Introduction to Practical Research 2

Course Overview and Learning Objectives

  • Institution: Upper Bicutan National High School, Senior High School Department.
  • Course Title: Practical Research 2.
  • Subject Teacher: El John Bruce Pontivedra.
  • Learning Objectives: Upon completion of the lesson, students should be able to:
    • Define research.
    • Share previous experiences concerning research.
    • Present the importance of research in daily life.

The Nature of Inquiry

  • Definition: Inquiry is defined as a "seeking for truth, information or knowledge."
  • Problem-Solving: Inquiry serves as a fundamental problem-solving technique.
  • Foundational Premise: Inquiry implies a "need or want to know" premise.
  • Purpose and Importance:
    • It is critical in the construction of new knowledge.
    • it is essential for the resolution of problems and issues.
    • It helps develop higher-order information literacy and critical thinking skills, often referenced in the context of Bloom’s Taxonomy.
  • Perspective from Exline (2004):
    • Inquiry is not primarily about seeking the "right answer," as often there is none.
    • It is about seeking "appropriate resolutions" to questions and issues.
    • For educators, inquiry implies an emphasis on developing inquiry skills and nurturing inquiring attitudes or "habits of mind."
    • These skills and attitudes enable individuals to continue their quest for knowledge throughout their entire lives.

Etymology and Conceptual Definitions of Research

  • Etymological Roots:
    • Middle French: Derived from rescherche, meaning "to go about seeking."
    • Old French: Derived from recerchier, meaning "to search again."
  • Scientific Definition: Research is a scientific investigation of phenomena that includes the collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of facts.
  • Link to Reality: Research serves to line an individual’s speculation with reality.
  • Basis of Solutions: Solutions to problems must be based on knowledge rather than mere beliefs, guesses, or theories.
  • Methodological Requirement: Research requires a systematic and well-planned procedure to ensure the information acquired is accurate and effective.
  • Defining Functions (Manmood, 2018):
    • Research solves problems.
    • Research revises facts, principles, theories, and applications.

Inquiry vs. Research

  • Inquiry:
    • Described as the "art of questioning" to gather information or evidence.
    • Used to explain specific conditions, situations, and events in life.
  • Research:
    • Defined as a creative and systematic undertaking.
    • Tasks include establishing or confirming facts, reaffirming results of previous work, solving new or existing problems, or developing new theories.
    • It is the process of seeking information to acquire extensive knowledge.

Importance of Research in Daily Life

  • Fact Identification: To identify facts.
  • Intellectual Growth: To achieve new thoughts.
  • Critical Evaluation: To evaluate information.
  • Practical Application: To utilize new knowledge.
  • Life Assessment: It evaluates what happens in our lives.
  • Problem Resolution: It helps solve problems, specifically addressing the "blind spot" or "blank spot" in our understanding.

Characteristics of Research

  • Source Reference: According to Prieto, N., Naval, V., & Carey, T. (2017) in Practical Research 1 (LORIMAR Publishing, Inc., pp. 3-16), research features the following characteristics:
    • Empirical: Based on direct experience or observation by the researcher.
    • Systematic: Follows orderly and sequential procedures based on valid procedures and principles.
    • Controlled: In research, all variables—except those specifically being tested or experimented on—are kept constant.
    • Employs Hypothesis: Refers to the active search for facts, answers to questions, and solutions to problems.
    • Analytical: Utilizes analytical procedures in gathering data, whether the method is historical, descriptive, or a case study.
    • Objective: Research is unbiased and logical; all findings are logically based on real-life situations.
    • Original Work: Requires the researcher's own examination and produces the specific data needed to complete the study.

The Research Process Steps

  1. Define and Develop Your Topic: The initial stage of identifying the area of study.
  2. Find Background Information: Conduct preliminary research about the chosen topic.
  3. Plan Research Design and Sampling: Determine the methodology and the specific sample to be used.
  4. Gather Necessary Data: The actual collection of information/evidence.
  5. Process and Analyze Data: Organizing and interpreting the gathered information.
  6. Formulate New Insights Gained: Drawing conclusions and identifying what was learned.
  7. Define New Problem: The cycle continues as findings lead to new questions.