Module 1: Distinguish Technical Terms Used in
Research
Research is collecting data and information, learning and finding new
things. It is also an advanced knowledge which follows a systematic process
of collecting and analyzing information in order to understand more the
phenomena under study.
Action research, thesis, dissertation, and case study are examples of
research.
Being familiar with the following terms is helpful in understanding research
more:
Concept is a term that abstractly describes and names an object, a
phenomenon, or an idea.
Examples of concepts include common demographic measures:
o Income – P5,000 – P8,000
o Age – 18 y/o – 20 y/o
o Education Level – High School Graduate, College Graduate, Post
Graduate
o Number of Siblings – 3 siblings in the family, 4 or more siblings in the
family
Theory is an organized body of concepts and principles intended to explain
a particular phenomenon.
Examples include the theory of relativity, atomic theory, theory of
evolution, and quantum theory
Quantitative Method
This is a method that focuses on numbers, objective hard data. It proves
hypotheses by statistical analysis and scientific method. It is called a formal,
objective, systematic process in which numerical data is used to obtain
information about the world. It is used to describe variables. It examines
relationships among variables.
Example is a drug abuser telling you how many pills they consume per
week.
Qualitative Method
It uses words instead of numbers to display data. It focuses on feelings not
numerical data. Small amount of participants involved in a qualitative
research study. This kind of research method utilizes interviews, archived
written information, and observations to measure the significance of a
relationship between variables.
Examples is a drug abuser telling you how they feel about abusing
drugs.
Variables are any quality of a person, group subject, event, condition or
situation that varies or takes on different values.
Examples are age, sex, business income and expenses, country of
birth, capital expenditure, class grades, eye color and vehicle type
Hypothesis is a logical supposition, a reasonable guess, and educated
conjecture. It provides a tentative explanation of a phenomenon under
investigation.
For example, a researcher might be interested in the relationship
between study habits and test anxiety. The researcher would propose a
hypothesis about how these two variables are related, such as "Test
anxiety decreases as a result of effective study habits."
Sampling it is the process of selecting participants who are representatives
of a larger population – gain an understanding of a larger population.
For example, a random sample may include choosing the names of 25
employees out of a hat in a company of 250 employees. The
population is all 250 employees, and the sample is random because
each employee has an equal chance of being chosen.
SMART is a good way to remember the fundamentals of research paper
writing, and to help prepare an author in writing a successful research paper.
Specific: A research paper should be specific. It should maintain its
focus on the given subject of research - answering a specific research
question - and not be inconsistent or aimless as to convey information
or make claims on other, unrelated topics or subjects.
Measurable: A research paper must contain specific, proven research,
and cites all research sources and related literature.
▪ Attainable: A research paper must provide a thesis statement, one
that answers the research question and contributes to the knowledge
of the given subject. It can't propose to answer a question that doesn't
relate to real life or isn't based on an existing body of knowledge
Realistic: A research paper is objective and realistic. Should it be
made to present interpretations, arguments, or evaluations, then it
should do so based on valid evidence from reliable sources.
Time: A research paper cannot be written without the researcher
knowing the limits, timeframes, and focus of the required work.
Without the writer / researcher stating the scope and limitations of the
research paper, it is likely that the thesis statement will be hampered
by an inability to answer the given research question or focus on the
given research subject
common ways you can narrow down a research topic:
By demographic characteristics
Narrow it down by age group, occupation, ethnic group, gender, etc. e.g.
challenges faced by international college graduates entering the workforce
By relevant issues
Try to identify key issues related to your topic, especially ones that you have
an opinion on. You can turn your opinion into your thesis statement or
research question. e.g. challenges faced by college graduates who are
unable to find meaningful or relevant work
By location
Focus on a specific country, province, city, or type of environment (rural vs.
urban). e.g. challenges faced by college graduates entering the workforce in
rural Ontario
By timeframe
Decide whether you want to study recent events or a historical time period.
This will also help you decide how current the information you use must be.
e.g. challenges faced by college graduates entering the workforce during the
COVID-19 pandemic
By causes
You can take the perspective of looking for causes of an issue you are
researching. e.g. Why do employers hire fewer college graduates?
Module 2: Technical and Operational Definitions
What is TECHNICAL definition?
it refers to the definition of a word as used in a particular field like
Science, Law, or Engineering.
The meaning of the word is associated with the field or area of study.
mostly refers to the aspect of explaining or describing any terminology.
the definition of terms/words are found in the dictionary.
EXAMPLE:
OPERATION – it is a procedure followed in an instruction.
SURF - it is a sport, where a person stands on a board and rides with the
waves.
What is OPERATIONAL definition?
it is a result of the process of operationalization and it is used to define
something (term/object) in terms of process.
it is the process of defining a word/term of how it is used in a sentence,
or using context clues.
it is the application of the word/term. These may include the various
attempts to define or explain a certain process and its properties
including but not limited to the characterization of the event itself.
EXAMPLE: COMPUTER
(Technical) it is a device or machine used in performing, assessing,
evaluation and following commands set by the users.
(Operational) it is something used in doing homework or browsing
the internet
Module 3: Giving Expanded Definitions of Words
Expanded definition is used to define technical terms with a very detailed
explanation, sometimes, with the use of examples and visuals. Expanded
definitions are usually found in academic texts (Gonzales, et al., 2017).
1. Expanding by Giving an Example
Speed is a concept that marks our time. Everybody is in a hurry to go
somewhere. Industry is constantly demanding new inventions that will speed
up production so that the constant cry of the bosses to the workmen is
speed it up! The maker of automobiles boasts of the newest type of a car
which is faster than the old model. Shoppers push and shove each other all
about the counters. All are in a hurry to get something. People who are going
to school, shop, or office rush breathlessly to do important tasks, they gulp
their food and swallow it in haste. Restless “hunters of fun” crowd into
places of entertainment. Most of these people cannot sit still. At a movie,
they tap their feet or finger in impatience. Yes, speed is the word of the day
(Gorgon, et al., 2010)
2. Expanding by Comparing and Contrasting
Speed is a concept that marks our day. Sluggishness is out. Speed is
demanded by industry which is constantly on look-out for new inventions.
Sluggishness is penalized, especially in industries where compensation
depends upon output. Speed is the attractive come-on for short-term
courses in cooking, computerizing, sewing, diving, learning a new language,
and others. The slower long-term courses are not so appealing. Instant
coffee is usually preferred to coffee that needs to be boiled. Yes, speed is the
word of the day (Gorgon, et al., 2010).
3. Expanding by Describing a Process
The process of speeding up in a vehicle begins with the setting of the gear
level to the first gear. This moves the vehicle from a stationary to a slow
speed of about less than ten kilometers per hour (kph). Gradually you shift
the gear to the next, pressing the accelerator pedal at the same time to
attain a speed between 10-30 kph. You pick up more speed by shifting gears
to the next higher levels at speed beyond 30 kph. To do this, however along
with the shift or fourth gear, ever-increasing pressure must be exerted on
the accelerator. The only time you lift your foot from the accelerator is when
you shift gears, so that you can step on the clutch pedal simultaneously with
the shifting. After releasing the clutch pedal, you immediately step on the
accelerator pedal while picking up speed. Maximum speed is attained once
you shift to the fourth, or in the case of some vehicles, the fifth gear, at
which you travel at speeds of 80 kph or above (Gorgon, et al., 2010).
