The Characteristics, Processes,

and Ethics of Research

Objectives
1. Describes characteristics, processes, and ethics
of research
2. Differentiates quantitative from qualitative
research
Read the following statements. Answer TRUE if the
statement describes a research, FALSE if you think it is not.
_______1. An opinion from any person is recognized and considered
as an answer to the question asked by the researcher.
_______2. A researcher must read literature that relates to the
problem he or she is studying.
_______3. The researcher has the final say in his findings.
_______4.To have an objective view of his or her study, the
researcher should avoid listening to another researcher.
_______5.There should be adequate data before conducting a
research.
Characteristics of Research
1. Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or
observation by the researcher.
2. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles.
3. Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process because it starts with a
problem and ends with a problem.
4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in
gathering the data, whether historical, descriptive, and
experimental and case study.
Characteristics of Research
4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in
gathering the data, whether historical, descriptive, and
experimental and case study.
5. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment.
6. Methodical. Research is conducted in a methodical manner
without bias using systematic method and procedures.
7. Replicability. The research design and procedures are replicated
or repeated to enable the researcher to arrive at valid and
conclusive results
The Seven Steps of the Research Process
Step 1. Define and develop your topic (Research Problem).
• Factors to Consider in Selecting a Research Problem
1. Researcher‘s area of interest
2. Availability of funds
3. Investigator‘s ability and training
Step 2. Find background information about your chosen topic
(Review of Related Literature).
Step 3. Plan your research design including your sample
(Methodology).
The Seven Steps of the Research Process
Step 4. Gather necessary data using open ended questions (for
qualitative research) and closed-ended questionnaire or paper
pencil test questionnaire (for quantitative research) (Data Gathering
Activities).
Step 5. Process and analyse data using thematic analysis (for
qualitative research) and statistical tools (for quantitative research).
Step 6. Formulate new insights gained (for qualitative research)
conclusions (for quantitative research) and recommendations.
Step 7. Define new problem.
Directions. Identify the characteristic of research being described in
each of the situations. Use the list as your options.

Critical Analytical Cyclical

Emperical Logical Replicable

1. Eric identifies a problem for his research. After gathering

his findings for the first problem, he found out and identified
another problem that arose from his previous problem. He
suggested that other researchers continue to research in the
newly found problem.
Directions. Identify the characteristic of research being described in
each of the situations. Use the list as your options.

Critical Analytical Cyclical

Emperical Logical Replicable

2. Jenny uses the scientific method in doing her research

procedure. She ensures that all the instruments and
procedures used are valid before proceeding to the next
step to assure that the final outcome and conclusions are
also.
Directions. Identify the characteristic of research being described in
each of the situations. Use the list as your options.

Critical Analytical Cyclical

Emperical Logical Replicable

3. Michael is interested to conduct research about the

factors affecting the growth of fish in salt water. He chose
this topic because he lives in an area near the seashore. He
always walks near the shore during his free time. Because of
this, it will be easy for him to conduct observations and
gather the data he needs regarding his chosen topic.
Directions. Identify the characteristic of research being described in
each of the situations. Use the list as your options.

Critical Analytical Cyclical

Emperical Logical Replicable

4. Jazel has finish conducting a research in her field of expertise.
She wants to submit it to a national journal for publication. The
National Journal Screening Committee wants to examine the
validity of the results of Grace’s paper. The committee decided to
include Grace’s paper since the result from the experiment of the
committee is the same as the result reported by Grace on her
paper.
Directions. Identify the characteristic of research being described in
each of the situations. Use the list as your options.

Critical Analytical Cyclical

Emperical Logical Replicable

5. After finishing his data analysis, Irvin continues to

examine the results of the data analysis. Before he supports
or rejects his hypothesis, he makes sure that he has
established a high level of confidence in his data analysis
whether the results are significant or not.
Ethical Considerations in conducting
Research
1. Objectivity and integrity
2. Respect for the researcher subjects’ right to privacy and dignity
and protection of subjects personal harm
3. Presentation of research findings
4. Misuse of research role
5. Acknowledgment of research collaboration and assistance
6. Distortions of findings by sponsor
Unethical practices in conducting research
1. Deceiving a respondent about the true purpose of a study
2. Asking a respondent questions that cause him or her extreme
embarrassment; guilt emotional turmoil by remaining him or her of
an unpleasant experience
3. Invading the privacy of a respondent
4. Studying the respondents or research subjects without their
knowledge
5. When analyzing the data- revealing only part of the facts,
presenting facts out of context, falsifying findings or offering
misleading presentation such as lying with statistics