1.

Introduction to research

 Research

o the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and
reach new conclusions

o investigate systematically.

o Any creative systematic activity undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including
knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this knowledge to devise new applications."

o Research is a tool by which they can test their own, and each others' theories, by using this antagonism
to find an answer and advance knowledge.

o purpose of research is really an ongoing process of correcting and refining hypotheses, which should
lead to the acceptance of certain scientific truths.

2. Research Process

 According to Cornell University Library: The Seven Steps of the Research Process

 STEP 1: IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP YOUR TOPIC

 SUMMARY: State your topic as a question. For example, if you are interested in finding out about
use of alcoholic beverages by college students, you might pose the question, "What effect does use
of alcoholic beverages have on the health of college students?" Identify the main concepts or
keywords in your question

 STEP 2: FIND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

 SUMMARY: Look up your keywords in the indexes to subject encyclopedias. Read articles in these
encyclopedias to set the context for your research. Note any relevant items in the bibliographies at
the end of the encyclopedia articles. Additional background information may be found in your lecture
notes, textbooks, and reserve readings.

 STEP 3: USE CATALOGS TO FIND BOOKS AND MEDIA

 SUMMARY: Use guided keyword searching to find materials by topic or subject. Print or write down
the citation (author, title,etc.) and the location information (call number and library). Note the
circulation status. When you pull the book from the shelf, scan the bibliography for additional
sources. Watch for book-length bibliographies and annual reviews on your subject; they list citations
to hundreds of books and articles in one subject area. Check the standard subject subheading "--
BIBLIOGRAPHIES," or titles beginning with Annual Review of... in the Cornell Library Classic
Catalog.

 STEP 4: USE INDEXES TO FIND PERIODICAL ARTICLES

 SUMMARY: Use periodical indexes and abstracts to find citations to articles. The indexes and
abstracts may be in print or computer-based formats or both. Choose the indexes and format best
suited to your particular topic; ask at the reference desk if you need help figuring out which index
and format will be best. You can find periodical articles by the article author, title, or keyword by
using the periodical indexes in the Library home page. If the full text is not linked in the index you
are using, write down the citation from the index and search for the title of the periodical in the
Cornell Library Classic Catalog. The catalog lists the print, microform, and electronic versions of
periodicals at Cornell.

 STEP 5: FIND ADDITIONAL INTERNET RESOURCES

 Nearly everyone is aware of and uses Google and its branches, Google Scholar, Google Books,
Google News, YouTube, etc., to search and find information on the open Internet (as opposed to the
 subscription-only resources you will encounter in steps 2 through 4 above). Here are links to other
search engines.

 You can also check to see if there is a research guide (a subject guide or a course guide) created by
librarians specifically for your topic or your class that links to recommended resources.

 STEP 6: EVALUATE WHAT YOU FIND

 SUMMARY: See How to Critically Analyze Information Sources and Distinguishing Scholarly from
Non-Scholarly Periodicals: A Checklist of Criteria for suggestions on evaluating the authority and
quality of the books and articles you located.

 STEP 7: CITE WHAT YOU FIND USING A STANDARD FORMAT

 Give credit where credit is due; cite your sources.

 Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves two purposes, it gives proper credit
to the authors of the materials used, and it allows those who are reading your work to duplicate your
research and locate the sources that you have listed as references.

 Knowingly representing the work of others as your own is plagarism. (See Cornell's Code of
Academic Integrity). Use one of the styles listed below or another style approved by your instructor.
Handouts summarizing the APA and MLA styles are available at Uris and Olin Reference.

3. Research ethics

 According to City University of Hong Kong provides guidelines for the responsible conduct of research. In addition, it
educates and monitors scientists conducting research to ensure a high ethical standard. The following is a general
summary of some ethical principles:
1. Honesty:Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate,
falsify, or misrepresent data.

2. 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.

3. Integrity:Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and action.

4. 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.

5. Openness:Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.

6. Respect for Intellectual Property:Honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Do not
use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission. Give credit where credit is due. Never plagiarize.

7. Confidentiality:Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for publication,

personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.

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

9. Responsible Mentoring:Help to educate, mentor, and advise students. Promote their welfare and allow them
to make their own decisions.

10. Respect for Colleagues:Respect your colleagues and treat them fairly.

11. Social Responsibility:Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through research,
public education, and advocacy.

12. Non-Discrimination:Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity,
or other factors that are not related to their scientific competence and integrity.
 13. 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.

14. Legality:Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.

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

16. Human Subjects Protection:When conducting research on human subjects, minimize harms and risks and
maximize benefits; respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy.

Source: https://libguides.library.cityu.edu.hk/researchmethods/ethics

 As to Lund Research Ltd there are 5 principles. In practice, these ethical principles mean that as a researcher, you need
to:

(a) obtain informed consent from potential research participants;

(b) minimise the risk of harm to participants;

(c) protect their anonymity and confidentiality;

(d) avoid using deceptive practices; and

(e) give participants the right to withdraw from your research.

Source: http://dissertation.laerd.com/principles-of-research-ethics.php#first