Introduction to Research - Bio Resource Site to find answers, with a view to instituting changesforamoreeffectiveprofessionalservice.” -RanjitKumar, 1996 Significance of Research

Introduction to Introduction to

ResearchResearchhttp://cmhr.anu.edu.au/images/CMHRimage.gif

Contents

• Definitions

• Aims

• Significance

• Characteristics• Characteristics

• Types

– By application

– By approach

– By type of data

sought

http://www.uchsc.edu/sm/chs/research/pics/research.jpg

What is Research?

Research is a careful,

systematic, patient

study and investigation

in some field of in some field of

knowledge, undertaken

to establish facts or

principles.

(Grinnel, 1993)http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/southwood/ringingChapter3.jpg

What is Research?

Research is the systematic

and objective analysis and

recording of controlled

observations that may lead

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/NASA_global_temperature_1880-2007.png

observations that may lead

to the development of

generalizations, principles

or theories resulting in

prediction and possibly

ultimate control of events.

(Kumar, 1996)http://masteroftheuniverse.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/magic8ball.jpg?w=300&h=262

In short…

Research is a process

by which people

discover or create

new knowledge new knowledge

about the world in

which they live.

(Intel Corporation, 2008) http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/photogalleries/week-in-news-pictures-134/photo5.html

Aims of Research

• To obtain solutions to problems through the

discovery of cause-and-effect relationships (or

systematic relationships) between variables

http://alqamardesigns.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/ripples.jpg?w=500&h=329

Aims of Research

• To be able to

develop

generalizations,

principles or

theories that will

be helpful in

predicting future

occurrenceshttp://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2011/finalwebsite/graphics/BAU/img2.png

Aims of Research

• To obtain some observable experiences or

gather empirical evidences as a means to

verify knowledge

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C2I3anomGL4/SjVaHr57gzI/AAAAAAAAE2I/G2KVGG8c-8c/s320/M31_Lanoue.png

Aims of Research

• To establish new methodologies or processes

that may be used to improve the quality of life

or the environment

http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2009/05/090511090842-large.jpg

Significance of Research

“More than a set of skills, research is a way of thinking:examining critically the various aspects of yourprofession; understanding and formulating guidingprinciples that govern a particular procedure; anddeveloping and testing new theories for theenhancement of your profession. It is a habit ofenhancement of your profession. It is a habit ofquestioning about what you do, and empiricalexamination to find answers, with a view to institutingchanges for a more effective professional service.”

- Ranjit Kumar, 1996

Significance of Research

“It is a habit of questioning about what you do,

and empirical examination to find answers,

with a view to instituting changes…”

Research generates

new knowledge.

Characteristics of Research

• Validity

• Reliability

• Objectivity and absence of bias

Types of Research

• Based on application of research

– Basic or Pure

– Applied

Basic Research

• Research problem

deals with

fundamental or

problems of factsproblems of facts

• New knowledge

or verifies

theories

• Knowledge for its

own sake

Applied Research

• Problems deals with

the “means”

• Find solutions to

human problemshuman problems

• Practical use

http://www.nwabr.org/studentbiotech/winners/studentwork/2007/WB_BA_TRONGTHAM/3_intro_blood%20clotting.htm

“If I have seen

further, it is by

standing on

the shoulders the shoulders

of giants.”

- Sir Isaac Newton

Types of Research

• Based on approach under which the study is

conducted

– Descriptive/Observational

– Experimental– Experimental

– Technical

Descriptive Research

• Defines characteristics

of an organism or a

system and makes

comparisons with others

without manipulating without manipulating

factors or conditions

• No manipulation of

independent variables

http://www.marinebiodiversity.ca/OBI07/posters/hidden/mcintire.jpg

Experimental Research

• Alteration of factor/s

and variable/s in a

controlled manner or

under controlled under controlled

conditions to test an

organism’s response

to the factors applied

• Involves cause and

effect http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Griffith_experiment.svg/450px-Griffith_experiment.svg.png

Technical Research

• Development of a

technique or

procedure using

established established

knowledge as a basis

for coming up with

the methodology

http://www.molecularstation.com/molecular-biology-images/509-pcr-pictures/72-pcr-machine-thermal-cycler.html

Types of Research

• Based on the type of information sought

– Quantitative

– Qualitative

TeleMed: The Mechanization and Control of a

Microscope for Remote ConferencingChristian O. Sanchez, Ernest Baello III, Lorenzo Lorilla, Patrick Estorninos

TeleMed is a system that aims to control a microscope from a computer, for

use in pathology and other fields of medicine. To achieve this system, a

trinocular microscope was acquired and stepper motors were connected to

its knobs using motor belts. Software was created to run these motors

through a specially designed interface board. Based on the signals sent by the

software, the corresponding motors were made to operate the knobs of thesoftware, the corresponding motors were made to operate the knobs of the

microscope, thereby enabling the user to move the stage (x and y

movement), adjust the focus and change the objective, all through mouse

and keyboard control. Another program was also created and installed in a

remote computer. This software enables off-site control of the microscope by

sending signals through a computer network. Both pieces of software were

designed to run under the Windows 95 environment. They exhibit user-

friendly visual controls and online help documentation to guide the user

through the program.

Comparative Evaluation of the Antibacterial properties of Chili

Pepper Fruit Varieties on Human Dental MicrofloraJoan C. de Guzman, Mark-Lawrence T. Tirao, Rosemary Gutierrez

Chili pepper growth and use span the globe. The unique pungent nature is due chiefly to its

component capsaicin. Herbalists postulate that capsaicin sterilizes tooth cavities white

soothing a toothache. To investigae on this observation, a comparative evaluation was done

on the antibacterial action of three Capsicum fruit varieties namely Capsicum frutescens,

Capsicum annuum “de Arbo” and Capsicum annuum var. longgum on toothache-causing

bacteria which include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis and an isolate from anbacteria which include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis and an isolate from an

individual with dental caries. Steam distillation was employed to extract the essential oil

which contains the substance capsaicin. The paper disc diffusion method was used for the

microbiological assays of extracts in their pure and diluted forms. The Minimum Inhibitory

Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were also

determined. Results revealed that among the three capsicum varieties, C. frutescens is the

most effective inhibitor of bacterial growth for L. acidophilus and B. subtilis and C. annuum

var longgum is the most effective against a bacterial isolate, hypothesized to be Neisseria

sp. The MIC of the plant extracts was found to be at 25% in all of the three bacterial test

organisms, while MBS was determined to be 100%.

Problem 1

A complaint received by the Pontiac Division of General

Motors:

"This is the second time I have written you, and I don't

blame you for not answering me, because I kind of

sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition

in our family of ice cream for dessert after dinner

each night. But the kind of ice cream varies so, every

night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on

which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive

down to the store to get it.

Problem 1 (con’t)

"It's also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac

and since then my trips to the store have created a

problem. You see, every time I buy vanilla ice cream,

when I start back from the store my car won't start. If

I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just

fine.

"I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no

matter how silly it sounds: 'What is there about a

Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice

cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other

kind?”

Problem 1 (con’t)

The Pontiac President was understandably skeptical about the

letter, but sent an engineer to check it out anyway. The latter

was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well-

educated man in a fine neighborhood. He had arranged to

meet the man just after dinner time so the two hopped into meet the man just after dinner time so the two hopped into

the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice

cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to

the car, it wouldn't start.

The engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, the

man got chocolate. The car started. The second night, he got

strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla.

The car failed to start.

Film Showing Activity:

The Medicine Man (W, 230-5, ASTB AVR)

1. What is the research activity being conducted in the movie? (2 pts)

2. How did the way the research was conducted in the movie fit with

the definition given in class? (2 pts)

3. How were the basic characteristics of research shown (not shown) in

the movie? Could it have been improved? How? (9 pts)

4. What good practices in conducting a research were shown in the

movie? (3 pts)

5. What are the not so good and/or bad practices shown in movie? (2

pts)

6. What impact does the film have on you as a researcher? (3 pts)

7. Classify the research based on objectives. Justify your answer. (2 pts)

8. Classify the research based on the condition/approach of the study.

Justify your answer. (2 pts)