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Notes #2
CHARACTERISTICS, PROCESSES, AND ETHICS OF RESEARCH

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD RESEARCH

The following are the basic characteristics of a good research:
a. Empirical Research. Research is based on direct experiences or observation by the researcher;
b. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles;
c. Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process because it starts with a problem and ends with a problem.
You may refer to the discussion on the research process for a better understanding of this
characteristics;
d. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering data, whether historical,
descriptive, experimental or case study;
e. Critical. Research exhibits careful, and precise judgments;
f. Methodological. Research is conducted in a methodological manner without bias using systematic
method and procedures; and
g. Replicability. The research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to enable the
researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive result.

CHARACTERICTICS OF THE RESEARCHER

With the above-mentioned characteristics of a good research, it follows that the researcher should
develop the following characteristics:
a. Intellectual Curiosity. A researcher undertakes a deep thinking and inquiry of the things and
situations around him;
b. Prudence. The researcher is careful to conduct his research study at the right time and at the right
place wisely, efficiently, and economically;
c. Healthy Criticism. The researcher is always doubtful as to truthfulness of the results;
d. Intellectual Honesty. An intelligent researcher is honest to collect or gather data or facts in order to
arrive at honest results; and
e. Intellectual Creativity. A productive and resourceful investigator always creates new researches.

The Research Process

Since research employs the scientific method, it follows the steps in scientific inquiry as you have
learned in your science classes, namely:
1. Defining the problem
2. Defining the hypothesis
3. Planning out the study to test the hypothesis
4. Defining the variables
5. Forming all operational definitions
6. Carrying out the study
7. Colleting all data
8. Interpreting the data
9. Presenting the data
10. Drawing the conclusions
11. Communicating the results

Since this is a process, it should follow one step after another, and you cannot go to the next stage
unless you are through with the first. The figure below is a better presentation of the process.
 Communicating
the Results Defining the
Problem

Drawing the
Conclusions Defining the
Hypothesis

Presenting the
data Planning the Study to
Test Hypothesis

Interpreting the
data Defining the
Variables

Collecting all
data Forming all
Operations
Carrying out the
Study research, steps 2 (defining the hypothesis) and 3
It must be understood that for a qualitative
(planning out the study to test the hypothesis) are not an integral part. Planning out the study will be
included but not to test hypothesis but for the purpose as may be indicated in your objectives.

ETHICS OF RESEARCH
Ethics should be applied in all stages of research from the planning, to gathering of data, to the
analysis and interpretation, and in the evaluation (oral examination) of the research.
To ensure this, the following must be strictly observed:
1. Researchers should avoid any risk of considerably harming people, the environment, or property
unnecessarily. They should desist from subjecting persons to any experiment or research procedure
that is known before hand to cause harm, stress, or pain with no overwhelming benefit.
2. Researchers must not use deception on people participating.
3. Researchers must obtain informed consent from all involved in the study. Informed consent means
the knowing consent of an individual without undue inducement or any element of force, fraud,
pressure, or any other form of constraint or coercion. Sufficient information must be presented (in
understandable language) so that the potential subject can make an informed judgment about
participation. Making a n informed decision about participating in research includes having an
understanding of the possible risks and benefits to their involvement, and knowing absolutely that
they do not have to volunteer and can withdraw at any time. Informed consent documentation is
required whenever there are human participants involved in research. wherever necessary, informed
consent documents should be modified based on the research being conducted. Informed consent
documentation should be developed in conjunction with the research ethics protocol.
4. Researchers must preserve privacy and confidentiality whenever possible by not using or releasing
data and information revealed to them in confidence.
5. Researchers must take special precautions when involving populations or animals which may be
considered to understand fully the purpose of the study.
6. Researchers must not plagiarize the work of others, that is, not to present portions of another’s report
or data as their own, even if the other work or data source is cited occasionally, and give proper
acknowledgement and credit to resource/funding sources of their research.
7. Grant and limit authorship to those who made a significant contribution to the research endeavor.
 8. Ensure that research results are accessible to the public once the research is concluded or as soon is
reasonable.
9. Researchers must not twist their conclusions based on funding.
10. Researchers must not falsify research, thus, ensure that accuracy of all data they have gathered
and/or used in their research.
11. Researchers must ensure that only the correct data, information, and research results shall be
reported in journals, conferences, and reports to clients in case of commissioned research.
12. Respect the confidentiality and proprietary rights of peers, colleagues, and students whose material
are reviewed for publication, presentation, or funding by a grant.
13. Respect cultural, individual, and role differences among research participants and consumers,
including those based on age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity,
disability, language, or socio-economic status.

FIVE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS IN RESEARCH

1. Beneficence or the avoidance of harm- researchers ought to seek to do good rather than harm.
2. Veracity or the avoidance of deception- researchers ought to tell the truth and keep promises.
3. Privacy or autonomy- individuals have the privacy to information about themselves.
4. Confidentiality-closely related to the notion of privacy, the right to control the use of information
about themselves.
5. Consent- the notion of informed consent is often recommended as an operational principle for the
conduct of research.