Module 3

Describing characteristics,
processess, and ethics of
research
Content: Nature of Inquiry and Research
Content Standard: The learner demonstrates understanding of:
1. The importance of research in daily life
2. The characteristics, processes, and ethics of research
3. Quantitative and qualitative research
4. The kinds of research across fields
Performance Standard: The learner is able to use appropriate kinds of research in
making decisions.
Learning Competencies: The learner:
CS_RS11-IIIa-3 describes characteristics, processes,
and ethics of research

Nazarene Madapin-Pihet

Nazarene M. P. Developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills through qualitative research (Practical Research 1) Page 1
 Lesson 3 – Characteristics, processes, and ethics of research
Introduction

Where there is research, there is science, and where there are problems that need solutions,
research comes in.
Knowing the characteristics, processes, and ethics of research will guide you in your journey to
explore the world of research and be able to contribute solutions to the problems of your community. As a
beginner in the field of research, it is imperative that you:
CS_RS11-IIIa-3 describes characteristics, processes, and ethics of research

 YOUR INITIAL TASKS

Let us determine what you already know about the characteristics of research. Perform the
following activities.
Activity 1. Match the characteristics of research to the appropriate concept. Write the letter of your
answer.
1. Research must give correct data honestly a. timeliness
and appropriately documented.
2. Research must deal with facts. b. accuracy
3. Research must work on a topic that is new,
fresh, and interesting to the present society. c. relevance
4. Research must be instrumental in improving
society or in solving problems affecting the d. systematic
lives of people in a community.
5. Research must express its discoveries in e. objectiveness
simple, direct, concise, and direct language.
6. Research must take place in an organized f. clarity
or orderly manner.

Activity 2. Arrange the following steps in writing a research. Use numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

1. Determining the research design and methodology
2. Identifying the research problem
3. Formulating conclusions
4. Data collection
5. Formulating hypothesis
6. Formulating recommendation
7. Presentation of data

Activity 3. Share your prior knowledge by defining “plagiarism” on the box below

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 Lesson 3.1 Characteristics of Research
Calmorin (1994) suggested the following characteristics of research, these are:
 READ AND DISCOVER
a. Empirical. Research is based on the direct experience or observation alone by the
researcher. The collection of data rely on practical experience without benefit of the
scientific knowledge or theory.
b. Logical. Research is conducted based on valid procedures and principles. Logical
examination of the procedures used in the research enables the researcher to draw valid
conclusions. The logic of valid research makes it important for decision making.
c. Cyclical. Research is a process that starts with a problem and ends with a problem. Based
on the findings of a study, conclusions and recommendations were drawn. From the
recommendations, many problems prop up as another related research study is conducted.
Hence, the cycle is repeated.
d. Analytical. Research applies analytic procedures in gathering data. The analyses to be
used depend on the kind and approaches of research.
e. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
f. Replicable. A research design and procedures can be replicated to enable comparison and
be able to arrive at valid conclusive results.

 YOUR DISCOVERY TASKS

Activity 4. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if incorrect. For FALSE statements, write
the correction/s above the wrong word/ phrase in the sentence.
1. Knowledge must be generated in order to discover a new knowledge.
2. The research problem needs to be consistent with the aims, research methods, research
instruments, and data gathering procedures.
3. Existing innovations are basis of improving and introducing new technologies.
4. The result of the study is consistent when the same methods are applied in another locale.
Lesson 3.2 Characteristics of the Researcher
5. It is not necessary to follow the scientific procedures when conducting a research study.
Calmorin (1994) cited four characteristics of the researcher. These are:
a. Intellectual curiosity. The researcher is eager to get information regarding his problem
due to novelty or unusualness. As a result, he seeks question to answer, continues to read
related studies and literature, makes use of his experiences and exercise his creativeness
and inventiveness.
b. Prudence. The researcher conducts the study at the right time and right place wisely,
economically, and efficiently. Also, the researcher conducts the study with carefulness.
c. Healthy criticism. The researcher always doubts the truthfulness of his findings even if
the data are gathered honestly.
d. Intellectual honesty. The researcher is honest in collecting or gathering data or facts to
arrive at honest results. Success or failure of research lies on the honesty of the
researcher.

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Activity 5. Directions: Fill in the diagram with key words that answer the given questions.

Who are effective researchers? Characteristics of researchers.

1. _____________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
4. _____________________

Lesson 3.3 Processes of research (Francisco & Arlos 2016)

How to do Research? Research is a systematic activity. It has to follow certain steps and
procedures. It will be treated as a step-by-step process that must be done so you can arrive at the
solution. However, you should take note that the process is not a strict or rigid one for all types of
research. For example, qualitative research could follow the steps in a circular manner – it can
innovate or improvise along the way. Nonetheless, this discussion of the steps will help you
understand how the research process goes.

STEP #1: Problem

Research always begins with a problem. Life has presented us with many questions and
because humans are naturally curious – such characteristic pushes us to seek for answers. Thus,
research must begin with a problem that we need to find for a solution. Without a problem, there
is no research.
STEP #2: Research Design and Methodology
After determining the problem, choose an appropriate research design for your study.
Research design refers to the form or kind of research you are going to do. There are two general
types of research – quantitative and qualitative research.
For example, if your question would like to describe and explain, the proper reseach
design would be a qualitative one. One of the best methods to use is the interview so you can
collect explanations and gather definite answers to your research question.
STEP #3: Theory and Hypothesis
Research is done to test a particular theory or hypothesis. A theory has its limitations
because it may be correct in one instance and wrong in another. Apparently, this is the reason why
a theory is tested through research. A hypothesis, on the otherhand, is usually defined as the
tentative intellectual guess of the researcher. It serves as the researcher’s guide since it is the one
that must be proven or rejected.

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 STEP #4: Sampling and Data Collection
The next step in the research activity has something to do with the data. Since we already
have our problem, research design and methodology, and theory and hypothesis, we must now
collect our data. However, before we collect data, we must determine first who (respondents) and
where (locale) to collect our data.
Sampling refers to the process of choosing a part of the population you want to study. It is
done to choose the appropriate representatives so that you can generalize. There are two types of
sampling: probability and non-probability sampling.
STEP #5: Data Presentation, Interpretation and Analysis
Making sense of the collected data is the focus of this step. The data gathered can be
presented in many ways. For example, qualitative research presents the collected textual
information in a narrative or thematic form.
The next step is to interpret the data. The researcher should explain what the data means
and how it fits in with the study. The interpretation of the data is a step closer to answering your
research question.
Finally, the last treatment of the data will be its analysis. The use of statistical tools will
allow you to know if your hypothesis is accepted or rejected.
STEP #6: Formulating Conclusions and Recommendations
After the data are collected, presented, interpreted, and anlyzed, the final task of the
researcher is to formulate the conclusions and recommendations. The conclusion must answer the
research questions formulated by the researcher.
Recommendations are the statements made by the researcher for the beneficiaries of the
study.

Activity 6. Write the steps in a research process orderly.

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 Lesson 3.4 Ethics of research
Ethics - are the moral principles that a person must follow
- it implies doing the right thing at the right time
1. Honesty – Honesty applies in the process of conducting research until the end result.
- in research, the end justifies the means
2. Integrity - the researcher maintains truthfulness
3. Respect- Researchers should respect the findings of previous studies
- a good researcher cannot get an information against the respondents
will
Ways of Research Misconduct
1. Fabricating data
2. Describing result of experiments that were never performed
3. Changing or falsifying data- data manipulation
4. Data trimming - Deleting data that do not fit in the desired result
5. Data cooking – selectively reporting observations so as to make the data appear more
convincing
6. Plagiarism – knowingly stealing someone else’s published work and presenting it without
attribution to source

SUMMARY
The main ideas discussed in this module are:
1. Research is an important human activity. It is a systematic process of finding answers to questions.
2. Research produces knowledge, make the life of human beings convenient, finds answers to difficult
questions, results into progress, and makes the world better.
3. Research should follow step-by-step process. However, the different forms of research would entail
a different way of doing it.
4. Finally, research has ethics. There are certain rules that must be followed in the conduct of research.

Activity 7. Directions:

 YOUR FINAL TASKS

Activity 8. Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and False if incorrect.
1. Research has a beginning and an ending.
2. Research originates with a question or problem.
3. Research follows an orderly process of investigation.
4. One purpose of studying research is to confirm or disapprove existing theories.
5. Research is very vital to our day to day activities. It is conducted to evaluate findings
of other researches.

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Activity 9. MULTIPLE CHOICE. Write the letter of the best answer.
1. A mistake to claim the works and ideas of others
a. plagiarism b. copying c. documenting
2. Which characteristics best describes a researcher who is not satisfied of his findings even if
the data were gathered honestly?
a. healthy criticism b. intellectual curiosity c. intellectual honesty
3. Which characteristics best describes a researcher who believes in “honesty is the best policy?”
a. healthy criticism b. intellectual curiosity c. intellectual honesty
4. The research findings are carefully and precisely interpreted.
a. logical b. critical c. empirical
5. This characteristic of research allows other researchers to copy and repeat previous studies in
order to arrive at valid and reliable conclusive outcomes.
a. empirical b. replicable c. cyclical
6. Scientific inquiry follows an orderly procedure.
a. empirical b. cyclical c. logical
7. Research makes new contribution to existing knowledge. It implies rearrangement of
existing subject in a new useful form in finding new reasons for earlier accepted
facts.
a. effectiveness b. originality c. quality
8. It is the first requirement of a successful research.
a. thorough understanding b. wide-reading c. evaluating
9. Humans never want to stop thinking and asking questions.
a. curiosity b. rationality c. originality
10. Research must give correct data honestly appropriately documented.
a. curiosity b. honesty c. accuracy

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