NATURE OF INQUIRY AND RESEARCH

Research Experience and Knowledge

I. Nature of Inquiry
 Inquiry is defined as “a seeking for truth, information, or knowledge”. The information is
sought through questioning. The process of inquiry begins with gathering information
and data through applying the various human senses.
 Unfortunately, traditional educational system has discouraged the natural process of
inquiry. Students become more inhibited in asking questions and are not challenged either
to answer high-level questions. The students are asked to listen and repeat expected
answers.
 The exploratory nature of inquiry allows individuals particularly students to grapple with
different ways of looking at ideas and issues to think creatively about problems that do
not possess simple answer.
 The arrival of new information in our lives, means much. Research is not a single
activity. It is multiple and adaptable (https.//newcollege.asu.edu/writing-
program/guide/elements-of-enquiry).

II. Experience and Knowledge

 Experience is a familiar and a well-used source of knowledge. By going through personal
experiences, you can find many answers to questions that you may have. It has been said
that experience is the best teacher.
 One may be limited in terms of experiences as a source of knowledge. Events may
happen in the same way but may have different effects on individuals.
 For things though that are difficult or impossible to know by personal experiences, you
may turn to an authority. In research, knowledge is sought from other people who had
experienced what the problem is or some other sources of expertise.
 Authority is a quick and easy source of knowledge but it has also its shortcoming that you
must consider. First, authorities can go wrong. It can happen that people claim to be
experts in a field but may not have the knowledge to prove it. Second, you may find that
authorities disagree among themselves on issues, indicating that their authoritative
statement5s are often more personal opinion than fact (Walker, 2010 as cited in Carey,
Naval & Prieto, 2017).

III. What is “Research”?

 It is the systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and
reach new conclusions.
 It is a scientific investigation of phenomena which includes collection, presentation,
analysis and interpretation of facts.
 Research is an act of studying something carefully and extensively in order to attain deep
knowledge. When done on a larger scale, it contributes to the welfare of humanity. It can
be creative, exploring or just reassuring in nature.
 In various spheres of human life, research has come up with developing appropriate
solutions to improve the individual’s quality of life. Although it may take in different
settings and may use different methods, scientific research is universally a systematic and
objective search for reliable knowledge (Walker, 2010 as cited in Carey, Naval & Prieto,
2017).
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IV. Why do Research?
 Research is a great way to network and meet new people. Undergraduate research allows
you to grow and uncover the opportunities for later career. Undergraduate research is
conducted in all disciplines and encompasses a broad range of activities from learning
about research to discovering new knowledge and creating new words. It is about solving
problems and answering questions in all disciplines.
 When you embark in research, you will need learning experiences composed of a
knowledge component described as the representation of facts, principles, concepts,
procedure and/or theories in a certain subject, characterized by learning, remembering
and/or reproducing and a task performance or skills development component
(nsuworls.nova.edu/tqu/vol7/iss2/3/).

Importance of Research in Daily Life

I. The Role of Research

 Our everyday life has always been punctuated by exciting adventures, challenging
situations and surprising discoveries. When confronted with doubts and problems, you
turn to finding out what could be possible answers and solutions to them. This is where
you embark on the process called “research”.
 Research leads an expansion of knowledge and discoveries.
 Research is a systematic process of collecting and analyzing data or information in order
to increase understanding of a phenomenon.
 Research is important in providing a solid foundation for the:
o Discovery and creation of knowledge, theory-building
o Testing, confirmation, revision, and refutation of knowledge as theory
o Advance a discipline or field
o Advancements and improvements in various aspects of life
o Promotion and tenure of individuals

II. Research and Society

 Research is closely connected with development. The results/findings of studies also
affect society and the lives of each one of us. Research is very vital to our everyday
decision making. The research you do and evidence you gather will be useful for future
endeavors. It hones basic life skills and makes learning a lifelong endeavor.
 Research fills in the need to love reading, writing, analyzing, and sharing valuable
information.

III. Research and Other Fields/Areas

 Research leads to an expansion of knowledge and discoveries of new medical treatment
and cures.
 Research efforts have also led to break through in agriculture such as the introduction of
highly-yield and drought-resistant varieties.
 Projections of effects of global warming have likewise been determined through research.
 Through research findings, psychologists are able to explain the individual’s behaviors
including how people think and act in certain ways. This helps to determine disorders and
their impact on the person and society which can lead to developing or discovering
appropriate treatments to improve the individual’s quality of life.

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  In business, market research enables companies to make forecasts and formulate the
needed strategies to ensure their growth and survival.
 Business properties conduct surveys and feasibility studies to find out the needs of the
community.
 In academic institutions, research may be done independently or as a part of a group. It
can be a useful learning process, challenging students and teachers to work together and
grow intellectually as they conduct their study.
 Economic research refers to matters concerning the environment and which may lead to
improved techniques to ensure sustainable food production.
 Social research leads to an increased knowledge of people and their interactions with one
another, which could be relevant to policy makers
 Environmental research focuses on improved techniques to ensure sustainable food
production
 Cultural research leads to increased understanding of cultural values or social approaches
 Health research contributes to a better understanding of the causes of medical conditions.

Characteristics, Processes and Ethics of Research

I. Characteristics of Research
 Empirical – Research is based on observations and experimentation of theories.
 Systematic – Research follows orderly and sequential procedures, based on valid
procedures and principles.
 Controlled – In research, all variables, except those that are tested/experimented on, are
kept constant.
 Employs hypothesis – The hypothesis guides the investigation process. Research refers to
a search for facts, answers to questions and solutions to problems.
 Analytical – There is a critical analysis of all data used so that there is no error in the
researcher’s interpretations.
 Objective – The term refers to the research as unbiased and logical.
 Original work – Requires effort to get at the researcher’s own investigation and produce
the data needed to complete the study.

II. Other Characteristics of Qualitative Research

 Concern for context and meaning – Qualitative research is bounded by a particular
context which the research aims to study. Since it is context-bound, the human experience
takes its meaning from social, historical, political and cultural influences.
 Naturally occurring settings – Qualitative research studies behavior as it happened
naturally in school, classroom, community or an organization. It is based on the premise
that setting affects the findings.
 Humans as Instruments – The researcher is the primary instrument for gathering and for
analyzing data. S/he responds to the need for capturing the complexity if human
experience, as well as in adapting and responding to the environment. Only a human
being can do the field work methods such as the interview, observation and documentary
analysis.
 Descriptive Data – data used in qualitative studies are in the form of words or picture or
other visuals rather than numbers and statistics.
 Emergent Design – In qualitative research, the design cannot be finalized at the onset
because the researcher continues to adjust his/her methods and ways of proceeding as the
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 study progresses. It is also difficult to predict what may happen during the actual
interactions between the researcher and the participants.

III. Types of Research

 Library Research – done primarily in the library where answers to specific questions or
problems are available.
 Field Research – done in the natural setting such as barangay, school, or factory.
 Laboratory Research – conducted in an artificial or controlled condition by doing the
study in a thoroughly specified and equipped area.

IV. Ethics and Research

 “Ethics” refers to the norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and
unacceptable behavior (Resmik, 2015 as cited in Carey, Naval, & Prieto, 2017).
 “Ethics” is a method, procedure or perspective for deciding how to act and for analyzing
complex problems and issues.
 To be ethical, a research project needs to be designed to create valid outcomes if it is
believed to be pursuing truth (i.e. reliability and validity).
 Researchers have the duty to ensure that they do not have deliberately mislead
participants as to the nature of the research.
 Researchers have the duty to avoid causing both physical and psychological difficulties to
participants and to socio-political environments in which and with which they work.
 In both virtual and physical worlds, researchers are ethically bound to maintain the
privacy of participants including confidentiality for any information they give and
anonymity for their identity (Baez, 2002 as cited in Carey, Naval, & Prieto, 2017).
 Research ethics involves the application of fundamental ethical principles to a variety of
topics involving research.

V. Some Ethical Principles

 Enumerated below are words and phrases that correspond to principles on which actions
exhibited while doing research are anchored on.
o Honesty 8. Responsible publication
o Objectivity 9. Respect for colleagues
o Integrity 10. Social responsibility
o Carefulness 11. Non-discrimination
o Openness 12. Competence
o Respect for intellectual property 13. Legality
o Confidentiality
 For a passionate researcher, there is a risk of being tempted to consider unethical research
practice in order to try to obtain and /or certain some of the data.

VI. Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Research

 The researcher is expected to act professionally, maintaining respect towards them. the
issues of anonymity and confidentiality are to be observed. In field notes particularly,
when conducting a sensitive research, false names or code numbers are used to keep track
of what information came from whom without their identities.
 The researcher is expected to give back to the subjects/participants of the research and to
show appreciation for their commitment of time, effort and cooperation. These acts may

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 be to provide a written report, present findings in an assembly, give assistance or advice
on other research projects at their workplace and others.
 The researcher writes a letter and seeks to be allowed to conduct a study. If changes
happen in the course of the investigation, s/he needs to get an approval for the
continuance of the study.

VII. The Research Process

1. Define research problem
2. Review the literature
3. Formulate hypothesis
4. Design research
5. Collect data
6. Analyze data
7. Interpret and report

Differences Between Quantitative and Qualitative Research

(Johnson, B. & Christensen, L. (2008) and Lichtman, M. (2006) as cited in Carey, T. , Naval, V. , & Prieto, N. (2017))

Criteria Qualitative Research Quantitative Research

Purpose To understand and interpret
social interactions
Group Studies Smaller and not randomly
selected
Variables Study of the whole, not
variables
Type of Data Collected Words, images, or objects
Form of Data Collected Qualitative data such as open-
ended responses, interview,
participant observations, field
notes, and reflections
Type of Data Analysis Identify patterns, features and
themes
Objectivity and Subjectivity Subjectivity is expected
Role of Researcher Researchers and their biases
may be known to participants
in the study, and participant
characteristics may be known
to the researcher
Results Particular or specialized
findings that is less
generalizable
Scientific Method Exploratory or bottom-up:
generation of new hypothesis
and theory from the data
collected
View of Human Behavior Dynamic, situational, social,
and personal
To test hypotheses, look at
cause and effect, and make
conclusions
Larger and randomly selected
Specific variables studied
Numbers and statistics
Quantitative data based in
precise measurements using
structured and validated data-
collection instruments
Identify statistical
relationships
Objectivity is critical
Researcher and their biases not
known to participants in the
study and participant
characteristics are deliberately
hidden from the researcher
Generalizable findings that
can be applied to other
populations
Confirmatory or top-down: the
researcher tests the hypothesis
and theory with the data
Regular and predictable
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Most Common Research Explore, discover, and
Objectives construct
Focus Wide-angle lens, examines the
breadth and depth of
phenomena
Nature of Observation Study behavior in a natural
environment
Nature of Reality Multiple realities; subjective
Final Report Narrative report with
contextual description and
direct quotations from
research participants
Describe, explain, and predict
Narrow-angle lens, tests
specific hypotheses
Study behavior under
controlled conditions; isolate
causal effects
Single reality; objective
Statistical report with
correlations, comparisons of
means, and statistical
significance of findings

 Over time, a new methodology came to the field resulting in the “mixed methods” which
combine both quantitative and qualitative methods in the same study. It is believed that
this combined method provides a more complete explanation of the research findings
than using one method alone.

Types and Examples of Research in Different Areas/Fields

 Applied Research – is designed to solve problems of the modern world, rather than to
acquire knowledge for knowledge’s sake; its goal is to improve human condition
(https.//en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Research_Methods/Types Research). It is used to find
solutions to every day problems, current illnesses and develop technologies.

 Basic Research (Fundamental or Pure Research) – is driven by a scientist’s curiosity or

interest in scientific question. The main motivation is to extend man’s knowledge, not to
create or invent things, this research is designed to add to an organized body of scientific
knowledge ad does not necessarily produce results or practical value.

 Correlational Research – refers to the systematic investigation or statistical study of

relationships among two or more variables, without necessarily determining cause and
effect. It seeks to establish a relation or association between two or more variables that do
not readily lend themselves to experimental manipulation.

 Descriptive or Statistical Research – refers to research that provides an accurate portrayal

of a class or a particular individual situation or group. It deals with everything that can be
counted and measured and which has an impact on people or communities.

 Ethnographic Research – refers to the investigation of a culture through an in-depth study

of the members of the culture; it involves the systematic collection, description and
analysis of the data for development of theories of cultural behavior. It attempts to
understand what is happening naturally in the setting and to interpret the data gathered so
implications could be formed from those data.

 Experimental Research – is an objective, systematic, controlled investigation, for the

purpose of predicting and controlling phenomena and examining probability and
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 causality among selected variables. It best establishes cause-effect relationship. This type
of research studies the effects of the variables on each other.
 Exploratory Research – is a type conducted for a problem that has not been clearly
defined.

 Historical Research – involves analysis of events that occurred in the remote or recent
past. It can show patterns that occurred in the past and over time which can help to see
where we came from and what kind of solutions we have used in the past.

 Phenomenological research – an inductive descriptive research developed from

phenomenological philosophy. Its aim is to describe an experience as it is actually lived
by the person. It is concerned with the study of experience from the perspective of the
individual. The researcher in this type of research attempts to understand one or more
individuals’ experiences of a phenomenon by one or more individual.

 Action Research – involves the application of the steps of the scientific method in the
classroom problems. This type of research is done on a very limited scope. The
population to be studied is not so big. This type of research is helpful to beginning
researchers.

 Content Analysis – is applied to written or visual materials such as textbooks, newspaper,

web pages, for the purpose of identifying specified characteristics of the materials.

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SOURCE: Practical Research 1 by Prieto, N., Naval, V. and Carey, T. (2017)
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