Chapter 1: Nature of Inquiry and Research

Arvin C. Diamante
Master Teacher II
Ni
Lesson 1: The Importance of
Research in Daily Life
 The Nature of Inquiry

• Inquiry is defined as a “seeking for truth, information or

knowledge”.
• The rationale why inquiry is necessary is that generating
and transmitting knowledge can move from the known to
the unknown and vice versa.
• Inquiry = Asking questions.
• It is an organized method of finding or relatively new ideas
from the existing body of knowledge with the help of
useful tool for the purpose of improving the quality of life.
 Inquiry-based Learning

• According to Drayton & Falk (2001), the following are the

characteristics of classrooms where teachers emphasized
inquiry-based learning:
• Inquiry is in the form of authentic (real-life) problems
within the context of the curriculum and/or community.
• The inquiry capitalizes on student curiosity.
• Students take ownership of their learning.
• The teacher and students use technology to advance
inquiry.
Inquiry Model
 What is Research?

• Research is the systematic investigation and study of

materials and sources to establish facts and reach new
conclusions.
• Research is an act of studying something carefully and
extensively in order to attain deep knowledge.
• Research is the scientific investigation of phenomena
which includes collection, presentation, analysis and
interpretation of facts that lines an individual‘s speculation
with reality.
 Importance of Research in Our Daily Life

• To gather necessary information.

• To make changes.
• To improve the standard of living.
• To have a safer life.
• To know the truth.
• To explore our history.
• To understand arts.
• To serve as reference for other researchers.
 Formative Assessment 1

Examining Research Studies

Ask the students to read sample research then ask them to
write a reflection paper about the importance of research in
our daily life. Provide the students the following guide
questions in writing their reflection.

• What appears to be the main objective of the research?

• Does the research have conclusion and
recommendation?
• Why is the research conducted?
Lesson 2: Characteristics,
Processes and Ethics of
Research
 The Characteristics of Research

• 1. Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or

observation by the researcher.
• 2. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and
principles.
• 3. Cyclical. Research is a cyclical process because it
starts with a problem and ends with a problem.
• 4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical
procedures in gathering the data, whether historical,
descriptive, and experimental and case study.
• 5. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise
judgment.
• 6. Methodical. Research is conducted in a methodical
manner without bias using systematic method and
procedures.
• 7. Replicability. The research design and procedures are
replicated or repeated to enable the researcher to arrive
at valid and conclusive results.
 Research Processes

6. Interpret the
3. Select a
findings and
specific
1. Select a 2. Review the 5. Analyze and state
research
general literature of the 4. Collect data. present or conclusions or
problem,
problem. problem. display data. generalizations
question, or
regarding the
hypothesis.
problem.
Factors to Consider in Selecting a Research Problem

• 1. Researcher‘s area of interest

• 2. Availability of funds
• 3. Investigator‘s ability and training
 Intellectual Honesty
• It is an applied method of problem solving in academia,
characterized by an unbiased, honest attitude, which can be
demonstrated in a number of different ways, including but not
limited to:
• One's personal beliefs do not interfere with the pursuit of truth;
• Relevant facts and information are not purposefully omitted
even when such things may contradict one's hypothesis;
• Facts are presented in an unbiased manner, and not twisted to
give misleading impressions or to support one view over another;
• References, or earlier work, are acknowledged where possible,
and plagiarism is avoided.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_honesty)
 Ethics in Research

• Ethics generally is considered to deal with beliefs about

what is right or wrong, proper or improper, good or bad.
According to a dictionary definition (Webster‘s 1968), to
be ethical is to conform to accepted professional practice.
• Research ethics relate to the standards that should be
upheld to guard participants from harm or risk. Ethical
considerations should be made at each stage of the
research design and include informed consent, voluntary
participation and respect for confidentiality.
(www.kcl.ac.uk/library/nhs/training/glossary.doc)
 Ethical Considerations in Conducting Research

• 1. Objectivity and integrity

• 2. Respect of the research subjects‘ right to privacy and
dignity and protection of subjects from personal harm
• 3. Presentation of research findings
• 4. Misuse of research role
• 5. Acknowledgement of research collaboration and
assistance
• 6. Distortions of findings by sponsor
 Unethical Practices in Conducting Research

• 1. Deceiving a respondent about the true purpose of a

study
• 2. Asking a respondent questions that cause him or her
extreme embarrassment; guilt emotional turmoil by
remaining him or her of an unpleasant experience
• 3. Invading the privacy of a respondent
• 4. Studying the respondents or research subjects without
their knowledge
• 5. When analyzing the data—revealing only part of the
facts, presenting facts out of context, falsifying findings or
offering misleading presentation such as lying with statistics
 Formative Assessment 2

Finding and analyzing an existing research study

Ask the students to select one (1) published research
aligned to their specialization. Ask them to analyze the
research by answering the following questions:

• What is the research all about?

• What are the processes used in the research study?
• Did the researcher consider the ethics in conducting
research?
• Why did you say so?
Lesson 3: Quantitative and
Qualitative Research
 Broad Categories of Research

• Qualitative Research is a method of inquiry employed in

many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the
social sciences, but also in market research and further
contexts.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualitative_research)
• Quantitative Research refers to the systematic empirical
investigation of social phenomena via statistical,
mathematical or numerical data or computational
techniques.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_research)
 Qualitative Research

• Qualitative research is a type of educational research in

which the researcher relies on the views of participants;
asks broad, general questions; collects data consisting
largely words (text) from participants; describes and
analyzes these words for themes; and conducts the
inquiry in a subjective, biased manner.
 Quantitative Research

• Quantitative research is a type of educational research in

which the researcher decides what to study; asks specific,
narrow questions; collects quantifiable data from
participants; analyzes these numbers using statistics; and
conducts the inquiry in an unbiased, objective manner.
 Formative Assessment 3

Identifying Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Ask the students to find qualitative and quantitative
researches, list the title of the researches and identify
whether the research is qualitative or quantitative.
Lesson 4: The Kinds of
Research Across Fields
 Types and Examples of Research

• Applied Research • Exploratory Research

• Basic Research • Historical Research
• Correlational Research • Phenomenological
• Descriptive Research Research
• Ethnographic Research • Action Research
• Experimental Research
 Research Output

Research Paper
Give the descriptions about the different types and
examples of Research.