Research is a way of life most especially because it is one of the pillars of the academe.
Essential to any research activity then is the awareness and adherence of researchers to good ethical practices.
The University of Baguio through the Research and Development Center (RDC) recently hosted a webinar on Basic Research Ethics Guidelines and Tool Validation. This is the first in a series of capacity building activities aimed at developing the research capabilities of the teaching and non-teaching personnel of the University of Baguio. The half-day webinar held on September 5, 2020, was participated in by teaching and non-teaching staff of the university as well as guests from all over the Philippines.
Forty-six (46) teaching and non-teaching staff and 77 students from the various Schools of UB were present. Table 1 presents the distribution of Participants from within the university.
Table 1: Tally of Participants (University of Baguio)
| School / Department | Employee | Student |
| SBAA: School of Business Administration and Accountancy | 2 | 2 |
| SCJPS: School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety | 1 | |
| SIHTM: School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management | 12 | 22 |
| SIT: School of Information Technology | 2 | |
| SNS: School of Natural Sciences | 17 | 23 |
| SOD: School of Dentistry | 1 | 2 |
| SON: School of Nursing | 1 | |
| STELA: School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts | 6 | 22 |
| UB SHS: University of Baguio Science High School | 1 | |
| UB HS: University of Baguio High School | 6 | 2 |
| UB LES: University of Baguio Laboratory Elementary School | 1 | |
| Total | 46 | 77 |
This activity, however, was not exclusive to the UB family only since the invitation was likewise extended to all other interested individuals and 50 guests registered from various parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Table 2 presents the tally of guests from other universities.
Table 2. Tally of Participants (Outside University of Baguio)
| School / Department | Guest |
| BGMC: | 4 |
| BSU: Benguet State University, Bokod Campus | 1 |
| BSU: Benguet State University | 1 |
| Batangas State University JPLPC Malvar | 1 |
| Capiz State University, Davao Satellite | 1 |
| CSU: Cagayan State University, Aparri | 6 |
| Corazon Aquino High School | 1 |
| DMMMSU- SLUC | 1 |
| Mariano Marcos State University | 2 |
| DOT: Department of Trade | 1 |
| Dep-Ed Tarlac Province | 1 |
| IFSU: Ifugao State University, Potia Campus | 1 |
| Ilocos Training and Medical Center | 3 |
| Kaytitinga Integrated School | 1 |
| Lorma Colleges | 1 |
| Malacampa National High School- Camiling | 2 |
| N/A | 2 |
| Naguillian National High School | 1 |
| Pamantasan ng Cabuyao | 1 |
| Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina | 2 |
| Pangasinan State University | 1 |
| Philippine Merchant Marine Academy | 1 |
| Philippine Science High School- CAR | 2 |
| Quirino State University | 2 |
| Real National High School | 1 |
| SPAMAST: Southern Philippines Agri-based and Marine Aquatic School of Technology | 1 |
| School of Nursing | 1 |
| TESOL Asia | 1 |
| Tarlac State University | 3 |
| UB/ OVPAA | 1 |
| University of Northern Philippines | 1 |
| DS | 1 |
| Total | 50 |
Dr. Jun C. Corpuz, Faculty from the School of Natural Sciences and the current vice-chairperson of the CRHRDC REC oriented the attendees on Basic Research Ethics. He highlighted that in any research endeavor, it is necessary to observe the essential principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice. He then proceeded to discuss how all of these principles can be operationalized and integrated with all the stages of the research process.
He also gave a walk-through about how research has evolved over the years. He ended his talk by encouraging all those who were present to be more open to the idea of being critiqued when undergoing research ethics evaluation because the bottom line is to make the research more technically and morally sound.
The second session immediately followed, and Dr. Isagani A. Paddit, the Research and Development Center 
Director of UB, was tasked to orient the attendees on the definition, purpose, and procedures during the Tool Validation Process.
He reiterated that the tool validation process is still founded on the tenets of basic ethics. It a necessary step so that the right questions are matched to the objectives of the researchers. He also reminded everyone to seek mentorship from teaching and non-teaching staff who are already experts in the field of research. The session was also an opportunity for the new RDC Director to update everyone about the composition of the University Review Board and the next dates for the remaining webinars for the semester.
All in all, it was a very fruitful webinar in the new normal. With this new mode of hosting seminars, more participants were able to be informed even in the confines of their own homes. As Bruce MacFarlane (2010) once wrote, “Ethics is a bit like jazz, in that it is about more than simply following the notes on the page. It demands an ability to improvise and to think for ourselves.” | Rhoda Marie A. Carbonel, UB-REC
