Mikyla Denney

Dr. Corley, Ginny Walters

First Year Experience
November 11, 2013
Research: Asking a Question, Looking for an Answer
I always thought that it would be interesting to study different cultures, whether it
was the people or the language. Since I am currently taking a research class, I have
had the opportunity to develop a research question that fits my interests. I have just
begun to research the development of the Basque dialect in Spain. However, before I
could begin my research, I had to learn a few things about research first. There are
many components to research, several which took me longer to learn than others.
Throughout this unit I have learned why scholars do research, how to follow the ethics
of research, and I have also developed new research skills to help me with current and
later research projects.
For most scholars, research is not work, at least not in the sense we may think
of the term work. To them, observing or discovering something new, something that no
one else has observed or discovered, is a personal triumph. Also, it is a collective
achievement, for in learning something new the discoverer both draws on and
contributes to the body of knowledge held in common by all researchers (On Being a
Scientist, p.1). However, research is not just about the thrill of discovery. Scientists do
research to help answer some of the worlds most fundamental questions about
humans, nature, and life. Through curiosity, intellectual rigor, and cooperation,
researchers can find answers that have a direct or immediate impact on the lives of

people all over the world. Research can be very rewarding. With this idea in the back of
my mind, I can look at my current research project and those in the future with a positive
and optimistic point of view.
Even though I may now be ready to dive right into my research, I must make sure
that I have mastered all of the components of research. One of these components, and
an important one at that, is following the ethics of research. Anyone who does not follow
the code of ethics can be charged with scientific misconduct. The three main
components of scientific misconduct are falsification, fabrication, and plagiarism. These
three can occur when proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or when reporting
research results. Fabrication is the making up of data results while falsification is the
manipulation of research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting
data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research
record (On Being a Scientist, p.15). Plagiarism, on the other hand, is using another
persons ideas, words, processes, or results without giving that person credit. For
actions to be considered research misconduct, they have to be committed intentionally.
Researchers work hard to find answers to tough questions. We are fortunate to have so
much of that information available to us through various sources. The least we can do is
give credit to those who deserve it. I can make sure that I am following all the ethics of
research by paraphrasing, citing direct quotes, and making sure to include a works cited
page whenever I use an outside source.
After learning about the ethics of research comes one of the most important
steps of the whole process, developing various research skills. Working on my research
project will be easier because of the new research skills I have learned. With the help of

the honors research seminar I am in, I have learned how to effectively search for
sources, how to analyze a source in a timely manner, and how to site sources correctly.
I have learned where to go on the schools library homepage to find sources that best fit
my topic. Also, I now know some tricks when typing in keywords that will give me more
accurate sources. I now also know how to analyze a source without having to read the
whole thing. If I read the abstract, introduction, and conclusion of a source, I should be
able to decipher the main idea of the source and therefore get an accurate idea of what
that particular article or book is about. I can then determine whether or not that source
will be helpful in my research. In my honors research seminar, I just learned what the
best style of citation is for my subject matter and how to use my RefWorks account to
create an accurate bibliography for me. This account is where I keep all the sources I
find when searching online. By practicing all of these new skills, my research will have a
better and more substantial outcome.
Research can be a lengthy process, but it is worth the time and effort that
scientists and scholars put into it. Research gives us the chance to dig deeper and find
answers to questions that people have been asking for decades, or even centuries. I am
excited to proceed with my research and to learn more about the Basque dialect.
Throughout this unit I have learned many things that will help me with my own research
process. I have learned why scholars do research, how to effectively follow the ethics of
research, and I have developed many new research skills as well. All of these new
ideas and skills will benefit me greatly, not only now, but with future research projects as
well.

Work Cited
On Being a Scientist. (2009). The National Academy of Sciences. Washington D.C.:
National Academies Press.