UNDERSTANDING THE

NATURE AND ETHICS

OF RESEARCH
Presented by:
Senit, Jovelyn I.
Villorente, Roxan M.
Zaspa, Ahlea Vina Joy L.
 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this chapter, students are expected to:

• Define research.
• Explain the importance of research.
• Differentiate the goals and purposes of research.
• Explain the characteristics of educational research.
 What is a
research?

Research is a method of acquiring knowledge

based on the scientific method of inquiry to enrich the
system of objective knowledge in the fields of natural
and social sciences.
 The authors cited below defined research from
different points of view:

Polit & Beck (2001) stated that research is a

systematic inquiry that uses disciplined methods
to answer questions or solve problems. The goals
of research are to develop, refine, and expand a
body of knowledge.
The authors cited below defined research from
different points of view:

Parel (1973) defined research as a

systematic investigation or something
in order to answer the questions posed
by the researcher.
The authors cited below defined research from
different points of view:

Coleman & Briggs (2002) defined research

as both a critical and self-critical inquiry
aimed at contributing towards the
advancement of knowledge and wisdom.
Research is a systematic research on any
topic. Here are examples:

In Art
When it deals with skills that require
dexterity and proficiency.
Research is a systematic research on any
topic. Here are examples:

In Natural Science
When it pertains to an empirical
inquiry of natural phenomena
including biological life.
Research is a systematic research on any
topic. Here are examples:

In Social Science
When it involves a study of human
behavior and societies. it is “social”research
because its primary interest is human being,
and context of his/her life and environment.
 Importance of Research

Researchers must not simply set results

and recommend actions. The importance of
research should be measured on the extent
to which they are being actually carried out
(Katigbak, 2008).
 Importance of Research

Best & Khan (1993) described research as

“the systematic and objective analysis and
recording of controlled observations that may
lead to the development of generalizations,
principles, or theories, resulting in prediction
and possibly ultimate control of events.
 Goals of Research

1. To Produce Evidence-Based Practice

In education, for example, a practitioner must

ensure that he/she is able to provide the best
teaching practices as proven by research, to
learning. The principles on which the tasks and
functions of educators are based on the results of
research.
 Goals of Research

2. To Establish Credibility On The Profession

A profession can be identified by the body of

knowledge it utilizes. It is distinct from other
disciplines when there are practices and peculiarity
of service in a given area of field. Effective and
efficient practices are products of research.
 Goals of Research

3. To Observe Accountability For The Profession

Every action conducted by a profession must

have a rationale. There are principles why a
teacher has to prepare a curriculum/syllabus, why a
manager needs to plan, why a treasurer needs yo
conduct studies.
 Goals of Research
4. To Promote Cost-Effectiveness Through
Documentation

The findings or research must be shared to

individuals, groups, community organizations for
which the study was intended. Results of research
must satisfy to researcher’s goals before he/she can
share it with other researchers and professionals to
whom findings may be beneficial.
 Purpose of Research

Exploratory/Formulative Research

The researcher’s goal is to formulate more

precise questions that future research can answer.
 Purpose of Research

Descriptive Research

This research presents a picture of the specific

details of a situation, social setting or relationship.
Its major purpose is to describe characteristics of a
population or phenomenon.
 Purpose of Research

Explanatory Research

The desire to know “why” to explain, is the

purpose of exploratory research. It builds an
exploratory and descriptive research and goes on
to identify the reasons for something that occurs.
 Other Purposes Of Research

• Research provides a scientific basis for any

practice or methodology in any field.
• Research is undertaken for sustainable
development of and further productivity in any
field like education, management, business,
nursing and other areas.
• Research develops tools for assessing the
effectiveness of any practice.
• Research provides solutions to problems
encountered in the different areas of work.
• Research develops and evaluates alternative
approaches to the educational aspects of any
discipline.
Characteristics Of Research

Research is a process of collecting,

analyzing, and interpreting information to
answer questions. But to qualify as research,
the process must have certain characteristics
(Kumar, 2009).
Characteristics Of Research

1. Controlled

There are many factors that affect an

outcome. A particular event is seldom that result
of a one-to-one relationship. In a study of cause
and effect relationship, it is important to be able
to link the effect(s) with the cause(s) and vice
versa.
Characteristics Of Research

2. Rigorous

Ensures that procedures followed to find

answers to questions are relevant, appropriate.
and justified. The degree of rigor varies
between the physical and within the social
sciences.
Characteristics Of Research

3. Systematic

The procedures adopted to undertake an

investigation follow a certain logical sequence.
The different stepd cannot be taken in a
haphazard way.
Characteristics Of Research

4. Valid and Verifiable

This implies that whatever one can conclude

on the basis of the findings is correct and can be
verified by others, too.
Characteristics Of Research

5. Empirical

Any conclusion drawn is based upon hard

evidence gathered from information collected
from real life experience or observation.
Characteristics Of Research

6. Critical

Critical scrutiny of the procedures used and the

methods employed is important to a research
inquiry. The process of investigation must be free
from any drawbacks . The process an the procedures
used must be able to withstand critical scrutiny.
Kerlinger, (1970) and Bridges, (2006) support the
following characteristics of a good research:

1. Critical

It actively seeks to question its own claims,

assumptions and methiods. Where explanations are
offered, the research process seeks to verify them,
generating and testing alternatives.
Kerlinger, (1970) and Bridges, (2006) support the
following characteristics of a good research:

2. Systematic

Educational research is a deliberate, planned,

and intentional activity. It takes a specific
question(s) which provides its focus and direction.
Kerlinger, (1970) and Bridges, (2006) support the
following characteristics of a good research:

3. Transparent

Its aims, methods, assumptions, arguments, data

and claims are stated explicitly and clearly. Results
and their supporting justifications are disclosed
fully, taking care to minimize the danger of his
interpretations, and made widely available.
The Use Of Research

1. Basic Research

Advances fumdamental knowledge about the

human world. It focuses on refuting or supporting
theories that explain how this world operates, what
makes things happen, why social relations are a
vertain way, and why society change.
The Use Of Research

2. Applied Research

Applied researchers try to solve problems

or help practitioners accomplish tasks. It is
frequently a descriptive research and its main
strength is its immediate practical use.
Basic and Applied Research Compared

The procedures and techniques utilized by

basic and applied researchers do not differ.
Both employ scientific method to answer the
questions at hand.
Types of Applied Research

Action Research

A disciplined process of inquiry conducted

by and for those taking the action. It is always
relevant to the participants.
Types of Applied Research

Impact Assessment Research

To estimate the consequence of a planned

change.
Types of Applied Research

Evaluation Research

The process of establishig a value

judgment based on evidence about the
achievement of the goals at a proper time.
Two Types of Evaluation Research

Formative - is built in monitoring or

continuous feedback on a program used
for program management.
Two Types of Evaluation Research

Summative - evaluation looks at final

program outcomes. Both are usually
necessary.
Time Dimension In Research

Treatment of time is another dimension in

research. Some studies give us a snapshot of a
single, fixed time point and allow us to analyze
in detail.
The Two Brand Types Are:

Cross-sectional Research
Researchers observe at one point in
time. It is usually the simplest and least
costly alternative.
The Two Brand Types Are:

Longitudinal Research
Captures features of people or other
unit at a more than one time.
Thank you for listening!
God bless!