CONCEPT PRESENTATION (1) CONCEPT PRESENTATION (2)

What is Inquiry?
Why is Research important?

It is defined as “a seeking for truth, information

1. Research provides scientific basis for any
or knowledge. The information is sought through
questioning about something you are inquisitive practice or methodology in any field or
about. Inquiry is the process of finding answers to discipline. Without scientific basis, someone
questions. It requires you to collect data, meaning, may be affected or may suffer. For example, in
facts, and information about the object of your the field of medicine, a new drug must be first
inquiry, and examine such data carefully. In your tested to determine its efficacy in curing sickness
analysis, you execute varied thinking strategies that before it can be prescribed.
range from lower-order to higher-order thinking 2. Research is undertaken for continuous
skills. It is an active learning process. Inquiry in art development and further productivity in any
and science usually produces different products, just field. Any system will be utilized in any
as inquiry in social science appears to be different organization must first be tried to determine its
from inquiry in engineering. Despite these value and it must be better than the previous
differences, the process of posing and answering
system used.
questions is similar in all disciplines. It provides a
3. Research helps develop tools for assessing
lens from which to explore the question. The
exploratory nature of inquiry allows individuals effectiveness of any practice and operation
particularly students to grapple with different ways of such as psychological tests, intelligence quotient
looking at ideas and issues and to think creatively tests, and psychological assessments, among
about problems that do not possess simple answer. others. This is observed in behavioral science,
The important part of inquiry is that questions are physical science, and others as well.
being asked, solutions are being explored, problems 4. Research provides solutions to problems
are being tackled, and answers are being shared in concerning almost all issues encountered in
the most appropriate form.Source: different areas of work. Some issues include
https://undergradresearch.psu.edu/about/what-inquiry
tardiness of employees, incentives given to the
staff, sportsmanship among athletes, and
What is Research? implementation of a ‘clean and green” program in
school.
Over the years, many experts have given their 5. Research impacts decision-making. It is a
own definitions of the word “research”. Different common mistake for people to make decisions
perspectives on the subject have been adopted that without solid information to back them up. It
resulted in the following definitions: requires time, effort, and sometimes money to
1. Research follows a step-by-step process gather the evidence needed for making a sound
investigation that uses a standardized approach decision
in answering questions or solving problems 6. Research develops and evaluates alternative
(Polit & Beck, 2004). approaches to educational aspects of any
2. Research plays an important role in tertiary discipline. For example, research can help
education. There are many problems confronted determine whether lecture is a better method
by higher education, development is realized than experiment in teaching science.
through research. After all, its main purpose is to 7. Research aims to advance the personal and
answer a question or to solve an issue (Palispis, professional qualifications of a practitioner.
2004).
3. Research is a continuous undertaking of making
known the unknown (Sanchez, 2002). It entails
an investigation of new facts leading to the
discovery of new ideas, methods, or
improvements. It is an attempt to widen one’s
outlook in life. It always proceeds from the
known to the unknown. Thus, the end of
research is to arrive at a new birth.
4. Research is an investigation following ordered
steps leading to a discovery of new information
or concepts (Sanchez, 1999).
5. Research is a very careful investigation of
something that purports the contribution of
additional or new knowledge and wisdom
(Bassey, as cited by Coleman & Briggs, 2002).
6. Research is a tested approach of thinking and
employing validated instruments and steps in
order to obtain a more adequate solution to a Source: Cristobal, A. & Cristobal, M. (2017). Practical
problem that is otherwise impossible to address Research 1 for Senior High School. 839 EDSA, South
under ordinary means (Crawford, as cited by Triangle, Quezon City, Phillipines. C & E Publishing, Inc.
Alcantara & Espina, 1995).

Page 1 of 4 NATURE OF INQUIRY AND RESEARCH_MODULE 1 CHERYLYN A. BENOLIRAO

CONCEPT PRESENTATION (3) 5. The research should be clear. The choice of
variables used in the study should be explained
Purpose of Research by the researcher. This can be done by
enriching the review of literature or by
1. To learn how to work independently. discussing the different theories on which the
2. To learn how to work scientifically or selection of the variables is based. Therefore,
systematically. there must be sufficient indicators for each
3. To have an in-depth knowledge of something. variable. These variables can be gathered from
4. To elevate your mental abilities by letting you different published and unpublished materials.
think in higher-order thinking strategies (HOTS)
of inferring, evaluating, synthesizing, CONCEPT PRESENTATION (4)
appreciating, applying, and creating.
5. To improve your reading and writing skills. Types of Research
6. To be familiar with the basic tools of research
and the various techniques of gathering data 1. Based on Application of Research
and of presenting research findings. Method
7. To free yourself, to a certain extent, from the
Pure Research – deals with concepts,
domination or strong influence of a single
principles, or abstract things. This type of
textbook or of the professor’s lone viewpoint or
research aims to increase your knowledge about
spoon feeding.
something.
Applied Research – deals with societal
Characteristics of Research problems or issues and finding ways to make
positive changes in society.
1. The research should be systematic. There is
a system to follow in conducting research as 2. Based on Purpose of the Research
there is a system for formulating each of its
parts. There is a big system (macro) and under it Descriptive Research -This type of research
are small systems (micro). In research writing, aims at defining or giving a verbal portrayal or
what is referred to as the “system” is composed picture of a person, thing, event, group,
of the chapters and their elements. The macro situation, etc. This is liable to repeated research
system is composed of chapters that are because its topic relates itself only to a certain
organized in a logical and scientific manner. On period or a limited number of years. Based on
the other hand, the microsystem consists of the the results of your descriptive studies about a
detailed contents of each chapter. The contents subject, you develop the inclination of
are further divided into elements that are conducting further studies on such topic.
organized following a systematic procedure.
2. The research should be objective. Research Correlational Research – shows relationships
involves the objective process of analyzing or connectedness of two factors, cricumstances,
phenomena of importance to any profession or or agents called variables that affect the
to different fields or disciplines (Nieswiadomy, research. It is only concerned in indicating the
2005). A researcher should objectively look at existence of a relationship, not the causes and
the basis on which the work is founded. He or ways of the development of such relationship.
she must never produce results out of nowhere;
the results of the research should be validated. Explanatory Research – elaborates or explains
These results must never be based from biases. not just the reasons behind the relationship of
It is very important for the researcher to clarify two factors, but also the ways by which such
indicators and boundaries within which the relationship exists.
research is confined because these factors
could affect objectivity. Exploratory Research – its purpose is to find
3. The research should be feasible. Any problem out how reasonable or possible it is to conduct a
of extraordinary nature that directly or indirectly research study on a certain topic. Hence, you
affects any profession is a feasible problem to will discover ideas on topics that could trigger
study. In settings like in the community, school, your interest in conducting research studies.
or workplace, unusual phenomena may happen
and can turn into potential problems. Action Research – it studies an on-going
4. The research should be empirical. There practice of a school, organization, community, or
should be supporting pieces of evidence and institution for the purpose of obtaining results
accompanying details for every variable used in that will bring improvements in the system.
the study. References and citations of facts and
information that the researcher has gathered in
3. Based on Types of Data Needed
his or her paper must be included. Plagiarism
Qualitative Research – requires non-numerical
constitutes claiming another person’s idea or
data, which means that the research uses words
intellectual property as one’s own. Through
rather than numbers to express the results, the
proper attribution, the researcher states that the
inquiry, or investigation about people’s thoughts,
knowledge being shared through the study was
beliefs, feelings, view, and lifestyles regarding
taken from the study of other experts.
the object of the study. These opinionated
Page 2 of 4 NATURE OF INQUIRY AND RESEARCH_MODULE 1 CHERYLYN A. BENOLIRAO
 answers from people are not measureable; so, will proceed to the data collection. Data collection gives
verbal language is the right way to express your methods to determine who will be the participants in the
findings in a qualitative research. study, how the variables will be measured, and how data
will be documented and collected. The collected data will
Quantitative Research – involves then undergo data analysis, which consists of the
measurement of data. Thus, it presents research strategies and methods that make sense of the data to
answer the research problem and questions. Finally, the
findings referring to the number of frequency of
conclusion summarizes the key results of the study and
something in numerical forms (i.e., using
discusses how these are relevant to the research
percentages, fractions, numbers ) problem. At this point, the research addresses the
hypotheses and determines if they are accepted or
The data you deal with in research are either rejected. It also addresses the knowledge gap and
primary or secondary data. Primary data are presents new insights into the problem.
obtained through direct observation or contact Outline of the Research Paper
with people, objects, artifacts, paintings, etc. A research paper is divided into chapters which
Primary data are new and original information are then subdivided into various components of the
resulting from your sensory experience. research study. The following is the conventional outline
However, if such data have already been written of an academic research paper:
about or reported on and are available for Chapter 1: The Problem and its Background
reading purposes, they exist as a secondary a. Introduction, Background of the study
b. Statement of the Problem
data.
c. Scope and Delimitation
d. Significance of the Study
CONCEPT PRESENTATION (5) Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework
a. Review of Related Literature
Research Paradigm b. Review of Related Studies
c. Conceptual/Theoretical Framework
d. Hypothesis of the Study
The research paradigm is an outline that guides
e. Assumptions of the Study
the researcher in conceptualizing and conducting the
f. Definition of Terms
research. An effective research must address these two
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
important aspects: research foundations and research
a. Research Design
methodology.
b. Respondents of the Study
The research foundations refer to the
c. Instrument of the Study
fundamental components of research such as the
d. Validity and Reliability
research problem, purpose, specific questions to be
e. Statistical Treatment
addressed, and the conceptual framework to be applied.
Chapter 4: Presentation, Analysis, and
In determining research topic or problem, the
Interpretation of Data
researcher must look at a significant real-life problem.
a. Presentation of Data
Formulating a research problem requires describing the
b. Analysis
undesirable situations related to the problem and the
c. Interpretation
needed knowledge or information in order to solve that
d. Discussion
problem. The purpose of the research describes how
Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusion, and
the study will fill this “knowledge gap”. To address this
Recommendations
purpose, the researcher must formulate necessary
a. Summary of Findings
questions that will help distinguish the significant points
b. Conclusion
of the research. The research questions may be either
c. Recommendation
framed in quantitative (how much, how often, to what
Various institutions often prescribe research outlines that
extent) or qualitative (what, why, how) manner. The
are variations of the outline presented above. It is
possible answers to the research questions are the
therefore important for the researcher to familiarize
hypotheses, which will be either confirmed or rejected by
himself or herself with the standards and conventions of
the data collected in the study. Lastly, the conceptual
research that is implemented within a certain field or
framework is an outline or paradigm that presents the
discipline.
topics to be studied, the various variables and contexts,
Importance of Ethics in Research
and how these relate to or influence each other.
1. Ethics promotes the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and
On the other hand, the research methodology
credibility. It also fosters values that are essential to
describes how the researcher will answer the research
collaborative work. Research often involves a great
questions in a credible manner: Research methods are
deal of cooperation and coordination among people
employed to address the research purpose and gain
in different fields or disciplines. The important values
new information and insights to answer the problem. The
include trust, accountability, mutual respect, and
methodology of the research includes the review of
fairness.
literature, research approach and design, data
2. Many of the ethical norms ensure that researchers
collection, methods of analysis, and conclusions.
are held accountable to the public.
The review of literature analyses the existing
3. Adherence to the ethical principles helps build public
knowledge regarding the research topic. It identifies
support for research. People are more likely to fund
gaps in information that may be addressed by the
research studies that promote a variety of important
research. It is also an important basis of the conceptual
moral and social values such as social responsibility,
framework of the study. With the existing knowledge
human rights, animal welfare, and health and safety.
about the study, the research approach and design Source: Cristobal, Amadeo Jr. and Cristobal, Maura.
identifies what is the best means to collect and analyze Practical Research 1 for Senior High School. C & E
data in the study. The design is used to clarify and Publishing, Inc. 2017.
improve the research problem, purpose, and questions.
Having the best way to gather the data, the researcher
Page 3 of 4 NATURE OF INQUIRY AND RESEARCH_MODULE 1 CHERYLYN A. BENOLIRAO
Ethical Codes and Policies for Research Rights of Research Participants
Ethics are the norms for conduct that distinguish
between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. The main purpose of a research is to produce
Research ethics establishes the moral integrity of the results that would benefit the stakeholders in the
researchers which is crucial as it ensures that the
study. Likewise, the participants are crucial elements
research findings are valid and trustworthy. The
of the research and they have the same rights as the
following is general summary of some ethical principles
that researchers must observed (Note: Adapted from research beneficiaries. Some of the rights of
Shamoo, A. and D. Resnik. Responsible Conduct of research participants are as follows (Trochim, 2006;
Research, 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, Smith 2003; Polit, 2006):
2009). 1. Voluntary participation. Any person should not
be coerced to participate in any research
1. Honesty. Strive for honesty in all scientific undertaking.
communications. Honestly report data, results, 2. Informed consent. Prospective research
methods and procedures, and publication status. participants must be fully informed about the
Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. procedures and risks involved in the research.
2. Objectivity. Strive to avoid bias in experimental Their consent to participate must be secured.
design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer 3. Risk of harm. Participants should be protected
review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert from physical, financial, or psychological harm.
testimony, and other aspects of research where The principle of non-maleficence states that it is
objectivity is expected or required. Avoid or the researcher’s duty to avoid, prevent, or
minimize bias or self-deception. minimize harm to the participants of the study.
3. Integrity. Keep your promises and agreements; 4. Confidentiality. Participants must be assured
act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought that their identity and other personal information
and action. will not be made available to anyone who is not
4. Carefulness. Avoid careless errors and directly involved in the study.
negligence; carefully and critically examine your 5. Anonymity. The participants must remain
own work. Keep good records of research activities anonymous through the study even to the
such as data collection, research design, and researchers themselves.
correspondence with agencies. Source: Cristobal, Amadeo Jr. and Cristobal, Maura.
Practical Research 1 for Senior High School. C & E
5. Openness. Share data, results, ideas, tools,
Publishing, Inc. 2017.
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.
Give proper acknowledgement or credit for all
contributions to research. Never plagiarize.
7. Confidentiality. Protect confidential
communications and personal information of your
respondents, if any.
8. Social Responsibility. Strive to promote social
good and prevent or mitigate social harms through
research, public education, and advocacy.
9. Competence. Maintain and improve your own
professional competence and expertise through
lifelong education and learning.
10. Legality. Know and obey relevant laws and
institutional and government policies.
11. Animal Care. Show proper respect and care for
animals when using them in research. Do not
conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal
experiments.
12. Human Subjects 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.Source: Avilla, R. DIWA Senior High School
Series: Practical Research 1. DIWA Learning Systems,
2016

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