RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

INTRODUCTION
The development of the society from its simple to complex state will reveal the many and varied problems faced
by human kind.
Thus, solutions to problems must be based on knowledge not on mere beliefs, guesses or theories. To acquire
knowledge and to continuously evaluate its accuracy and usefulness requires a well planned and systematic procedure on
which research has been devised to meet this need.
Research is a systematic investigation for information. It is a process of inquiring. This lesson presents a
discussion of what the process of inquiry entails and how it has become a method of learning which leads individuals to
get into research to find out solutions to existing or potential problems. Topics distinguishing the types of researches
alongside with the discussion of the research process are included. The ethics of research is clearly spelled out as a guide
towards applying the ethical standards expected of researchers.

Nature of Inquiry
Inquiry is defined as "a seeking for truth, information or knowledge". The information is sought through
questioning. Individuals carry on the process of inquiry from birth till death. The process of inquiry begins with gathering
information and data through applying the various human senses.
Unfortunately, traditional educational system has discouraged the natural process of inquiry. Students become
more inhibited in asking questions and are not challenged either to answer high-level questions. As they move through
grade levels, students in traditional schools. learn not to ask too many questions; instead, they are asked to listen and
repeat expected answers. This kind of training is carried on even after they graduate.
The rationale why this is necessary is that generating and transmitting knowledge can move from the known to
the unknown and vice-verse. When knowledge moves from the unknown, there is a need to generate that knowledge
through research and experts. Content or knowledge is effectively generated and transmitted through concepts, skills and
habits of mind. Hence, the focus in education must change from a focus on "what we know" to an emphasis of "how we
come to know." (www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/)
The exploratory nature of inquiry allows individuals particularly students to grapple with different ways of
looking at ideas and issues and to think creatively about problems that do not possess simple (or perhaps even any)
answer.
Applied to learning, the elements of inquiry-based process are multiple, varied and open to selection. Different
factors will be involved in different kinds of inquiries in different areas of knowledge and at different levels of experience.
They include the following:
1. selection of appropriate questions
2. formulation of appropriate questions
3. identification of key issues
4. search for valid and relevant evidence
5. interpretation and assessment of evidence
6. application of evidence to identified issues
7. presentation of coherent, conclusion, final or tentative
8. reflection on, and assessment of the learning process.
The arrival of new information in our lives, means much. Research is not a single activity. It is multiple and
adaptable. (https://newcollege.asu.edu/writing-program/guide/elements-of enquiry)//

Experience and Knowledge

Experience is a familiar and a well-used source of knowledge. As a student, you try several routes in going to
school. You try to find out which way takes the least time or the most traffic free or most scenic. By going through
personal experiences, you can find many answers to questions that you may have. It has been said that experience is the
best teacher.
Just as wisdom is passed on from one generation to the next as a result of experience. You may have encountered
difficulties as you were growing up but each experience is something that you learn from- either it has given you a taste of
success or failure.
However, one may be limited in terms of experiences as a source of knowledge. Events may happen in the same
way but may have different effects on individuals. You may enjoy hiking onto a mountain top but another may choose
spending his leisure time in a mall. Taste may vary among people. The ensuring realizations or learning may also have

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different consequences. In education, observation at classroom situations may yield different results depending on who the
observer is and what he is focused on. Or the same event may be observed but one can look at the positive aspects while
the other can report on the negative ones. However, experience will always be considered as a rich and practical source of
knowledge.
For things though that are difficult or impossible to know by personal experiences, you may turn to an authority.
Particularly in research, knowledge is sought from other people who had experienced what the problem is or some other
sources of expertise. Everyday experiences would show that we consult a lawyer for legal problems, a physician for
health-related cases or a teacher for academic matters. This consultation is not limited to people. For example, we use a
dictionary to find out the meaning of a difficult word, an encyclopedia to get information on a certain topic as a research
to back up our own findings.
Authority is a quick and easy source of knowledge but it has also its shortcomings that you must consider. First,
authorities can go wrong. It can happen that people claim to be experts in a field but may not have the knowledge to prove
it. Second, you may find that authorities disagree among themselves on issues, indicating that their authoritative
statements are often more personal opinion than fact. (Walker, 2010).
What is Research?
Research is the systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new
conclusions. When you come across studies about events that happen or experiences that you meet, they shape people's
understanding of the world around them. In various spheres of human life, research has come up with developing
appropriate solutions to improve the individual's quality of life. Although, it may take place in different settings and may
use different methods, scientific research is universally a systematic and objective search for reliable knowledge. (Walker,
2010)
Generally people find it difficult to do research. Many reasons are given for people to find excuse in doing it.
Most often, you are not aware of the benefits derived from conducting research. Some benefits of conducting research
include increasing personal knowledge.
Research is an act of studying something carefully and extensively in order to attain deep knowledge. When done
on a larger scale, research contributes to the welfare of humanity. It can be creative, exploring or just reassuring in nature.
Research holds the following significant data:
1. To gather necessary information.
It provides you with all necessary information in the field of your wok or study and gives a basic
idea about the things needed. It helps you for a project to get acquainted with the processes and resources
involved. The information helps in the outcome of the project.
2. To make changes
Sometimes, there are built-in problems in a project or process that is hard to discover. It helps you
find the root cause and associated elements of a process. The end result is such a research that invokes a
demand for change and sometimes is successful in producing such changes. For example, many
researches conducted by the United Nations paved the way for environmental policies.
3. To improve the standard of living
Only through research can new inventions come into life. Imagine how communication would
have been had Graham Bell not invented the first ever practical telephone. Or what could life be today
had Martin Cooper not introduced to the world the concept of mobile phones. Addicted as we are to
mobile phones, we need to understand that all the luxuries and amenities that are now available to us are
the result of research done by an individual or a group.
4. For a safer life
Discoveries and development resulting from research have improved life expectancy and health
condition of humankind. New investors in medicine have led to the advent of drugs that not only treat but
prevent diseases from recurring.
5. To know the Truth
It has been proven time and again, that many established facts and known truth are mere lies or
rumors. Research is needed to investigate and expose these and bring out the truth.
6. To explore our history
Research about human history has enabled us to learn and understand more about our forefathers
and helped us learners from their mistakes and follow good things from their life.
Research will give you knowledge about what could happen to our planet and therefore do what are
expected to be done.

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 7. To understand arts
Research also helps in the understanding and appreciation of the works of artists in literature,
painting and other fine arts. Research teaches you to relate arts with other branches or fields of study
(http://lifestyle. i love india.com/lounge/importance-of research-10978_html).

As individual students, you may be asked to write a research paper for these reasons:
 Research teaches methods of discovery
 Research teaches investigative skills
 Research teaches critical thinking
 Research teaches logic
 Research teaches the basic ingredients of argument (Lester, Sr & Lester Jr., 2005)
Why do Research?
The writing process will make you confident in your ability to find information and present it effectively in varied
ways. It may be on:
 A theme in freshman English on the value of good speaking
 A paper in history on the Presidents of the Philippines
 A report in a physics' class on the moon's effects on ocean tides
 An archaeological field paper on the burial practices of the early Filipinos
 A brief biographical sketch of a famous person like the current Nobel Prize in Literature holder 2016,
Bob Dylan
All those papers require some type of research writing. You will undertake such written activity during your
senior high school and will increase in frequency as you enter college.
Other motivations for getting involved in research are:
 You can get to investigate topics that may be of interest to you
 It can make you study (course work) more meaningful and you'll discover real world application of what
you're studying
 You can have hands-on, practical experience in your field of study
Research is a great way to network and meet new people. Undergraduate research allows you to grow and
uncover opportunities for later career. Undergraduate research is conducted in all disciplines and encompasses a broad
range of activities -from learning about research to discovering new knowledge and creating new words. Research is
about solving problems and answering questions in all disciplines.

Forms of Undergraduate Research Experiences

 Class-based activities such as naturalistic observation, surveys and experiments can often be structured to
train students in the steps of the research process.
 Class-based projects like term papers, service learning and community-based and campus-based learning
can be of a research nature.
 Capstone experiences like senior research projects and research tasks/assignments can allow students to
develop and explore a research question of their own.
 Out-of-the-class student/faculty collaborative researches provide students opportunity to work with faculty
members on their own on-going research or on a project jointly planned or designed by both.
(serv.carleton.edu/introgeo/ studentresearch/Further-UR-experience.html)

The old saying, "Give me a fish and I eat today. Teach me how to fish and I will eat for a lifetime," can be applied
to research training, to start with in the senior high school/ undergraduate level up to the tertiary level. This quotation ers
to students need to learn application skills. This means that they have to engage personally in what they are doing. It also
means learner's motivation and hard work.
When you embark in research, you will need learning experiences composed of a knowledge component
described as the representation of facts, principles, concepts, procedures and/or theories in a certain subject, characterized
by learning, remembering and/or reproducing and a task performance or skills development component.
(nsuworks.nova.edu/tqu/vol7/iss2/3/).
If you desire to become competent researchers, you need to gain an understanding of the various stages of the
research process. Doing research is anchored on an experiential learning approach where you will fuse and build
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principles with real-life experiences. In an undergraduate research, experience rather than solely imparting facts about a
topic to students is given attention. The faculty help students learn that topic through a process of discovery.

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH IN DAILY LIFE

INTRODUCTION
The development of the society from its simple to complex state will reveal the many and varied problems faced
by human kind. The lesson at hand will illustrate the role of research in one's daily life. Suffice it to say that challenges
will come your way, either in the form of a question to be answered or a problem to be solved, and it is in this instance
that you need to employ research.
Thus, solutions to problems must be based on knowledge, not on mere beliefs, guesses or theories. To acquire
knowledge and to continuously evaluate its accuracy and usefulness requires a well planned and systematic procedure on
which research has been devised to meet this need. Research can be found in different field of study and areas of interest
and concern.

The Role of Research

Our everyday life has always been punctuated by exciting adventures, challenging situations and surprising
discoveries. When confronted with doubts and problems, you turn to finding out what could be possible answers and
solutions to them. This is where you embark on the process called research. What is its importance? Research leads an
expansion of knowledge and discoveries. Research effects have led to breakthrough. Projections about future events like
global warming have also been determined thru research. Research is a systematic process of collecting and analyzing
data or information in order to increase understanding of a phenomenon. Other definitions given to research are:
 It is an inquiry process.
 It is a formal process of problem solving.
 It is a set of procedures and stages.
 It originates with a question or a problem.
 Often it is an iterative process.
Lastly, research is important in providing a solid foundation for the:
 discovery and creation of knowledge, theory-building.
 testing, confirmation, revision, and refutation of knowledge as theory.
 advance a discipline or field.
 advancements and improvements in various aspects of life.
 promotion and tenure of individuals.
The continued existence and importance of research which will last as long as there is a human being who wishes
to expand his knowledge and understanding about the world and everything therein. Research is an act of studying
something carefully and extensively in order to have a deep knowledge.

Significance of Research
Research is undertaken because of some importance it has and does for individuals and the society. Reasons for
its significance are given as follows:
1. To gather necessary information
Research provides you with the necessary information related to your field. of study or work. For
example, companies may do research before manufacturing a product.
2. To improve standard of living
Only through research can new inventions and discoveries come into life. How would life be
without Graham Bell and his telephone? Or what would have happened if Martin Cooper did not give us
the concept of mobile phones?
3. To have a safer life
Research has done great discoveries and development in the field of health, technology, nutrition
and medicine. These things have improved life expectancy and helped in curing a lot of diseases.
4. To know the truth.
Research investigates and exposes what wrong beliefs people hold. Listening to different
opinions and studying facts and available data will lead you to unravel truth.

5. To explore our history

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 Research about our history enables us to learn and understand the past and prepare for a better
future.
6. To understand arts
Research helps us in understanding the works of artists in different fields of arts. Arts contribute
to the refinement of our sensibilities and cultivate values needed for our daily existence.

Research and Society

Our perceptions of the world, the way we experience our relationships with others, the organizations of a society
as a whole are profoundly influenced by the expansion of knowledge; both in the exact sciences like mathematics,
physics, biology and chemistry and the human and social sciences like economics, law psychology and political science.
Research is closely connected with development. The results/findings of studies also affect society and the lives
of each one of us. Research is very vital to our everyday decision making. The research you do and evidence you gather
will be useful for future endeavors. It hones basic life skills and makes learning a lifelong endeavor. Research fill in the
need to love reading, writing analyzing and sharing valuable information.

Research and Other Fields/Areas

Research leads to an expansion of knowledge and discoveries of new medical treatment and cures. Research
efforts have also led to break through in agriculture such as the introduction of high-yield and drought-resistant varieties.
Projections of the effects of global warming have likewise been determined through research. Through research findings,
psychologists are able to explain the individual's behaviors including how people think and act in certain ways. This helps
to determine disorders and their impact on the person and society which can lead to developing or discovering appropriate
treatments to improve the individual's quality of life. In business, market research enables companies to make forecasts
and formulate the needed strategies to ensure their growth and survival. Business properties conduct surveys and
feasibility studies to find out the needs of the community. In academic institutions, research may be done independently or
as part of a group. It can be a useful learning process, challenging students and teachers to work together. And grow
intellectually as they conduct their study. Research benefits therefore, can be seen and felt in the following fields:

 Economic research refers to matters concerning the environment and which may lead to improved techniques to
ensure sustainable food production.
 Social research leads to an increased knowledge of people and their interactions with one another, which could be
relevant to policy makers.
 Environmental research focuses on improved techniques to ensure sustainable food production.
 Cultural research leads to increased understanding of cultural values or social approaches.
 Health research contributes to a better understanding of the causes of medical conditions.
(www.news.uwa.edu.au)
In general, research is an important aspect of any organization. In-house research can be done in the different
sectors of the organization.

CHRACTERISTICS, PROCESSES, AND ETHICS OF RESEARCH

INTRODUCTION
This lesson introduces the characteristics of research, particularly qualitative research. Their breadth indicates
ways of doing it and going through the entire research process. Becoming familiar with the types of research will help you
determine your choice for the locale or setting of your study.
The characteristics of both qualitative and quantitative researches are presented; however, a section to highlight
qualitative research is discussed; ethical consideration forms a part of this lesson as a significant element of the research
process.
Further, the discussions also present the ethics of research probing into its functions and principles that must be
observed by the researchers. Important considerations should be noted as the study is being conducted especially on
matters concerning the participants of the study.

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.
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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 researches 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.

Other Characteristics of Qualitative Research

Studies under qualitative research have certain characteristics in common that make them different from
quantitative research. Some of these are:

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 human element of qualitative inquiry is both strength and weakness-its strength is fully using human insight
and experience; its weakness is being so heavily dependent on the researcher's skill, training, intellect, discipline and
creativity. The researcher the instrument of qualitative inquiry, so the quality of the research depends heavily on the
qualities of the human being. (Farooq, M.,et al.2011)

Ethics and Research

The most common way of defining "ethics" is to refer to it as norms for conduct that distinguish between
acceptable and unacceptable behavior. These are direct networks among people because they recognize some common

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ethical norms but interpret, apply and balance them in different ways in the light of their own values and experiences
(Resmik, 2015).
Another way of defining "ethics" is to consider it as a method, procedure or perspective. for deciding how to act
and for analyzing complex problems and issues. For instance, in considering a complex issue like global warming, one
may take an economic, ecological, political or ethical perspective on the matter. While an economist might examine the
cost and benefits of various policies related to global warming, an environmental ethicist could examine the ethical values
and principles at stake.
To be ethical, a research project needs to be designed to create valid outcomes if it is believed to be pursuing
truth. Flick (2002) argues that qualitative researchers need to be as vigilant or positivist about ensuing the validity and
reliability of their studies, even if they choose to use other terms such as credibility and authenticity in the trustworthiness
of their studies. Research that is untrustworthy is unethical, because it is of no benefit in developing the society's
knowledge base and wastes the resources of researchers and other participants. In positivist research, ethical principles
emerge frequently around the relationship of the researchers to the resource-providers for permission to carry out research
to the data-providers (subjects), and to the public who want to know the outcomes (Jones, 2000)
Researchers have a duty to ensure that they do not deliberately mislead participants as to the nature of the
research. Researchers have a duty to avoid causing both physical and psychological difficulties to participants and to the
socio-political environments in which and with which they work. In both virtual and physical worlds, researchers are
ethically bound to maintain the privacy of participants including confidentiality for any information they give and
anonymity for their identity (Baez, 2002).
Research ethics involves the application of fundamental ethical principles to a variety of topics involving
research. The academic research enterprise is built on a foundation of trust. Researchers trust that the results reported by
others are heard. Society trusts that the results of research reflect an honest attempt to describe the world accurately and
without bias. Research ethics is different throughout the various types of educational communities. Research informants
participating in individual or group interviews are often required to sign an informed consent form which outlines the
nature of the project. They are assured anonymity and will be referred to using pseudonyms although there is a need to
negotiate and dialogue. It is the researcher's ethical responsibility not to harm the human they are studying; they also have
a responsibility to science and the public, as well as to future students.

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 Reponsible Publication

Objectivity Respect for colleagues
Integrity Social Responsibility
Carefulness Non-descrimination
Openess Competence
Respect for Intellectual Property Legality
Confidentiality

A common cause of ethical challenge is conflict of interest between the researcher and what is being researched
on (Baxter, et al. 2001). A case in point is when the researcher may be so excited about his or her research idea and would

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like to collect high quality data from those most closely affected by what is being studied. However, there is a risk that the
researcher may be tempted to consider unethical research practice in order to try to obtain and/or retain some of the data.
Ethical risks in research are spread across many fields and they may not be apparent at the onset of the research.
What a researcher can do is to be aware of its potential and plan what to do about it rather than to ignore it. Therefore, the
research ethics skills that need also to be developed are:
 To be able to identify the ethical issues in the study
 To know and be prepared how to add them

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.

The Research Process

Research is a process that requires patience and thought. There is no easy way to make certain that you have
exhausted every resource and found the best research. Research is more of an art rather than a science. Below is a
diagrammatic presentation of the steps taken when doing research.

Define
Review the Formulate Design Collect Analyze Interpret
Research
Literature Hypothesis Research Data Data and Report
Problem

Research is expected to be organized which is shown when it utilizes a planned procedure because there is a
structure or method in going about doing research. It is also systematic when there is a definite set of procedures and steps
which you will follow. Finding answers is the end of all research; otherwise, the research may not be successful. The
answer may be a "no" but still, it is an answer. Questions are central to research. Without questions, research has no focus,
I drive or purpose. Research processes are the activities undertaken to carry out the research, They include the ways in
which appropriate information is located, collected, analyzed, and selected from. Some examples are libraries which may
be comprised of electronic, media print, materials, undertaking activities such as observation, surveys, FGD, etc, and the
use of tests and experiments.

These processes are considered and selected, based on the following factors:
 validity and appropriateness to the research topic manageability including time reserved
 safety and ethical matters

The process can lead learners to becoming expert learners. The research experience will enable students not only
to learn content but also to learn how knowledge is constructed in a particular discipline. The components of the research
process can be used as entry points in which knowledge sharing can be integrated and used to improve those stages and
the process as a whole. (www.kstoolkit.org?KNOWLEGE+SHARING RESEARCH).

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 Stage 1 - How can we share knowledge, methods, experiences and ideas to help identify research questions or
concepts which are necessary and will provide knowledge and solutions that will have an impact?
Stage 2 - How can we better understand existing knowledge, needs and situations, on the ground when planning
research activities to make them more inclusive and relevant?
Stage 3 - How can we better collaborate, write and involve stakeholders in research activities?
Stage 4 - How can we work with colleagues and stakeholders to analyze and synthesize research results and
develop appropriate messages?
Stage 5 - How can we share knowledge generated from the research project with larger groups in ways which are
appropriate and objective?
Stage 6 - How can we monitor and evaluate our activities so that researchers and stakeholders can all be involved,
can share, can access knowledge and can learn?
Stage 7 - How can we manage a research project in collaboration with others?

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