Components of Research

BASIC COMPONENTS OF RESEARCH

 TITLE OF THE STUDY
The title embodies substantive words or phrases which gives the idea of what the research study is all about (Tan, 2006). It must be stated clearly and concisely. The variables of the study are reflected in the title, particularly the relationship among variables and the proposed target population.
Example:
“Role for psychoanalysis to an Individual with traumatic experience during childhood in Mandaluyong City”

 INTRODUCTION
It is a brief discussion of the rationale and background of the problem, study or subject of inquiry. It should attract the consumer’s interest. It consists of the context of the problem and historical background; authoritative viewpoints on the problem; researcher’s interest; and the purpose of the study in relation to the problem.

 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
It indicates the population and the major variables of the study which need to be subjected to empirical testing. It consists of the main or major problem and specific or sub-problem.
Research problems may be stated in two forms:
Interrogative form- A major question is followed by specific questions, or several questions to answer a single problem.
Declarative Form – It is used to clarify and give greater specificity to the statement of purpose.
It is also consists of various components:
1. Major Problem – Directs attention to the subject of te investigation, particularly the main issue to be answered. It is also refers to the goal of the study that requires long-term inquiry and broader solutions.
2. Minor/specific or sub-problem – It support the major problem into which it is broken down for purpose of analysis. It serves as guide in data collection, measurement and analysis. It is also refer to the objectives of the study which require short-term inquiry and specific or narrowed down solutions.

 RESEARCH VARIABLES
Variables are qualities, properties or characteristics of people, things, events or situations under study that vary from one person to another. A variable is a label or name that represents a concept or characteristic that varies (e.g., gender, weight, achievement, attitudes toward inclusion, etc.)
Characteristics of variables are:
They have two or more mutually exclusive values or properties that can be quantitatively and qualitatively measured.
They are varying factors that affect the phenomenon under study.
They are varying qualities of people, institutions, situations or statuses.
They can be heterogeneous when the attributes or characteristics of a group being studied are extremely varied.
They can be homogeneous if the attributes

 KINDS OF VARIABLES
Explanatory Variables – this refers to the phenomenon under study that varies or assumes different values. This is the focus of the research that indicates direction of influence to what the researcher would like to discover.
Types of Explanatory Variables:
1. Independent Variable - act as the "cause" in that they precede, influence, and predict the dependent variable.
2. Dependent Variable - act as the effect in that they change as a result of being influenced by an independent variable.
Example:
The effect of two instructional approaches (independent variable) on student achievement (dependent variable)
The use of SAT scores (independent variable) to predict freshman grade point averages (dependent variable)
3. Intervening Variables – this is a factor or variable that exists between the independent and the dependent variable. It explains why the relationship exists and bears influence on the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. It is also called as correlated or mediator variables.
4. Moderator Variable – It affects the strength or direction of the relationship between the independent and the dependent variable. The independent variable interacts with the moderator variable which makes the relationship of the independent variable stronger or weaker in regard to the different values of the moderator variable (Polit and Beck: 2004)
Extraneous or Exogenous Variables - are those that affect the dependent variable but are not controlled adequately by the researcher. These variables are not also the direct interest of the researcher and must be controlled or eliminated in order that the hypothesis can be validly tested.
Two types of Extraneous Variables:
1. Organismic Variables – these are physiological, psychological and demographic factors that could affect the outcome of the study.
2. Environmental Variables – these are economic, anthropological, sociological and physical factors that influence the phenomenon under study.
Abstract or Continuous Variables - are measured on a scale that theoretically can take on an infinite number of values.
Example: Vital Signs; Age; Test Scores
Dichotomous Variables – these are factors with only two values, used in comparative study and specifically identified in the hypothesis.
Examples: Male- female; User – non-user; pregnant – non-pregnant
Active Variables – factors which the researcher creates and or manipulates.
Example: Control group receiving x solution
Attribute Variable – pre- esisting characteristics of the subjects which the researcher simply observes and measures.
Example: Height; Weight

 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
It establishes the general direction of the inquiry. It identifies the key study variables and their possible interrelationships, as well as the nature of the population of interest.
Characteristics:
The goals of the study are expressed in a broader statement of purpose;
The specific objectives of the study are expresses in a statement that pinpoints the main concern or intent of the inquiry in well-defined, measurable and logical concepts drawn up from the general objectives or goal of the study.
SMART – It should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bounded.

 ASSUMPTIONS
Three Types of Assumptions:
1. Universal Assumptions
2. Study Assumptions
3. Theory or research – Based Assumptions
 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Types of Definition:
Conceptual Definition
Operational Definition
 Denotative Definition
 Connotative Definitions
Lexical definition or Definition from Authoritative Sources

 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It must emphasize the significant contributions of the proposed research study to its target population, to the different sectors in nursing education and nursing service, to society, and its implications to future researches in nursing.

 SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS
Scope or Coverage
Expected Manageability of the Problem – In experimental studies, internal and external constraints that may affect validity and reliability of findings are specified.
Limitations of the Study