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The Seven Steps of the Research Process

Research, as a tool for progress, satisfies mankind’s curiosity to lots of questions. Whether you are a high school or college student, you have to take research subject for you to be able to receive your diploma. To ease your burden in doing research, here are the seven steps in the research process:

1. Identification of a research problem

A good research always starts with a good problem. You can observe people or things, visit places, read print materials, or consult experts to find the research problem that is right for you. The research problem guides you in formulating the hypothesis and interpretation of your findings so that you can formulate the right conclusion. A good research problem is important because it is the basis of all subsequent research activities you are going to undertake. Factors like area of interest, availability of fund, socio-economic significance of the study, and the safety measures to be undertaken should be considered in finding a good research problem.

2. Formulation of Hypothesis

After finding your research problem, the next step is to formulate your own hypothesis. A hypothesis is a theoretical statement in solving a logical relationship between variables. Do not be afraid if your hypothesis proves to be incorrect after the experimentation because it is only considered as an educated guess. Always remember that when you formulate a hypothesis, it should be based on the research problem being solved.

3. Review of Related Literature

A research problem is vague at first. To give you a vivid picture of the whole research, you shall read various publications or surf the internet to become aware of the previous works already done. In doing so, it could spur an idea that can be the subject of your investigation. The review of related literature can be taken from science books, magazines, journals, newspapers, or even in the internet.

4. Preparation of Research Design

A research design is the blueprint of the research you are going to undertake. It serves as the work plan of the whole study not only because it entails the resources needed in conducting the research but also the ways these resources are utilized.

5. Actual experimentation

Actual experimentation is an implementation of the research design. In actual experimentation, you have to conduct an experiment to prove the validity of the hypothesis you have formulated. Actual experimentation includes the methodology that you have followed in doing your research. The methodology should be carefully planned prior to the actual experimentation to ensure the validity and accuracy of the result.

6. Results and Discussion

This is the heart of the research process because this is part where the findings of the research can be found. You can use table (not the table in your kitchen) and graph to interpret the results of your research.

7. Formulation of Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusion is a statement where you will present the solution to the proposed problem based on the findings of the investigation. They are tied up to the questions investigated. Your conclusion will show whether or not your experiment worked. It should answer your hypothesis and research problem. In your concluding statement you can also infer on the possible benefits to society that your results might present. You can state any plans you might have to continue working on other aspects related to your area of study. We must remember that recommendations are based on conclusions and conclusions are based on findings

Conducting research is a tiresome task because it is a year-round activity. You have to be committed to become successful in making a good research which would benefit not only you but of everyone. The willingness in you in making future researches should always be there because doing research without your ‘heart’ and ‘mind’ on it is a burden on your part. Always enjoy doing it. Enjoy the ride. The more that you enjoy doing the task, the more that you ease the burden in conducting this difficult endeavor. Never hesitate to ask questions. Asking questions from other people who is aware of your research topic would help you arrive at the correct conclusions. Now that you have finally learned the steps in the research process, you can now start doing one. Good luck!

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Mark Kevin Gabriel Santos

Mark Kevin G. Santos is a licensed teacher. He is a science enthusiast. He placed 7th during the September 2012 Licensure Examination for Teachers – Secondary Level. He is currently teaching at Tabacao National High School in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

4 thoughts on “The Seven Steps of the Research Process”

  1. this is very useful and informative article. it has given deep explanation the steps of research process in a simple way. thank you teacher.

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