use testing of significance after determining
the magnitude of association between the variables considered to
be known if there is a significant relationship among the
variables in the study. Before their application, the problems are
stated in be it in a null hypothesis or an alternative. The
hypothesis will serve as a guide in drawing decisions or
conclusions about the given research problem. The null
hypothesis (Ho) is stated in a negative statement like there is no
significant relationship, difference, or correlation. It is subjected
to testing in which the decision is either to accept or reject it.

Examples:
Ho: There is no significant relationship between the reasons
19

for using alternative medicine and the level of comfort of the

 Ho: There is no significant difference between the effects of
animal manure and urea on the height of plant, color of the
leaves and the yield produced by plant.
Ho: Liberal arts and education students do not differ
significantly on their level of assertiveness

After the data is gathered and computed according to the

appropriate statistical tool, the hypothesis is accepted or
rejected. This will be the basis for drawing decisions or
conclusions about the problem. The following is a step-by-step
process in hypothesis-testing:

1.State the specific sub-problem of the study.

2.State the research hypothesis (null or alternative hypothesis).
3.Determine the statistical tool appropriate to the problem.
20
 5. Compute the data based on the statistical tool needed in the
study or problem.
6. Determine the degree of freedom. The method of locating
the degree of freedom depends on the type of test.
7. Determine the level of significance and locate the critical
value.
8. Compare the computed value with the critical value.
9. Interpret the results; and
10. State the conclusions.

In almost all parametric and non-parametric tests, the degree of

freedom is the guide in determining the critical value as well as
the level of significance. The method of locating degree of
freedom depends on the type of statistics to be used. The level of
21

significance or confidence level is within the control of the

 accuracy. In social research, .05 is advisable while .01 is
allowed in experimental studies. The level of acceptance may
either be on one-tailed or two-tailed tests (Vizcarra, 2003).

The word tails refer to the tail ends of the statistical

distribution such as the familiar bell- shaped normal curve that
is used to test a hypothesis. One tail represents a positive effect
or association: the other, a negative effect. A one-tailed
hypothesis is used if the sample size is small but for bigger
sample size it is better to use two-tailed hypothesis (Chico &
Matira, 2016).

The one-tailed test is to be used in a directional

hypothesis. It only uses one tail of the sampling distribution. It
specifies the direction of the association between the
Example:
Ha: Plants treated with animal manure fertilizer will have higher percentage of yields.
Ha: The types of promotional campaigns positively affect the level of patronage of customers
Ha: The higher the intake of fiber, the lower is the weight of the physical mass.

In a one-tailed test, you have two options for the null and alternative hypotheses, which
correspond to where you place the critical region. You can choose either of the following sets of
generic hypotheses

⮚ Null: The effect is less than or equal to zero

⮚ Alternative: The effect is greater than zero

The .05 level of significance is illustrated as:

Source:
For example, the computed t value is .80, and the critical value at .05
level of significance with 20 degrees of freedom is 2.086. This data
explains that there is no significant difference.

Non-directional hypothesis does not stipulate the direction of the

relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

Examples:
Ha: Plants treated with animal manure will have more or less yield.
Ha: The sources of stress are related to the different coping mechanisms among teachers.
Ha: The number of hours spent in reviewing is associated with the level of performance in
periodical exams.

You will use your t value in a hypothesis to compare against a calculated

t score. This helps you to decide if you should support or reject a null
hypothesis. Table
12.2 shows the Critical Values of the t Distribution. 25
 Table 12.2
Critical Values of the t Distribution
Decision Errors in Hypothesis Testing
Generally, the decision errors committed during hypothesis testing can be classified into
two (Canlapan, 2016):
1.The decision to reject the null hypothesis could be wrong. This is also known as
type I error.
2.The decision not to reject the null hypothesis could be wrong. This is also known as type II
error.

Of course, you only reject the null hypothesis when it is false and you fail to reject the null
hypothesis when it is true. Doing otherwise would certainly lead to a decision error. The table
12.3 belowsummarizes the four possible outcomes when a decision is made in hypothesis
testing.

Fail toTable 12.3

Reject Reject
Summary
Null hypothesis is of Four Possible
Correct Outcomes in Testing
decision Type IHypothesis
error
true

Null hypothesis
In hypothesis Type
testing,isyou only II to
fail error Correct decision
reject the null hypothesis that is actually
false
true and reject the null hypothesis that is actually false. Rejecting a true null
hypothesis leads to type I error and not rejecting a false null hypothesis leads
Activity #1
Instructions: Read the given questions and formulate a null hypothesis.

1. Is there a relationship between the misconceptions of the students and their profile and
areas of difficulty?
Null: .

2.Is the reading level of Grade 12 GAS students associated with their emotional and
intelligence quotients?
Null: .

3.Is there a significant relationship between the radio soap opera listeners’ profile
with their values and attitudes?
Null: .

4.Is there a significant difference between the ratings given by the group of respondents
on the level of acceptability of Rice Coffee?
Null: .

5.Is there a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of Grade 12
students towards Practical Research 2?
Null: .
Activity #2
Instructions: Write T if the statement is correct and F if the statement is
incorrect.

1. The number of sub-problems is also the number of hypotheses in the

study.
2. After the data is gathered and computed according to the
appropriate statistical tool, the hypothesis is rejected or accepted.
3. A hypothesis is a working guide in research, the expected outcome of
the study.
4. A null hypothesis symbolized by Ha while the alternative is symbolized by
Ho.
5. The two-tailed test is to be used in a directional hypothesis.
6. When the computed value is higher than critical value, it means that
it reaches the acceptance area.
7. The word tails refers to the tail ends of the statistical distribution
such as the familiar bell-shaped normal curve.
8. When the computed value is lower than the critical value, it means
that it is within the rejection area.
9. For bigger sample size it is better to use one-tailed hypothesis.
 ASSESSMENT
1. Which statement is appropriate on using observation in conducting
research?
A.A method of collecting data
B.A methodological approach
C.A qualitative data collection method
D. A quantitative data collection method

2. Which of the following are data collection methods?

D.Observation C. Survey
B.Searching on Google D. Watching TV

3. Which primary data collection method that involves tracking

behavior over a period of time?
E.Browsing C. Sampling
F. Observation D. Testing
4. Which ONE of these methods is the fastest way to
collect data?
A. Online C. Phone
B. Personal D. Postal

5. Which ONE of these methods is the most expensive

way to collect data per respondent?
C. Online C. Phone
D. Personal D. Postal

6. Which of these is NOT an example of a nominal scale?

E. Gender C. Number on a football
jersey
F. Exam Grades D. Number on poll balls
7. What type of measurement scale if the example is an
order that runners cross the finish line?
A. Interval scale C. Ordinal scale
B. Nominal scale D. Ratio scale

8. Which scale is the simplest form of measurement?

C. Interval scale C. Ordinal scale
D. Nominal scale D. Ratio scale

9. What measurement scale is used for abilities, attitudes

and interests?
E. Objective tests C. Rating scales
F. Observational methods D. Self-analysis
10. Which type of measurement scale with five response
categories ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly
agree”?
A.Continuous rating scale C. Non-comparative scale
B.Itemized rating scale D. Likert scale

11. What can we use to gather primary data?

C.Experiments C. Interviews
D.Surveys D. All of the above

12. Which approach would be most appropriate for testing the

hypothesis that taking practice tests improves learning
more than studying alone does?
E.Case study
F. Experimental research
G.Correlational Study
13. In hypothesis testing, what type of hypothesis that is tentatively
assumed to be true?
A.Alternative hypothesis C. Either null or alternative
B.Null hypothesis D. None of these alternatives is
correct

14. Which one among the following statement is true in the context of
the testing of hypotheses?
C.Both the alternative and the null hypotheses can be tested
D.Both the alternative and the null hypotheses cannot be tested
E.It is only the alternative hypotheses that can be tested
F. It is only the null hypotheses that can be tested

15. What are the conditions in which Type-I error occurs?

G.Both the null hypotheses as well as alternative hypotheses are
rejected
H.The null hypotheses get accepted even if it is false
I. The null hypotheses get rejected even if it is true