JOCELYN I. BARTOLATA, Ed.D.

THE NATURE OF RESEARCH

DEFINITION
No longer does man ascribe natural phenomena to
supernatural influences, and no longer does he rely
blindly upon accepted authority. He has developed an
orderly system of searching for truth which, by basing
conclusions upon factual evidence and by using logic as
a means of showing relationships between related
ideas, has given him better and more accurate answers
to his many questions. This orderly system is what we
call research.1
Hillway, Introduction to Research (Cambridge,
Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 1956), 18.
Following are other important definitions worth mentioning:

Ideally, the careful, unbiased investigation of a problem based upon

demonstrable facts and involving refined distinctions, interpretations
and usually some generalizations.2

A systematic and refined technique of thinking, employing

specialized tools, tools, instruments and procedures in order to
obtain a more adequate solution of a problem than would be
possible under ordinary means. It starts with a problem, collects
data or facts, analyzes these critically, and reaches decision based
on actual evidence.

Carter V. Good, Dictionary of Education, (New York: Mc Graw-Hill

Book Company, 1956), 346.
These definitions tell us:
that research involves original work instead of a
mere exercise of personal opinion;
that it evolves from a genuine desire to know
rather than a desire to prove something;
that it is a systematic search for pertinent
information or data on a specific topic and
problem; and
that it draws original conclusions based on
relevant information.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

A summary of these characteristics is made by Best and is

presented as follows:3

1. Research gathers new data or knowledge from primary or

first-hand sources.

Do not merely restate or reorganize what is already known or

what has already been written.

John W. Best, Research in Education (Eaglewood Cliffs,

NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1959), 7-8.
2.Research is expert, systematic and accurate
investigation.
As a researcher you should know what is already
known about your problem. Have an adequate
literature review to be able to thoroughly
conceptualize the problem. Proceed from this
point, carefully planning the procedures. Data are
gathered, recorded and analyzed with as much
accuracy as possible.
3. Research is logical and objective, applying every
possible test to verify the data collected and the
procedures employed.

Research endeavors to organize data in

quantitative terms, IF POSSIBLE.

Research is patient and unhurried. You should

be willing to exert painstaking effort, suspending
judgment to permit the data and logic to lead to a
sound conclusion.
4. Research is carefully recorded and reported.
Every term is carefully defined
All procedures are described in detail
All limiting factors are recognized
All references are carefully documented
All conclusions and generalizations are carefully arrived
at

Thesis is a substantial research project which is

scholarly and original. Thesis writing is the end product
of research among college and masters students.
TYPES OF RESEARCH

It is customary to classify research as either applied research or

basic research. Applied research is directed toward the solution of an
immediate, specific, practical problem. Basic research is concerned
with the formulation of a theory or a contribution to the existing body
of knowledge.

In addition to the broader classification of applied and basic

research, nearly all studies may be classified as historical,
descriptive, or experimental research. Their classification may be
determined by posing the following questions:4

Billy L. Turney and George P. Robb. Research in Education: An

Introduction. (Illinois: Dryden Press Inc, 1971), 7.
 Does the research deal with what once was? If it does,
then it is historical research.

The educational historian may seek either to produce an

accurate description of unique events that have
happened in the past or to suggest through the survey of
these events fruitful generalizations from prior
experiences that may act as controls for behavior in the
present or future. His purpose is to produce evidence
that will help us profit by the experiences of the past in
the solution of current problems.
 Does the research deal with what is? If it does,
then it is descriptive research.

Descriptive research is that process that is

concerned with characterizing the features of
situations, objects, or practices. It allows one to
find out pertinent information about an existing
situation. Descriptive research usually is thought
of as an effort to determine current practices or
status so that we may develop guidelines for
future practices.
 3. Does the research deal with what can be when certain
factors are controlled? If it does, then quite likely some
attempt is being made to establish cause and effect
relationships in a controlled situation.

Experimental research is an attempt to control all essential

factors with the exception of one or more independent
variables that can be manipulated, with the purpose of
determining and measuring the effect of their operation
under given circumstances. Once these effects are
determined through demonstration, then true control of
behavior or the environment becomes possible.
For AB English researches are normally
descriptive in nature. Descriptive research is
fact-finding with adequate interpretation. It is
something more and beyond data gathering. It
is reflective thinking.
SOME DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH TECHNIQUES

1.Content Analysis studying and analyzing

communications in a systematic, objective and
quantitative manner. Instead of observing
peoples behavior directly or asking them to
respond to questionnaires, the researcher takes
hold of communications which the people have
produced and he asks questions regarding the
communication. Content analysis can be applied
to available materials like letters, diaries,
newspapers, stories, essays and others.
2. Case study a complete analysis and report of
the status of an individual subject with respect
to specific phases of his personality.

3. Survey the collection of information from a

fraction or sample of a population to arrive at
generalizations about the population.
4. Key Informant Interview the source of information
depends largely on the recall ability of individuals who
have been participants in the given culture.

5. Participant observation a systematic process of data

gathering which requires the researcher to immerse
himself/herself totally in the lives of the people and this
is done through months of residence in the community
and involvement in the various activities of the people
he is studying.
REFERENCES:

Best, John. Research in Education .Eaglewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice

Hall, Inc., 1959.

Good,Carter V. Dictionary of Education. New York: Mc Graw-Hill Book

Company, 1956.

Hillway,Tyrus. Introduction to Research.Cambridge, Mass.: Houghton

Mifflin, 1956.

Turney, Billy and and George P. Robb. Research in Education: An

Introduction. Illinois: Dryden
Press Inc, 1971