Defining the First Step in Student’ Research Guide to Research
The first step in doing research according to the student’s guide to research is identifying the topic of study under investigation. This step involves the researcher seeking to understand the subject of study or the main issue involved and also gets an overview of the possible relevant sources of information such as books and journals. Moreover, under this step, the student researcher is expected to ask him or herself what they will research about and describe the problem or scope of their research. It is also at this stage that a student doing research in any sociological science or subject needs to identify the particular aspect or area of the topic that is of interest to them. That is, in this step, the researcher narrows down to one specific research question which is researchable and exciting to them. The first step is usually a complete preparatory stage of the research process whereby the researcher selects the topic, defines its scope and brainstorms over its aspects. Here, the student researcher also identifies and defines the unique terminology associated with the chosen research topic and also formulates possible research questions.
The Major Assumptions and Bias of the Drug Industry Underlying Research
The validity of research findings in the field of sociology can sometimes be affected by the individual bias of the people or corporates doing the research. In the drug and pharmaceutical industry where research on newly discovered and manufactured drug has become a common practice, Whoriskey (2012) argues that the potential bias is apparent and glaring. According to this writer, the different bias involved in research by drug companies are, firstly, that to promote drugs, they can manipulate the results in a way that make the drugs seem to have no side effects. This is not always the case. Secondly, the pharmaceutical companies usually partner with academics who share their corporate philosophy or who are funded by them hence the likelihood of these researchers favoring the company is high (Whoriskey, 2012). There is, therefore, potential for bias in the form of manipulation of results and conflict of interest. Some of the assumptions usually made in the drug industry research include safety of medicines, lack of possibility of researchers being compromised and lack of conflict of interest among researchers. There are also assumptions to do with risks and benefits of the drugs and potential side effects of the drugs being tested. Moreover, most drug companies in the pharmaceutical industry assume that the conclusions drawn by the researchers are independently arrived at without external influence.
My Personal Bias as a Consumer
As a consumer of drugs from the pharmaceutical or drug industry, my main bias that influences drug research is the financial aspect of the research. Being dependent on the drug companies to and trusting their professionalism, consumers rarely question the accuracy of information about drugs. This affects our ability to users of these products to be able to point out the missing links or potential side effects of the drugs. Furthermore, consumers are biased in the way they evaluate the potential abilities of the drug companies to carry out independent research on drug samples. Their primary concern is the ability of the drug to relieve their pain and nothing more unless the side effects are grave.
References
Whoriskey, P. (2012, November 24). As drug industry’s influence over research grows, so does the potential for bias. The Washington Post. Retrieved July 21, 2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/as-drug-industrys-influence-over- research-grows-so-does-the-potential-for-bias/2012/11/24/bb64d596-1264-11e2-be82- c3411b7680a9_story.html
