Inquiry and Research

Inquiry is defined as “a seeking for truth, information or knowledge”. The information is sought
through questioning. Individuals carry on the process of inquiry from birth till death. The process
of inquiry begins with gathering information and data through applying the various human
senses (Prieto, Naval, & Carey, 2017).
Research is defined by Calderon & Gonzales (1993) as “a purposive, systematic and scientific process of
gathering, analyzing, classifying, organizing, presenting, and interpreting data for the solution of a
problem, for prediction, for invention, for the discovery of truth, or for the expansion or verification of
existing knowledge, all for the preservation and improvement of the quality of human life.”

Importance of Research in Daily Life

Research is important because it is fundamental in the knowledge creation or discovery and
development of theory. It is a vital process to test, confirm, revise and refute knowledge as
theory. It improves and advances different aspects of life. Prieto, Naval, & Carey (2017)
mentioned that individuals and society expanded the importance of research undertakings for
the following reasons:
1. To gather necessary information

Example: Product research is done by companies before proceeding to product manufacturing.

2. To improve standard of living

Example: New inventions and discoveries existed and are being used today.
When Graham Bell invented the telephone, communication of people from different places is
much easier and convenient. Likewise, if Martin Cooper did not introduce the concept of mobile
phones, what would have be the life today?
3. To have a safer life

Example: The field of health, technology, nutrition and medicine produces significant discoveries
and advancement with research. Lots of diseases can now be cured and life expectancy has
prolonged.
4. To know the truth

Example: With research, it is easier now to unravel truth and expose people’s wrong beliefs by
listening to different opinions and examining facts and available data.
5. To explore our history

Example: With the result of research, we can now understand and learn from our history.
Lessons from the past might be useful to prepare in the better future.
6. To understand arts

Example: With the assistance of research, the works of artists in different fields of arts became more
understandable. Our sensibilities and values are refined and cultivated when exposed to arts.

Characteristics of Research
A good research has the following characteristics:
1. Systematic

Research is implemented in an organized or orderly manner. Certain procedures are followed in

sequential that leads to the discovery of truth, solution of a problem, or whatever is aimed to be
discovered in the study (Baraceros, 2016; Menoy, Millano, & Tuason, 2018; Calderon &
Gonzales, 1993).
2. Comprehensive

Research is comprehensive if all aspects of the investigation are covered before reaching a
conclusion. It must be clear to researchers that hit-and-miss thing is not for research. Research
must be done thoroughly to ensure a reliable and credible results (Menoy, Millano, & Tuason,
2018).
Research is done comprehensively, which means that all necessary procedures were described
in details. They are carefully done from problem definition, literature review, methods, gathering
of data, analysis of data and finally drawing of conclusion. The research paper must be written
with completeness and finality.
3. Objective

Research is objective if there is no bias or prejudice from the researcher. The researcher is fair
in treating the subjects (respondents). The findings are based logically on empirical data or real-
life situation. The findings agreed with facts, and not on assumptions, generalizations,
predictions, or conclusions (Baraceros, 2016; Prieto, Naval, & Carey, 2017; Menoy, Millano, &
Tuason, 2018).
4. Empirical

Research is empirical when it deals with real-life situations or live experiences of individuals.
Empirical means that the researcher has written the findings based on his direct observation or
experience (Menoy, Millano, & Tuason, 2018; Calmorin, 2016).
Calderon & Gonzales (1993) tell “for instance, one says that there are five persons the room, all agree to
the existence of the five persons. However, if one says that there are five ghosts in the room, one or none
at all may believe it because not all people believe in ghosts. Ghosts are examples of data that are not
empirical”.

5. Logical
Research is constructed with principles of logic and reasoning. Logic is a science that studies
the principle of correct reasoning. Reasoning is a way of using existing knowledge to draw
conclusions, predictions, or construct explanations. The researcher outlines the procedures and
draws conclusion based on logic and reasoning. The researcher expresses arguments and
proves his points without him resorting to fallacious statements (Menoy, Millano, & Tuason,
2018; Calmorin, 2016; yourdictionary.com; Butte.edu).
6. Critical

A researcher uses critical thinking and sound judgement to produce the research work.
Throughout the entire research process, critical thinking and thorough judgement are most
crucial in data collection and analysis (Menoy, Millano, & Tuason, 2018).
7. Replicable

A researcher can replicate (done again) his research study. The research study can also be
replicated by another individual, or by a team of individuals to further prove or verify the result
as true or false when compared to the result done by another (Menoy, Millano, & Tuason,
2018).
According to Calmorin (2016), “the researcher designs and procedures are replicated or
duplicated using different materials. For instance, in the study “Utilization and
Commercialization of Goatfish Bones as Offal of Goatfish Tapa into Burger with and Without
Moringa”, the researcher may use the same research design (two-group design), the same
procedure, and the same statistical tool, but different fish wastes like goatfish bones as offal of
goatfish tapa.”
8. Cyclical

Calmorin (2016) elaborated that “research is a cyclical process. It starts with a problem and ends with a
problem. For instance, a researcher who has completed his study draws conclusions that dovetail with
the findings. Recommendations are based on the conclusions. If there are two conclusions, there are
three recommendations, and the third recommendation is usually further research. In the
recommendations, many problems are uncovered requiring further study; thus, the research cycle is
repeated.”

9. Analytical

10. Methodical
Research Process
The views about the steps in doing a research varied among research writers. The details of
research provided by the researcher determine the number of steps they preferred for the study.
The steps of doing research can range from six to twelve. Abdullah (2018) enumerates the
seven steps of the research process. They are as follows:
Step 1: Define and develop your topic (Research Problem).
Step 2: Find background information about your chosen topic (Review of Related Literature).
Step 3: Plan your research design including your sample (Methodology).
Step 4: Gather necessary data using open ended questions (for qualitative research) and closed-ended
questionnaire or paper pencil test questionnaire (for quantitative research). Data Gathering Activities.

Step 5: Process and analyze data using thematic analysis (for qualitative research) and
statistical tools (for quantitative research).
Step 6: Formulate new insights gained (for qualitative research) or conclusions (for quantitative
research) and recommendations.
Step 7: Define new problem.
Ethics of Research
“Ethics is the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles or the moral principles that
govern a person’s behavior or the conduct of an activity. Research is a human activity; thus, a
researcher must be aware of how to conduct himself when he undertakes a research (Menoy,
Millano, & Tuason, 2018).”
Some Ethical Principles
Abdullah (2018) enumerated the words and phrases that correspond to ethical principles that
researchers must exhibit when doing research.
1. Informed Consent. This is required to secure in order to protect the rights of the participants
in your study. Inform your participants about the criteria set for choosing them as informants and
the schedule of one-on-one interview at the convenient time they are available. Participation to
the study will be completely voluntary.

2. Honesty. It reports data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not
fabricate, falsify and misrepresent the data.

3. Objectivity. Avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer
review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research.
4. Integrity. Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of
thought and action.

5. Carefulness. Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your
work and the work of peers. Keep good records of research activities.

6. Openness. Share data, results, ideas, tools and resources. Be open to criticism and new
ideas.

7. Respect for Intellectual Property. Honor patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and
other forms of intellectual property. Do not use published or unpublished data, methods, or
results without permission. Give credit where credit is due. Never plagiarize, fabricate and
falsify.

8. Confidentiality. Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for

publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.

9. Responsible Mentoring. Help to educate, mentor, and advise others. Promote their welfare
and allow them to make their own decisions.

10. Responsible Publication. Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to
advance your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.

11. Respect for Colleagues. Respect your colleagues’ opinion, treat them fairly and do not
outsmart others.

12. Social responsibility. Strive to promote social acceptance and prevent or mitigate social
harms through research, public education, and advocacy.

13. Non-discrimination. Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of

sex, race, ethnicity, or other factors that are not related to their scientific competence and
integrity.

14. Competence. Maintain and improve your own professional competence and expertise
through lifelong education and learning; take steps to promote competence in science as a
whole.

15. Legality. Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and government policies.

16. Animal Care. Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do
not conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.

17. Human Subjects protection. When conducting a research on human subjects, minimize
harms and risks and maximize benefits; respect human dignity, privacy, and anonymity.
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. Acknowledgment of research collaboration and assistance
6. Distortions of findings by sponsor

(Source: Biglete, “Ethical Considerations in Conducting Research”)

Unethical practices in conducting research
1. Deceiving a respondent about the true purpose of a study
2. Asking a respondent question 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
Plagiarism
“Plagiarism is an act of quoting or copying the exact words of the writer and passing the quoted
words off as your own words. The leading act of plagiarism is using the words of the original text
in expressing your understanding of the reading material” (Baraceros, 2016 cited from
Ransome, 2013). “The safest way to avoid plagiarism is to be aware of the fact that the copied
words are not yours. If you want these words to appear in your paper, you must reveal the name
of the author in your paper, including the pieces of information (title, date, place of publication,
publisher, etc.) about the book from where you copied the words (Hammersley, 2013 Cited by
Baraceros, 2016).”
Ethical Decision Making in Research
It is the responsibility of researchers to act ethically in different research conditions. Researchers should
keep in mind how various research rules are interpreted, assessed and applied in making research
decisions. The vast majority of decisions involve the straightforward application of ethical rules (Resnik,
2015). For example, consider the following case.

Differentiate Quantitative from Qualitative Research

Research can be divided into categories based on the kind of data and related criteria you want
to work on. These categories are qualitative research and quantitative research. Fraenkel &
Wallen (2009); Menoy, Millano, & Tuason (2018); & Prieto, Naval, & Carey (2017) differentiated
the two categories of research shown in the table 1 below.
Table 1. Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Quantitative Research Qualitative Research
Philosophical Researchers base their Researchers base their
perspectives of reality. work with assumption work on the belief that
that the world is made up facts and feelings can be
of multiple realities, separated, that the world
socially constructed by is a single reality made
different individual views up of facts that can be
of the same situation. discovered.
Expression of Data Primarily involve words, Deal primarily with
images, objects. numbers, graphs and
tables.
Method of Data Qualitative data such as Quantitative data based
Collection open-ended responses, on precise
interviews, participant measurements using
observations, field notes, structured and validated
and reflections. data-collection
 instruments.
Type of Data Analysis Identify patterns, Identify statistical
features, themes relationships
Purpose of research. Researchers are more Researchers seek to
concerned with establish relationships
understanding situations between variables and
and events from the look for and sometimes
viewpoint of the explain the causes of
participants. Accordingly, such relationships.
the participants often Use quantitative research
tend to be directly if you want to confirm or
involved in the research test something (a theory
process itself. or hypothesis)
Use qualitative research
if you want to understand
something (concepts,
thoughts, experiences)
in-depth.
Methods utilized by Researchers have a Researchers have
researchers. much greater flexibility in established widely
both the strategies and agreed on general
techniques they use and formulation of steps that
the overall research guide researchers in their
process itself. work.
Their design tends to Quantitative research
emerge during the designs tend to be
course of the research. preestablished.
Kinds of studies The prototypical study for The prototypical study in
undertaken qualitative researchers is the quantitative tradition
Ethnography. is the experiment.
Role of the researcher Researchers tend to Then ideal researcher
become immersed in the must be a detached
situations in which they observer.
do their research.
.
Degree of generalization Qualitative researchers Quantitative researchers
often do not even try to want to establish
generalize beyond the generalizations that
particular situation, but transcend the immediate
may leave it to the reader situation or particular
to assess applicability. setting
When they do generalize,
their generalizations are
usually very limited in
scope.
Presentation of Subjective Objective
information
Nature of Observation Study behavior in a Study behavior under
natural, familiar controlled conditions,
environment isolate causal effect.
In artificial, unfamiliar
 environment
Group Studied Smaller and not Larger and randomly
randomly selected selected participants or
informants. respondents.
Final Report Narrative report with Statistical report with
contextual descriptions correlations,
from research comparisons of means,
participants. & statistical significance.