PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

Lesson 1

I. What is Research?

1. Research is defined as the scientific investigation of phenomena which includes collection,

presentation, analysis and interpretation of facts that lines an individual‘s speculation with
reality.

2. Solutions to problems must be based on knowledge not on mere beliefs, guesses or

theories.

3. In research a systematic and well-planned procedure is required to meet the need in

order that information is acquired and evaluate its accuracy and effectiveness.

4. It is a process of inquiring.

II. Nature of Inquiry.

1. Inquiry is defined as “a seeking for truth, information or knowledge”. It is a problem

solving technique.

2. The information and data pursued through questioning begins with gathering by applying
the different human senses.

3. Individuals carry on the process of inquiry from birth till death.

4. Inquiry is synonymous with the word investigation.

III. Investigation and Immersion

Investigation has a deeper meaning compared to “inquiry”. It is a systematic examination of

a certain event or phenomenon.

Immersion is a process whereby a researcher immerses (deeply involves) himself in the data
gathering activities and the data he has gathered is carefully read or examined by him in
detail.

Combining the idea of “inquiry”, “investigation” and “immersion”, the concept of “research”
comes in.

IV. Differentiate Inquiry from Research

Inquiry is a term that is synonymous with the word ‘investigation’. When you inquire or
investigate, you tend to ask questions to probe or examine something to request for truth,
information, or knowledge.

Research is systematic and objective creation of knowledge systematic (with a system or

method, the scientific method), objective (no bias, all angles presented), knowledge
creation (a creative process).

V. Purpose of Research

1. To inform action.

2. To prove or generate a theory.

3. To augment knowledge in a field or study.

VI. Importance of Research in Daily Life

1. Research directs us to inquire about the right information by conducting further

investigation of the actual condition. It leads us to be cautious in giving results and findings
by proving lies and supporting the truth.

2. Research empowers us with knowledge and discovers new things and issues in life. It
helps us solve problems in health, crimes, business, technology and environment.

3. Research facilitates learning as an opportunity to share valuable information to others as

a way of recognizing various concerns for public awareness.

Lesson 2

I. Characteristics of Research

1. Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher.

2. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles.

3. Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process because it starts with a problem and ends with a
problem.

4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data, whether
historical, descriptive, and experimental and case study.

5. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.

6. Methodical. Research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using systematic

method and procedures.
7. Replicability. The research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to enable
the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results

II. The Seven Steps of the Research Process

Step 1. Define and develop your topic (Research Problem).

Factors to Consider in Selecting a Research Problem:

1. Researcher‘s area of interest

2. Availability of funds

3. Investigator‘s ability and training

Step 2. Find background information about your chosen topic (Review of Related Literature).

Step 3. Plan your research design including your sample (Methodology).

Step 4. Gather necessary data using open ended questions (for qualitative research) and
closed-ended questionnaire or paper pencil test questionnaire (for quantitative research)
(Data Gathering Activities).

Step 5. Process and analyse data using thematic analysis (for qualitative research) and
statistical tools (for quantitative research).

Step 6. Formulate new insights gained (for qualitative research) conclusions (for quantitative
research) and recommendations.

Step 7. Define new problem.

III. Ethics in Research

Research ethics are guidelines for the responsible conduct of research which educates and
monitors researchers to ensure high standard. It promotes the aim of research, such as
expanding knowledge and supports the values required for collaborative work, such as
mutual respect and fairness.

Ethical considerations in conducting research:

1. Objectivity and integrity

2. Respect of the research subjects ‘right to privacy and dignity and protection of subjects
from personal harm

3. Presentation of research findings

4. Misuse of research role

5. Acknowledgement of research collaboration and assistance

6. Distortions of findings by sponsor

What are these ethics in research?

1. Informed Consent. This is required to secure in order protect the rights of the participants
in your study. Inform your participants about the criteria set for choosing them as
informants and the schedule of one-on-one interview at the convenient time they are
available. Participation to the study will be completely voluntary.

2. Honesty. It report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not
fabricate, falsify and misrepresent the data.

3. Objectivity. Avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer
review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research.

4. Integrity. Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of
thought and action.

5. Carefulness. Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your
work and the work of peers. Keep good records of research activities.

6. Openness. Share data, results, ideas, tools and resources. Be open to criticism and new
ideas.

7. Respect for Intellectual Property. Honour patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets
and other forms of intellectual property. Do not use published or unpublished data,
methods, or results without permission. Give credit where credit is due. Never plagiarize,
fabricate and falsify.

8. Confidentiality. Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted

for publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.

9. Responsible Mentoring. Help to educate, mentor, and advise others. Promote their
welfare and allow them to make their own decisions.

10. Responsible Publication. Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to
advance your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.

11. Respect for Colleagues. Respect your colleagues’ opinion, treat them fairly and do not
outsmart others.

12. Social responsibility. Strive to promote social acceptance and prevent or mitigate social
harms through research, public education, and advocacy.
13. Non-discrimination. Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of
sex, race, ethnicity, or other factors that are not related to their scientific competence and
integrity.

14. Competence. Maintain and improve your own professional competence and expertise
through lifelong education and learning; take steps to promote competence in science as a
whole.

15. Legality. Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and government policies.

16. Animal Care. Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do
not conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.

17. Human Subjects protection. When conducting a research on human subjects, minimize
harms and risks and maximize benefits; respect human dignity, privacy, and anonymity.

[Link] of Research Participants

1. Human Rights. They are moral principles or norms that describe certain standards of
human behaviour and are regularly protected as natural and legal rights. They constitute a
set of rights and duties necessary for the protection of human dignity, inherent to all human
beings.

2. Intellectual Property. It protects creations of the mind, which have both a moral and a
commercial value.

3. Copyright Infringement. It is the use or production of copyright-protected material

without permission of the copyright holder. Copyright infringement means that the rights
accorded to the copyright holder, such as the exclusive use of a work for a set period of
time, are breached by a third party

Examples:

a. Downloading movies and music without proper payment for use

b. Recording movies in a theatre

c. Using others’ photographs for a blog without permission

d. Copying software code without giving proper credit

e. Creating videos with unlicensed music clips

4. Voluntary Participation. People must not be coerced into participating in research

process. Essentially, this means that prospective research participants must be informed
about the procedures and risks involved in research and must give their consent to
participate.
5. Anonymity. It is the protection of people’s identity through not disclosing their name or
not exposing their identity. It is a situation in data gathering activities in which informant’s
name is not given nor known.

6. Privacy. It is someone’s right to keep his personal matters and relationships secret. It is
the ability of an individual to seclude him from disturbance of any research activity.

V. Ethical Standards in Research Writing

Research Misconduct includes fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism. It doesn’t include

honest error of differences of opinion. It can erode trust between researchers and funding
agencies, which make it more difficult for colleagues at the same institution to receive
grants.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism refers to the act of using another person’s ideas, works, processes, and results
without giving due credit. It should not be tolerated as the unauthorized use of original
works, a violation of intellectual property rights.

Three different acts are considered plagiarism:

1. Failure to cite quotations and borrowed ideas,

2. Failure to enclose borrowed language in quotation marks, and.

3. Failure to put summaries and paraphrases in your own words.

Lesson 3

I. When to use Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research

Quantitative data can help you see the big picture. Qualitative data adds the details and can
also give a human voice to your survey results.
Concept Map showing the Designs of Research

II. Difference: Qualitative Research versus Quantitative Research

III. Similarities: Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research

1. Both have the process of inquiry and investigation.

2. Both improve life and help us in understanding various issues of life and in giving
solutions to our problems

3. Both start with a problem and end with a new problem.

4. Both use textual forms in analyzing and interpretation of data.

7. Both use inductive and deductive methods of presenting data.

Lesson 4

I. Kinds of Research across Fields