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Study Guide in CAP101 – Capstone Project 1 Module No. 1
STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. 1
RESEARCH AND DESIGN
MODULE OVERVIEW
This module highlights the research and/or design is measured on several different
criteria which includes format, consistency, language, development, source quality, difficulty,
and innovativeness in designing the research extent of significance and overall presentation.
This module defined, classified, demonstrated a good research, and design problem relevant
to the ICT Profession.
MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, student is expected to:
✓ Define research in relation to its goals and purpose;
✓ Classify and differentiate the different types of research;
✓ Demonstrate the characteristics of a good research problem as well as that of a good
design; and
✓ Differentiate research with design.
LEARNING CONTENTS
The Meaning of Research
The meaning of research as well as its attributes and characteristics are the same regardless
of the learning discipline or field of study. Hence, the common definition of research is hereby adopted,
thus: Research is simply a systematics and refined technique of thinking specialized tools, instruments, and procedures to
obtain a more adequate solution to a problem than would be possible under ordinary means.1
Oxford Concise Dictionary defines research as a systematic investigation into and study of
materials, sources, etc., in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. It is an endeavor to
discover new or collate old facts, etc., by the scientific study of a subject or by a course of critical
investigation (emphasis supplied).
Purpose of Research
The purpose of research is to serve man and the goal of research is good life, to satisfy man’s
craving for more understanding to improve his judgements, to add to his power, to reduce the burden
of work, to relieve suffering, and to increase the satisfaction in multitudinous ways – these are the
large and fundamental goals of research.2
From the purposes of research stated above, to “ease burden of work” is the most common
aim of computing researchers.
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Characteristics of Research3
The following are the generally accepted characteristics of research:
1. Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher. The
collection of data relies on practical experience without benefit of the scientific knowledge
or theory.
2. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles. Scientific investigation is
done in an orderly manner so that the researcher has confidence on the results. Logical
examination of the procedures used in the research enables to researcher to draw valid
conclusions. Thus, the logic of valid research makes it important for decision making.
3. Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process. It starts with a problem and ends with a problem.
For instance, a researcher who completes his study states his findings and draws up his
conclusions and recommendations. In his recommendations, many problems may crop up
as other subjects for study hence, the cycle is repeated.
4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data, whether
historical, descriptive, experimental, or case study.
5. Replicability. The research designs and procedures are replicated to enable the
researcher to arrive a valid and conclusive results. Similarities and differences of replicated
research can be compared. The more replications, the ore valid and conclusive the results
would be.
6. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgments. A higher level of confidence.
Types of Research4
1. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles. Scientific investigation
is done in an orderly manner so that the researcher has confidence on the results. Logical
examination of the procedures used in the research enables to researcher to draw valid
conclusions. Thus, the logic of valid research makes it important for decision making.
2. Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process. It starts with a problem and ends with a
problem. For instance, a researcher who completes his study states his findings and draws
up his conclusions and recommendations. In his recommendations, many problems may
crop up as other subjects for study hence, the cycle is repeated.
3. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data,
whether historical, descriptive, experimental, or case study.
4. Replicability. The research designs and procedures are replicated to enable the
researcher to arrive a valid and conclusive results. Similarities and differences of replicated
research can be compared. The more replications, the ore valid and conclusive the results
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would be.
5. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgments. A higher level of
confidence.
Types of Research4
Basically, there are types of research; pure research, applied research, and action research.
1. Applied Research involves seeking new applications of scientific knowledge to the
solution of a problem, such as the development of a new system or procedure, new device,
or new method in order to solve problem.
It refers to the application of theory to the solution of the problems. It is conducted for the
purpose of applying, or testing theory, and evaluating its usefulness.
Example: Development and Evaluation of a Visual Room Scheduler for Pangasinan State
University using Artificial Intelligence.
2. Action Research is a feature of applied research, which is a decision-oriented
research involving the application of the steps of the scientific method in response to an
immediate need to improve existing practices. Action research is focused on immediate
application, not on the development of a theory or on generalization of applications. The
researcher is required to do some “action” such as teaching the respondents how to use
a particular device, teaching the importance of subject, etc.
Example: Methods of birth control
Vaccination
3. Pure Research aims to discover basic truths or principles. It is intended to add to the
body of knowledge by exploring the unknown, to extend the boundaries of knowledge, as
well as to discover new facts. It is conducted primarily to test or arrive at a theory. Its main
objectives is to establish general principles without known or intended practical application
of the findings.
Example: Newton’s Law (Finished)
The function and importance of an appendix.
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Research Method
A research methodology defines what the activity of research is, how to proceed, how to
measure progress, and what constitutes success. This module provides four (4) research methods,
thus:
1. Descriptive Research. It describes what is. It involves the description, recording,
analysis, and interpretation of the present nature, composition, or processes of
phenomena. This focus is on prevailing condition.
2. Historical Research. A process of selecting the area or topic to write the history about,
collecting data about events that occurred in the are or about the topic, collating the data,
sifting the authentic, and then making an interpretative narrative about or critical inquiry
into the whole truth of the events. Historical research describes what occurred in the past
and makes a critical inquiry into the truth of what occurred.
3. Experimental Research. A problem-solving approach that describes the effect when
certain variables are carefully controlled or manipulated. It focuses on the past, present,
and future conditions.
4. Ex post Facto Research. In this method, the researcher investigates a problem by
studying the variables in retrospect. It is a research in which the dependent variable is
immediately observe and the main concern is to find out the antecedents that gave rise to
these consequences.
5. Case Study Research. According to Bromley (1990), it ia a systematics inquiry into an
event or a set of related events which aims to describe and explain the phenomenon of
interest.
The Meaning of Design
In the area of engineering, design is the process of devising a system, component, or process
to meet the desired needs. It is a decision-making process (often iterative), in which the basic
sciences, mathematics, and the engineering science are applied to convert resources optimally to
meet these stated needs.
Thus, in Computing or Information Technology Education (ITE), the term design includes, among
others, (1) application design that focuses on software engineering processes or (2) application
design that focuses on effective testing procedure or (3) a study on application development
processes, in which basic science, mathematics and computing are applied to meet the stated needs.
The key word in design is the word “optimum”. Good design converts and/or uses IT resources
optimally to meet the stated needs. It is for this reason why the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) defines the Bachelor of Science (BSIT) program as the study of the utilization of both
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hardware and software technologies in planning, installing, customizing, operating, managing,
administrating, and maintaining IT infrastructure that provides computing solutions to address the
needs of an organization. The same is true with the Bachelor of Science in Entertainment and
Multimedia Computing (BSEMC). In the BS Information System (BSIS) program, the terminal step for
design is when the system, particularly the information system, has been integrated and implemented
in the business processes of an enterprise. Of course, the process will be iterative for the reason
design no matter how carefully crafted and made is not perfect. Considering that the term “Research”
and “Design” are two (2) different terms, the authors humbly submit that the term research is the
applicable term for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) program because the latter
is a research-based program and hence, thesis is a requirement. The term design, on the other hand
is the applicable term for the BSIT, BSIS, and BSEMC programs because require capstone projects.
According to Reeves (1992), everything will be a part of the design process: coding is design,
testing and debugging are parts of design, and what we typically call software design is still part of
design. Software may be cheap to build, but it is incredibly expensive to design. Software is so
complex that there are plenty of different design aspects and their resulting design views. The problem
is that all the different aspects interrelate (just like they do in hardware engineering). It would be nice
if top level designers could ignore the details of module algorithm design. Likewise, it would be nice
if programmers did not have to worry about top level design issues, when designing the internal
algorithms of a module. Unfortunately, the aspects of one design layer intrude into others. The choice
of algorithms for given module can be as important to the overall success of the software system as
any of the higher-level design aspects.
Reeves further states that there is no hierarchy of importance among the different aspects of a
software design. An incorrect design at the lowest module level can be as fatal as a mistake at the
highest level. A software design must be complete and correct in all its aspects, or all software builds
based on the design will be errorless.
Research and Design Distinguished
Ashley Karr (2013) distinguished research and design in this wise, thus:
To research something is to investigate it systematically. We do this to reach new
conclusions, establish new facts, and learn as much about the truth as possible. Research also
gives us a chance to find problems that we can potentially fix. We research to understand the
world.
To design something is to create the form and function of an object, system, or
interaction. We do this to make our experience here in earth (or in space) better, safter,
healthier, more comfortable, more fun – and we can create solutions to the problems we found
during our research. We design to change the word.
Simply stated, we research to explain WHY THINGS HAPPEN; we design in order TO MAKE
THINGS HAPPEN.
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The Gray between Design and Research
The American Society for Engineering Education (2006) explains the difference between
research and designs in this wise, thus:
Design is NOT research, which may be defined as “a careful investigation or study, especially of a
scholarly or scientific nature. A design task may require research to accomplish a task, but it typically involves
the investigation of knowledge, not the creation of knowledge’. Design is different than research. Design
considers alternative solutions by selecting the optimal solution with a fixed goal or specializations in mind.
Design often results in a commercial product being developed. Research has an open-ended goal and is
exploratory, with no set specification in mind, and not necessarily result in a product or a service.
The Research vs. Design Problem
A research problem is commonly defined as any significant, perplexing, and challenging
situation, real or artificial, the solution of which requires reflective thinking. A good research problem
should be (1) Specific, (2) Measurable, (3) Achievable, (4) Realistic, and (5) Time bound.
Research Design
It must be new. It does NOT need to be new.
It does not have to be good. It must be good.
In sum, research does not have to be good, In sum, design does not have to be
but it must be new. new, but it must be good.
It is done to understand the world. It is done to change the world.
RNING ACTIVITY 1
SUMMARY
❖ The meaning of research as well as its attributes and characteristics are the same regardless
of the learning discipline or field of study.
❖ The purpose of research is to serve man and the goal of research is good life, to satisfy man’s
craving for more understanding to improve his judgements.
❖ Characteristic of Research
❖ Types of Research
❖ A research methodology defines what the activity of research is, how to proceed, how to
measure progress, and what constitutes success. This module provides four (4) research
methods.
❖ The meaning of design is the process of devising a system, component, or process to meet
the desired needs.
❖ Research and Design Distinguished
❖ The Gray between Design and Research
❖ The Research vs. Design Problem
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REFERENCES
1. C.C. Crawford, The Elements of Research. (New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1946)
2. Cater Good and Douglas Scales, Methods of Research Educational, Psychological,
Sociological, (Manila: Appleton-Century-Crafts, Inc., 1972)
3. Laurentina Calmorin and Melchor Calmorin, Methods of Research and Thesis Writing
(Manila: Rex Book Store, 1995)
4. Gaudencio Aquino, Essentials of Research and Thesis Writing (Manila: Alemars-Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc. 1974).
5. Consuuelo Servilla, et. al., An Introduction to Research Methods (Manila: Rex Book Store,
1984)
6. ABET, Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs (2015)
7. Lavina Charlemagne G. [Link], 2016. Outcomes-Based Practical Guide to Thesis and
Capstone Project Writing in Computing. CMO 25 S. 2015.
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