Research in Daily Life 1 /

Practical Research 1

LESSON 2:
CHARACTERISTICS,
PROCESSES AND ETHICS OF
RESEARCH
 CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
1. RESEARCH IS EMPIRICAL ~ it uses facts and data
that are obtained through thorough investigation.
2. RESEARCH IS ANALYTICAL ~ the researcher
carefully analyzes and interprets the gathered data
before arriving at a conclusion.
3. RESEARCH IS SYSTEMATIC ~ it follows a certain
method or procedure in order to obtain objective
results.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
4. RESEARCH IS CYCLICAL ~ it begins wit a problem
and ends with the resolution or tentative answers to
the problem to complete the cycle. This only means
that every step in the research process is vital to the
success of the research.
5. RESEARCH IS ORIGINAL ~ it is expected that any
research output is a product of novel ideas and
shows originality.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
• Research has eight distinct characteristics:
– Starts with a question or problem.
– Requires clear articulation of a goal.
– Requires a specific plan for proceeding.
– Divides main problem into sub-problems.
– Guided by a specific problem, question or hypothesis.
– Accepts certain critical assumptions.
– Requires the collection and interpretation of data in an attempt to
resolve the problem that initiated the research.
– By nature is cyclical or exactly, helical.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
Other six characteristics of Research:
1. Accuracy
2. Objectiveness
3. Timeliness
4. Relevance
5. Clarity
6. Systematic
 CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
1. Accuracy. It must give correct or accurate data,
which the footnotes, notes, and bibliographical
entries should honestly and appropriately
documented or acknowledged.
2. Objectiveness. It must deal with facts, not with
mere opinions arising from assumptions,
generalizations, predictions, or conclusions.
3. Timeliness. It must work on a topic that is fresh,
new, and interesting to the present society.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
4. Relevance. Its topic must be instrumental in
improving society or in solving problems affecting
the lives of people in a community.
5. Clarity. It must succeed in expressing its central
point or discoveries by using simple, direct,
concise, and correct language.
6. Systematic. It must take place in an organized
or orderly manner.
 RESEARCH PROCESS
1. DEFINE YOUR TOPIC ~ remember that your chosen
topic will directly affect the research process, so if
you want to lessen your time in gathering
information, you have to choose your topic wisely.
2. WRITE YOUR PROBLEM STATEMENT ~ your
problem statement is the statement that describes
what is to be tested during the entire research
process or the general problem or question that the
research aims to answer.
 RESEARCH PROCESS
3. MAKE AN OUTLINE ~ the outline serves as the first
draft of your paper. Start by writing down all the
relevant information you have gathered in line with
your research topic. Then logically organize your
outline.
4. DEVELOP A RESEARCH STRATEGY ~ minimizes
the time and effort you will be putting on your paper.
This will serve as your guide in setting out your
objectives and priorities.
 RESEARCH PROCESS
5. EVALUATE YOUR SOURCES ~ you must check the
quality and credibility of the sources you will use in the
study. You may do this by considering the authority
(author & publisher), currency (date of publication),
and purpose (intention of the author) of the material.
6. WRITE AND REVISE YOUR PAPER ~ check the
contents of your paper. Make sure that the contents
are in line with your chosen topic and problem
statement.
 RESEARCH PROCESS
7. DOCUMENT YOUR SOURCES ~
documentation of sources is important in
any research for it shows the credibility of
the writer. This shows whether the ideas or
information are taken from another source
or from the author himself or herself.
 RESEARCH PROCESS
Choose and
Cite documents or sources Write the problem
properly to be able to Define a topic. statement or general
establish the credibility of problem that the research
the research. aims to answer.

Figure 1:
Write, revise, and Simple illustration of the Write down all the gathered
relevant information in line
check the contents research process
with the topic and logically
of the paper. organize the outline.

Evaluate and check the Develop research

credibility of the sources strategy to save time and
employed in the effort in conducting the
research. research.
 RESEARCH PROCESS
A.Observation and Inquiry
B.Formulation of the General Problem Statement
C.Formulation of the Specific Problem Statements
D.Preliminary Data Gathering
E.Formulation of the Hypothesis
F. Systematic Data Collection
G.Data processing and Interpretation
H.Discovery of Concepts and Conclusion Formulation
 RESEARCH PROCESS
a. Observation and Inquiry ~ A questioning mind observes a
particular situation and asks, Why? What caused that? How
come?
b. Formulation of the General Problem Statement ~ One
question becomes formally stated as a problem
c. Formulation of the Specific Problem Statements ~The
problem is divided into several simpler, more specific sub-
problems.
d. Preliminary Data Gathering ~ Preliminary data are gathered
that appear to bear on the problem.
 RESEARCH PROCESS
e. Formulation of the Hypothesis ~ The data seem to point to
a tentative solution of the problem. A guess is made; a
hypothesis or guiding question is formed.
f. Systematic Data Collection
g. Data processing and Interpretation ~ The body of data is
processed and interpreted.
h. Discovery of Concepts and Conclusion Formulation ~
The tentative hypothesis is either supported by the data or is
not supported; the question is either answered (partially or
completely) or not answered.
 ETHICS IN RESEARCH
• You may have encountered the word ethics several
times. For example, you might have heard or be
familiar with the terms medical ethics, business ethics,
teaching ethics, or classroom ethics. ETHICS, in
simple words, are norms for conduct that
distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable
behavior. Research ethics establishes the moral
integrity of the researchers which is crucial as it
ensures that the research findings are valid and
trustworthy.
 ETHICS IN RESEARCH
1. Honesty 9. Responsible Mentoring
2. Objectivity 10.Social Responsibility
3. Integrity 11.Competence
4. Carefulness 12.Legality
5. Openness 13.Animal Care
6. Respect for Intellectual 14.Human Subjects
Property Protection
7. Confidentiality 15.Respect for colleagues
8. Responsible Publication 16.Non-Discrimination
 ETHICS IN RESEARCH
1. HONESTY ~ strive for honesty in all scientific
communications. Honestly report data, results, methods and
procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify,
or misrepresent data. Do not deceive colleagues, research
sponsors, or the public.
2. OBJECTIVITY ~ strive to avoid bias in experimental design,
data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, personnel
decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects
of research where objectivity is expected or required. Avoid
or minimize bias or self – deception.
 ETHICS IN RESEARCH
3. INTEGRITY ~ Keep your promises and agreements; act
with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and action.
4. CAREFULNESS ~ Avoid careless errors and negligence;
carefully and critically examine your own work and the
work of your peers. Keep good records of research
activities, such as data collection, research design, and
correspondence with agencies or journals.
5. OPENNESS ~ Share data, results, ideas, tools,
resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.
 ETHICS IN RESEARCH
6. RESPECT FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ~ Honor
patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual
property. Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results
without permission. Give proper acknowledgement or
credit for all contributions to research. Never plagiarize.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY ~ Protect confidential
communications, such as papers or grants submitted for
publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets,
and patient records and personal information of your
respondents, if any.
 ETHICS IN RESEARCH
8. RESPONSIBLE PUBLICATION ~ Publish in order to
advance research and scholarship, not to advance just
your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative
publication.
9. RESPONSIBLE MENTORING ~ Help to educate, mentor,
and advise students. Promote their welfare and allow them
to make their own decisions.
10. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY ~ strive to promote social good
and prevent or mitigate social harms through research,
public education and learning
 ETHICS IN RESEARCH
11. COMPETENCE ~ maintain and improve your own
professional competence and expertise through
lifelong education and learning.
12. LEGALITY ~ know and obey relevant laws and
institutional and government policies.
13. ANIMAL CARE ~ show proper respect and care for
animals when using them in research. Do not
conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal
experiments.
 ETHICS IN RESEARCH
14. HUMAN SUBJECTS PROTECTION ~ when conducting
research on human subjects, minimize harms and risks and
maximize benefits; respect human dignity, privacy, and
autonomy; take special precautions with vulnerable
populations; and strive to distribute the benefits and burdens
of research fairly.
15. RESPECT FOR COLLEAGUES ~ Respect your colleagues
and treat them fairly.
~ adapted from Shamoo, A. and D. Resnik. Responsible Conduct of
Research, 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009
 ETHICS IN RESEARCH
16. NON-DISCRIMINATION ~ Avoid discrimination
against colleagues or students on the basis of sex,
race, ethnicity, or other factors not related to
scientific competence and integrity.

~ adapted from Shamoo, A. and D. Resnik. Responsible Conduct of

Research, 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009
 ETHICS IN ACTION
A group of young researchers wanted to determine the
possible effects of phthalates on the metabolic rate and
behavior of mice. An experimental procedure was
conducted to carry out the problem. The researchers used
old plastic materials from plastic bottles as the sources of
phthalates. They cut the plastic material into smaller
pieces and blended. They injected the phthalate samples
orally into the mice. After the treatment, metabolic rate
and the behavior of the mice were observed.
 ETHICS IN ACTION
1. What ethical issues should be observed in
the research?
2. Do you think the researchers committed any
violations in the conduct of research? Why?
Why not?
3. If you were part of the research team, what
should you do to correct these violations?