The RESEARCH PROCESS

IDEA-GENERATING PHASE

Research begins with an idea in which the researcher has interest.

It is in this phase wherein the researcher has to identify topics that interest him most.

It is in this step where he has to justify why a study on a particular topic is needed.

Once a topic of interest is already identified, the researcher has to start reading articles and books, converse with people who are knowledgeable in the area and begin thinking about it.

PROBLEM-DEFINITION PHASE

As the ideas generated in the first phase are very general and vague, the researcher has to refine them. This is the problem definition phase.

This particular step involves the following activities: identification and definition of the variables to be studied; development of the theoretical and conceptual framework of the study; the formulation of the major and specific problems to be investigated and the formulation of the hypothesis.

PROCEDURES-DESIGN PHASE

After identifying the problems and hypothesis, the researcher has to decide on the methods and procedures he will use in the collection and analysis of data. This is the procedures-design phase.

Activities a researcher has to undertake in this phase include the following: decision on what research methodology to employ; selection of research participants; development and validation of data gathering tools; specification of the procedures to be observed in the actual collection of data and planning the analysis of data gathered.

DATA COLLECTION PHASE

After preparing the research plan, the researcher has to proceed gathering the data from the subjects of the study.

It is in this phase where the procedures devise din the previous step, are implemented by the researcher rigorously.

DATA ANALYSIS PHASE

In this particular phase, the researcher analyzes the collected data from the previous step, based on his data analysis plan.

Appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and procedures are then applied for data that have been recorded, coded, ad tabulated.

INTERPRETATION PHASE

Having analyzed the data, the researcher continues to make sense out of them by interpreting the results in terms of how they aid in responding to the research problem posed at the beginning of the study, and how this answer contributes to knowledge in the field.

After generating answers to the problem, he researcher has to compare the results predicted based on the theoretical framework of the study.

COMMUNICATION PHASE

After completing the data analysis and interpretation phase, the researcher has to prepare written or oral report of the study conducted, either for publication or presentation to colleagues or a panel of experts.

This report has to include a description of all above steps in the research process.