Practical Research 1

What is a research?
Research is a systematic study of
trend or event which involves careful
collection, presentation, analysis and
interpretation of quantitative data
or facts that relates man’s thinking
with reality.
 Importance of Research in Daily Life
A tool for building knowledge
 Means to understand various issues
A way to prove lies and to support truths
A seed to love reading, writing, analysing and sharing valuable
information
 Nourishment and exercise for the mind
 To make changes
 Improving standard of living
 For a safer life
 Explore our history
 Understanding arts
 Characteristics of Research
 Empirical – research is based on direct experience or observation by
the researcher.
 Logical – research is based on valid procedures and principles.
 Cyclical – research starts with a problem and ends with a problem.
 Analytical– research utilizes proven analytical procedures in
gathering data, whether historical, descriptive, experimental, and
case study.
 Critical – research exhibits careful and precise judgement.
 Methodical – research s conducted in a methodical manner without
bias using systematic method and procedures.
 Replicablity– research design and procedures are separated to
enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.
Process of Research
Step 1 Define the Research Problem
There are two types of research problem
Relate to state of nature
Relationship between variables
Essentiallytwo steps are involved in defining
research problem
Understanding the problem thoroughly, and
Rephrasing the same into meaningful terms prom an
point of view.
Process of Research
 Step 2 Review of Literature
Once the problem is defined, a brief summary of it should
be written down. I
 Step 3 Formulate Hypothesis
 Formulatehypothesis is tentative assumption made in order to
draw out and test its logical or empirical consequence.
 Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of
research in hand because it has to be tested.
 Therole of hypothesis is to guide the researcher by delimiting
the area or research and to keep him on right track.
Process of Research
Step 4 Preparing the Research Design
The function of research design is to provide for
the collection of relevant evidence with minimal
expenditure of effort, time and money
Research purpose maybe grouped into four
categories:
Exploration
Description
Diagnosis
Experimentation
Process of Research
Step 5 Data Collection
Primary data can be collected
through:
By observation
Personal interview
Telephone interview
Mailing of questionnaires
Through schedules
Process of Research
 Step 6 Data Analysis
 The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operations such as
establishment of categories.
 This stage mainly include:
 Coding
 Editing
 Tabulation
Step 7 Interpretation and Report Writing
Researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done by him.
Writing of report includes
> preliminary pages
> the main text
> the end matter
Research Ethics
 There are three objectives in research ethics
 The first and broadest objective is to protect human
participants
 The second objective is to ensure the research is
conducted in a way that serves interests of individuals,
groups and/or society as a whole, and finally
 The third objective is to examine specific research
activities and projects for their ethical soundness, looking
at issue such as management of risk, protection of
confidentiality and the process of informed consent.
 Research Ethics
 Honesty – Do not fabricate, falsify or misinterpret data.
 Objectivity – strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data
interpretation, peer view, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony
and other aspects of research where objectivity is expected or required.
 Integrity – Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity, strive for
consistency of thought and action.
 Carefulness – Avoid careless errors and negligence.
 Openness – Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and
new ideas
 Respect for intellectual property – honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of
intellectual property
 Confidentiality – Protect confidential communications such as paper or grants
submitted for publication, personnel records, trade ir military secrets and
patient records.
Research Ethics (cont.)
 Responsible publication – publish in order to advance in research and
scholarship, not to advance your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative
publications.
 Responsible mentoring – Help to educate, mentor, and advise students. Promote
their welfare and allow them to make their own decisions
 Respect for colleagues – respect your colleagues and treat them fairly.
 Social responsibility – Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate
social harms through research, public education and advocacy.
 Non- Discrimination – Avoid discrimination among colleagues or students on the
basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or other factors not related to scientific
competence and integrity.
 Competence – maintain and improve your own professional competence and
expertise through lifelong education and learning, take steps to promote
competence in science as a whole
Research Ethics (cont.)
 Legality
– Know and obey relevant laws and institution and
governmental policies
 Animalcare – Show proper and care for animals when using
them in research. Do not conduct unnecessary or poorly
designed animal experiments.
 Human Subjects Protection – When conducting research on
human subjects, minimize harms and risks and maximize
benefits. Respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy,
take special precautions with vulnerable populations, and
strive to distribute the benefits of burdens of research
fairly.