Meaning of Research
Scholars have not agreed on a single, objective definition of the term research. This can be observed in the varying definitions of the said term. For example, the Oxford Encyclopedic English Dictionary defines it as…
“the systematic investigation into the study of materials, sources etc. in order to establish facts and reach new conclusion”,
while Fredrick Kerlinger defines research as…
the systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about presumed relations among natural phenomena (see Kerlinger, Fred N. 1973. Foundations of Behavioral Researches. 2nd edition. Holt: Rinehart and Winston).
Other scholars, such as Paul Leedy, defines research in a more utilitarian manner. For Leedy, research is “a procedure by which we attempt to find systematically, and with the support of demonstrable fact, the answer to a question or the resolution of a problem” (see Leedy, Paul D. 1989. Practical Research: Planning and Design. London: Collier Macmillan).
Despite these varying definitions, scholars have come up with a working definition of research. Generally speaking, research is defined as the scientific investigation of a problem or gap, which aims at the discovery or interpretation of new facts. According to some scholars, the discovery or interpretation of news facts may lead to a revision or even rejection of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts.
As is well known, research makes use of the rigorous and questioning techniques of scientific inquiry. Hence, research employs a scientific method.
As we can see, research is a specific term, which necessarily involves a scientific rigor. For this reason, any type of inquiry that does not involve a scientific rigor cannot be called “research” in the strict sense of the word, such as the mere act of gathering facts and information. For instance, someone may say she wants to go to the library to do further research on the meaning, nature and dynamics of earthquakes. As we can see, the term research is wrongly used here because in the first place it lacks the scientific rigor.
What is scientific rigor?
By scientific rigor we mean the implementation of the highest standards and best practices of science. But what is science in the first place?
Historically, according to B. R. Hergenhahn, science came into existence as a way of answering questions about nature by examining nature directly, rather than by depending on church dogmas, past authorities, superstition, or abstract thought processes alone. In fact, for Hergenhahn, from science’s inception, its ultimate authority has been empirical observations, that is, the direct observation of nature. But according to Hergenhahn, there is more to science than simply observing nature. Hergenhahn says that for observations to be useful, they must be organized or categorized in some way, and the ways in which they are similar to or different from other observations must be noted. And for Hergenhahn, after noting similarities and differences among observations, many scientists take the additional step of attempting to explain what they have observed. See Hergenhahn, B. R. 2005. An Introduction to the History of Psychology, 5th edition. United States: Thomson Wadsworth.
From the above discussion, we can now draw a general conception of science as the systematic attempt to rationally categorize or explain empirical investigations. In fact, the famous philosopher Karl Popper, who was an authority in the history of science, argues that science is a way of testing rigorously the proposed solutions to a problem.
Types of Research
There are two types of research in terms of the nature and purpose of the study, namely:
(1) basic or fundamental research and
(2) applied research.
On the one hand, basic research is a type of research that investigates the basic reasons and principle behind the occurrence of a particular phenomenon or event. Basic research is also referred to as theoretical research. As a theoretical research, basic research, therefore, is driven by pure curiosity and the desire to expand one’s knowledge on a specific subject-matter or discipline. Hence, as we can see, basic research may not necessarily lead to an immediate use or application. An example of basic research is an investigation that looks at the factors that trigger depression.
Although this type of research does not directly address real world issues or problems, basic research is equally important as it enhances our understanding of the world around us. This is because basic research provides us with a systematic and deep insight into a problem that can have practical significance to our life and the society as a whole.
Scholars further divide basic research into pure and strategic types of research. Pure research is conducted without any specific outcome in mind other than the advancement of knowledge, while strategic research is conducted with the intention of providing a broad base of knowledge which may help in addressing a specific problem.
Applied research, on the other hand, is a type of research that aims at finding solutions to pressing problems that society, organizations, and the like are facing by employing well-known theories and principles. Sometimes, applied research is conducted to determine the possible uses or applications of the findings of basic research. An example of an applied research is a study that attempts to determine the impact of mining on the socio-economic life of the indigenous peoples.
Basic and applied research are further divided into three types of research in terms of methods, namely:
1) quantitative research,
2) qualitative research, and
3) mixed research method.
Quantitative Research Method
Quantitative research method is a systematic investigation of observable phenomena through a computational, mathematical, and, most especially, statistical technique. Hence, in quantitative research method, the researcher analyzes the data with the help of statistics and hopes that the figures will produce logical and unbiased results. In terms of purpose, quantitative research method aims to develop mathematical models, hypotheses, and theories that pertain to the quantifiable phenomena under investigation.
As we can see, quantitative research method is numerical in nature, and employs statistics and mathematics in the interpretation of data. This explains why results in quantitative research method are presented in tables and graphs. As a matter of fact, research papers that employ a quantitative research method are replete with tables and graphs.
As is well known, quantitative research method is widely employed in the social sciences, such as in sociology, psychology, gender studies, development studies, economics, community health, demography, and political science. Researches in education also employ quantitative research method, although other educational research themes can be conducted using a qualitative research method.
Qualitative Research Method
Qualitative research method is a type of research that does not require a sophisticated statistical treatment. Defined more broadly, qualitative research method is a scientific investigation of non-quantifiable phenomena, such as experiences, with the intention of understanding a particular phenomenon through a holistic description and exploration of the meaning, nature, and dynamics of the said phenomenon or situation. This explains why qualitative research is the best method when it comes to researching about the “why and how” questions of human experience. A concrete example of a qualitative research is a study that attempts to determine the lived experiences of Senior High school teachers who were asked to teach subjects that are not aligned with their field of specialization. For instance, in the Philippine educational system, many humanities graduate teachers in the Senior High School were asked to teach science subjects. Needless to say, these teachers have been experiencing problems in terms of mastery and content delivery. Thus, one of the best ways to help these teachers deliver a quality instruction is to know their lived experiences, particularly their difficulties and challenges. This is because once we know the difficulties and challenges that these teachers have been experiencing, we can easily offer some practicable alternatives that may help address the problem.
As we can see, a qualitative research method is non-numerical, descriptive, exploratory, and narrative in nature. It investigates the “why and how” questions of human experience and attempts to understand holistically a particular phenomenon or situation. And in terms of purpose, a qualitative research method primarily aims to know the meaning, nature, and dynamics of a particular phenomenon or situation under investigation.
Mixed Method
Mixed method, as the name suggests, involves a systematic integration or combination of both quantitative and qualitative research methods in the investigation of a particular phenomenon, event, or situation. The fundamental premise of this method or type of research is that the integration or combination of both the quantitative and qualitative methods or types of research will result in a holistic and more meaningful interpretation of data. In most cases, the qualitative aspect of this type of research supports the findings and conclusion arrived at in the quantitative interpretation data. But of course, on the other hand, the quantitative aspect may also support the findings and conclusion arrived at in the qualitative interpretation of data.
Mixed method originates in the social sciences, but has been expanded recently into the medical and allied health sciences, such as nursing, social work, community health, mental health, pharmacy, and alternative medicine.
As we can see, mixed method may involve analyzing both numerical and non-numerical data. It may also present results in tables and graphs backed up by a strong narrative. Mixed method can also be exploratory and conclusive at the same time.