PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

Quarter 3 - Week 1:
Nature of Inquiry and Research

Development and Quality Assurance Team

Developer: Nicole Hope S. Ario
Evaluator: Jeshrel B. Plaza, EdD and Ivy M. Maloloy-on, MST
Illustrator: Nicole Hope S. Ario
Team Leader: Rosalinda E. Urbiztondo, PhD
Learning Area Supervisor: Edna E. Trinidad, EdD

Illustration Credits:
Title Page: Marieto Cleben V. Lozada
Visual Cues: Ivin Mae M. Ambos

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides
released by DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational
use and constitutes fair use. All Rights Reserved.
 Competencies:

1. Shares research experience and knowledge. CS_RS11-IIIa-1

2. Explains the importance of research in daily life. CS_RS11-IIIa-2
3. Describes characteristics, processes, and ethics of research.
CS_RS11-IIIa-3
4. Differentiates quantitative from qualitative research. CS_RS11-IIIa-4

Objectives:

At the end of the week, the students should be able to:

1. identify the characteristics, processes and ethical
considerations in conducting research;
2. create a graphic organizer of the differences between
qualitative and quantitative research; and
3. value the importance of research in their daily life.

Learner’s Tasks

Lesson Overview

Wondering a lot about your world, you are always in quest of

knowledge about people, things, places, events --- their characteristics or
qualities make you wonder continuously. Questions after questions on the
many aspects of the object of your curiosity prod you to move, act or do
something to find answers to your questions or to discover truths about your
inferences or speculations on such object. Behaving like an investigator,
seeking and asking answers to some questions about the thing you find
puzzling indicates the true nature of inquiry or research.

Research is significant in our everyday activities. It is the result of a

thinking process that involves you, students, in questioning techniques or
models. In this lesson, you will be able to know the importance of research in
your daily life, Identify its characteristics, processes and the ethical
considerations that must be followed when conducting a research.

As you go through this lesson try to think of this important question: How
does inquiry and research facilitate in finding solutions to real-life problems
and develop critical thinking skills and lifelong learning?

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Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides
released by DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational
use and constitutes fair use. All Rights Reserved.
 Definition of Research
Research is defined as the scientific investigation of phenomena which
includes collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of facts that lines
an individual’s speculation with reality.

AGAIN FIND

Definition of Inquiry-based
Learning
Inquiry-based learning is a form of active learning that starts by posing
questions, problems or scenarios.

Example:
In education, it contrasts with traditional education where it generally
relies on the teacher presenting facts and their own knowledge about the
subject.

THE INQUIRY MODEL

Research is important when we know how to make sense of it. With this,
we need to check the learner‘s prior knowledge of how research is used in
daily life. Assessing these will facilitate teaching and your understanding as a
student of the importance of research in daily life. Check the model of inquiry
below and its process.

According to Drayton & Falk (2001), the following are some of 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.
 Data and information are actively used, interpreted, refined, digested
and discussed

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides
released by DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational
use and constitutes fair use. All Rights Reserved.

3
Importance of Research
Research is important in our everyday life because it:

 Gives us a light to inquire about the right information.

 Develops and attitude to not believe everything easily available and
go on one track.
 Sharpens the brain and gives it a judicious vision to look.
 Leads us to the ultimate philosophy of all the subjects and builds a
graphic vision of life.
 Empowers us with knowledge and efficient learning of new things.
 Helps us in understanding various issues of life in a larger manner.
 Evolves us to mark out the thin line between truth and lie.
 Makes good habits of reading, analysing, thinking, and learning.

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides
released by DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational
use and constitutes fair use. All Rights Reserved.

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 Why do we need to conduct Research?

 To be better informed and have less biased decisions.

The Characteristics, Processes, and Ethics of Research

Characteristics:

1. Empirical – Research is based on observed and measured phenomena

and derives knowledge from actual experience rather than from
theory or belief.

2. Logical – Research is based on valid procedures and principles.

Meaning to say it is guided by a set of rules of logical reasoning and
the logical process of induction and deduction. This makes research
more meaningful in the context of decision making.

3. Cyclical - Research is a cyclical process because it always 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.

Source: Calmorin and Calmorin, Research Methods and Thesis Writing.

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides
released by DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational
use and constitutes fair use. All Rights Reserved.

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 Research Process Diagram

Formulates
Hypothesis or
Selects a
Reviews the Select Specific Collects
General
Problem Literature Research Problem Data

Analyzes
Interprets and
and Presents
reports Data
Data

Qualities of a Good Researcher

 A good researcher must be open-minded and must also adopt a

critical way of thinking.
 Besides, he/she should be hard working, diligent, focused and devoted
to his/her specific field of interest.
 Updating his/her knowledge is of utmost importance and can be
accomplished in several ways, such as following the current literature,
attending conferences or exchanging ideas with colleagues working in
a relevant field.
 Furthermore, a modern researcher must be resourceful and inventive in
order to transform his/her scientific queries and hypotheses into a
realizable protocol.

Factors to Consider in Selecting a Research Problem

 Researcher’s area of interest

 Availability of funds
 Investigator‘s ability and training

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides
released by DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational
use and constitutes fair use. All Rights Reserved.

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 Definition of Ethics
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.

Ethical considerations in conducting research

 Objectivity and integrity

 Respect of the research subjects‘ right to privacy and dignity and
protection of subjects from personal harm
 Presentation of research findings
 Misuse of research role
 Acknowledgement of research collaboration and assistance
 Distortions of findings by sponsor

Unethical practices in conducting research

 Deceiving a respondent about the true purpose of a study

 Asking a respondent questions that cause him or her extreme
embarrassment; guilt emotional turmoil by remaining him or her of an
unpleasant experience
 Invading the privacy of a respondent
 Studying the respondents or research subjects without their knowledge
 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

Quantitative and Qualitative

Research
Definition of 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.

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides
released by DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational
use and constitutes fair use. All Rights Reserved.
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 Definition of 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.

Qualitative Quantitative
In-depth understanding of  Quantification of data
Objectives underlying reasons and  Measurement of incidence,
motivations etc.
 Non-statistical
Data Analysis  Contextual  Statistical
 Thematic
 Broad based insights
Not conclusive nor
Outcomes  Population based
generalizable
understanding

Differing Philosophical Assumptions of Quantitative and

Qualitative Researchers
Assumptions of Quantitative Assumptions of Qualitative
Researchers Researchers
There exists a reality ―out there, ‖ The individuals involved in the
independent of us, waiting to be research situations construct
known. The task of science is to reality; thus, realities exist in the
discover the nature of reality and form of multiple mental
how it works. constructions.
Research investigations can
Research investigations produce
potentially result in accurate
alternative visions of what the
statements about the way the
world is like.
world really is.
It is possible for the researcher to It is impossible for the researcher to
remove him- or herself—to stand stand apart from the individuals he
apart—from that which is being or she is studying.

Source: Fraenkel and Wallen, How To Design And Evaluate Research In Education .

Quantitative Versus Qualitative Research

Quantitative Methodologies Quantitative Methodologies
Preference for precise hypothesis stated Preference for hypotheses that emerge
at the outset. as study develops.

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides
released by DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational
use and constitutes fair use. All Rights Reserved.

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 Preference for precise definitions stated Preference for definitions in context or
at the outset. as study progresses.

Data reduced to numerical scores. Preference for narrative description.

Much attention to assessing and

Preference for assuming that reliability
improving reliability of scores obtained
of inferences is adequate.
from instruments.

Assessment of validity through a variety Assessment of validity through

of procedures with reliance on statistical crosschecking sources of information
indices. (triangulation).

Preference for random techniques for Preference for expert information

obtaining meaningful samples. (purposive) samples.

Preference for precisely describing Preference for narrative/literary

procedures. descriptions of procedures.

Preference for logical analysis in

Preference for design or statistical
controlling or accounting for
control of extraneous variables.
extraneous variables.

Preference for specific design control for Primary reliance on researcher to deal
procedural bias. with procedural bias.

Preference for statistical summary of Preference for narrative summary of

results. results.

Preference for breaking down complex

Preference for holistic description of
phenomena into specific parts for
complex phenomena.
analysis.
Willingness to manipulate aspects,
Unwillingness to tamper with naturally
situations, or conditions in studying
occurring phenomena.
complex phenomena.

Source: Fraenkel and Wallen, How To Design And Evaluate Research In Education

Activity #1
A. SPILL and SPELL. Do the following activity by simply reading the definition
and rearranging the letters to form the word. Write your answer on the
space provided below the popsicle stick.

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides
released by DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational
use and constitutes fair use. All Rights Reserved.