Nature of Inquiry and Research Research data

- Research data is any information that has been collected, observed,

generated, or created to validate original research findings. Although
Research usually digital, research data also includes non-digital formats such as
laboratory notebooks and diaries.
- Research is a process of systematic inquiry that entails the collection,
documentation, analysis, and interpretation of data, in accordance with
the standards and methods set by different fields (Hampshire College,
n.d.). Research

- Research is the creation of new knowledge or the use of existing

knowledge in order to create or discover new concepts, methods, and
Process perceptions (Western Sydney University, 2020).

- These are the activities undertaken to carry out the research. The
research processes include the ways in which appropriate information is
located, collected, analyzed, and selected, from, for example, libraries, Types of Research
online sites, print and electronic media, and individuals.
1. Quantitative Research

This type of research focuses on objective measurements involving

Inquiry statistical, numerical, or mathematical analysis of data.

- Inquiry is an approach to learning that involves a process of exploring The data is usually collected through the use of polls, surveys,
the natural or material world, and that leads to asking questions, questionnaires, or the manipulation of existing data.
making discoveries, and testing those discoveries in the search for new
understanding. 2. Qualitative Research

This type of research focuses on subjective qualities which are not

numerically, statistically, or mathematically measurable. Instead, it
looks into experiences, stories, and narrations.

The data is usually collected through interviews, document analysis,

and/or focused group discussions.
Example of Qualitative Research 1. Identifying the field/area where you want to look for a research
problem (education, society, politics, biology, etc.)
1. A study was conducted to determine the perception of college
freshmen regarding the use of technology in learning and their 2. Identifying the research problem
readiness for college. The statements of these participants were
collected through interviews and observations (Grundmeyer, 2012). 3. Establishing the research background

2. Another study was conducted, looking into the perceptions of college 4. Gathering relevant literature
students regarding bullying as they recount their experiences with
5. Identifying the appropriate research approach and methodology
bullying in their K-12 years. They were interviewed about these
experiences, and their social behavior with other people was also 6. Data collection
observed (Williams, 200).
7. Data analysis

8. Presentation of results and analysis

Differentiating Quantitative and Qualitative Research
9. Formulation of research conclusions and recommendations

10. Publication of study

Qualitative Research

Research Importance

- It fuels the mind of an individual to ask and seek answers to all of their
questions.

- It grows and influences our way of life.

The Process of Research
- Pushes further in technological discovery, high agricultural - Holistic perspective: The whole phenomenon under study is
productions, advanced health safety, fast and efficient industries, understood as a complex system that is more than the sum of its parts;
strong economic growth, and more. the focus is on complex interdependencies not meaningfully reduced to
a few discrete variables and linear, cause-effect relationships.

- Qualitative data: Detailed, thick description; inquiry in-depth: direct

Research quotations capturing people's personal perspectives and experiences.

- A systematic compilation of steps and procedures that aims to - Personal contact and insight: The researcher has direct contact with
investigate, discover, solve a problem, suggest a solution, and provide and gets close to the people, situation, and phenomenon under study;
answers to a specific question made by intelligent inquiry. the researcher's personal experiences and insights are important parts
of the inquiry and critical to understanding the phenomenon.
- Qualitative research is exploratory in nature. It is used to analyze some
variables like reasoning, opinion, and drives. - Systematic/Dynamic systems: Attention to process; assumes change is
constant and ongoing whether the focus is on an individual or an entire
- Quantitative research is used to quantify the research problem and
culture.
interpret results by their numbers.
- Unique case orientation: Assumes each case is special and unique; the
first level of inquiry is being true to, respecting, and capturing the
Major Characteristics of Qualitative Research details of the individual cases being studied; cross-case analysis follows
from and depends on the quality of individual case studies.

- Context sensitivity: Places findings in a social, historical, and temporal

- Naturalistic inquiry: Studying real-world situations as they unfold context; dubious of the possibility or meaningfulness of generalization
naturally; non-manipulative, unobtrusive, and non-controlling; across time and space.
openness to whatever emerges—lack of predetermined constraints on
outcomes.

- Inductive analysis: Immersion in the details and specifics of the data to

discover important categories, dimensions, and interrelationships;
- Empirical/Objective/Empathic neutrality: All researchers should be
begin by exploring genuinely open questions rather than testing
objective. It should not be influenced by the personal beliefs or motives
theoretically derived (deductive) hypotheses.
of its researcher. Complete objectivity is impossible; pure subjectivity
undermines credibility. The researcher's passion is understanding the - Phenomenology: Refers to the study of how people find their
world in all its complexity—not proving something, not advocating, not experiences meaningful. Its primary goal is to make people understand
advancing a personal agenda, but understanding. The researcher their experiences about death of loved ones, care for handicapped
includes personal experience and empathic insight as part of the persons, friendliness of people, etc.
relevant data while taking a neutral, non-judgmental stance toward
whatever content may emerge. - Ethnography: It is the direct description of a group, culture, or
community to get a clear understanding of its organizational setup,
- Design flexibility: Open to adapting inquiry as understanding deepens internal operation, and lifestyle.
and/or situations change; avoids getting locked into rigid designs that
eliminate responsiveness; pursues new paths of discovery as they - Grounded Theory: This involves the development of theory directly
emerge. based on and grounded in the data collected by the researcher.

- Controlled: You are in control of selecting the topic and choosing the - Case Study: This involves a long-time study of a person, group,
variables that may not be included in your research. You are the one organization, or situation.
who sets the condition of your subjects in an observation. You are the
- Historical Analysis: The examination of primary documents to make
one who sets the time on how long you need to observe and gather
you understand the connection of past events to the present time.
some data in a case study.
- Content and Discourse Analysis: Requires an analysis or examination
- Employs hypothesis: You are not allowed to give an opinion, but you
of the substance or content of the mode of communication used by a
are allowed to have a scientific guess. This is for the researcher to guide
person, group, organization, or institution in communicating.
their investigation process and think of different variables that may
affect the results of the study. The hypothesis also serves as an
indicator of possible threats to the validity of the research.

Strengths of Qualitative Research

Types of Qualitative Research
- Issues can be examined in detail and in-depth.
- Interviews are not restricted to specific questions and can be - Research quality is heavily dependent on the individual skills of the
guided/redirected by the researcher in real-time. researcher and more easily influenced by the researcher's personal
biases and idiosyncrasies.
- The research framework and direction can be quickly revised as new
information emerges. - Rigor is more difficult to maintain, assess, and demonstrate.

- The obtained data based on human experience is powerful and - The volume of data makes analysis and interpretation time-
sometimes more compelling than quantitative data. consuming.

- It is sometimes not as well understood and accepted as quantitative

research within the scientific community.

- The researcher's presence during data gathering, which is often

unavoidable in qualitative research, can affect the subjects' responses.

- Issues of anonymity and confidentiality can present problems when

presenting findings.

- Findings can be more difficult and time-consuming to characterize in a

visual way.

Weaknesses of Qualitative Research