RM Unit 1

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 6

Unit-I

Introduction to ethics and research ethics


MEANING OF RESEARCH
Research may be very broadly defined as systematic gathering of data and information and its analysis for
advancement of knowledge in any subject.
The meaning of research is to enquire closely again and find out something new which has been left by other
scholars. Research is a creative way of study of the existing knowledge with the aim of generating or finding
a new concepts, methodologies and understanding.
The term Research comprises two words “Re” and “search”. Generally, “Re” means again and “search” means
to find out. Research is a careful investigation or inquiry, especially to search for new facts in any branch of
knowledge. Example: Research conducted on issues such as

• How the New Education Policy has evolved after independence?


• How the COVID-19 disease has impacted the Economy?
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
• To Provide a Clear Framework: One of the primary objectives is to provide a systematic framework
that guides the entire research process from start to finish. This ensures that the study remains on
track and is conducted systematically.
• To Ensure Accuracy: By adhering to a structured methodology, researchers can minimise biases and
errors, thus enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• To Enhance Reliability: Employing standardised methods enhances the reliability of the research
findings, allowing others to replicate the study under similar conditions.
• To Facilitate Peer Review: A well-defined methodology allows peers to evaluate the research for its
validity and reliability, which is crucial for its acceptance and credibility.
• To Enable Generalisation: Appropriate methodology allows researchers to generalise the results to a
larger population, thus increasing the utility and impact of the research.
• To Provide Insight and Understanding: Any research aims to provide insights and a deeper
understanding of the topic being studied. The right methodology is crucial in achieving this objective
effectively.
PROCESS OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Identifying and Defining the Research Problem: The first step in any research is to clearly define the
issue or problem that needs to be investigated. This involves understanding the nature of the problem
and its implications.
• Literature Review: Conducting a thorough review of existing literature to gather background
information and existing data on the topic. This helps in framing the research questions or
hypotheses.
• Designing the Study: This involves choosing the research design, selecting the research methodology,
and determining the sample size and data collection techniques.
• Data Collection: This stage involves gathering the necessary data through chosen methods, which
could be qualitative, quantitative, or mixed.
• Data Analysis: After collecting data, it is analysed to draw meaningful insights and patterns.
Depending on the nature of the data and research objectives, this can involve statistical analysis,
thematic analysis, or other methods.
• Interpreting the Results: Once analysed, the data is interpreted in the context of the research
questions and the hypothesis posed. This stage helps in understanding the implications of the
findings.
• Reporting and Evaluation: The final stage involves compiling the research findings into a structured
report and evaluating the research process, including the methodology applied and its effectiveness.
SCOPE OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Academic Research: In academia, research methodology is fundamental in thesis and dissertation
work, supporting scholars in contributing new knowledge to their field.
• Scientific Research: In the sciences, the methodology ensures that the experimental research is
carried out under controlled and standardised conditions that can be replicated and verified.
• Social Sciences: Here, methodology is crucial in understanding complex social realities through
qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.
• Business and Marketing: In this sector, business research methodology is essential for market
research, business strategies, and consumer behaviour analysis.
• Health and Medicine: Medical research methodology covers clinical trials, epidemiological studies,
and other health-related investigations that require rigorous methodologies.
• Engineering and Technology: Methodology involves precision, control, and systematic processes
essential for developing new technologies or improving existing ones.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Descriptive Research: The main objective of descriptive research is to define the characteristics of a
particular phenomenon. It is also known as statistical research. It deals with everything that can be counted
and studied. This descriptive methodology focuses on the “what” of the research problem. The primary
methods used in descriptive research include observations, surveys, and case studies.
Experimental: This method begins with a question concerning the relationship between two or more
variables. The independent variable is controlled by the researcher. And the dependent variable is measured
by the researcher. The researcher manipulates independent variables example teaching methods and
measures dependent variables (satisfaction) to establish cause-and-effect relationships between them.
Applied research: It is defined as research that is used to answer a specific question, determine why
something failed or succeeded, and solve a specific, pragmatic problem.
Deductive: It is also termed a top-down or general-to-specific approach. It is a method of verification and
instruction. And it does not provide any new knowledge. It aims at testing an existing theory. It involves three
steps- state the hypothesis, collect data to test the hypothesis and lastly make a decision to accept or reject
the hypothesis.
Inductive: It is also known as the bottom-up approach. It gives new knowledge. It is a method of discovery
and teaching. It involves three steps-observe different phenomena in the world, searching for a pattern in
what is observed and lastly making a generalization about what is occurring.
Qualitative: this is “subjective research” that explores and gains an understanding of the problems. The
approach is bottom-up. It explores to know how and when. The main objective is to develop an
understanding of human beings and social sciences to know what feel and think.
Quantitative: This adopts an “objective” approach that explains and quantifies the problems. It is a top-down
approach. The objective is to confirm what and when. This research is very clear on what to do, and what
not to do by employing statistical, logical and mathematical techniques.
Structured: This approach is usually classified as quantitative research. It is more appropriate to determine
the extent of a problem, issue or phenomenon by quantifying the variation.
Unstructured: This approach to inquiry is usually classified as qualitative research. It allows flexibility in all
aspect of research process. It is more appropriate to explore the nature of a problem without quantifying it.
Conceptual: It is focused on developing new ideas or theories, without necessarily collecting data. It involves
the analysis of abstract concepts, theories, and ideas that are not observable or measurable. Conceptual
research is often used to establish a theoretical framework for further research and to provide a basis for the
development of new ideas and theories.

RESEARCH ETHICS
Meaning of Ethics:

• Ethics means morals.


• Ethics means norms for conduct.
• It means rules that distinguish between right and wrong.
Research ethics is a set of guidelines for researchers to do research carefully. It is a defined norm that tells us
what is right and what is wrong in research. Research Ethics are moral principles bound to be followed by
researchers.
Research ethics offers advice for the responsible conduct of research. In addition, it teaches and monitors
scientists conducting research to certify a high ethical standard. The following is a common summary of some
ethical principles:
• Honesty : Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Don’t
fabricate, falsify, misrepresent data, etc.
• Objectivity : Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer
review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other research aspects.
• Integrity : Keep your promises and agreements; act with seriousness; try for consistency of thought
and action.
• Carefulness : Escape careless errors and negligence; cautiously and critically inspect your own work
and the work of your peers. Keep worthy records of research happenings.
• Openness : Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to condemnation and novel ideas.
• Respect for Intellectual Property : Honor copyrights, patents, other forms of intellectual property.
Don’t utilize unpublished data, procedures, or results without consent. Provide credit where credit is
due. Never plagiarize.
• Confidentiality : Guard confidential communications, like papers or grants submitted for publication,
people records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.
• Responsible Publication : Broadcast in order to advance research and scholarship, not to spread just
your own career. Stop wasteful and duplicative publication.
• Responsible Mentoring : Support to educate, mentor, and advise students. Encourage their welfare
and permit them to make their own assessments.
• Respect for Colleagues : Respect your associates and treat them honestly.
• Social Responsibility : Strive to stimulate social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through
research, public education, and advocacy.
• Non-Discrimination : Avoid discrimination against associates or students on the basis ofrace,
ethnicity, gender or other factors that aren’t related to their scientific competence and integrity.
• Competence : Maintain and increase your own professional competence and expertise through
lifelong education and learning; take steps to encourage competence in science as a whole.
• Legality : Know and obey relevant rules and institutional and governmental policies.
• Animal Care : Show appropriate respect and care for animals when using them in research. Don’t
conduct needless or poorly designed animal experiments.
• Human Subjects Protection : During research on human subjects, reduce destructions and risks and
maximize benefits; respect human self-respect, autonomy and confidentiality.

ETHICS IN SCIENCE AND RESEARCH


Ethics in science and research is a crucial aspect of research methodology, ensuring that studies are
conducted responsibly and with integrity. Here are some key ethical considerations:
1. Informed Consent
• Participants should be fully informed about the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits. They
must voluntarily agree to participate without coercion.
2. Confidentiality and Privacy
• Researchers must protect the privacy of participants and handle personal data responsibly.
Anonymity should be maintained where possible.
3. Integrity and Honesty
• Researchers should report their findings truthfully and avoid fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.
Honesty in data collection and analysis is essential.
4. Minimizing Harm
• Studies should be designed to minimize physical, psychological, and emotional harm to participants.
Risk assessments should be conducted prior to research.
5. Fairness and Justice
• Research should be conducted fairly, ensuring that the benefits and burdens of research are
distributed equitably among all groups. Vulnerable populations should be protected.
6. Scientific Responsibility
• Researchers have a duty to conduct high-quality research, adhere to ethical guidelines, and contribute
to the body of knowledge responsibly.
7. Publication Ethics
• Researchers should ensure proper attribution and acknowledgment of contributions. They should
avoid duplicate publication and disclose any conflicts of interest.
8. Ethical Review
• Research involving human subjects typically requires approval from an Institutional Review Board
(IRB) or ethics committee to ensure compliance with ethical standards.
9. Accountability
• Researchers are accountable to their peers, participants, and society. They should be transparent
about their methodologies and findings, facilitating scrutiny and reproducibility.
10. Responsibility to Society
• Research should aim to benefit society, and researchers should consider the broader implications of
their work on communities and the environment.
ETHICAL ISSUES IN RESEARCH:
1. The researcher should not divert from the actual topic.
2. He should use valid research methods in his research.
3. The researcher should not use unethical ways to collect data from the participants or interviewed.
4. Choice of sample should be bias free.
5. He should not change the outcomes or his finding to suit his needs. It means he is not allowed to
manipulate the findings.
6. He should not manipulate the research materials.
7. The most important thing is plagiarism. It is a literary theft and the University Grants Commission is
very strict on this. Write your thesis in your own language. If you are borrowing ideas from someone
or taking some lines from somewhere it must under proper quotes and you must give the complete
references of the author and his works from where you have borrowed this.

NATURE OF MORAL JUDGMENT AND REACTION


In research methodology, the nature of moral judgment and reaction involves ethical considerations that
guide the research process. Here are some key aspects:
1. Ethical Principles: Researchers must adhere to principles such as respect for persons, beneficence,
and justice. This ensures that participants' rights and well-being are prioritized.
2. Informed Consent: Participants should be fully informed about the research and its potential risks
before agreeing to participate. This emphasizes the moral responsibility of researchers to respect
autonomy.
3. Confidentiality: Protecting the privacy of participants is crucial. Researchers must ensure that data is
handled confidentially and that personal information is safeguarded.
4. Minimizing Harm: Researchers should strive to minimize physical, psychological, and emotional harm
to participants. This includes careful consideration of study design and procedures.
5. Data Integrity: Ethical research requires honesty in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Researchers must avoid fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
6. Responsibility to Society: Researchers have a moral obligation to contribute positively to society. This
involves considering the broader implications of their work and its potential impact.
7. Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding and respecting cultural differences is vital. Researchers should
approach communities with sensitivity to their values and norms.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IN RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Academic integrity refers to the ethical standards and honesty in producing, reporting, and disseminating
knowledge. In research methodology, it is crucial to maintain integrity to ensure that research results are
credible, reproducible, and contribute genuinely to the body of knowledge.
Here are the key elements of academic integrity in research methodology:
1. Honest Data Collection and Reporting
• Researchers must gather and report data truthfully without fabricating or manipulating results to fit
hypotheses.
• Any mistakes discovered during the research process should be openly acknowledged and corrected.
2. Proper Attribution and Citation
• Proper acknowledgment of previous work is critical. Researchers must cite all sources of information, ideas,
and methodologies used in their studies.
• Plagiarism, including presenting someone else's work or ideas as one's own without proper citation, is a
violation of academic integrity.
3. Transparency in Methodology
• Research methods must be clearly described to allow others to replicate the study. This includes specifying
sampling techniques, experimental procedures, instruments, and analysis methods.
• Openness about the limitations and possible biases of the methodology strengthens the integrity of the
research.
4. Ethical Considerations in Data Collection
• Researchers must follow ethical guidelines, especially when human or animal subjects are involved. This
includes obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and minimizing harm to participants.
• Misrepresentation of data or manipulation of experimental conditions for favorable outcomes is unethical.
5. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
• Researchers should disclose any personal or financial interests that could affect neutrality of research process.
• Independence in the research process ensures that conclusions are based on evidence, not external pressures.
6. Responsible Peer Review
• Integrity extends to peer review process, where reviewers should provide fair, objective feedback.
• Reviewers must not use information gained from the review process for their own benefit or advantage.
7. Reproducibility and Verification
• Results should be reproducible, allowing other researchers to verify the findings using the same methodology.
• Sharing raw data, where possible, promotes transparency and allows others to examine the accuracy of the
conclusions.
8. Acknowledgment of Limitations
• Researchers must acknowledge the limitations of their work and avoid overstating the significance of their
findings. This honesty allows for a better understanding of the scope and relevance of the research.

9. Use of Ethical Research Tools


• Research tools and software used in analysis should be reliable, validated, and used correctly. Manipulating
analysis tools to produce desired outcomes undermines the integrity of the research.

10. Collaboration and Authorship


• In collaborative research, clear agreements should be made about authorship and contributions. Each
contributor must take responsibility for their part of the research process.
• Honorary authorship (listing individuals as authors when they did not make significant contributions) is a
breach of academic integrity.

You might also like