Reviewer in Research Project

characteristics that you should always

Lesson 1: Preparing, Conceptualizing, observe. Clattering ideas will not make
and Focusing a Research Plan your paper enticing.

4.​ Don’t let failure distract you. Failure is

Research
normal. It is okay to fail at times in order
for us to realize what we have to do.
Research is just any other task that we do. It Failure is an opportunity to recreate and
is like a celebration or a party that in order to refine our research work at its best. Do
To be meaningful and successful, serious not be afraid to fail!
planning and careful execution are
necessary. It needs time and proper 5.​ Always consult the opinion of others.
organization of things and ideas. Feedback from others, especially of
Preparedness is the key! more knowledgeable others, is always
good to hear. It widens our
5 things to consider when doing a understanding and opens higher
research work chances of making the research better!
(Moore, 2009)
Collaboration and teamwork do not only
make the task lighter, but rather more
●​ Never choose a topic that is out of
successful!
personal interest.
●​ Never choose needles words.
The Research Plan
●​ Keep thoughts intact.
●​ Don’t let failure distract you.
●​ a document that includes preliminary
●​ Always consult the opinion of others.
and basic information about the
1.​ Never choose a topic that is out of research work that you would like to
personal interest. The success rate of do.
your interest and drive to do such a ●​ may contain details about the topic
research. It is always easier to do that you intend to do, its importance,
something that you really like to do and the steps, and the actions that you are
be engaged with. Do not let yourself be going to do in order to meet your
in the situation of losing that high level of targets or until you have answered
enthusiasm towards your own research. your research questions.
●​ technically, not a research proposal yet
2.​ Never choose needles words. Less is but more likely a concept paper.
more. Sometimes, you would think that
having so much to say when it comes to Basics of Research Plan
research is an advantage. However, we
have to realize that the longer or the (1)​Basic Information
wordy our sentences become, the more This part of the research plan contains
they appear less relevant and needless your basic information. For a Senior
to be listened to or read. High School Learner like you, it would
be beneficial to include the following
3.​ Keep thoughts intact. Establishing that information:
sense of focus on your research paper
is one of the most important
 Reviewer in Research Project

A. Complete Name ➔​ This can be in numbered form,

B. Learner Reference Number bulleted, or in a paragraph or two
(LRN)
C. School and Address (6)​Timetable
D. Track and Strand ➔​ Gantt chart of activities.
E. Complete Home Address ➔​ This section contains the same
concept but in simplified and
(2)​Background detailed format in order for you to
➔​ Basic concepts and information plan things out even more
about the research topic, few systematically and productively.
relevant literature, reason and ➔​ A timetable guides you to be able
importance of your study. to work on important activities
➔​ Short presentation of basic necessary for you to complete
concepts and information about your research.
the research topic shall be
presented in this section. Include a (7)​List of References
few relevant readings and ➔​ Present here the references that
literature which serve as a major you used in the formulation of the
background of your paper. research plan.
➔​ Cite also your motivation for the ➔​ The initial references of the
topic and the reasons and background of the study should be
importance of your study in the American Psychological
Association (APA) 6th or 7th
(3)​Objectives and Methods edition style/format in constructing
➔​ Targets and method of your the entries. Ensures that the titles
research work. are in alphabetical sequence.
➔​ Cite in this section the long term
and short-term objectives or Research Problem
targets of your research work.
Indicate also whether you are
using quantitative, qualitative or This is a statement of a concern in any
mixed method of research. area, a problem that needs immediate
solution, a recurring difficulty that is
(4)​Working Framework necessary to be taken out of the situation,
➔​ Illustrative illustrations or or a practical question from a scholarly
diagrams, show the variables and inquiry in different disciplines.
concepts that are involved in your As an intelligent recall, Clemente, Julaton, &
paper. The Input-Process-Output Orleans (2016) noted some criteria for
is commonly used. evaluating whether or not a research problem
➔​ Show the connections and or statement is good.
relationship and role of these
important constructs in achieving May it be quantitative, qualitative, or mixed
the results of the study. method research, research problems should
bear the S.M.A.R.T. characteristics.
(5)​Assumptions
➔​ This part contains the expected
outcome of the study.
 Reviewer in Research Project

SMART Characteristics
3.​ The specific question should bear only
one clear meaning.
Specific. This refers to the quality of being
4.​ Every question should not be
exact or particular. Research problem
dependent apart from other questions
statements should be able to communicate
— that is requiring answers far from
the specific inquiry or question that needs to
other questions.
be answered.
5.​ It must be based on facts and
phenomena.
Measurable. This is never an issue in a
6.​ The answers to each specific question
quantitative method of research. However, in
should be contributory to the
terms of qualitative research methods, the
development of the general problem
measurability of a research statement refers
statement
to its epistemological aspect or the state
of being objectively observable. More than
that, instruments of data-gathering should be Types of Research Questions
present.
●​ Factor-isolating questions
Attainable. The research questions should ●​ Factor-relating questions
be easily answered or achieved when the ●​ Situation-related questions
appropriate procedures are performed. ●​ Situation-producing questions

The following are the four types of research

Realistic. The possibility of being carried questions in terms of their purpose according
out should always be observed in formulating to Clemente, Julaton, & Orleans (2016).
the research problem especially when there
is a need for experimentations and 1.​ Factor-isolating questions. The major
observations. concern of these questions is to
categorize, label, or name factors
Time-Bound. Time is an important element in and situations that exist or those that
the research work. The research questions are present in the perimeter of the
should be narrowed enough to be attained research work.
within the set time frame. 2.​ Factor-relating questions.
Establishing relationships between
Specified General Guidelines and among factors that have been
identified is the purpose of these
Meanwhile, Calderon and Gonzales (2014) questions.
specified general guidelines in formulating 3.​ Situation-relating questions. These
the general problem and the specific questions emphasize the observable
sub-problems or specific questions. changes that happen to variable/s
involved in the study as a result of
1.​ The general statement and specific experimentation.
sub-questions should be formulated 4.​ Situation-producing questions. These
before carrying out actions in the questions open the opportunity to
conduct of the research work. create a definite course of action,
2.​ State the specific sub-problems in policies or conditions in order to
interrogative form. accomplish or to achieve a certain
goal.
 Reviewer in Research Project

1.​ Recency
Related Literature Resources
The materials that should be included in
the review should be as recent as
A researcher should have a good review of possible.
existing knowledge that it will stand on. A ●​ For general references, published
research topic is more likely to become materials 10 years ago are still sound
“researchable” if it is a determined research and valid.
gap from the available literature and studies ●​ Meanwhile, primary, secondary and
from various resources. tertiary references within the last five
years are ideal.
Literature in its conceptual definition refers to Archived materials may also be used as
a collection of written work with a heightened reference for theories and concepts.
and artistic use of words may it be fiction or
nonfiction. However, in its operational 2.​ Objectivity
definition in research, this terminology refers Since research is academic and
to published information in a particular scholarly, the materials should be
subject area which sometimes covers a ●​ fair,
certain period of time. ●​ objective, and
●​ bias-free.
Types of Resources It should not favor any extreme and
(Clemente, Julaton, & Orleans, 2016) obvious vested interest aside from
delivering facts, information, and findings.
A.​ General references - books,
monographs, conference manuals, 3.​ Relevance
research articles, professional journals The weight of relevance of the material to
and similar documents the current research undertaking must be
checked. Before citing it, it should bear
B.​ Primary sources - academic research essential information to clarify and
and university research journals and deepen the issues and concepts of the
reputable organizations research being conducted. Otherwise,
the material should not be considered for
C.​ Secondary sources - articles, analyses, the review.
essays, newspaper, single or multiple
4.​ Conciseness
authored textbooks
The materials that the review should
have must be
D.​ Tertiary resources - books based on
●​ sufficient enough,
secondary sources that interpret the work
●​ not too few, and
of others.
●​ not too many
to provide the researcher and the
Characteristics of Materials to be Cited readers strong insight about the
general and specific problems that the
Calderon and Gonzales (2014) identified the research is trying to address or answer.
following characteristics of ideal materials to
be cited. RRL for SHS researchers – 4 to 6 local and
international publications or materials
 Reviewer in Research Project

In higher education, graduate and BY TOPIC/CONCEPT

postgraduate level – range from 15 to 50
number of literatures In this case, if many or several authors have
a comparable opinion about the same topic or
issue, it is appropriate to use this approach.
Organization of the Review of Related
Literature This manner of organizing the review
highlights the interrelationship of
As in all forms of writing, it always pays to concepts which support the development of
have a the current study. This approach is applicable
●​ catchy opening or introduction, in all methods of research.
●​ wider discussion of the perspectives
about the topic in the body Example
paragraphs, and ●​ It is found out that the use of music in
●​ sound closing paragraph or statement. teaching mathematics has a significant
effect in the motivation of learners
Three Major Approaches in Ordering or which contributed to their increased
Sequencing the Topics and Concepts numeracy skills (Gonzales, 2016;
Fernandez, 2013; Dionisio, 2012).
(1)​Chronological
BY AUTHOR/WRITER
(2)​By Topic/Concept
(3)​By Author/Writer To build credibility with the claims that the
research would like to stand on, presenting
CHRONOLOGICAL
different authors even though they have
This approach in organizing the review puts similar ideas is highly advisable.
emphasis on the timeline of development
or the year the materials were written. In this Each point of view of every author is
case, the intention is to show how changes explained and expounded to back-up the
about the topic occurred from its emergence. main idea being presented in the review.
Each author is cited in the footnote.
This also presents the evolving mindset
and thinking of the authors. Mostly, this Examples
approach is used in qualitative researches. ●​ Clemente, Julaton, and Orleans (2016)
stress that research suggests an
Examples action that denotes looking for
●​ Santos (2017) affirms that literature is something again. It is taken from the
an efficient springboard towards composition of the words “re” and
introducing and teaching language “search.”
skills among Junior High School ●​ Calderon and Gonzales (2014)
learners. reiterate that research is a purposive,
●​ Tesoro (2018), meanwhile, found out systematic and scientific process of
that the literature-based classroom discovering truth. Thus, it entails
should always consider the context of systematic gathering of data to
the learners, the literature, and the formulate findings and judgment.
context of the teacher.
 Reviewer in Research Project

Clemente, Julaton, and Orleans (2016) stress

Ethical Ways of Citing Literature
that research suggests an action that
denotes looking for something again. It is
taken from the composition of the words “re” In writing the review of related literature, it is
and “search.” expected that a complete reference should be
present in the list of references or
Calderon and Gonzales (2014) reiterates that bibliography section of your research paper.
research is a purposive, systematic and
scientific process of discovering truth. Thus, it Securing a scholarly reference list or
entails systematic gathering of data to bibliography takes away violations of the
formulate findings and judgment. ethical standards in writing.

Always remember that only

Legal Charges Against Unethical Writing
●​ major findings and conclusions,
●​ concepts,
(1)​Plagiarism
●​ hypotheses, and
(2)​Copyright
●​ formulated theories
should be included in the review of related
PLAGIARISM
literature.
The Republic Act No. 8293, otherwise
Also, these are never directly lifted or copied, known as the Intellectual Property Code of
but summarized and synthesized. the Philippines, “protects and secures the
exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists
and other gifted citizens to their intellectual
Three Major Approaches in Ordering or
property and creations, particularly when
Sequencing the Topics and Concepts
beneficial to the people.”

Similarly, to the structure of the research In simple words, claiming and copying a
report itself, the literature review consists of: portion of someone’s written work.
●​ Introduction
●​ Body This act is never tolerated even in schools
●​ Conclusion and universities. Violators are subject to
failure in the subject or, worse, expelled.
INTRODUCTION is the profile of the study

BODY is the summative, comparative, and

evaluative discussion of literature reviewed COPYRIGHT
This is also covered in Republic Act No.
CONCLUSION restates your chief 8293 or the "Intellectual Property Code of the
summarizations and places the importance of Philippines."
your findings within your field.
It differs from plagiarism as it may pertain to
the breach of contract between the
authors and the publishers about the
coverage or scope of circulation and
distribution of the original work.
 Reviewer in Research Project

These charges are serious and it does not

Describe Research Design
excuse anyone.

In order to avoid this untoward scenario, Types of Research Method

writers and researchers should observe
ethical standards through acknowledging the ●​ Quantitative research deals with
original authors of the work where the numbers; this type of data would
concepts, ideas or information is taken. require statistical treatment.
●​ Qualitative research entails data in
The making of a list of references or the form of words and extracting
bibliography follows specific standards and meanings which will demand a
format. The commonly used formats are: framework of data analysis.
●​ American Psychological ●​ Mixed-methods research deals with
Association or APA Style; both kinds of data.
●​ Modern Language Association or
The table shows the various elements of
MLA Style; and
quantitative and qualitative research. This will
●​ Chicago Manual of Style
help you decide which method you are into
based on your initial research topic.
American Psychological Association

The “APA citation style” is the most

commonly used format in citing references.

This provides the author’s surname and

year of publication in the citation with the
completed details in the bibliography of the
research. The page number is not included in
the in-text citation.
Research Design
Modern Language Association
It is the process of structuring techniques and
strategies that help researchers solve their
The “MLA citation style” is commonly used in problems or answer their questions
liberal arts and humanities research work. (Clemente, Julaton & Orleans, 2016).

This style involves putting relevant source Here are some research designs from the
information in parentheses after the quote University of Southern California (2020) to
or paraphrase. ensure that the elements in the research work
are coherent and logical in order to achieve
the answers to the research problems.
Chicago Manual of Style

This style contains two basic referencing

systems, such as notes and bibliography
system and author-date system.
 Reviewer in Research Project

time to validate the results. This is typically

1. Action Research Design is a done in the field of medicine and science.
collaborative and adaptive research design
that focuses on socially and solution-driven 7. Exploratory Design, primarily, is fitted to a
outcomes. It has the potential to increase research problem that is not yet saturated or
learning from experience. Action research with only a few or totally no investigations or
mostly is applicable in the teaching-learning investigations have been conducted for. This
process. is often administered to understand the
processes in order to proceed in deeper
2. Case Study Design is widely used by studying of an issue. This may also deal with
social scientists since it aims to examine discovering the best methodology to use in
contemporary situations that are happening in gathering information.
real life. This design can provide the bases
for the application of concepts and theories 8. Historical Design involves collecting,
as well as detailed descriptions of unusual verifying, and synthesizing evidence from
cases. significant events from the past. This is bound
towards establishing factual bases to defend,
3. Causal Design is commonly used to challenge or nullify a certain existing
measure the impact of a particular knowledge. It mainly involves data from
change on an existing situation or norm. secondary sources and also primary
Typically, causal explanations are sought to documents and artifacts, such as but not
reflect on hypothesis testing. Causal effect limited to records, materials, archives and
happens when a difference in a phenomenon visual artifacts like maps, images, and
leads to significant results. footages or recordings.
4. Cross-Sectional Design allows
researchers to be capable of using data from 9. Mixed-Method Design is a combination of
a large number of subjects as it primarily quantitative and qualitative methods. It is
uses survey techniques to gather data. This advantageous in the sense that the strengths
design can only measure differences of one method can be used to fulfill the
between or from among a diverse set of weaknesses of another. Mixed-method
participants, subjects, or phenomena. design can provide sufficient evidence to
support a conclusion or set of
5. Descriptive Design answers the recommendations since it deals with
questions who, what, when, where, and how statistical data and insights from patterns and
of a research problem. However, it could not relationships of the involved variables.
provide reasons or exact answers to the
question “why”. It only intends to describe The only thing that should be ensured is the
"what exists" in a situation and its related appropriateness of the design to the research
variables. problems, so that the results or outcome will
6. Experimental Design involves an be definitely valid and reliable.
experimental group and a control group
wherein the independent variable is applied In the research manuscript, the research
to the experimental group while maintaining design is expressed in a coherent and
the control group. Later, both groups are logical section. It is also supported with
measured on the same target dependent details referring to its appropriateness with
variable. It may require the use of more the research topic and problems and the
groups and measurements over periods of processes in order to validate.
 Reviewer in Research Project

Secondary Data. Information from

Population, Sample and Sampling books, newspapers, publications,
Technique transcripts are forms
of secondary data.
Population is the entire group of people,
organisms or things that share similar The Research Instruments/Tools
features and characteristics which are of high
relevance to the research being conducted.
There are several ways of collecting data.
Sample refers to members of a certain The choice of research instruments is one of
population. A sample is a representation of the major decisions that the researcher will
the entire population carrying the same have to do. This is crucial since the
characteristics. instrument will be the channel through which
the researcher will be able to gather the data
The process of selecting the samples is that are needed in forming answers to the
called sampling. research problems.

Sampling Technique pertains to the specific Mechanical Devices.

manner or ways of selecting the sample. These include almost all tools available in
different laboratories for various disciplines
In quantitative research, sampling may and areas.
require statistical operations, to ensure Cameras, recorders, tapes and films
that the number of participants is are only a few devices that may be
sufficient to collect the data needed; used in collecting data for historical or
social science research.
While in qualitative research, selecting
Meanwhile, microscopes, telescopes,
the specific number of samples has no
flasks, tubes, thermometers and other
definite rules. However, the
apparatuses are some instruments for
consideration should be ensured in
scientific and experimental research.
terms of saturation of the data about
Each discipline has its own designed
the topic and the variation that is
devices for its operation research
needed within the target population.
work.

Classification of Data According to Source Clerical Tools.

In the study if perceptions, emotions, feelings,
Data are classified according to source.
attitude and judgments, clerical tools like
questionnaire, interview, testing and other
Primary Data. These data come from
materials are applicable. Most clerical tools
primary sources. The data may come
are researcher-made which are checked and
directly from the natural world,
validated by experts and acceptable
individuals, physical materials, groups
validation procedures.
or organizations, legitimate practices
and belief systems, laws and policies
and personal records.
 Reviewer in Research Project

The following are the common methods 5.​ Researcher and Sample-friendly.
involved in clerical tools: The data that will be collected from the
1. The questionnaire method material should be easy to be provided
2. The interview method by the sample and easy to handle on
3. The testing method the part of the researcher. The
4. The experimental method tabulation, analysis and interpretation
5. The library method of the data should not complicate the
tasks of the researcher.
Characteristics of Good Data Collection
Instrument Common Data Collection Instruments
(Clemente, Julaton and Orleans, 2016;
The heart of the research is its data. That is Calderon and Gonzales, 2014).
why the instrument that will be used to gather
the needed data should bear the following Given the data collection methods in the
characteristics (Clemente, Julaton and previous topic, here are the common data
Orleans, 2016). collection instruments

1.​ Brief and Effective. The data

1.​ Documentary Review. This is the
collection instrument should not be too
process of obtaining information from
long to be completed or accomplished
relevant documents. It is practical and
by both the researcher and the
efficient since the data can be
respondents. However, it should
manageable enough which can come
contain rich prompts and fields to
from public records, personal
gather rich information as well. Time is
documents and physical evidence.
always important, so making it short
without compromising the target data
2.​ Interview. In its basic definition, an
is ideal.
interview is the process of asking
2.​ Efficient. The instrument should be
questions to key informants or
able to collect information afar from
respondents about the topics of the
what is available and accessible to the
research. The researcher should have
researcher.
enough training and background in
3.​ Systematically sequential. The
administering this kind of
content of the instrument should be
data-gathering. This can be done
arranged systematically from an
face-to-face, over the telephone or
increasing difficulty or complexity of
computer-assisted.
information being asked. Easy and
less sensitive questions should be
A.​ Structured Interview. The
placed first before the complex and
researcher would have to
confidential ones.
construct and organize
4.​ Valid and Reliable. In order to attain questions which the
these characteristics, the developed respondents will answer. The
instrument should undergo tests of researcher does not ask other
validity and reliability through questions aside from what has
processes like pilot testing and the been prepared prior to the
like. interview.
 Reviewer in Research Project

B.​ Unstructured Interview. In 4.​ Questionnaire-Checklist. This is one

this type of interview, the of the commonly used data collection
researcher holds only an instruments among others.
outline of topics. The Questionnaire-checklists are easy to
questions will be administer and efficient in gathering
spontaneously asked to form large volumes of data. Basically, the
a conversation with the respondents would provide answers to
interviewee. Probing skills in the prepared set of questions like the
questioning is highly following:
necessary.
C.​ Semi-Structured Interview. A. Tag Questions. These
This is a blend of the two questions are answerable by
previous types of interview. It yes or no.
is where the researcher Example:
prepares questions and still Do you have food
asks follow-up questions to allergies? ______Yes
the interviewee for a sort of _______No
elaboration in order to form an
in-depth probing. B. Multiple Choice. This is the
usual way of getting
3.​ Observation. Tracking physical, answer/response from the
behavioral and other aspects from the respondents basically by giving
target sample over a period of time is a question and options to
the major concern of the researcher in choose from.
this method. Example:
How do you reach your
A.​ Naturalistic Observation. The school?
researcher observes the a. walking
subjects in their actual setting or b. public transportation
natural environment without the (commuting)
intrusion or involvement of the c. private vehicle
researcher.
B.​ Participative Observation. C. Open-ended Questions.
This interview requires the The respondents would have
researcher to be involved in the top continue an incomplete
activities of the subjects. In this statement.
way, the researcher would Example:
directly know and feel what the I prefer to study online
subject experiences. because
C.​ Non-naturalistic Observation. ____________________
In this interview, the subjects __________.
are taken away from their usual
situation and will experience the
ideal conditions set by the
researcher.
 Reviewer in Research Project

D. Coding/Ranking. In this
type, the respondents are asked
to rank or give numerical
ratings for the information
required of them. This may
come in the form of a checklist
with a scale.

E. Short-responses
Questions. These are
subjective questions that
require short answers. This
gives the respondents the
freedom to express their ideas
and opinions.
Example:
What is your opinion
about Education 4.0?

F. Combination. This refers to

the combination of the different
forms of questions in a single
questionnaire.

5.​ Focus Group Discussion (FGD). It is

composed of a totally diverse set of
individuals to express their personal
views about the topic. They can agree
or disagree with each other about the
issues. FGD is a way to understand
perspectives which cannot be
explained by statistical data. The
researcher should be skilled in
moderating and documenting the
conduct to gather the needed data