The Research Process

The Research Process

The research process refers to the overall steps needed to accomplish the entire research
according to a scientific method. It can be divided into three phases: research proposal,
research activity, and written content. Specifically, the following are the steps of the
scientific research process:

Phase 1: Research Proposal

The research proposal phase is the first phase of the entire research process. Most of the
time, it requires the researcher to identify the actual research problem that he or she
wants to address. It involves three steps:

• Identifying the General Study Area

The researcher needs to select a research topic that is within his or her subject area of
interest. The field of interest may further branch out to a wide range of areas. For this
reason, it is important for the researcher to pick a study area to explore that will serve as
the general field of focus of the research.
 • Choosing a Research Topic

The researcher needs to start observing the surroundings or environment. Through keen
observation, processes or things that require improvement can be identified. In
identifying a research topic, it is important that the researchers choose a topic that can
address real-life problems they usually encounter in the academe and society. This step
also considers the significance of the chosen topic in the general field of focus, whether
it is worth the time and effort to conduct the research or not.

• Formulating Plans and Methodology

Research methodology refers to the set of methods, procedures, or techniques that will
be used for the overall handling of data about a topic. It is highly relevant in research, as
it serves as the blueprint in the conduct of the study. This step also considers the schedule,
budget, and feasibility of the research.

Phase 2: Research Activities

The research activities phase includes all the necessary procedures needed for data
collection and analysis. The following are the steps of this phase:

• Data Collection

Data collection comes directly after polishing every detail of the research methodology.
It is a critical step as this establishes the accuracy of data that will determine the
conclusion of the study. Data can be collected in several ways that will be discussed in
the succeeding lessons, but the following is an overview:
 • Data Analysis

Data analysis refers to the process of extracting the essential information needed to
answer the research questions from the collected data. This step can be done through
the use of statistical methods or by deriving themes from the gathered data. The results
of the analysis must then be interpreted and discussed with the support of related
literature.

Phase 3: Written Content

The written content phase of the research process involves the process of consolidating
all the information from the data analysis.

• Writing Conclusions

Conclusion is the part of the study derived from the analysis and interpretation of the
collected data. This serves as the direct answer to the research questions posed at the
start of the project. In this step, the researchers need to process the essential information
to form the final conclusion of the research.

• Sharing the Publication

Once all the results of the study are consolidated and written into a final research
manuscript, the researchers are obliged to present and share their findings with the public
or the rest of the community. Mostly, researches can be presented in the form of a poster
or oral presentations during organized conferences. Researchers may also publish their
work in journals or any form of media that allows their work to be accessed by other
people.
 Research Format of Brokenshire College Toril

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION

(For Qualitative and Quantitative Research)

Purpose:
This chapter explains what the study is about, why it is important, and what problem it
wants to solve.

Sub-parts:

1. Background of the Study

o Describes the general situation or issue that led to the research
o Explains why the topic is worth studying
o Moves from broad ideas to the specific problem

This section introduces the problematic situation and explains why the study is
necessary.

A. Presenting the Problematic Situation

Start by describing the real-world problem that motivated the study. This
should show that the issue:

• Exists in reality
• Affects people, schools, or society
• Needs deeper understanding or solution

Begin with general information, then move to specific conditions.

B. Global Scenario

• Describe how the problem exists worldwide

• Use international studies, reports, or trends
• Shows that the issue is not isolated

Example:
Globally, studies have shown that students experience increasing
academic stress due to competitive educational environments and
performance-based assessments.

C. National Scenario

• Explain how the problem appears in the Philippine context

• Use local studies, DepEd reports, or national data
 Example:
In the Philippines, several studies have reported that senior high school
students experience moderate to high levels of academic pressure due to
curriculum demands and expectations from family and school.

D. Local Scenario

• Describe what is happening in the school, community, or institution

• Can be based on observations, school records, or informal reports

Example:
At Brokenshire College Toril, teachers have observed that many Senior
High School students show signs of academic fatigue, declining
motivation, and difficulty in managing school requirements.

E. Establishment of the Research Gap

This part explains what is missing in existing studies and why the present
research is needed.

You may state:

• What has already been studied

• What has NOT been studied
• What is lacking in method, population, or location

Quantitative:
Previous studies focused on measuring academic stress levels but did not
examine its relationship with coping strategies among Senior High School
students in private schools.

Qualitative:
While studies explored academic stress, limited research has focused on
students’ lived experiences in a faith-based private institution.

F. Importance of the Study

Explain why filling the research gap is important:

• Helps improve school practices

• Contributes to knowledge
• Assists decision-makers

This naturally leads to the Statement of the Problem.

2. Statement of the Problem/ Research Questions
o Clearly states the main problem of the study
o Usually written in question form
o Includes one main problem and several specific problems
o Includes statement of hypothesis for Quantitative study.

3. Theoretical Framework

This section explains the theory or theories that support the study.

How to Present:

o Name the theory

o Briefly explain the theory
o Explain how the theory relates to the study variables or phenomenon

4. Conceptual Framework

This section shows the specific variables or concepts used in the study, based on
the chosen theory.

How to Present:

o Use a diagram or model

o Briefly explain the diagram

5. Significance of the Study

o Explains who will benefit from the study
o Describes how the results will be useful (e.g., students, teachers, school,
future researchers)
6. Scope and Delimitation
o States what the study covers and does not cover
o Includes the participants, location, time frame, and variables
o Helps readers understand the limits of the research
7. Definition of Terms
o Defines important or technical terms used in the study
o Definitions are based on how the terms are used in the research-
Operational Definition of Terms
CHAPTER 2 – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Purpose:
This chapter shows what other researchers have already studied related to the topic
and how the present study is connected or different.

Sub-parts:

1. Related Literature
o Discusses books, articles, journals, and online sources
o Explains theories, concepts, and ideas related to the study
2. Related Studies
o Presents previous research (local and foreign)
o Summarizes their methods, findings, and conclusions
o Shows similarities and differences with the current study
3. Synthesis
o Summarizes what was learned from the literature and studies
o Identifies research gaps that the present study aims to fill

CHAPTER 3 – METHODOLOGY

Purpose:
This chapter explains how the study was conducted and how the data were collected
and analyzed.

Sub-parts:

1. Research Design
o Describes the type of research used
o Quantitative:
• Descriptive, correlational, experimental, survey
o Qualitative:
• Phenomenological, case study, narrative, ethnographic
o Explains why this design is appropriate
2. Research Locale
o States where the study was conducted
o Brief description of the place
3. Respondents of the Study
o Describes the participants (number, age, level, characteristics)
o Explains how they were chosen
o Quantitative:
• Uses respondents
• Includes number, sampling technique
o Qualitative:
• Uses participants
 • Includes selection criteria and small sample size
4. Research Instrument
o Describes the tool used (questionnaire, interview guide, checklist, test)
o Explains how it measures the variables
o Quantitative:
• Questionnaires, tests, rating scales
o Qualitative:
• Interview guide, observation guide, field notes

5. Data Gathering Procedure

o Step-by-step explanation of how data were collected
o Includes permission, distribution, and retrieval of instruments
6. Data Analysis/Statistical Treatment of Data
o Explains how data were analyzed
o Quantitative:
• Mean, percentage, frequency, t-test, correlation
o Qualitative:
• Thematic analysis, coding, categorizing responses

CHAPTER 4 – RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Purpose:
This chapter presents the findings of the study and explains what the results mean.

Sub-parts:

1. Presentation of Data

Quantitative:
• Tables, graphs, numerical data
Qualitative:
• Narratives, themes, direct quotations

Results are organized according to the research questions

o
2. Analysis of Data
o Explains what the numbers or responses indicate
o Describes trends, patterns, or comparisons
3. Discussion of Results
o Interprets the findings
o Connects results to previous studies and literature
o Explains whether results support or differ from earlier research
CHAPTER 5 – SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Purpose:
This chapter summarizes the whole study, states the conclusions, and provides
suggestions based on the findings.

Sub-parts:

1. Summary
o Brief review of the entire study
o Includes the problem, method, and key findings
2. Conclusions
o General statements based on the findings
o Answers the research questions
o Written in paragraph form
3. Recommendations
o Suggestions for improvement or action
o May be directed to students, teachers, school administrators, or future
researchers

Other parts of the Research Paper:

Title Page

Abstract

Table of Contents

References

Appendices