Limitation

The scope of this study is limited because the respondents are from South La Union

Campus students, faculty, and research personnel rather than the four DMMMSU campuses. The

findings of this study indicate that students have a moderate level of knowledge about research

ethics, indicating that students are not much very competent when it comes to what they know

and are not well-informed about research ethics. Students taking up other programs which may

be involved in Research involving human participant such as BA Comm, Education and

Psychology were not focused.

Moreover, the sampling method used were non-random. The researchers used purposive

and convenience sampling. To make comparisons between groups according to profile variables

more robust, random sampling is recommended. Similarly, this study has included a very small

sample of Research Personnel. The data computed may not represent the KAP of the research

personnel. In terms of the questionnaire, the number of questions per component of knowledge,

attitudes, and practices are not the same. There are practices that are not included in the

questionnaire, which may be answered through other methods of gathering data such as

observation, interview, and qualitative study. In addition, no specific department is mentioned in

the survey questionnaire when selecting the respondents from the faculty.
 CHAPTER 4

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the summary, which is based on the information collected, conclusions, and

recommendations formulated. This includes the noticeable findings, which serve as fundamentals

in making the conclusion and recommendations.

Summary

The researchers conducted a study on knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards research ethics

among DMMMSU-SLUC researchers using a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative method.

This research had a total of 339 respondents composed of students, faculty, and research

personnel from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University - South La Union Campus,

Agoo La Union who willingly agreed to take part in the study. This study was initiated on April

2023 and ended last June 2023. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and

practices towards research ethics among DMMMSU-SLUC researchers. With the cooperation

and participation of the 3rd and 4th year students, faculty, and research personnel of DMMMSU

- SLUC, the researchers were able to gather data through a survey questionnaire based on a

formulated and validated questionnaire. The information disclosed was studied by the

researchers together with their adviser to come up with accurate and unbiased findings.

1. The extent of knowledge of the students towards research ethics is categorized as moderately

knowledgeable, faculty and research personal are both categorized as high level of knowledge in

terms of Principles of Ethics, Importance of Research Ethics, Establishments of Research Ethics,

and Research Ethics Operations. Respondents are moderate to highly knowledgeable in terms of

principle of ethics, establishment or research ethics and importance of research ethics. There are
knowledge gaps in terms of research ethics operation to the students and faculty of DMMMSU-

SLUC.

2. The attitudes of the respondents towards research ethics are categorized as positive. However,

there are neutral and poor attitude indicating that there are still gaps in doing research in terms of

submissions and collection of data in students.

3. The total practice scores of the respondents are equivalent to excellent. The respondent’s

practice in terms of gathering data, and benefits of research ranges from good to excellent

practice. However, the practice of the student and faculty in terms of guidelines/foundation in

research is poor, while in research personnel remains excellent.

4. In significant relationship, there is a medium association in Knowledge vs Attitude and

Knowledge vs Practice while having large association in Attitude vs Practice in students. For the

faculty and research personnel, there is a large association in Knowledge vs Attitude, Knowledge

vs Practice, and Attitude vs Practice.

5. The researchers developed an action plan including lecture or discussion, establishing network

of promoters of adherence to REC operations involving all colleges, communicate to the in

charge with circular design of Basic Education for research division level, having training for

Basic Education teachers and developed resources for students to keep DMMMSU researchers

more efficient towards research ethics.

Conclusions

This was the first study to explore KAP of the researchers towards Research Ethics in

DMMMSU-SLUC. Our findings suggest that respondents, especially students, have a high

knowledge, positive attitudes, and excellent practices towards research ethics.

Based on the findings, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. Students have a moderate level of knowledge about research ethics, indicating that students

are not much very competent when it comes to what they know and are not well informed about

research ethics. And for the faculty and research personnel, they have a high level of knowledge

towards research ethics.

2. Most of the respondents had improved their overall attitude, which resulted in a positive

attitude toward research ethics in terms of submission and data collection. However, because of

having some neutral and poor attitudes in students, there is a need for improvement to fill the

gaps and be competent in doing quality research.

3. The extent to which respondents engage in research ethics in terms of data collection and

research benefits is excellent, whereas students and faculty indicate poor practice in the context

of research guidelines/foundation.

4. The college undergraduates of this study have medium-large association whilst college

graduates have large association in terms of their KAP towards Research Ethics.

5. The researchers came up with an action plan to improve the current KAP towards research

ethics of the university.

Recommendations

Based on the findings and conclusions, the following are recommended:

1. The researchers recommend that students should focus on research ethics in thesis subject

especially when doing a research study, so that they will be capable and knowledgeable about

research ethics with particular attention given to vulnerable participants, appropriate research

practices, informed consent, and the obligations of the Ethics Committee. Furthermore,

increasing the knowledge through orientation approach for students and faculty members that

tends to increase the in-depth familiarity in fundamental ethical principles of research ethics.

Identify the set of moral standards that adheres by the practitioner on research ethics operation.

2. The researchers recommend respondents to conduct further research that assess inclusion of

research ethics principles in teaching research among college students. To be more aware in

attitudes through monitoring process for the students that tends to be well-demeanor towards the

compliance of research ethics under submissions. Increase the awareness in collection of data.

3. The researchers recommend that in order to understand and have a good practice in the

framework of research ethics, establish at least good practices on student while the faculty

members will be static or to be excellent in practicing through monitoring and establishing

networks of promoters that tends to strictly follows the policies set by the REC under Guidelines/

foundation in research.

4. The researchers recommend that the persons in the academe including faculty, research

personnel and students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards Research Ethics through

training and seminars as well as applying research ethics in conducting research studies with
particular focus on research ethics principles, operations pertaining to research ethics

applications, and improve attitudes on the need to comply with ethical standards for safety.

5. The researchers recommend that adequate planning and intervention measures such as training

and seminar indicated in the action plan and training design should be implemented to improve

researchers understanding, behavior, and practice that encourages an ethical practice in

producing a research study.