Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.

bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

Introduction to research
Learning outcomes:
After studying this section, you will be able to know-
• Definitions of research
• Research versus investigation
• Role of research
• Characteristics of research
• Types of research and their differences
• Research methods vs. research methodology
• Research and scientific method
• Quantitative and qualitative research
• Criteria of a good research
• Paradigms of research
• Ethics in research

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

Research: A systematic way of thinking

Research: A way of examining your practice…

Research:
The word research is composed of two syllables, re and search. re is a prefix meaning again, and
search is a verb meaning investigation. Together they form a noun describing a careful,
systematic, and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or
principles.
Research is a scientific undertaking which, by means of logical and systematized techniques
aims to:
• Discover new facts or verify and test old facts
• Analyze their sequence, interrelationships and causal explanations
• Develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories which would facilitate reliable and
valid study, intervention or action for human welfare.

Examples of research:
Here are some examples that demonstrate what research is:
• A farmer is planning two varieties of jute side by side to compare yields.
• A sociologist is examining the social consequence of divorce.
• An economist is looking at the interdependence of inflation and foreign direct
investment.
• A physician is experimenting the effects of multiple use of disposable insulin syringes in
hospital.
• A business enterprise is trying to examine the effects of advertisement of their products
on the volume of sales.
• An economist is doing cost-benefit analysis of reducing the sales tax on essential
medicine.
• The Bangladesh Bank is closely monitoring the performance of nationalized and private
banks.
- All are doing research, whether the instrument is an electronic microscope, a hospital
records, a microcomputer, a questionnaire or a checklist.

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

The differences between research and investigation:

There is a lot of controversy that research and investigation are somewhat similar because both
of them are intended towards gaining knowledge. In recent years, it is found that research is
technically different with investigation. Some key points are listed below:
• Research is based on human activity, intellectual, investigation and is aimed at
discovering, interpreting and revising human knowledge on the different aspects of the
world. Research is also an activity that people find information and knowledge with an
open attitude by using a scientific method to set up a new fact. For example, a sociologist
is examining the social consequence of divorce. However, investigation is the process of
seeking information by questioning into a matter through follow-up, study, or formal
procedure of discovery. The act or process of investigating is a careful search or
examination in order to discover facts thoroughly and systematically. Investigation can be
defined as a search for fixed and definite facts in hopes of acquiring useful evidence or
information to determine and support the argument and principle. For example, what the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) does when they are seeking for a murder in a case,
they are trying to clarify what really happened in that case and all the truth about it.

• One of the most arguable points is in research, we are suppose to bring new creations by
way of science and high tech technology whereas in investigation we are required to
make query for happened events and bring in the facts of the matter.

• Research is the search for new knowledge and involves the process of finding new
invention or method. Research involves collecting data and gathering materials through
field works and operations that are ongoing at present time. Investigation is to inquire
onto circumstances surrounding an allegation or incident and to ascertain facts or
information. For example, research is an activity for scientist to carry out an experiment
while investigation is carried out by detectives to search for evidences by means of
examining or looking into the case in order to discover something hidden or secret.

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

Objectives of research:
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific
procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not
been discovered as yet. Though each research study has its own specific purpose, we may think
of research objectives as falling into a number of following broad groupings:
(i) To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (studies with
this object in view are termed as exploratory or formulative research studies);

(ii) To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a

group (studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies);

(iii) To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else (studies with this object in view are known as
diagnostic research studies);

(iv) To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are
known as hypothesis-testing research studies).

Motivation/reason in research:
What makes people to undertake research? This is a question of fundamental importance. The
possible motives for doing research may be either one or more of the following:
(i) Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits;
(ii) Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems. i.e., concern over
practical problems initiates research;
(iii) Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work;
(iv) Desire to be of service to society;
(v) Desire to get respectability.
However, this is not an exhaustive list of factors motivating people to undertake research studies.
Many more factors such as directives of government, employment conditions, curiosity about
new things, desire to understand causal relationships, social thinking and awakening, and the like
may as well motivate (or at times compel) people to perform research operations.

Significance/ importance of research:

‘All progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than overconfidence, for it leads to inquiry,
and inquiry leads to invention’ is a famous Hudson Maxim in context of which the significance
of research can well be understood. Increased amounts of research make progress possible.
Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical
habits of thinking and organization.

1. The role of research in several fields of applied economics, whether related to business or
to the economy as a whole, has greatly increased in modern times.
2. Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system.
3. Research has its special significance in solving various operational and planning
problems of business and industry.

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

4. Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relationships and in
seeking answers to various social problems.

In addition to what has been stated above, the significance of research can also be understood
keeping in view the following points:
(a) To those students who are to write a master’s or Ph.D. thesis, research may mean
careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure;
(b) To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source of livelihood;
(c) To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and insights;
(d) To literary men and women, research may mean, the development of new styles and
creative work;
(e) To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations of new theories.

Thus, research is the fountain of knowledge for the sake of knowledge and an important source
of providing guidelines for solving different business, governmental and social problems. It is a
sort of formal training which enables one to understand the new developments in one’s field in a
better way.

The role of research in business decision making:

Research is essential to collect facts and statistics about a company's customers, employees and
competitors. On the basis of these numbers, companies are able to make better managerial
decisions. The collected statistics are organized into reports and the management team uses them
to take action. A good research mechanism is essential, irrespective of the size of the company
and its client base. Research is imperative for staying competitive in the market.

A business is able to make knowledgeable decisions because of research. In the research process,
the company is able to obtain information about key business areas, analyze it, develop a strategy
and distribute business information. Reports, provided to the top management, often include
information on consumer and employee preferences and all the available routes for sales,
marketing, finance and production. Management uses this information to decide the best
strategy. Research is a prerequisite at all stages and phases of business operations. Initial
research is required to gauge whether getting into the given type of business would be profitable
and whether there is demand for the proposed product.

Types of research:
Research can be classified from three perspectives
(i) Application of the research study;
(ii) Objectives in undertaking the research;
(iii) Inquiry mode employed;
These three classifications are not mutually exclusive- that is, a research study classified from
the viewpoint of application’ can also be classified from the perspectives of ‘objectives’ and
‘inquiry mode employed’. For example, a research project may be classified as pure or applied
research (from the perspective of application), as descriptive, correlational, explanatory or
exploratory (from the perspective of objectives) and as qualitative or quantitative (from the
perspective of the inquiry mode employed).

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

From the point of view of application, there are two broad categories of research:

pure research and

applied research.

• Pure research involves developing and testing theories and hypotheses that are
intellectually challenging to the researcher but may or may not have practical application
at the present time or in the future. The knowledge produced through pure research is
sought in order to add to the existing body of research methods.

 Example: Akanda and Alpizar-Jara (2014) developed generalized estimating equations

(GEE) approach which accounts for heterogeneity due to observed individual covariates
and also dependency among capture occasions, modeling capture probabilities as a
function of individual observed covariates. They showed that the performance of
estimating population size of the GEE approach is better than the mixed effects approach
in the capture-recapture closed population study. They also proposed the GEE versions of
all closed population capture–recapture models and their corresponding estimating
equations. They evaluated the effect of accounting for correlation structures on capture–
recapture model selection based on the quasi-likelihood information criterion (QIC).

 Akanda, M. A. S. and R. Alpizar-Jara (2014). A generalized estimating equations

approach for capture-recapture closed population models. Environmental and Ecological
Statistics, 21(4): 667-688 (Publisher: Springer US).

• Applied research is done to solve specific, practical questions; for policy formulation,
administration and understanding of a phenomenon. It can be exploratory, but is usually
descriptive. It is almost always done on the basis of basic research. Applied research can
be carried out by academic or industrial institutions. Often, an academic institution such

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

as a university will have a specific applied research program funded by an industrial

partner interested in that program.

 Example: It has been observed that in Bangladesh, the proportion of women who are
delivered through Caesarean section is very high. It is suspected that small height is one
of the risk factors to difficult deliveries. A study may therefore be conducted to verify if
this proposition is true.

• Differences between applied research and fundamental research are as follows:

Subject Fundamental/Basic/Pure research Applied research/ Action

matter research
(i) Concept Fundamental research is carried out as Applied research is carried out to
more to satisfy intellectual curiosity, than find answers to particular
with the intension of using the research problems to be solved and as an
findings for any immediate practical aid in decision making in different
application. areas including product design,
process design and policy making.
(ii) Subject Basic research comes from data that are Conclusion made from applied
base gathered from the knowledge of different research is based on actual
individuals with direct experience about investigation of the subject.
the subject.
(iii) Principles Fundamental research helps in developing Applied research utilizes the set
theories by discovering broad principles by fundamental
generalizations and principles. research to know the problems
with best possible manner.
(iv) Aims Fundamental research is concerned with Applied research aims at findings
generalizations and with the formulation of a solution for an immediate
a theory. problem facing a society or a
business organization.
(v) Example Research concerning some natural Research to identify social,
phenomenon or relating to pure economic or political trends that
mathematics are examples of fundamental may affect a particular institution
research. is the example of applied
research.

From the viewpoint of objectives, a research can be classified as

descriptive

correlational/causal

explanatory

exploratory
• Descriptive research attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem,
phenomenon, service or programme, or provides information about , say, living condition
of a community, or describes attitudes towards an issue. Descriptive studies is to discover

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 Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

answers to the questions who, what, when, where and sometimes how. A descriptive
study may be feasible to answer the questions of the following types:
- What are the characteristics of the people who are involved in city crime? Are they
young? Middle aged? Poor? Muslim? Educated?
- Who are the potential buyers of the new product? Men or women? Urban or rural
people?

• Correlational research goes beyond description and attempts to discover or establish the
existence of a relationship/ interdependence between two or more aspects of a situation. It
explains the reason for the phenomenon that the descriptive study observed. The
researcher uses theories or at least hypothesis to account for the factors that caused a
certain phenomenon to occur. The following examples fit to correlational research:
- Why are people involved in crime? Can we explain this as a consequence of present
crisis in the job market or lack of parental care?
- Will buyers be motivated to purchase the new product in a new container? Can
attractive advertisement motivate them to buy the new product?
- Why has the share market shown steepest ever fall in stock prices? Is it because of
IMF’s warnings and prescriptions on the commercial bank’s exposure to the stock
market or because of abundant increase in supply of new shares?

• Explanatory research attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between
two or more aspects of a situation or phenomenon.

• Exploratory research is undertaken to explore an area where little is known or to

investigate the possibilities of undertaking a particular research study (feasibility study/
pilot study). Exploration is particularly useful when researchers lack a clear idea of the
problems they must meet during the course of their study. Though exploration
researchers attempt to
- Develop concepts more clearly;
- Establish priorities;
- Develop operational definitions;
- Formulate research hypothesis;
- Improve the final research design.
In practice most studies are a combination of the first three categories.

• Characteristics of different types of research are as follows:

Subject matter Exploratory research Descriptive research Causal research

Type of data Qualitative Quantitative Quantitative
Methods Expert surveys Secondary data Experiments
Pilot surveys Surveys
Case studies Panels
Secondary data Observational data
Qualitative research
Ability to None Can predict but cannot Establishes a cause-

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 Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

measure causality confirm effect relationship

Sampling Often small and chosen Large sample size, often Can be generalized
using non-probability using probability based depending on sample
methods sampling methods. size and method.
Cost Low Medium High
Time Quickest Moderate Longest
Amount of Highly ambiguous Partially defined Clearly defined
uncertainty
characterizing
decision situation
Key research Research question Research question Research hypothesis
statement
When conducted? Early stage decision Later stages of decision Later stages of
making making decision making
Usual research Unstructured Structured Highly structured
approach
Nature of results Discovery oriented, Can be confirmatory Confirmatory
productive, but still although more research is oriented. Fairly
speculative. Often in sometimes still needed. conclusive with
need of further research. Results can be managerially
managerially actionable. actionable. Results
often obtained.
Examples Our sales are declining What kind of people Will consumers buy
for no apparent reason. patronize our stores more products in a
compared to our primary blue package?
competitor?
What kinds of new What product features Which of two
products are fast-food are most important to our advertising
customers interested in? customers? campaigns will be
more effective?

From the point of view of inquiry mode, there are two broad categories of research:

quantitative and

qualitative research.

Quantitative - as the name suggests, is concerned with trying to quantify things; it asks
questions such as ‘how long’, ‘how many’ or ‘the degree to which’. Quantitative methods look to
quantify data and generalize results from a sample of the population of interest. They may look
to measure the incidence of various views and opinions in a chosen sample for example or
aggregate results.

Qualitative – concerned with a quality of information, qualitative methods attempt to gain an

understanding of the underlying reasons and motivations for actions and establish how people
interpret their experiences and the world around them. Qualitative methods provide insights into

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

the setting of a problem, generating ideas and/or hypotheses. The following table provides a
breakdown of the key features of each of these categorization of research method and data.

Difference with Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

respect to:
Aim The aim is to count things in an The aim is a complete, detailed
attempt to explain what is observed. description of what is observed.
Purpose Generalisability, prediction, causal Contextualization, interpretation,
explanations understanding perspectives
Tools Researcher uses tools, such as Researcher is the data gathering
surveys, to collect numerical data. instrument.
Approach to Structured/rigid/predetermined Unstructured/flexible/open
inquiry methodology methodology
Measurement of Emphasis on some form of either Emphasis on description of variables
variables measurement or classification of
variables
Output Data is in the form of numbers and Data is in the form of words, pictures
statistics. or objects
Sample Usually a large number of cases Usually a small number of non-
representing the population of representative cases. Respondents
interest. Randomly selected selected on their experience.
respondents
Objective/ Objective – seeks precise Subjective - individuals’
subjective measurement & analysis interpretation of events is important
Researcher role Researcher tends to remain Researcher tends to become
objectively separated from the subject subjectively immersed in the subject
matter. matter.
Analysis of data Subjects variables to frequency Subjects responses, narratives or
distributions, cross-tabulations or observation data to identification of
other statistical procedures themes and describe these
Communication Organization more analytical in Organization more descriptive and
of findings nature, drawing inferences and narrative in nature.
conclusions, and testing magnitude
and strength of a relationship.
Weakness Bias on the form and the Subjective; bias can be introduced in
questionnaire. Can be costly and time the execution and analysis of results
consuming. Usually implemented by not conclusive; research cannot be
outside marketing research firms. inferred to the population.

• Which research should we do: qualitative or quantitative?

A question now arises, which method of research is to be conducted: quantitative or qualitative?

Deciding between whether to conduct a qualitative or a quantitative study is one of the most
important questions you have to answer before starting your research. Qualitative studies focus
on subjective information, such as feelings, experiences or opinions based on data that cannot be

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

scientifically quantified. Quantitative research is the opposite of qualitative research.

Quantitative research focuses on statistics and quantifiable information. Learning about some
different methods used to study a topic quantitatively and qualitatively can help you decide
which form of research is better for your study.

• Differences between descriptive and analytical research are as follows:

Subject Descriptive research Analytical research

matter
(i) Use of Descriptive research includes
facts surveys and fact finding
enquiries of different kinds.
(ii) Purpose Its purpose is to describe of a
particular the state of affairs as
it exits and present.
(iii) Field It is used in the field of social
science and business studies.
(iv) Control In this research, researcher has
no control on over the
variables.
(v) Situation It is called as the foundation for
research.
Analytical research uses facts and information
to reach at final result.
Its purpose is to use facts or information
already available and analyze these to make a
critical evaluation of the material.
It is applicable in all stages and all the field of
research.
Analytical research provides suitable reason.
It is an in-depth study.
Analytical research is concentrates on the
process of thesis to the formulation of
arguments on the issues mentioned in the
research.

• The differences between empirical and conceptual research are as follows:

Subject Conceptual research Empirical research

matter
(i) Concept Conceptual research is related to Empirical research relies on experience or
some abstract idea(s) or theory. involves observation alone, due regard for
system and theory.
(ii) Users It is generally used by philosophers It is generally used by scientists and
and thinkers to develop new experiments.
concepts or to reinterpret existing
ones.
(iii) Based It is theory based research. It is data based research and it can be
called as experimental type research.
(iv) Data The data collection is done through The data collection is done through
collection analysis. observation and experiment.

(v) Research In this research a researcher breaks In such a research the researcher must
design down a theorem or concept into its first provide him/herself with a working
constituent parts to gain a better hypothesis or guess as to the probable
understanding of the deepen results. He/she then works to get enough

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

Philosophical issue concerning the facts (data) to prove or disprove his/her

theorem. hypothesis.
(vi) Field It is a popular method of research It is dependents upon observation and
in social science, philosophy and experimentation and produces verifiable
psychology. results in scientific studies.

Scientific method: The procedures and techniques utilized by basic and applied researchers do
not differ substantially. Both employ the scientific method to answer the questions at hand.
Broadly, characterized, the scientific method refers to techniques and procedures that help the
researcher to know and understand social/business phenomena. The scientific method requires
systematic analysis and logical interpretation of empirical evidence (facts from observation or
experimentation) to confirm or disprove prior conceptions.

Research and scientific methods:

• Research and scientific methods are deeply interrelated
• The scientific method involves experiments on specimens or samples, while the research
covers all branch of research, be it experimental or historical
• Scientific methods are the methods used to carry out any research
• Scientific methods lend credibility to any research and its results
• Use of scientific methods means that any reader can himself verify the results of a
research.

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

• Difference between research methods and methodology:

Difference between research methods and methodology

Characteristics Research methods Methodology
Definition Research methods may be Research methodology is a way to
understood as all those systematically solve the research
methods/techniques that are used for problem. It may be understood as a
conduction of research. Research science of studying how research is
methods or techniques, thus refer to done scientifically.
the methods the researchers use in
performing research operations. In
other words, all those methods which
are used by the researcher during the

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail:
mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

course of studying his research

problem are termed as research
methods.
Constitution Research methods do constitute a Research methodology is the whole
part of the research methodology. process of the research.
Dimension Research method has one dimension. Research methodology has many
dimensions.
Scope The scope of research method is The scope of research methodology is
limited. wider than that of research methods.
Technique A particular type of Researchers need to o understand the
sampling/technique is applied. assumptions underlying various
techniques and they need to know the
criteria by which they can decide that
certain techniques and procedures
will be applicable to certain problems
and others will not.

Qualities of a researcher:
‘A researcher
cher is one who knows more & more about less and less ’. From this statement we
less’.
can say that a researcher is quite different from ordinary people in terms of knowledge. To be a
good researcher, he must have some qualities that the ordinary people may not have.
ha We can use
CRICKET approach to identify the qualities of a researcher:

Qualities of a Researcher

C = Creative
R = Rational
I = Intelligent
C = Charismatic
K = Knowledgeable
E = Evaluative
T = Target based

(1) Creative:: A researcher must be creative enough to find new knowledge.

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

(2) Rational: A research should be creative in finding knowledge. A good research must be
rational.
(3) Intelligent: Another quality of a researcher is that he must be intelligent.
(4) Charismatic: A good researcher may have charismatic power. This quality helps a
researcher to lead others. It makes a researcher leader in his work area.
(5) Knowledgeable: A good researcher must be knowledgeable enough to conduct the
research study. He must have vast knowledge for conducting research activities.
(6) Evaluative: A good researcher should evaluate his assessment. It is a great innovative
quality of a researcher.
(7) Target based: A researcher must work to reach the target of achievement.
Moreover of the above qualities, a good researcher must also have the following qualities:
 Scientific mind
 Seek of truth
 Patience
 Innovation
 Honest
 Sincere
 Ambitious
 Brave
 Perseverance etc.

• What is good research? Define the characteristics of the scientific method and discuss
these from the managerial dimensions.

Good Research: Good research generates dependable data that are derived by professionally
conducted practices and that can be used reliably for decision making. In contrast, poor research
is carelessly planned and conducted, resulting in data that a manager can’t use to reduce his or
her decision-making risks. Good research follows the standards of the scientific method:
systematic, empirically based procedures for generating replicable research.

We list several defining characteristics of the scientific method and discuss below the managerial
dimensions of each.
Characteristics of
research
Purpose clearly defined
Research process detailed
High ethical standards
What a manager should look for in research done by others or
include in self-directed research
• Researcher distinguishes between symptom of organization’s
problem, the manager perception of the problem, and the
research problem.
• Researcher provides complete research proposal.
• Exploratory procedures are outlined with constructs defined.
• Sample unit is clearly described along with sampling
methodology.
• Data collection procedures are selected and designed.
• Safeguards are in place to protect study participants,

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU
applied
Limitations frankly
revealed
Adequate analysis for
decision maker’s needs
Findings presented
unambiguously
Conclusions justified
Researcher’s experience
reflected
Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd
organizations, clients and researchers.
• Recommendations do not exceed the scope of the study.
• The study’s methodology and limitations sections reflect
researcher’s restraint and concern for accuracy.
• Desired procedure is compared with actual procedure in report.
• Desired sample is compared with actual sample in the report.
• Impact on findings and conclusions is detailed.
• Sufficiently detailed findings are tied to collection instruments.
• Findings are clearly presented in words, tables and graphs.
• Findings are logically organized to facilitate reaching a
decision about the manager’s problem.
• Executive summary of conclusions is outlined.
• Detailed table of contents is tied to the conclusions and
findings presentation.
• Decision-based conclusions are matched with detailed
findings.
• Researcher provides experience/credentials with report.
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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

Characteristics of Research: The desirable characteristics of research are:

1. The research should focus on priority problems.
2. The research should be systematic and structured. From the beginnings to the end,
researcher should follow certain pre-established rules and regulations.
3. The research should be logical. Without manipulating ideas logically, the scientific
researcher cannot make such progress in any investigation.
4. The research should reductive. As a practical phenomenon, reductivity refers to reducing
researcher’s responsibility. This means that findings of one researcher are transferred to
other researchers to prevent them from repeating the same research.
5. The research should be replicable. That is, researchers may want to confirm the findings
of previous research in a new environment and different setting with a new group of
subjects or at a different point in time.
6. The research should be generative. That is answering one questions leads to generating
many other questions.
7. The research should be action oriented. In other words, it should be aimed at reaching a
solution.
8. The research should follow an integrated multidisciplinary approach, because problem
under investigation may be affected by a broader context of socio-economic
development.
9. The research should be participatory in nature, involving all parties concerned (from
policy-makers down to community members) at all stages of the study.
10. In choosing the problem, emphasis should be given on comparatively simple, short-term
research designs that are likely to yield practical results relatively quickly.
11. The research must be timely and time-bound; otherwise research loses its purpose.
12. The research must be as much cost-effective as possible.
13. Results of the research should be presented in formats most useful for administrators,
decision-makers, business manager or the community members.
14. The research should be relevant, timely, efficient, accurate and ethical.

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

Ethics: The branch of philosophy that deals with morality. Ethics is concerned with
distinguishing between good and evil in the world, between right and wrong human actions, and
between virtuous and non-virtuous characteristics of people. That is,
- moral principles of right or wrong;
- not absolute; may vary by person, by time, by place;
- and may be in competition with each other.
Research ethics
- incorporating ethical principles into research practice;
- may involve a balance between and within principles and practices;
- all stages, all those involved, from inception of research through to completion and
publication of results and beyond.

Ethics in research: Ethics are norms or codes of behavior that guide moral choices about our
behavior and our relationships with others. The goal of ethics in research is to ensure that no one

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

is harmed or no one suffers from adverse consequences from research activities. In most research
settings, three parties are involved: the researcher, the client (user) and the respondent
(subject). The interaction of each of these parties with one or both of the other two identifies a
series of ethical questions. Consciously or unconsciously, each party expects a certain rights and
feels certain obligations toward the other parties.

A number of questions arise in the process. The researchers believe they have the right to seek
information from the respondents, while the respondents believe that they have certain right to
privacy. This may lead him to refuse to participate. For each of the respondent’s rights, there is a
corresponding obligation on the part of the researcher. For example, the individual’s rights to
privacy dictate that the researcher has an obligation to protect the privacy of the respondent. That
is, when a respondent disclose his/her identity and personal information to the researcher, he or
she must be ensured that such information will be used only for research purposes; violation of
any of the norms will be considered as unethical.

The user also preserves some rights and obligations. His primary right is to expect objective and
accurate data from the researcher. He should also expect that his instructions relating to
confidentially have been followed.

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

Ethics in data collection: To make a study ethically acceptable, the following points are of
immense importance during data collection:
• Do not deceive respondent about the true purpose of the study.
• Do not ask respondent questions that cause him or her extreme embarrassment.
• Do not ask respondent questions that might cause emotional turmoil by reminding him or
her of an unpleasant experience.
• Do not ask respondent questions that cause guilt.
• Do not ask respondent questions that might invade his or her privacy.
• Do not harm the respondent by studying them without their knowledge.
• Do not threat or compel the respondent to participate.
• Do not violate a promise of confidentiality such as disclosing the identity of the
respondents.
Ethics in data analysis: Researcher can also act unethically when analyzing data. These include
among others
• By revealing only part of the facts.
• Presenting facts out of context.
• Falsifying findings to please the clients.
• Offering misleading presentation such as lying with statistics to make the study in the
expected direction.
Guidelines for researcher to safeguard ethical issues:
In general, a researcher must be ethical such that a respondent does not suffer physical harm,
discomfort, pain, embarrassment or loss of privacy. To safeguard these, the researcher should
follow three guidelines in designing his research as perceived by Cooper and Schindler (1998):
• Begin data collection by explaining to the respondents the benefits expected from the
research without exaggeration.
• Privacy and confidentiality are profound ethical issues in the research. Explain to the
respondents that their rights and well-being will be safeguarded and say how this will be
done. This may be accomplished by maintaining confidentiality of the responses and
destroying the identity of the respondents.
• Be certain that interviewers obtain the informed consent of the respondents. Complete
informed consent has the characteristics:
(a) The respondent must be competent to give consent.
(b) Consent must be voluntary.
(c) Respondents must be adequately informed to make a decision.
(d) Respondents must be aware of the risks or outcomes associated with the research.

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Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Akanda Web: http://statdu.ac.bd/akanda/
Associate Professor of Statistics, DU E-mail: akanda@du.ac.bd

Example of ‘Informed Consent’:

Here is an example of an ‘informed consent form’ as used in Bangladesh Maternal Health

Services and Maternal Mortality Survey 2001.

INFORMED CONCENT
Hello,
My name is …………………….. I have come from a non-government research organization.
Our office is located in Dhaka. We conduct different types of socio-economic survey in
Bangladesh. Currently, we are conducting a notional level survey under National Institute of
Population and Training (NIPORT) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. For this
reason, we are collecting health information for all women 13-49 years old from your household.
This information will help the government to improve the maternal and child health services and
reduce maternal mortality in Bangladesh. The information you will provide will be kept secret
and your household will remain unidentified from the survey.

The participation in this survey is voluntary and you have liberty not to answer all or any part of
the question. However, we hope that you will participate in this survey because your information
is most important.

Now you can ask me any questions regarding this survey.

May I now start the interview?

Signature of the interviewer: …………………………. Date:

The respondent agreed to participate [1]

The respondent did not agree to participate [2]→END

Sample questions:
(i) What do you mean by research? Explain its significance in modern times.
(ii) Distinguish between Research methods and Research methodology.
(iii) “Research is much concerned with proper fact finding, analysis and evaluation.” Do
you agree with this statement? Give reasons in support of your answer.
(iv) “Good research tells a story.” Explain.

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