Welcome
Introduction to Research
What will we learn???
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Explain the difference between qualitative and
quantitative research.
2. Identify examples of each type of research.
3. Reflect on when and why each type of research is useful.
● Gain skills (critical thinking, analysing, writing etc.)
● University Applications
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
hmmmmm????
Quantitative: Count how many prefer each flavor.
Qualitative: Ask why they like that flavor.
What kind of data did we just collect?
Which one helps us understand how many?
Which one helps us understand why?
Main types of
research
Qualitative Research: explores meanings, experiences, opinions
● Methods: interviews, focus groups, observations
● Data type: words, themes, images
Quantitative Research: measures amounts, frequencies, or patterns
● Methods: surveys, experiments, statistical analysis
● Data type: numbers, charts, graphs
Mixed Methods: combine both for a richer understanding
(Google Gemini, 2025)
Find out!
● How many students use
TikTok daily?”
(quantitative)
● “Why do students enjoy
TikTok?” (qualitative)
(Cresswell, 2012)
(Cresswell, 2012)
How to construct a research question?
Students usually begin with something too big, like:
● Social media
● Climate change
● Education
● Sports
👉 These are topics, not questions.
A research question needs focus — a clear “what,” “who,” and “how.”
Ask the “3W + H” Questions
To narrow it down, students can ask:
● WHO is involved? (specific group or population)
● WHAT aspect of the topic interests me? (specific issue, behavior, or effect)
● WHERE does it happen? (specific place or context)
● HOW / WHY does it happen? (relationship, cause, or explanation)
💡 Tip: choose one or two “W/H” questions to focus their inquiry — not all four.
Examples
Broad Topic Narrowed Focus Example Research Question
Social media Teen phone How does social media use affect students’ sleep patterns?
use
Climate School actions What steps are students at our school taking to reduce waste?
change
Sports Motivation Why do students choose team sports over individual sports?
‘ROAD’ TECHNIQUE
| R | Researchable – Can you collect data or find information to answer it? |
| O | Observable / Measurable – Can you observe, ask, or measure something? |
| A | Appropriate – Is it suitable for your time, tools, and ethics? |
| D | Doable – Is it narrow enough for a small investigation? |
Example:
● ❌ How has social media changed society? → Too broad
● ✅ How does Instagram use influence students’ self-confidence at our school?
→ Focused, doable, measurable
(Open AI, 2025)
Literature Review
Timor, T. (2012). Use of the mother tongue
in teaching a foreign language. Language
Education in Asia, 3(1), 7-17.
Literature Review
Literature Review
A literature review is a brief description of the current state of the selected problem. Here, the author presents and systematizes the
main knowledge obtained in this field.
Why is it important to work with literature?
The purpose of working with literature is to gain knowledge on the topic of scientific research. Knowledge about the research topic is
needed in order to:
1. Verify the problem – the researcher must know exactly what has already been done in their field and what has not.
2. Justify the problem.
3. Write a literature review.
4. Avoid mistakes in methodology.
5. Make a correct interpretation of the results.
The Importance of Using Citations in Research
Projects
Gives credit to original authors – When you use someone else’s ideas, words, or data, citing shows respect for
their work and acknowledges their contribution.
Avoids plagiarism – Proper citations show which parts of your project are based on others’ research, so you’re not
claiming someone else’s ideas as your own.
Builds credibility – Citing reliable sources strengthens your arguments and makes your research more trustworthy.
Allows others to verify information – When you include full references, readers can check your sources and
explore the topic further.
Develops academic honesty and research skills – Learning to cite properly prepares students for future academic
writing and university-level research.
(OpenAI, 2025)
In-text Citation Reference
Timor, T. (2012). Use of the mother tongue
in teaching a foreign language. Language
Education in Asia, 3(1), 7-17.
Useful Ai tools and PLATFORMS
1. Research Rabbit ai
2. Consensus ai
3. [Link]
4. [Link]
5. [Link]
6. [Link]
7. [Link]
8. Google Scholar
Group 1 - Research Groups
Group 2 - Research Groups
Small-scale research Presentation Template
Team Topics
Discuss with your team the topic for your research. Then type it in to
the Google sheet by scanning this QR code: