Definitions of Research

 The french word Recherché means travel through or to survey. This is where "research" was derived from.
 UNESCO (1962) defined it as the orderly investigation of a subject matter for the primary purpose of adding
to knowledge.
 According to Kerlinger (1973), Research is a systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of
hypothetical prepositions about the presumed relations among the natural phenomena.
 According to Rekha Koul (2008), the nature of educational research is analogous to the nature of research
itself which is "careful, systematic, reliable and valid method of investigating knowledge and solving
problems" (Weirsma, 1991)
 Leedy (1947) defines research as the systematic process of collecting information (data) in order to increase
our understanding of phenomenon with which we are concerned or interested. According to him, research is
an activity or process through which we attempt to systematically and with the support of data, give an answer
to a question, the resolution of a problem, or a greater understanding of a phenomenon. This process is called
Research Method.

Inquiry and Research

 Inquiry and Research are two terms that are almost the same in meaning. Both involve investigative work in
which you seek information about something by searching or examining the object of your search. Inquiry is
to look for information by asking various questions about the thing you are curious about while research is
to discover truths by investigating on your chosen topic scientifically; meaning, by going through a systematic
way of doing things wherein you are to begin from the simplest to the most complex modes or patterns of
thinking.
 Learning is your way of obtaining knowledge about your surroundings. This takes place in many ways, and
one of these is inquiry, which many people in the field of education consider effective. Inquiry is a learning
process that motivates you to obtain knowledge or information about people, things, places, or events. You
do this by investigating or asking questions about something you are inquisitive about. It requires you to
collect data, meaning, facts, and information about the object of your inquiry, and examine such data
carefully.
 In your analysis, you execute varied thinking strategies that range from lower-order to higher-order thinking
skills such as inferential, critical, integrative, and creative thinking. These are top-level thinking strategies
that you ought to perform in discovering and understanding the object of your inquiry.
 Engaging yourself in many ways of thinking, you come to conclude that inquiry is an active learning process.
Putting you in a situation where you need to probe, investigate, or ask questions to find answers or solutions
to what you are worried or doubtful about, inquiry is a problem-solving technique.
 Solving a problem by being inquisitive, you tend to act like scientists who are inclined to think logically or
systematically in seeking evidence to support their conclusions about something. Beginning with whatever
experience or background knowledge you have, you proceed like scientists with your inquiry by imagining,
speculating, interpreting, criticizing, and creating something out of what you discovered.
 Inquiry elevates your thinking power. It makes you think in different ways, enabling you to arrive at a
particular idea or understanding that will motivate you to create something unique, new, or innovative for
your personal growth as well as for the world. Inquisitive thinking allows you to shift from one level of
 thought to another. It does not go in a linear fashion; rather, it operates in an interactive manner.
 Solving a problem, especially social issues, does not only involve yourself but other members of the society
too. Hence, inquiry, as a problem-solving technique, includes cooperative learning because any knowledge
from members of the society can help to make the solution. Whatever knowledge you have about your world
bears the influence of your cultural, sociological, institutional, or ideological understanding of the world.
(Badke 2012)
 Inquiry, as a way of learning, concerns itself with these elements: changing knowledge, creativity,
subjectivity, socio-cultural factors, sensory experience, and higher-order thinking strategies. All of these are
achievable through the inquiry methods of fieldwork, case studies, investigations, individual group project,
and research work. (Small 2012)
 In college, you involve yourself in varied school activities such as academic contests, sports fests, elocution
contest, music festivals, college week celebrations, art exhibits, research work, debate competitions, and
many more. All of these activities are aimed to let you develop a well-rounded personality. But one or two
of them gave emphasis in honing a particular ability (e.g., making you excel in mathematics, science, arts,
music, and many more).
 One school activity that every college student has to excel in is research. This is a hallmark of a university or
college education. Your research abilities reflect the quality of your school. If you graduate from a school
with superb knowledge of research work, you can tell yourself that, “I am a product of a quality college or
university.” Hence, the greatness of a higher education institution depends on how knowledgeable its faculty
and students are about the ins and outs of research; more so, on the application of this to their everyday life
for the progress of the whole world.
 What is research? A number of books on research define this term in many ways, but such varied definitions
boil down to the primary meaning of this word, which is: Research is a process of executing various mental
acts for discovering and examining facts and information to prove the accuracy or truthfulness of your claims
or conclusions about the topic of your research.
 Research requires you to inquire or investigate about your chosen research topic by asking questions that will
make you engage yourself in top-level thinking strategies of interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, criticizing,
appreciating, or creating to enable you to discover truths about the many things you tend to wonder about the
topic of your research work. (Litchman 2013)
 Research is analogous to inquiry, in that, both involve investigation of something through questioning.
However, the meaning of research is more complicated than inquiry because it does not center mainly on
raising questions about the topic, but also on carrying out a particular order of research stages. Each stage of
the research process is not an individual task because the knowledge you obtain through each stage comes
not only from yourself but other people as well. Thus, similar to inquiry, research involves cooperative
learning.
 Central to research is your way of discovering new knowledge, applying knowledge in various ways as well
as seeing relationships of ideas, events, and situations. Research then puts you in a context where a problem
exists. You have to collect facts or information, study such data, and come up with a solution to the problem
based on the results of your analysis. It is a process requiring you to work logically or systematically and
collaboratively with others.
Inquiry-based Learning Process and Traditional Approach

INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING PROCESS TRADITIONAL APPROACH

Suits active learners who learn through questioning Suits passive learners who prefer to acquire
things and doing research knowledge with less active participation
Encourages retention of new concepts Does not always promote retention of information
(students may forget the material after exam)
Allows differentiation (weaker students be placed in Class sizes tend to be larger
smaller groups of similar level to aid learning)
Encourages thinking skills; content provides context Suits learners who like to memorize material within
for understanding “big ideas” given ‘model answers’; mastery of content, cover a lot,
remember little for a while
Develops lifelong learning skills; skills assessed in Skills assessed in isolation
application
Fosters and rewards creativity and out-of-the-box Creativity may be discouraged if it doesn’t fit the
thinking ‘model answer’
Some learners find project work difficult Ability is not always accurately reflected since some
students perform well in class but buckle under the
pressure of exams
Certain parents feel less able to help their child without Gives parents more control in revising since they can
a clear-cut framework refer to specific textbook pages and has a close parent-
teacher relationship; Provides clear framework and
structure
Less focus is put on exam techniques (greater weight Assessment is often based on exams
on performances)
Less focus is put on rules relating to subjects Parents emphasize marks and results often comparing
their child with others
Some students may participate less actively due to low Teachers cannot cater to individual needs
self-confidence in language proficiency
Students find information Teachers dispense information
Many right answers One right answer
Work together Work alone
Learn through technology Learn about technology
Think Remember
Question Answer

Why do Research?
The writing process will make you confident in your ability to find information and present it effectively
in varied ways. It may be on:
 A theme in freshman English on the value of good speaking
 A paper in history on the Presidents of the Philippines
 A report in a physics’ class on the moon’s effects on ocean tides
  An archaeological field paper on the burial practices of the early Filipinos

All those papers require some type of research writing. You will undertake such written activity during
your senior high school and will increase in frequency as you enter college.

Other motivations for getting involved in research are:

 You can get to investigate topics that may be of interest to you.
 It can make you study (course work) more meaningful and you’ll discover real world application of what
you’re studying
 You can have hand-on, practical experience in your field of study

Research is a great way to network and meet new people. Undergraduate research allows you to grow and
uncover 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.
Research is about solving problems and answering questions in all disciplines.

Forms of Undergraduate Research

 Class-based activities – such as naturalistic observation, surveys and experiments can often be structured
to train students in the steps of the research process.
 Class-based projects – like term papers, service learning and community-based and campus-based learning
can be of a research nature.
 Capstone experiences – like senior research projects and research tasks/assignments can allow students to
develop and explore a research question of their own.
 Out-of-the-class/faculty collaborative researches – provide students opportunity to work with faculty
members on their own on-going research or on a project jointy planned or designed by both.
(serv.carleton.edu/introgeo/studentresearch/Further-UR-experience.html)

The old saying, “Give me a fish and I eat today. Teach me how to fish and I will eat for a lifetime” can be
applied to research training, to start with in the senior high school/undergraduate level up to the tertiary level.
This quotation refers to students need to learn application skills. This means they have to engage personally in
what they are doing. It also means learner’s motivation and hard work.

When you embark in research, you will need learning experiences composed of a knowledge component
described as the representation of facts, principles, concepts, procedures and/or theories in a certain subject,
characterized by learning, remembering and/or reproducing and a task performance or skills development
component. (nsuworks.nova.edu/tqu/vol7/iss2/3/).

If you desire to become competent researchers, you need to gain an understanding of the various stages of
the research process. Doing research is anchored on an experiential learning approach where you will fuse and
build principles with real-life experiences. In an undergraduate research, experience rather than solely imparting
facts about a topic to students is given attention. The faculty help students learn through a process of discovery.

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. What is its importance?
Research leads an expansion of knowledge and discoveries. Research effects have led to breakthrough.
Projections about future events like global warming have also been determined thru research. Research is a
systematic process of collecting and analyzing data or information in order to increase understanding of a
phenomenon. Other definitions given to research are:
 It is an inquiry process.
 It is a formal process of problem solving.
 It is a set of procedures and stages.
  It originates with a question or a problem.
 Often it is an iterative process.

Lastly, research is important in providing a solid foundation for the

 discovery and creation of knowledge, theory-building.
 testing, confirmation, revision, and refutation of knowledge as theory.
 advance a discipline or field.
 advancements and improvements in various aspects of life.
 promotion and tenure of individuals.

The continued existence and importance of research which will last as long as there is a human being who
wishes to expand his knowledge and understanding about the world and everything therein. Research is an act of
studying something carefully and extensively in order to have a deep knowledge.

Significance of Research

Research is undertaken because of some importance it has and does for individuals and the society.
Reasons for its significance are given as follows: (these are some of the significance lang kasi kung ilagay ko
lahat mahaba na masyado, diba nga sa IBL, there are many right answers, so pag sa exam, kahit wala sa listed
below yung answer basta significance parin sya, tama parin yun)

1. To gather necessary information

Research provides you with the necessary information related to your field of study or work. For
example, companies may do research before manufacturing a product.

2. To improve standard of living

Only through research can new inventions and discoveries come into life. How would life be
without Alexander Graham Bell and his telephone? Or what would have happened if Martin Cooper did
not give us the concept of mobile phones? (edi sana wala ng reason ang mga nanay kung bakit tayo
nagkakasakit hahahaha jk only)

3. To have a safer life

Research has done great discoveries and development in the field of health, technology, nutrition
and medicine. These things have improved life expectancy and helped in curing a lot of diseases.

4. To know the truth

Research investigates and exposes what wrong beliefs people hold. Listening to different opinions
and studying facts and available data will lead you to unravel the truth.

5. To explore our history

Research about our history enables us to learn and understand the past and prepare for a better
future.

6. To understand arts
Research helps us in understanding the works of artists in different field of arts. Arts contribute to
the refinement of our sensibilities and cultivate values needed for our daily existence.

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 high-yield and drought-
resistant varieties. Projections of the 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. 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. 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 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.
Research benefits therefore, can be seen and felt in the following fields:
 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.
In general, research is an important aspect of any organization. In-house research can be done in the
different sectors of the organization.

Characteristics of Research
Following the major definition of research as the scientific investigation of phenomena which includes
collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of facts, strict adherence to ethical standards in planning and
conducting in both qualitative and quantitative research is most important.
The following are the major characteristics of research:
1. Empirical – Research is based on observations and experimentation of theories. It takes into account the
direct experiences that fuse the researcher’s speculation with reality. Most researches are based on real-
life situations.
2. Systematic – Research follows orderly and sequential procedures, based on valid procedures and
principles.
3. Controlled – In research, all variables, except those that are being tested/experimented on, are kept
constant.
4. Employs hypothesis – The hypothesis guides the investigation process. Research refers to a search for
facts, answers to questions and solutions to problem.
5. Analytical – There is a critical analysis of all data used so that there is no error in the researcher’s
interpretations.
6. Objective – The term also refers to the research as unbiased and logical. All findings are logically based
on the empirical data, which as earlier mentioned, are based on real life situations.
7. Original work – Requires effort to get at the researcher’s own investigation and produce the data needed
to complete the study.

Ethics of Research

Ethics is referred as the norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
These are direct networks among people because they recognize some common ethical norms but interpret, apply
and balance them in different ways in the light of their own values and experiences (Resmik, 2015).

Another way of defining ethics is to consider it as a method, procedure or perspective for deciding how to
act and for analyzing complex problems and issues. For instance, in considering a complex issue like global
warming, one may take an economic, ecological, political or ethical perspective on the matter. While an economist
might examine the cost and benefits of various policies related to global warming, an environmentalist ethicist
could examine the ethical values and principles at sake.

Ethics as an important component in research writing shows the following functions:

1. Norms promote the aims of research such as knowledge, truth, and evidence of error.
2. Ethical standards promote the values that are essential to collaborative work such as trust, accountability,
mutual respect and fairness.
 3. Ethical norms ensure that researchers can be held accountable to the public.
4. Ethical norms in research, is research that helps build support quality and integrity of research.

Some Ethical Principles

Honesty Carefulness Openness

Objectivity Respect for Intellectual Property Confidentiality
Legality Responsible publication Respect for colleagues
Social Responsibility Competence Non-discrimination
Beneficence Non-maleficence Anonymity
Autonomy Integrity Justice
Dignity Privacy Credibility