1. MISSY JANELLE BATOCTOY
11 – HUMSS A
MODULE 1: THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
RESEARCH
• Searchingforknowledge
• Careful studythatisdone to findand reportnew knowledgeaboutsomething(Meriam-WebsterOnline
Dictionary)
• Systematicinquirythatisdesignedtocollect,analyze,&interpretdatatounderstand,describe,or
predictphenomenon(Mertens,2015)
• The formal and disciplinedapplicationof scientificinquirytothe studyof problem(NavarroandSantos,
2011)
Research is the systematicapplicationofthe scientificinquiryinorder to findsolutionsto problems&
contributeto knowledge.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSOF RESEARCH
1. Discoveringmedicalbreakthroughs
2. Advancingtechnological developments
3. Understandingandsolvingproblemsineducation,business,economy,andsociety
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
1. GatherRelevant information - the resultsof research(es)are usedasspringboardinconductingmore
researchesorinplanningnewprojects.Forexample,aresearchonthe basic needsof the target
customerscan helpcompaniesdevelop&marketa new line of products.
2. Improve Quality of Life- Researchundertakingsare basicallygearedtowardimprovingthe qualityof life.
The major breakthroughsinthe fieldof communication,transportation,medicine,entertainment,and
food& nutritionare all possible becauseof researchesconducted.Throughcontinuous research,these
breakthroughsare furtherimprovedtomake people'slivesconvenientandcomfortable.
3. UnderstandHistory - understandingourhistorycanhelpusbetterunderstandourcurrentsocietyand
the behaviorof the people.Researchplaysanimportantrole notonlyinhelpingustrace our history,but
alsoin understanding&providingpossiblesolutionstothe pervadingproblemsof ourcurrentsociety.
4. Personal & Professional Development - Researchchallengesustobecome betterindividualthroughthe
newideas,perspective,&skillsthatwe canget whendoingresearch.Personally,youwill gainmore
knowledge &thuswidenyourperspectiveaboutlife ingeneral.Professionally,youwill notonlymeet
your academicor school requirementbutyou will alsoadvance toamore challenging&excitingworld
of learning.
PRACTICAL & PERSONAL BENEFITS OF RESEARCH
1. GoodDecisionMaker - whenyouare engagedinresearchactivity,youare challengedtomake
objective decisionsbasedsolelyonthe facts& informationyouhave gathered.
2. GoodProblemSolver - if challenges&problemsare metalongthe way,youcan easilycome upwith
solutions. Thisisbecause youare able toacquire gooddecision-makingskillsbecauseof research.
3. GoodCritical & Creative Thinker- youwill soonface manychallengesaheadof you.Butbecause
youwere immersedinanyresearchactivity,youcaneasilyweighthese challenges&pose possible
solutions&remediestoanycircumstances.
4. GoodContributor of knowledge - The outcome of yourresearchcontributesadditional information
to the existingbodyof knowledge.
Research shapes a person'sskillsindecisionmaking,problemsolving,andinknowledge creation.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOODRESEARCH
1. Research isempirical - it usesfactsand data that are obtainedthroughathoroughinvestigation.
2. Research isanalytical - the researchercarefullyanalysis&interpretsthe gathereddatabefore
arrivingat a conclusion.
3. Research issystematic - itfollowsacertainmethodorprocedure inorderto obtainobjective
results.
4. Research iscyclical - it beginswithaproblemandendswiththe resolutionortentative answersto
the problemtocomplete the cycle.Thisonlymeansthateverystepinthe researchprocess isvital to
the successof the research.
5. Research isoriginal - itis expectedthatanyresearchoutputisa productof novel ideasandshows
originality.
2. RESEARCH PROCESS
1. Chooseand Define yourtopic - The very first step in conducting a research is choosing & defining your
topic. Remember to your chosen topic will directly affect the research process, so if you want to lesson
your time in gathering information, you have to choose your topic wisely.
2. Write yourproblem 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.
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 - Developing your strategyin conducting your research 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
5. Evaluateyoursources - You must check the quality & credibility of the sources you will use in the study.
You may do this by considering the authority (author and publisher), currency (date of publication), and
purpose (intention of the author) of the material.
6. Write and Revise yourpaper - Check the contents of your paper. Make sure that the contents are in line
with your chosen topic and problem statement.
7. Document yoursources -Documentation of sources is important in any research for it shows the
credibility of the writer. This shows whether the ideas or information aretaken form another source or
from the author himself or herself.
ETHICS IN RESEARCH
Ethics
- moral principles of right and wrong
- are norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
Research Ethics
- incorporating ethical principles into research practice may involve a balance between and within
principles and practices
- all stages, all those involved, from inception of research through to completion and publication
results and beyond
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES THAT RESEARCHERS MUST OBSERVED
(Adapted from Shamoo, A. and D. Resnik. ResponsibleConductofResearch.2nded.New York:Oxford University Press, 2009)
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.
2. Objectivity. Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review,
personal decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research where objectivity is
expected or acquired. Avoid or minimize bias or self-deception.
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. Keep good
records of research activities such as data collection, research design, and correspondence with agencies.
5. Openness. Share data, ideas, tools, resource. Be open to criticism and new ideas.
6. Respect for Intellectual Property. Honor patents, copy writes and other forms of intellectual property. Do
not use unpublished data, methods, or result without permission. Give credit where credit is due. Give
proper acknowledgement or credit for all contributions to research. Never plagiarize.
7. Confidentiality. Protect confidential communications and personal information of your respondents, if any.
8. Social Responsibility. Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigatesocial harms through research,
public education, and advocacy.
9. Competences. Maintain and improve your own professional competence and expertise through lifelong
education and learning.
10. Legality. Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.
11. Animal Care. Show proper respect and carefor animals when using them in research. Do not conduct
unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.
12. 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.
Ethics inresearch helpsestablishthe moral integrity of the researchers whichis crucial as it ensures that the
research findingsare validandtrustworthy.
