Environmental Research Design
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Module 1 Overview
Introduction
The purpose of this Module is to provide an overview of research design. This module defines the research design and explains the role and purpose of research design in carrying out research. The information provided in this module outlines the important concepts of research design that shall guide the beginning researcher towards a better understanding of research in the environmental sciences.
At the completion of this module, you will be able to define what is a research design and discuss the role and purpose of research design in the whole research process.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this Module, you should be able to:
- Define a research design, and
- Discuss the role and purpose of research design in the whole research process.
The purpose of this Module is to provide an overview of research design. This module defines the research design and explains the role and purpose of research design in carrying out research. The information provided in this module outlines the important concepts of research design that shall guide the beginning researcher towards a better understanding of research in the environmental sciences.
At the completion of this module, you will be able to define what is a research design and discuss the role and purpose of research design in the whole research process.
Video
Introduction to Research Design (Source: New York University, https://www.nyu.edu/classes/bkg/methods/005847ch1.pdf)
Reading
Assignment
Go over the list of R&D projects of MIMAROPA in the linked document below and propose five research projects that align with the R&D priorities. Submit next meeting.
Module 2 The Introduction
The introduction forms the first of the basic elements of a research design. As the expected article output of this course, the introduction usually covers the first 1-3 pages. This module explains the elements of the introduction.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this Module, you should be able to:
- bear in mind the four questions to answer in writing the research introduction,
- draft research questions based on the suggested topics in Module 1, and
- write a draft introduction of your proposed research topic based on the MIMAROPA research and development agenda.
The purpose of this Module is to provide an overview of research design. This module defines the research design and explains the role and purpose of research design in carrying out research. The information provided in this module outlines the important concepts of research design that shall guide the beginning researcher towards a better understanding of research in the environmental sciences.
At the completion of this module, you will be able to define what is a research design and discuss the role and purpose of research design in the whole research process.
Readings
The following questions will guide you in writing your introduction.
1. What is your research question?
The research question must be clear in your mind before writing anything. Questions may be asked towards explaining the dependent variable (Y). It may also be an attempt to explain the impact of the independent variable (X) to the dependent variable (Y). Third, you may inquire if indeed X explains Y.
How do you write the research questions? Read the following article:
Note: Read the following article about variables if you are not yet familiar about variables:
2. Why is the answer to the research question important?
Justify why the question is important in environmental science. Is it relevant to the understanding of human-environment interactions? Argue by citing evidences (e.g. scientific literature to beef up your claim). Indicate how the question can guide in resolving issues and addressing concerns.
3. Why is there no satisfactory answer to the research question at this time?
Make a quick review of previous studies that attempted to answer the specific problem that you pursue. Why do you think is the question not yet satisfactorily answered? Are there still confusion regarding the issue or concern? Critic previous studies according to how the data was gathered and how these were analyzed. Explain why there is still a need for further study. State the weaknesses of previous studies.
4. How will your proposed research help answer the research question?
Once you are able to have a clear understanding of the "gap" in knowledge, state briefly how your proposed research will contribute to the resolution of issues or concerns regarding the phenomenon on human-environment interactions.
Assignment
Write your research questions based on the R&D topics given in Module 1. Conduct a brief review of literature to check on the researchability of your topic. Prepare a brief introduction guided by the aforementioned questions in preparing the introduction.
Submit your output via email to pregoniel@psu.palawan.edu.ph on or before Wednesday (December 21, 2016).