Inquiry and Research Fundamentals

Learning Competencies

• Students should be able to share research experiences and knowledge
• Students should be able to differentiate inquiry and research
• Students should be able to explain the importance of research in daily life
• Students should be able to describe the characteristics, processes, and ethics in research
• Students should be able to differentiate qualitative and quantitative research
• Students should be able to provide samples of research across areas of interest

Nature of Inquiry and Research

• Inquiry is the act of asking questions to gain information.
• It can be described as an investigation to find new information that can add to an existing body of knowledge to clarify doubts or even solve problems
• Inquiry involves evaluating the reliability and validity of available information, specifying points of view, and establishing inferences, conclusions, or meaning
• The research process relies on collaboration and interdisciplinary efforts to establish credible information.
• Research can be defined as reexamining or reinvestigating a topic or issue following logical steps.
• Research involves three main steps:
  • Asking the question
  • Finding and gathering data to answer the question
  • Presenting an answer to the question based on processed data

Research Process

• The research process includes all steps from identifying the problem through utilization of results
• Step A: Identification of the Problem
  • The goal is to recognize and clarify an area of interest for further investigation or exploration, given the current existing knowledge
• Step B: Literature Review
  • Find related materials on the topic and consider them as starting points or references for the study
  • The review will also reveal any gaps in present efforts in the study area.
• Step C: Setting the Direction of the Study
  • Establishing the purpose of the study
  • Defining the research questions
  • Detailing the manner in which the study will be conducted
  • Defining the methodology for the study
  • The purpose of the study explains the need for the study and identifies its importance
• Step D: Collecting, Analyzing, and Interpreting Data
  • Gathering, analyzing, and interpreting the materials and information is necessary for providing credible data
• Step E: Evaluation and Report Writing
  • Conclusions will be established based on analyzed data of the study
  • Recommendations from the conclusions will define steps to take as well as describe their effect on the subject or context
• Step F: Community Application or Utilization of Research/Results
  • Sharing the results of the study back to the community to impact society.
  • This step requires a plan to use research results to achieve their potential impact.

Chapter Structure

• Research studies are usually separated into chapters for organizational purposes
• Some possible chapters are:
  • Chapter 1: identification of the problem
  • Chapter 2: Literature review
  • Chapter 3: Setting the direction of study
  • Chapter 4: Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data
  • Chapter 5: Evaluation and reporting
• Appendixes are usually used to include additional information

Qualitative Research

• Focuses on detailed description of a subject or issue from the experiences of participants
• Provides in-depth information on a subject or issue
• Useful in identifying variables for topics that have not been extensively studied.
• Suitable for topics involving sensitive information, e.g., illness experiences
• Can be used for studies on individual experiences and their impact
• Uses narrative responses from participants

Quantitative Research

• Focuses on the trends in a set of data and uses statistical computations
• Useful in evaluating or testing work performance or predicting upcoming trends
• Useful in determining preferences through surveys or in assessing society profiles via census
• Suitable to determine an individual's abilities

Ethics in Research

• Protect the rights of human and animal participants
• Ensure that no rights are violated when conducting research
• Must pass through an ethics review board to verify that all related laws are followed, e.g., data privacy laws
• Informed consent must be obtained from participants before the study
• Confidentiality of participants' identities must be preserved
• Data must be handled with utmost honesty
• Credit must be given where due in a research study
• Intellectual dishonesty is unacceptable and is detrimental; therefore, manipulation of data should be avoided.
• Proper protocols and permissions must be in place before gathering any data; any disturbance to those involved in the study must be minimized and avoided.