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Lecture Notes
in

Practical Research 1
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LESSON 1: The Importance of Research in Daily Life

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.

NATURE OF INQUIRY
1. Inquiry is defined as “a seeking for truth, information or
knowledge”.
2. It is a problem-solving technique.
3. The information and data pursued through questioning
begins with gathering by applying the different human senses.
4. Individuals carry on the process of inquiry from birth till death.
5. Inquiry is synonymous with the word investigation.

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)

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
1. To inform action.
2. To prove or generate a theory.
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3. To augment knowledge in a field or study.

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.
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LESSON 2: The Characteristics, Processes, and Ethics of

Research

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

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).
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STEP 6. Formulate new insights gained (for qualitative

research) conclusions (for quantitative research) and
recommendations.
STEP 7. Define new problem.

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 reports 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.
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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.
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RIGHTS 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.
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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.