1. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. Henry David Thoreau

2. The more I know, the more I know I do not know. -Unknown 3. RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC WRITING 4. What isResearch? 5. RESEARCH

Searching for a Theory

Testing Theory

Solving a Problem

6.

What is a True Research?

7. What is a True Research ...

Research originates with a question.

• An inquisitive mind is the beginning of research.

Research demands a clear articulation of a goal.

• Whatyou intend to do?

Research requires a specific plan of procedure.

• How you propose to reach the goal?

Research usually divides the principal problem into more manageable sub problems.

• Principal question is divided to other questions.

8. WHAT IS A SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND HOW IT IS CONDUCTED 9. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Systematic

Controlled

Empirical

Critical investigation

10. A PROBLEM EXISTS:

There is an absence of information resulting in a gap in our knowledge

There are contradictory results

A fact exists and you intend to make your study explain it

11. WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF A PROBLEM? 12. SOURCES OF A PROBLEM

Experiences & Observation

The vast amount of literature in your own field

Courses that you have taken

Journals, books, magazines and abstracts

Theses and dissertations

Your teacher and your classmates

13. Guidelines in the Selection of a Topic

Your interest

Availability of the materials needed for investigation

Particular needs of the community

Socio economic significance of the problem

Topic is within your level of knowledge and experience

Time required to finish the project

Safety measures to be undertaken

Expenses involved in undertaking the project

Generation of new information

14. 15. Formulating a Research Problem

For the research problem to be

significant it must:

Help answer a problem / need of the people / community / country

Contribute to the generation of new information

Develop or improve an existing process

Contribute to the development of the scientific skills of the researcher

16. Evaluating the Problem

• 1. Is the problem feasible?

a. Has the problem been specified?

b. Is the problem amenable to research?

c. How available are the data?

d. Is the problem too large?

e. Am I capable of solving the problem?

• 2. Is the problem worthwhile?

a. Will the result advance knowledge?

b. Will the research have some value?

c. Will the research be of interest to possible user?

17. As soon as you have chosen your topic:

Make the topic more specific and definitive.

Start defining major terms in the title.

Survey the literature.

18. THE TITLE

The title should be written briefly (20 substantive words, function words not included is the maximum allowable length of a title).

Should contain the variables you will study.

Should show the relationship among the variables.

19. TITLE

The title should be able to catch the attention of the reader oreye catching. It should be concise, descriptive and self-explanatory.It should indicate clearly what the project is about.The title should focus on the topic for investigation and the main variable being studied should be included.

20.

TheTITLEis the first thing the reader comes across when surveying the scientific literature.It is an overview of the entire article and maybe the only basis for deciding whether to read the scientific paper or not.

21. VARIABLES -are the constructs or properties being studied.

DEPENDENT VARIABLEorcriterion variable

Is the outcome or objective of the study.

In lay language, it is the result.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLEorvariate variable

- Is that property or characteristics that makes the outcome or objective vary or differ.

22. Samples of independent and dependent variablesProblem Independent Variable Dependent Variable The study aims to determine the effect ofbeeron thegrowth of orchid. beer Growthoforchids 23. IN EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH :

An independent variable is manipulated;

All other variables except the dependent variable are held constant; and

The effect of manipulation of the independent variable on the dependent variable is observed or measured.

24. HYPOTHESIS

Is a tentative explanation for certain behaviors, phenomena, or events which have occurred or will occur.

It is the most specific statement of a problem.

25. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HYPOTHESIS:

A good hypothesis is researchable.

It should state, in definite terms, the relationship between variables.

It should be testable.

It should follow the findings of previous studies.

26. FUNCTIONS OF THE HYPOTHESIS:

Introduces the researchers thinking at the start of the study.

Structures the next stages or procedures of the study.

Helps provide the format for the presentation, analysis, and interpretation of the data in the research.

27. TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS:

Null Hypothesis

- Means no existence of an effect, an interaction, of relationships, or of difference.

Alternative Hypothesis

-Is considered the operational statement of the research hypothesis.

Deductive Hypothesis- based on theory

Inductive Hypothesis-based on observations

28. EXAMPLE Problem: What intellectual and non-intellectual student characteristic can predict academic achievement? 29. Example

Problem:

What intellectual and non-intellectual student characteristic can predict academic achievement?

Hypothesis:

Environmental conditions in the home and scholastic aptitude are predictors of physics achievement.

Null Hypothesis (H0):

Environmental conditions in the home and scholastic aptitude are not significant predictors of physics achievement.

30. 31. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY

Work on at least three (3) problems for investigation;

Create the title for each problem;

Make the null and alternative hypothesis for each title.

32. READ! READ! AND READ!