Understanding Research and Inquiry

Expected Outcomes of Learning Research

• Learners will share research experiences and knowledge.
• Learners will explain the importance of research in daily life.
• Learners will describe the characteristics, processes, and ethics of research.
• Learners will differentiate quantitative from qualitative research.
• Learners will provide examples of research in areas like arts, humanities, sports, science, business, agriculture, fisheries, information and communication technology, and social inquiry.

Inquiry Defined

• Inquiry involves seeking information to answer a question.
• It's a process of gaining knowledge about people, things, places, or events.
• Inquiry includes investigating or asking questions about something.
• It involves collecting facts and data to find answers or solutions to a problem.
• Inquiry is active learning where new knowledge is developed.
• It is a problem-solving technique that provides answers to a specific problem.

Research Defined

• The word "research" comes from the French "recherche", meaning to search closely.
• "Chercher" means "to search".
• The literal meaning of research is 'to investigate thoroughly'.
• Research is equivalent to investigation.
• Research is diligent, systematic, careful, and thorough investigation.
• Research systematically finds answers to a question or a resolution of a problem, with demonstrable facts.
• Research is a systematic, formal, rigorous, and precise process to gain solutions or to discover and interpret new facts and relationships.
• Research is a careful, diligent and exhaustive investigation of a specific matter, aiming to advance mankind’s knowledge.
• Research is a systematic quest for undiscovered truth.
• Research is the process of looking for a specific answer to a specific question in an organized, objective, and reliable way.
• Research is a systematic investigation to find answers to problems.
• Research is a structured inquiry utilizing accepted scientific methods to solve problems and create new, generally applicable knowledge.
• Research is systematic, controlled, empirical, and a critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypotheses about presumed relationships among phenomena.

Inquiry vs. Research

• Inquiry looks for information by asking various questions about something you are curious about.
• Research aims to discover truths by investigating a chosen topic scientifically.

Purposes of Research

• To develop or discover new knowledge.
• To test and refine existing theories.
• To solve specific problems.

Benefits of Research for Students

• Research develops the ability to work independently.
• It enables students to work scientifically or systematically.
• Research provides in-depth knowledge of a subject.
• It elevates mental abilities through higher-order thinking strategies (HOTS).
• Research improves reading and writing skills.
• It familiarizes students with research tools and data gathering techniques.
• Research develops critical thinking skills.

Characteristics of Research

• Systematic: methodical and procedural.
• Objective: based on facts or data.
• Empirical: based on direct experience or observation.
• Logical: based on valid procedures and principles.
• Cyclical: starts with a problem and ends with a problem.
• Analytical: utilizes procedures.
• Critical: exhibits careful and precise judgment.
• Accurate: provides correct data with proper documentation.
• Timely: focuses on fresh and interesting topics.
• Relevant: instrumental in improving society or solving problems.
• Replicable: results can be compared.

The Research Process

• Generating ideas.
• Building a theoretical/conceptual framework.
• Research design includes translating research questions into research variables.
• Research design also includes choosing appropriate sampling and data collection & analysis methods.
• The research process includes deciding on a time frame and budget.
• Writing the research proposal is a key step.
• Management of the research process addresses preparation.
• Management of the research addresses funding and ethical considerations.
• Data and people management are crucial.
• Evaluating and reporting the results.

Research Process Phases

• Planning Phase: Includes choosing a topic and reviewing literature to determine a method, and writing a proposal.
• Implementation Phase: Has collection and analysis of data, leading to the writing of a report.
• Evaluation Phase: Involves impact assessment and daily evaluation.

Ethics in Research

• Ethics (or morals) are rules distinguishing between right and wrong, like the Golden Rule.
• Includes a code of professional conduct such as the Hippocratic Oath ("First of all, do no harm.")
• Draws from religious creeds like the Ten Commandments ("Thou Shalt not kill...")
• Comprises norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Ethical Considerations

• Voluntary participation requires informed consent, ensuring participants are fully informed about procedures and risks.
• Freedom from the risk of harm means researchers should not expose participants to physical or psychological risks.
• Confidentiality ensures identifying information is not made available, guaranteeing anonymity and privacy.
• Respect for a person's right to service prohibits the denial of treatment or program access to control group participants; equal access to services must be maintained.

Ethical Principles

• Honesty.
• Objectivity.
• Integrity.
• Carefulness.
• Respect for Intellectual Property.
• Confidentiality.
• Responsible Publication.
• Social Responsibility.
• Animal Care.
• Human Subjects Protection.

Types of Research According to Data Collected

• Quantitative: objective, measuring traits, characteristics, or attributes with numerical forms (percentages, fractions, numbers).
• Qualitative: subjective, involves meanings, concepts, definitions, descriptions with non-numerical data about people's thoughts, beliefs, feelings and verbal language.

Types of Research According to Purpose

• Basic/Pure: concerned with generating new knowledge.
• Applied: improving a product or process, actual problem situation.
• Action: focused on immediate application, ongoing practice improvements.
• Descriptive: aims at defining or giving a verbal portrayal or picture of a person, thing, event, group, situation, etc.
• Correlational: shows relationships between factors or variables.
• Explanatory: determines the reasonableness or possibility of conducting a study on a certain topic.

Types of Research According to Procedure

• Historical: describes what was.
• Descriptive: describes what is.
• Experimental: describes what will be.

Quantitative Research Designs

• Experimental: concerned with cause-effect relationships.
• Exploratory: used when little is known about a phenomenon.
• Descriptive: describes phenomena or examines relationships between variables.
• Explanatory: searches for causal explanations with rigorous methods.
• Survey studies: involves selecting a sample of subjects and administering a questionnaire.
• Correlational studies: assess relationship using a statistical measure.
• Comparative studies

Comparative studies:

• Retrospective or ex post facto designs: The dependent variable (effect) is identified in the present
• Prospective designs: The independent variable (cause) is identified

Qualitative Research Designs

• Ethnographic: involves collecting/analyzing data about cultural groups.
• Phenomenological: examines human experiences through descriptions of people involved.
• Grounded theory: data is collected/analyzed, theory is developed, using inductive & deductive approaches.
• Historical: concerns identification, location, evaluation, & synthesis of past data.
• Case studies: in-depth examinations of people, groups, or institutions.

Approaches to Research

• Scientific/Positive: measures information, observes & controls variables in an impersonal manner.
• Naturalistic: uses words and qualitative data, to address people behavior toward surroundings.
• Triangulation: combines scientific and naturalistic approaches using mixed methods.