Practical Research 1

Q3 CHAPTER 1 Lesson 3
Characteristics, Processes and Ethics of Research

Characteristics of Research
Following the major definition of research as the scientific investigation
of phenomena which includes collection, presentation, analysis and
interpretation of facts, strict adherence to ethical standards in planning
and conducting in both qualitative and quantitative research is most
important.
The following are the major characteristics of research:
1.Empirical 
Research is based on observations and experimentation of theories. It
takes into account the direct experiences that fuse the researcher's
speculation with reality. Most research are based on real-life situations.
2. Systematic 
Research follows orderly and sequential procedures, based on valid
procedures and principles. Researchers are advised to refer to the
research guidelines provided or prescribed by the school.
3.Controlled 
In research, all variables, except those that are tested/experimented on,
are kept constant.
4.Employs hypothesis 
The hypothesis guides the investigation process. Research refers to a
search for facts, answers to questions and solutions to problems.
 5.Analytical 
There is a critical analysis of all data used so that there is no error in the
researcher's interpretations.
6.Objective 
The term also refers to the research as unbiased and logical. All findings
are logically based on empirical data, which as earlier mentioned, are
based on real life situations.
7.Original work 
Requires effort to get at the researcher's own investigation and produce
the data needed to complete the study. Go to the library to check on the
originality of your work.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
1. Concern for context and meaning
Qualitative research is bounded by a particular context which the
research aims to study. Since it is context bound, the human
experience takes its meaning from social, historical, political and
cultural influences.
2. Naturally occurring settings
Qualitative research studies behavior as it happens naturally in a
school, classroom, community or an organization. It is based on
the premise that setting affects the findings
3. Humans as Instruments
The researcher is the primary instrument for gathering and for
analyzing data, He/She responds to the need for capturing the
complexity of human experience, as well as in adapting and
responding to the environment. Only a human being can do the
field work methods such as the interview, observation and
documentary analysis.
4. Descriptive Data
Data used in qualitative studies are in the form of words or
pictures or other visuals rather than numbers and statistics. The
participants, experiences and perspectives culled from varied
types of documents enable the researcher to present a holistic
description of the subject/s of the study,
5. Emergent Design
In qualitative research, the design cannot be finalized at the onset
because the researcher continues to adjust his/her methods and
ways of proceeding as the study progresses. It is also difficult to
predict what may happen during the actual interactions between
the researcher and the participants.
Types of Research
1. Library Research  this type is done primarily in the library
where answers to specific questions or problems are available.
2. Field Research  the research is done in the natural setting
such as barangay, school or factory.
3. Laboratory Research  this type is conducted in an artificial or
controlled conditions by doing the study in a thoroughly specified
and equipped area.
 The Research Process
Research process is a systematic way the researcher approaches his/her area of study to produce knowledge
that the community will consider to be worthwhile within the field (Rao, 2017). Understanding such process is
an important step towards executing a study. The following table shows the five phases of the research
process along with their definition (Whittemore & Melkus, 2008).

Now, the simplified flow of the significant steps you need to take
in conducting a study as presented by Rao (2017):
1. Define the research problem.
To begin your research, you must look at a significant real-life
problem. Factors like area of interest, availability of fund, socio-
economic significance of the study, and the safety measures to be
undertaken should be considered in finding and defining the
research problem. The researcher identifies English language
proficiency as a problem of aspiring maritime students in
qualifying for admission to prestigious maritime institutions.
2. Review the literature.
Read various publications or surf the internet to become aware
of the previous works already done about the chosen topic. You
may utilize different resources like science books, magazines,
journals, newspapers, or even in the internet. The researcher
reviews previous studies conducted about English language
proficiency and the experienced difficulties of aspiring maritime
students.
3. Formulate hypothesis.
A hypothesis is a theoretical statement in solving a logical
relationship between variables. It should be based on the problem
being solved. The researcher hypothesizes that the
implementation of English-Only Policy (EOP) in the classroom can
improve the English language proficiency of Pre-Baccalaureate
Maritime students.
4. Prepare the research design.
Identify what is the best means to collect and analyze data in the
study to clarify and improve the research problem, purpose, and
questions. The researcher uses an experimental design on
exploring the experiences of the students in implementing EOP.
5. Collect data.
Use an appropriate data collection method to elicit the needed
information. The researcher collects data through interview and
focus group discussion.
6. Analyze data.
Utilize strategies and methods that make sense of the data to
answer the research problem.
The researcher analyzes the data by drawing patterns and themes
from the generated data.
7. Interpret and report the findings.
Put the information in perspective and present the solution to the
proposed problem based on the findings of the investigation. The
researcher interprets and reports the findings based on the collected and
analyzed data to solve the research problem.

Define the
Review the Formulate
research v
literature hypothesis
problem v

Prepare the
v Analyze data v Collect data research
v
design

Interpret and
report the
findings
 Ethics in Research
ETHICS refers to it as norms for conduct that distinguish between
acceptable and unacceptable behavior. These are direct networks
among people because they recognize some common ethical
norms but interpret, apply and balance them in different ways in
the light of their own values and experiences (Resmik, 2015).
is to consider it as a method, procedure or perspective for
deciding how to act and for analyzing complex problems and
issues.
Functions of Ethics
Ethics as important component in research writing shows the
following functions:
1. Norms promote the aims of research such as
knowledge, truth and evidence of error.
2. Ethical standards promote the values that are
essential to collaborative work such as trust,
accountability, mutual respect and fairness.
3. Ethical norms ensure that researchers can be held
accountable to the public.
4. Ethical norms in research, is research that helps
build public support quality and integrity of research.
Some Ethical Principles
Enumerated below are words and phrases that correspond to
principles on which actions exhibited while doing research are
anchored on. During your classroom discussion, how they can
become standards for ethical behavior will be clearer to you.
Honesty Integrity
Respect for colleagues Objectivity
Social Responsibility Carefulness
Non- discrimination Competence
Legality Openness
Respect for Intellectual Property
Confidentiality
Responsible publication
Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Research
When doing a qualitative inquiry, certain issues may arise.
Let us consider ethical issues that may be inherent in qualitative
research.
1. The kind of information obtained because of the length
and personal interaction that ensues when doing a
qualitative inquiry may give rise to an issue or issues. The
researcher may uncover or get hold of practices that may
not be acceptable. What then does he/she do? One rule
that must always be followed is that the person is obliged to
report practice such as child abuse, drug use, abusive
teachers and the like.
2. With regard to the researcher's relationship to the
participants, the researcher is expected to act
professionally, maintaining respect towards them. The
issues of anonymity and confidentiality are to be observed.
In field notes particularly, when conducting a sensitive
research, false names or code numbers are used to keep
track of what information came from whom without
revealing their identities.
3. The researcher is expected to give back to the
subjects/participants of the research and to show
appreciation for their commitment of time, effort and
cooperation. These acts may be to provide a written report,
present findings in an assembly, give assistance or advice on
other research projects at their workplace and others.
4. The researcher writes a letter and seeks to be allowed to
conduct a study. If changes happen in the course of the
investigation, he/she needs to get an approval for the
continuance of the study.