Lesson 1 : Introduction to Research

Research

a systematic process of gathering information, interpreting information, and analyzing information to resolve a specific problem

Inquiry

a learning process that motivates you to obtain knowledge or information about people, things, places, or events. You look for information by asking various questions about the thing you are curious about

Systematic

having, showing, or involving a system, method, or plan.

Process

a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.

Accuracy

Research must provide correct or accurate data which should be honestly and appropriately documented or acknowledged in the footnotes, notes and bibliographical entries.

Objectiveness

Research must present the evidence, not mere assumptions resulting from theories, generalizations, projections or conclusions.

Timeliness

Research has to work on a topic that is original, modern and important to society today.

Relevance

The topic of research must be instrumental in improving society or in solving problems affecting the lives of people in a community.

Clarity

Research must succeed in expressing its central point or discoveries by using simple, direct, concise, and correct language.

Systematic

Research must take place in an organized or orderly manner

Ethics

• generally is considered to deal with beliefs about what is right or wrong, proper or improper, good or bad.

• is important in research because it is for the researcher to avoid from committing errors while seeking knowledge and truth

• it promotes essential values that help researchers working on a topic to have a common understanding of how things should go about

Honesty

Strive for honesty in all scientific communications. Rightfully report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data.

Objectivity

Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, 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; carefully and critically examine your own work and the work of your peers. Keep good records of research activities, such as data collection, research design, and correspondence with agencies or journals.

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. Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission.

Confidentiality

Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.

Responsible Publication

Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.

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.

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.

Legality

Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.

Animal Care

Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.

Human Subject 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 and burdens of research fairly.

IMRad Research Paper

Refers to a paper that is structured by four main sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This format is often used for lab reports as well as for reporting any planned, systematic research in the social sciences, natural sciences, or engineering and computer sciences.

Traditional Research Paper

A systematic process thatdemands a standard scientific method

Comparison of IMRad vs. Traditional Research Paper