Republic of the Philippines

Mindanao State University

MALABANG COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
Malabang, Lanao del Sur

Lesson The Characteristics, Processes, and

2 Ethics of Research

I. INSTRUCTION

Before going through, it is very important to read the lessons carefully to understand the concept. You
may collaborate with other students or consult other references, if it is necessary. There are follow-up activities
that are intended for you to process what have your learned. Lastly, enjoy what you are doing and be inspired
to study well.

II. INTRODUCTION

Research is a process of gathering, analysing and interpreting information to answer questions. A good research
follows processes that must have certain characteristic. It must be systematic, controlled, rigorous, valid and
verifiable, empirical and critical. To avoid unethical practices researchers had obligations to adhere professional
standards in conducting research .Thus to consider a research writing ethical it must be clear, accurate, just and
authentic.

Learning Objectives
After going through this module, you are expected to be able to:
▪ share research experiences and knowledge;
▪ explain the importance of research in daily life;
▪ describe characteristics, processes, and ethics of research;
▪ differentiate quantitative from qualitative research; and
▪ provide examples of research in areas of interest (arts, humanities, sports, science, business,
agriculture and fisheries, information and communication technology, and social inquiry)

III. CONCEPTS

In the previous lessons, you learned the meaning of research and its importance in your daily life. Research is
different from inquiry. When you inquire or investigate, you tend to ask questions to probe or examine something
to request for truth, information, or knowledge. The importance of research helps improved life as well as finding
a solution to problems through reliable and validated information.

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

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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).

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 report 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 Republic of the Philippines
Mindanao State University
MALABANG COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
Malabang, Lanao del Sur

Name: ___________________________________ Grade & Section: ______________

Assessment

Direction: Identify what characteristic of a researcher is being referred to in the following statements. Write
your answer on the blanks provided before the number.

______ 1. An experience researcher should impart knowledge to his or her students.

a. Responsible Publication c. Respect for colleagues
b. Non-discrimination d. Social Responsibility

______ 2. The researcher should ensure that the participants will not be adversely affected by the
research and its results.
a. Care c. Respect for colleagues
b. Human subjects protection d. Social Responsibility.

______ 3. Any participants to any research activity must not be forced to take part in the study.
a. Voluntary participation c. Risk of harm
b. Informed consent d. Social responsibility

______ 4. When a paper is already submitted to a publication, no submission to another should be done.
a. Objectivity c. Care
b. Legality d. Responsible Publication

______ 5. The researcher should be fully equipped with research skills when conducting the study.
a. Confidentiality c. Legality
b. Competence d. Openness

______ 6. All the data to be reported should include all facts and accuracy.
a. Honesty c. Competence
b. Objectivity d. Care

______ 7. Whatever agreed upon by the participants must be actualized.

a. Integrity c. Social Responsibility
b. Legality d. Responsible Publication

______ 8. The researchers should accept all comments and considerations.

a. Openness c. Non-discrimination
b. Respect for intellectual property d. Responsible mentoring

______ 9. Informed consent for a participant is best exemplified in which of the following actions?
a. Talking to him or her privately c. Writing him or her a letter
b. Surprising him or her with a questionnaire d. Using a padrino system

______ 10. Confidentiality of a participant is best exemplified in which of the following actions?
a. Asking the participant to write his or her name in the questionnaire
b. Not mentioning his or her name in the Participants of the study section
c. Introducing himself or herself in an interview
d. Taking his or her picture