Methods Of Research: Prof. Ana L. Vargas

Methods of Research Res. 1 E

Prof. Ana L. Vargas

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REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

What is a Literature Review? 

survey or examination of scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations, journal, conference proceedings) relevant to a particular issue, or area of research.

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It provides description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work (each research article)

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It offer an overview of significant literatures published on a topic (overview the state-of-theart).

What is the difference between Literature and Studies? 

Related Literature 

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Concepts and ideas related to the study

Related Studies 

Studies that has been conducted with similar bearing the study being conducted.

A good literature review must … 

established the state of knowledge about the particular topic you are proposing to research,

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provides a convincing argument that the topic is important, and will address an important gap in knowledge or understanding.

A good literature review (cont’d) … 

Provide the context for your proposed research 

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It is organized around, and related directly to, your research questions or objectives.

Demonstrate why the topic you are studying is important and timely 

It presents an analysis of what is known and not known and significant gaps in knowledge or understanding

A good literature review (cont’d.) … 

Show relationship between previous studies 

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It moves logically toward, or reinforces, your research questions, purpose or objectives.

Be defined by a guiding concept – your research purpose, objectives or questions 

It is analytic as opposed to a mere description of all previous research, a catalogue of who said what, or just a long compilation of facts

A good literature review (cont’d.) … 

Find out what information already exist in your field of research

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Find other people working in your field

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Identify main methodologies and research techniques

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Identify main ideas, conclusions and theories and establish similarities and differences

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Identify gaps in literature

Types of Literature Review 

Evaluative review

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Explorative review

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Instrumental review

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Methods or methodological review

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Theory review

Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Evaluative review 

provides discussion of the literature in terms of its coverage and contribution to knowledge in particular area.

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Often used to directly compare research findings of a project with other when findings are directly available Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Explorative review 

Seek to find out what actually exists in the academic literature in terms of theory, empirical evidence & research methods as they pertain to specific topic & its related wider subject area.

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Used to sharpen, focus & identify research question that remain unanswered in the specific topic Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Instrumental review 

Seek to find out how to conduct some research on a highly specific research problem.

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NOT designed to identify the current knowledge in an area but to identify the best way to carry out a research with out incurring unnecessary & unavoidable cost

Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Methodological review 

Different methods, relative to the research, are introduced and explored.

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Applications of each method are demonstrated. Strengths and limitations are discussed

Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Importance of literature review 

provide you with a handy guide to a particular topic

 useful reports that keep them up to date with what is current in the field 

provide a solid background for a research paper’s investigation

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emphasizes the credibility of the writer in his or her field Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Importance of literature review  evaluate promising research methods

 helps the investigator understand his topic or research better.  ensures that there will be no duplication of other studies  identify new ways to interpret research results  gives the researcher a feeling of confidence Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Sources of information Related Literature Related Studies Books

Journals

Newspaper

Thesis

magazines

Dissertations

Internet

Internet

How to Find Relevant Literatures? 

Search with the key‐word of the research topic. 

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Use broader key‐word (term) if the documents retrieved are few or none. Use narrower key‐word if the documents retrieved are too much.

Use synonym or related terms to enhance the search Employ Boolean operator: AND, OR, NOT to control the search

Pick the most recent and related article to start with.

Related Literature Process 

write all bibliographic information, i.e., author(s), complete title, publisher, date and place of publication, and so on

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PARAPHRASE!...

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Do NOT “copy & paste” Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Stages of Literature Reviews Steps in research process

Kinds of literature to be reviewed

Purpose of review

Identification • source materials: • gained prelim orientation textbooks & background & selection of problem • latest publication on the discipline • gain up-to-date knowledge in the field • theses/journals in • identify research gaps the selected in the field discipline

• know the works already done on the subject • avoid duplication Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Stages of Literature Reviews

Steps in research process

Kinds of literature to be reviewed

Purpose of review

Formulation of the • Previous study in • be familiar with appropriate methodology selected problem the field & journals & research techniques relevant to the study

Operationalization • Previous study in • For clarifying concepts the field & journals and knowing concepts • Illustrated books on research Preparation of methodology research proposals • Thesis

measurements techniques

• Develop alternative design • For formulating hypothesis and deciding sample design, etc.

Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Stages of Literature Reviews

Steps in research process Construction of tools for data collection

Kinds of literature to be reviewed • books on research methodology • Thesis

• Copies of tools and scales furnished in the appendix of the theses Drafting theoretical chapters & theory parts of other chapters

• Journals • Textbooks • Reference books

Purpose of review • For gaining thorough knowledge of the process of tools and measurement techniques

• To take notes and compile bibliography

• Reports on subject matter Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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How to Review Literature 

Compare: try to find the similarities among literatures 

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Explain how each article similar to the others.

Contrast: try to find the differences among literatures 

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Explain how each article differ to the others Criticize: put your own opinion on what is written in the literatures

How to Review Literature 

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Criticize the strength and weakness of the research Synthesize: combine several literatures into an idea Summarize: restate the article with your own words in a concise way

Points to Consider when Reviewing RL 

Provenance 

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What are the author's credentials? Are the author's arguments supported by evidence (e.g. primary historical material, case studies, narratives, statistics, recent scientific findings)?

Objectivity 

Is the author's perspective even‐handed or prejudicial? Is contrary data considered or is certain pertinent information ignored to prove the author's point?

Points to Consider when Reviewing RL  Persuasiveness 

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Which of the author's theses are most/least convincing?

Value 

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Are the author's arguments and conclusions convincing? Does the work ultimately contribute in any significant way to an understanding of the subject?

Points to Discuss in RL 

What is the problem and why is it important?

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Is the problem clearly defined?

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Try to state the problem as simply as you can

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Is the research methodology well stated?

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How’s the data being created and manipulated?

Points to Discuss in RL 

Is the manipulated data sufficiently interpreted?

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What is the contribution of the study?

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Is the conclusion related to the problems?

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Is the evidence sufficient enough to support conclusion? etc.

Sample Review Literature Title of the article: A Dynamic Framework for classifying Information Systems Development Methodologies and Approaches

Theoretical Framework 

Backbone of the study

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Statements of theories from other researchers or authorities that has bearing with the study being conducted.

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Statement of the researcher’s own theory.

Great Man Theory

Shared Leadership Theory Jesuit Leadership Theory

Converging Theory

Self Awareness

Ingenuity

Love

Heroism

School Managers

Theoretical Framework

PSU

Community

Conceptual Framework 

Serve as guide in the conduct of the study. 

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heart of the study

Outlines the study into input, process and output. 

organizers , the key ideas that organize and shape your thinking

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Relates the independent and dependent variable.

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Can be presented in the form of: flow diagrams, tree diagrams, mind maps or even shape based diagrams.

CONCEPTUAL PARADIGM 

INPUTS

   

Learning needs of the students Limited instructional materials Academic performance Drive and motivation to learn PROCESS

FEEDBACKS

 Needs assessment of the students.  Design of Computer Aided Instruction for Chemistry  Experimentation  Behavioral changes and learning skills evaluation

 Comments and suggestions from the panel of evaluators, colleagues and students

OUTPUT  Instructional Material for Stoichiometry and Gas Laws in PowerPoint presentation  Teacher’s Manual or User’s Guide for Computer Aided Instruction

Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE LEARNER Behaviorism Theory “Learning is any change in behavior.”

Learning Environment Information Processing Theory “The brain process and stores information .”

Researcher’s Theory: PowerPoint Learning Theory The efficiency of teachinglearning process can be upgraded if used with PowerPoint Presentations.

Brain Based Learning Theory “The brain has a virtually inexhaustible capacity to learn.”

Learning Environment Bruner’s Learning Theory “Learning theory involves three simultaneous processes: acquisition, transformation and evaluation.

Promoting cultural competence

Creating a student-centered classroom

Transforming Education through a Communities of Learners

Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

Enhancing learning through technology

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Socioeconomics Status Gender Income Education Psychographic characteristics

Knowledge

Practice

Program Exposure

Family Characteristics Attitude Interpersonal Contacts

Prof. Ana L. Vargas, MS EnE

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Contextual and Community factors • Socioeconomic development

• Socioeconomic status

• Domestic violence norm

• Life cycle process

• Gender Inequality

• Intergenerational exposure to violence

• Crime levels

• Risk factors

Household and Individual factors

Domestic violence

Women status autonomy

Synthesis of the State of the Art 

Summary of the researches consolidated which has direct bearing with the study.

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Statements of similarities and differences of the reviewed related literatures and studies.

Gap Bridged by the Study 

determines the blank or the missing knowledge that has not been filled up or conducted.

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state the unique feature of your study in comparison with the reviewed literature/study 

method requirements, features, materials used in the study (based from the synthesis of-the-art

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statement of originality of the study

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lead to the feasibility (doable) study

Definition of term 

Provides the conceptual or operational definition of the key terms used in the study. 

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Conceptual definition – based on dictionary or other sources. Operational definition- a working definition of terms as used in the study.

Only important terms taken from the title, statement of the problem, assumptions, hypothesis, and the research paradigm are to be defined.

Learning check 

Review related literature and studies.

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Prepare your theoretical framework.

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Prepare your conceptual framework.

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Prepare your chapter 2.