Systematic Research Process: Methodology and Paradigms

Foundations of Systematic Research

Research: Generating knowledge enables us to better understand reality. It is a rigorous, systematic, methodical, and rational process. You must establish contextualization, setting limits such as the area of knowledge (discipline), spatial limits, temporal limits, and population limits.

There are two primary types of knowledge:

• Scientific Knowledge: Based on empirical evidence (rescued from reality in some form).
• Folk Knowledge (People's Knowledge): Transmitted from generation to generation.

Stages of the Research Process

Research typically involves three or four main stages:

Stage 1: Desk or Cabinet Work

• Epistemological: Fixing the object of study (a moment of reflection and interest).
• Theoretical: Reviewing literature and writing the foundation for research generation.
• Technical-Methodological: Establishing the research design and developing the study.

After this initial phase is complete (i.e., the research project is packaged), the testing phase begins.

Stage 2: Sociability or Broadcast

• Reporting the research findings, generating an article, or summary.

The findings should be circulated for criticism and opinions.

The Nature of Research and Problems

Rigorous, systematic, methodical, and rational knowledge generation is the goal of research. Investigation should be pursued for a better understanding of reality. The investigation stems from the problem, which is the source of knowledge and drives knowledge generation.

Problem Definition (According to William Brown)

A problem is a critical situation that merits reflection, which may arise from a vacuum of knowledge, conflicting results, or situations lacking a solution. A problem presents a cognitive challenge to investigate.

Cognitive Challenge

Something that forces you to think. When a problem is identified, we transform it into a question, as this question leads to the investigation. The idea is half the problem (background, questions) and the state of the art.

Theoretical Framework

This is the background knowledge that allows us to answer the research question, involving the tools necessary to reach a response.

Research Paradigms

Quantitative Paradigm

This paradigm points to the description and characterization of phenomena based on the digital processing of information. Examples include censuses and presidential polls. Within this paradigm, structured variables are used, representing the ownership of the processes under study, presented as variables or states.

Qualitative Paradigm

This paradigm focuses on understanding the phenomenon under study through the self-expression of subjects. Examples include open-ended questions that allow subjects to elaborate, interviews, and observational guidelines. Within this paradigm, emerging categories are central.

Methodological Design and Execution

• Methodological Design: The methodology used to address the problem.
• Data Collection: Knowing whom to address, where they are, who they are, and so on.
• Processing and Analysis: Synthesizing and organizing the information to help achieve research results.
• Conclusions: Answering the research question.

Quantitative Research Variables and Designs

Quantitative Research Characteristics

Quantitative research always involves or works with variables structured by the investigator that can be measured.

Variable Definition

A property or attribute of the subjects under study that can be measured (expressed as a number and value).

Types of Quantitative Studies

• Pilot Study: Conducted when the researcher is looking for a change in the person under investigation or treatment, associated with the handling of variables.
• Non-Experimental Study: The researcher has no involvement or manipulation of the subject. This is classified as:
  • Exploratory: Used when there are gaps in knowledge or the research topic is not well defined. It serves as a first approximation to reality.
  • Descriptive: Aims to characterize the subjects considered the object of research or study. It presents their main features, normally expressed in variables (e.g., census).
  • Associative or Correlational: Seeks to determine the degree to which two or more variables are linked, usually by taking one measurement per subject for each variable considered.
  • Explanatory: Based on relations between variables, it explains why certain phenomena or events occur.

After explaining the phenomenon, some authors suggest starting research aimed at improvement, which is normally translated into action.