Lesson 2 (2 WEEKS)

Characteristics of a Research and an Effective Researcher

Last Submission : March 5, 2024

Lesson Objectives:
1. Identify the different characteristics of a research and a good researcher and how to
develop those attributes.

Characteristics of a Research

Certain terms are commonly used in research and the success of any research depends on
these terms. These terms determine whether a research is scientifically and ethically
correct. They are called the characteristics of research. These characteristics have been
explained here in simplest terms to understand and to implement. The real understanding
of these characteristics is only possible when you practically conduct a research.

1. Reliability
Reliability is a measure of repeatability or replicability. It is the repeatability of any
research, research instrument, tool or procedure. Today there are instruments that
can estimate the reliability of any research instrument. If any research yields similar
results each time it is undertaken with similar population and with similar
procedures, it is called to be a reliable research. Suppose a research is conducted on
the “effects of single parenting on the class performance of elementary school age
children”. If the results conclude that it causes low grades in class, these results
should have to be reliable for another sample taken from a similar population.
Reliability adds to the consistency and predictability of research.

2. Validity
Validity is the strength with which we can make research conclusions, assumptions
or propositions true or false. It determines the applicability of the research. Validity
of the research instrument can be defined as the suitability of the research
instrument to the research problem or how accurately the instrument measures the
problem. Some researchers say that validity and reliability are corelated, but the
validity is much more important than reliability. Without validity, research goes in
the wrong direction. To keep the research on-track define your concepts in the best
possible manner so that no error occur during the measurement.

There are two types of validity in research: internal validity, and external validity.
The researcher needs to make sure that the research has a strong internal as well as
external validity.

3. Accuracy

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 Accuracy means that each process in the research has been undertaken
accurately. It is also the degree to which each research process, instrument, and tool
is related to each other. Accuracy also measures whether research tools have been
selected in best possible manner and research procedures suits the research
problem or not. For example, if a research has to be conducted on the transgender
people, several data collection tools can be used depending on the research
problems but if you find that population less cooperative the best way is to observe
them rather than submitting questionnaire because in questionnaire either they will
give biased responses or they will not return the questionnaires at all. So, choosing
the best data collection tool improves the accuracy of research.

4. Credibility
Credibility comes with the use of the best source of information and best
procedures in research. If you are using second-hand information in your research
due to any reason your research might complete in less time but its credibility will be
at stake because secondary data has been manipulated by human beings and is
therefore not very valid to use in research. A certain percentage of secondary data
can be used if the primary source is not available but basing a research completely
on secondary data when primary data can be gathered is least credible. When
researcher gives accurate references in the research the credibility of the research
increases but fake references also decrease the credibility of the research.

5. Generalizability
Generalizability is the extent to which a research finding can be applied to larger
population. When a researcher conducts a study, he/she chooses a target population
and from this population he takes a small sample to conduct the research. This
sample is representative of the whole population so the findings should also be
representative of the whole population. If research findings can be applied to any
sample from the population and the same results are obtained, the results of the
research are said to be generalizable.

External validity improves research generalizability as well. So a research that

has strong external validity has strong generalizability too. In quantitative research it
is easier to achieve that. In qualitative research generalizability is more concerned to
a smaller group to which the results are applicable.

6. Empirical
Empirical nature of research means that the research has been conducted following
rigorous scientific methods and procedures. Each step in the research has been
tested for accuracy and is based on real life experiences. Quantitative research is
easier to prove scientifically than qualitative research. In qualitative research biases
and prejudice are easy to occur. There are tools that can improve the
trustworthiness of qualitative research. The qualitative researcher should know how
to control biases and subjectivity that can make a research less scientific.

7. Systematic
Every research follows an approach or paradigm of research but regardless of
any paradigm the research should have one main approach, i-e, systematic approach
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 to research. This systematic approach helps the researcher understand the steps to
be taken and in what order to take each step. There are set of procedures that have
been tested over a period of time and are thus suitable to use in research. Each
research, therefore, should follow a procedure.

8. Controlled
In real life experience there are many factors that affect an outcome and a single
event is often a result of several factors. When similar event is tested in research,
due to the broader nature of factors that effect that event, some factors are taken as
controlled factors while others are tested for a possible effect. The controlled factors
or variables should have to be controlled rigorously.

In pure sciences, it is very easy to control such elements because experiments are
conducted in the laboratory but in social sciences it becomes difficult to control
these factors because of the nature of research. In social science the experiments
and observations are done in real life settings. To control external factors that might
affect the research is difficult in social science research. However, there are tools
that can help the researcher in achieving some control over how the research goes
on.

Characteristics of an Effective Researcher

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, being "good" can be associated with a variety of
qualities, including "high quality," "competent," and "skillful," to name a few. We feel that
the attributes that make a competent researcher can be divided into more precise core
abilities.

1. Respondents are pleasant to work with. A skilled researcher should be able to make
friends with the people he or she is interviewing. It should be able to communicate
with them in the same language that they react in and make them happy.
2. The least amount of discouragement. If people refuse to cooperate in providing
accurate data, the researcher should not be disheartened and should face the
challenges; otherwise, he or she will not be considered a good researcher.
3. Without Prejudice. A researcher would be useful if he did not have any prejudices or
biases when studying a difficult situation and was capable of presenting clear
information.
4. Depth Information Capacity is a term used to describe the ability to store a large
amount of data A researcher should be able to gather an increasing amount of data in
a short period of time.
5. Accuracy. If a researcher's conclusions are correct, he is said to be good. His views
must be correct.
6. Truthful. It is necessary for a researcher to be truthful. Its concept would be free of
fraudulent reports and statements.
7. Astute observer. The ability to have keen and profound observational ideas is a feature
of a successful researcher.

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 8. Pay attention when you're listening. A researcher would listen more carefully.
He'd have the ability to listen to very low levels of information, even whispering.
9. Common Sense isn't as important to you as you might think. A good researcher is
one who relies little on common sense while keeping track of all events and
happenings.
10. Consumer who spends the least amount of time. A good researcher must be able
to complete tasks in the shortest amount of time possible. Due to a lack of time, it
will have to accomplish more work in a shorter period of time.
11. Economical. A good researcher must be able to manage his financial resources.
He needs to be careful with his money and stick to his budget.
12. Society's Disapprovals are not taken seriously. A good researcher is unconcerned
with approvals or rejections, instead focusing on his task with fervor and
patience.
13. Subject matter expert. If a researcher has complete control over his subject, he
will be successful. He effortlessly applies his theoretical knowledge to field
practice.
14. Free of hasty declarations. It is not expected of a good researcher to conduct his
research in a quick and ineffective manner by making false remarks. Its research
must be grounded in reality and validity.
15. In a conversation, he is excellent. A competent researcher's dialogue should be
sympathetic rather than dull. To be liked by the people, he must have the skill and
the art.
16. Having a Terminology that is Easy to Understand. The vocabulary of a good
researcher would be obvious. It would be free from the outset to make it difficult
for respondents to react.
17. Instructed on the use of research tools. Without methodologies and tools,
research is impossible. As a result, it is preferable for a researcher to be familiar
with the use of these instruments.
18. Dress and act in the same manner as the locals. The researcher's attire and
demeanor should be consistent with the study area. It is necessary for him to
easily persuade the people and imitate their attire.
19. Analytical in nature. A researcher would be distinct from the rest of the
population. He is able to observe the scenario really well because of this talent.
He should be able to fix the problems quickly after that.
20. Equality and justice are two words that come to mind. An excellent researcher
believes in fairness and equality. He may be able to acquire more information
from the responses because he is equal to all types of people

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 What YOU will do…
Activity 1.
2

1 In an outline form,
discuss briefly the different
. values of research to man.
2 Explain briefly in an outline form, 10 reasons why
. man’s major needs and problems demand research.
3 Discuss briefly in an outline form, the qualities of a
. good researcher.
4 How do youcharacterize a good research?
.5 What are the purpose and goals of research?
.

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