RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT

Unit 5

Presentation of Research Results

Meaning
The presentation of research results refers to the process of organizing, summarizing, and
displaying the data collected during a research study in a coherent and accessible manner. This
involves converting raw data into understandable formats such as tables, charts, graphs, and
narrative descriptions to communicate the findings effectively to an audience. The goal is to
ensure that the results are clearly understood, the key points are highlighted, and the
implications of the findings are evident.
Definitions:
1. Research Results:
o The outcomes or findings derived from the systematic investigation or study
conducted to answer a research question or test a hypothesis.
2. Ungrouped Frequency Table:
o A table that displays individual data points without grouping them into intervals.
Each data point is listed separately along with its frequency of occurrence.
3. Grouped Frequency Table:
o A table that organizes data into intervals or groups, showing the frequency of
data points within each interval. This is particularly useful for large datasets to
simplify the presentation and interpretation of data.
4. Charts and Diagrams:
o Bar Chart: A graphical representation of categorical data with rectangular bars
representing the frequency or value of each category.
o Histogram: A graphical display of continuous data using bars to show the
frequency of data intervals.
o Pie Chart: A circular chart divided into slices to illustrate the proportion of
different categories within a whole.
o Line Chart: A graph that uses lines to connect data points, showing trends or
changes over time.
o Scatter Plot: A graph with points plotted to show the relationship between two
variables, often used to identify correlations.
5. Research Report:
 o A comprehensive document that presents the methodology, data, analysis, and
findings of a research study. It typically includes sections such as introduction,
literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references.
6. Research Format:
o The structured organization and presentation of research findings, including the
use of tables, charts, diagrams, and narrative descriptions to effectively
communicate the results.
By understanding these components and definitions, researchers can effectively present their
findings, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and comprehensibility for their audience.

1. Research Format:
• Ungrouped Frequency Tables:
o List individual data points.
o Useful for small datasets.
o Example:
Age
21
22
23
24
• Grouped Frequency Tables:
o Data grouped into intervals.
o Useful for large datasets.
o Example:
Age Group Frequency
20-25 15
26-30 10
2. Charts and Diagrams:
• Bar Charts:
o Used for categorical data.
o Each bar represents a category.
o Example: Comparing sales of different products.
• Histograms:
o Used for continuous data.
o Similar to bar charts but for intervals.
 o Example: Distribution of ages.
• Pie Charts:
o Show proportions of a whole.
o Each slice represents a category.
o Example: Market share of different companies.
• Line Charts:
o Show trends over time.
o Points connected by lines.
o Example: Stock prices over a year.
• Scatter Plots:
o Show relationship between two variables.
o Points plotted on a graph.
o Example: Height vs. Weight.
3. Organizing a Research Report:
• Introduction:
o Purpose, objectives, and scope.
• Literature Review:
o Summary of existing research.
• Methodology:
o Research design, data collection, and analysis methods.
• Results:
o Presentation of findings using tables, charts, and diagrams.
• Discussion:
o Interpretation of results, implications, and limitations.
• Conclusion:
o Summary of findings and recommendations.
• References:
o List of sources cited in the report.
Essentials of a Good Report
• Clarity:
 o Clear and concise language.
• Structure:
o Logical flow and organization.
• Accuracy:
o Accurate data and analysis.
• Objectivity:
o Unbiased presentation of findings.
• Relevance:
o Pertinent to the research question.
• Consistency:
o Uniform format and style.

Research and Publication Ethics

1. Principles of Research Integrity:
• Honesty:
o Reporting data, results, methods, and procedures truthfully.
• Objectivity:
o Avoiding bias in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Integrity:
o Keeping promises and agreements; acting with sincerity.
• Carefulness:
o Avoiding errors and negligence; critically examining work and peer review.
• Openness:
o Sharing data, results, ideas, tools, and resources.
• Respect for Intellectual Property:
o Honoring patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property.

Similarly, Research integrity refers to the adherence to ethical principles and professional standards
essential for the responsible conduct of research. It ensures the credibility, reliability, and validity of
scientific findings. Here are the core principles of research integrity:

1. Honesty:
 o Definition: Reporting data, results, methods, and procedures honestly. Avoiding
fabrication, falsification, and misleading information.
o Application: Presenting research findings truthfully without manipulating data
or results to fit a desired outcome.
2. Objectivity:
o Definition: Avoiding bias in experimental design, data analysis, data
interpretation, peer review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony,
and other aspects of research.
o Application: Ensuring that personal biases or interests do not influence the
research process or outcomes.
3. Integrity:
o Definition: Keeping promises and agreements; acting with sincerity; striving
for consistency of thought and action.
o Application: Being honest and transparent in all aspects of research, including
data collection, analysis, and reporting.
4. Carefulness:
o Definition: Avoiding careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically
examining one’s own work and the work of peers.
o Application: Conducting research meticulously and maintaining thorough
documentation to ensure reproducibility.
5. Openness:
o Definition: Sharing data, results, ideas, tools, and resources. Being open to
criticism and new ideas.
o Application: Making research findings accessible to the public and the
scientific community, and being willing to engage in open discussions about the
research.
6. Respect for Intellectual Property:
o Definition: Honoring patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual
property. Giving proper acknowledgment or credit for all contributions to
research.
o Application: Properly citing the work of others and obtaining permission for
the use of copyrighted materials.
7. Confidentiality:
o Definition: Protecting confidential communications, such as papers or grants
submitted for publication, personnel records, trade secrets, and patient records.
 o Application: Ensuring that sensitive information is not disclosed without
proper authorization and that privacy is maintained.
8. Responsible Publication:
o Definition: Publishing to advance research and scholarship, not to advance
personal or academic agendas. Avoiding redundant and duplicative publication.
o Application: Ensuring that publications are accurate, complete, and provide a
clear account of the research conducted.
9. Responsible Mentoring:
o Definition: Providing proper guidance and mentorship to students and early-
career researchers.
o Application: Ensuring that mentees receive the necessary training, support, and
ethical guidance in their research activities.
10. Respect for Colleagues:
o Definition: Treating colleagues fairly and with respect.
o Application: Collaborating in a respectful manner and recognizing the
contributions of others.
11. Social Responsibility:
o Definition: Striving to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social
harms through research, public education, and advocacy.
o Application: Conducting research that is beneficial to society and considering
the broader implications of research findings.
12. Non-Discrimination:
o Definition: Avoiding discrimination against colleagues or students based on
gender, race, ethnicity, or other characteristics not related to their scientific
competence and integrity.
o Application: Promoting inclusivity and diversity in research environments.
13. Competence:
o Definition: Maintaining and improving one’s own professional competence and
expertise through lifelong education and learning.
o Application: Continuously updating skills and knowledge to conduct high-
quality research.
14. Legality:
o Definition: Knowing and obeying relevant laws and institutional and
governmental policies.
 o Application: Ensuring that research activities comply with legal and regulatory
requirements.
15. Animal Care:
o Definition: Showing proper respect and care for animals when using them in
research.
o Application: Adhering to ethical guidelines and standards for the humane
treatment of animals in research.
16. Human Subjects Protection:
o Definition: Protecting the rights and welfare of human participants in research.
o Application: Obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and
minimizing harm to participants.
These principles form the foundation of ethical research practices, ensuring that scientific work
is conducted with integrity, transparency, and respect for all involved.

2. Plagiarism:
Meaning: Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work, ideas, or intellectual property
without proper acknowledgment or permission, presenting it as one's own. It is considered a
serious ethical violation in academia, research, and professional settings.
Definition: Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them
off as one's own. This can include copying text, images, data, or concepts without giving credit
to the original source. Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional, but both forms are equally
problematic.

Example:
Original Text: From the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: "So we beat on,
boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
Plagiarized Version: "So we continue forward, vessels against the flow, constantly being
pushed back into history."
Properly Cited Version: As F. Scott Fitzgerald eloquently states in The Great Gatsby, "So
we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

Types of Plagiarism:
1. Direct Plagiarism:
o Copying text word-for-word from a source without quotation marks or citation.
o Example: Copying a paragraph from a journal article into your paper without
citing the article.
 2. Self-Plagiarism:
o Reusing one's own previously published work without acknowledgment.
o Example: Submitting the same research paper to multiple courses without
permission from the instructors.
3. Mosaic Plagiarism (Patchwriting):
o Blending copied material from various sources without proper citation.
o Example: Combining sentences from different sources into a new paragraph
without citing any of them.
4. Paraphrasing Plagiarism:
o Rewriting someone else's ideas in your own words without giving credit.
o Example: Rewording a concept from a book and including it in your paper
without citation.
5. Accidental Plagiarism:
o Failing to cite sources properly due to ignorance or oversight.
o Example: Forgetting to include a citation for a quote from a website.

How to Avoid Plagiarism:

1. Proper Citation:
o Always cite sources for any ideas, data, or text that are not your own.
o Use appropriate citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) as required.
2. Quotation Marks:
o Use quotation marks for direct quotes and provide a citation.
o Example: "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into
the past" (Fitzgerald, 1925).
3. Paraphrasing:
o When paraphrasing, rewrite the original idea in your own words and cite the
source.
o Example: According to Fitzgerald (1925), we struggle onward like boats against
a strong current, always being pushed back into our past.
4. Plagiarism Checker Tools:
o Use tools like Turnitin, Grammarly, or Copyscape to detect and correct potential
plagiarism.
 o These tools can help identify unintentional plagiarism and ensure proper
citation.
5. Keep Track of Sources:
o Maintain detailed notes on all sources you consult during your research.
o Include full citation details to make referencing easier.
By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure the integrity of your work
and avoid the pitfalls of plagiarism.

• Avoiding Plagiarism:
o Citation:
▪ Properly citing all sources of information and ideas.
o Quotation:
▪ Using quotation marks and citations for direct quotes.
o Paraphrasing:
▪ Rewriting information in your own words with proper citations.
o Original Work:
▪ Ensuring your work is original and not copied from others.
• Plagiarism Checker Tools:
o Turnitin:
▪ Widely used in academic institutions.
o Grammarly:
▪ Checks for plagiarism and grammar errors.
o Copyscape:
▪ Commonly used for web content.
o Quetext:
▪ Online tool for plagiarism detection.
These components ensure that your research is presented effectively, maintains integrity, and
adheres to ethical standards.