Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Tagbilaran City Schools Division
TAGBILARAN CITY SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Tagbilaran City, Bohol

INQUIRY, INVESTIGATION AND IMMERSION

Third Quarter
S.Y. 2023-2024

NATURE OF INQUIRY AND RESEARCH HANDOUT

INQUIRY
It is the systematic search for information, knowledge and truth about certain things is the process of solving a problem
through researching and probing. It involves questioning and interrogations.
INVESTIGATION
It is the systematic examination to uncover facts regarding the matter. Is done carefully and by thoroughly inspecting
details in an organized manner and assessing facts that are uncovered in the process.
IMMERSION
The act of becoming completely involved in something like an activity or interest. The payoff of immersion is usually
immense as the researchers can gain more information than through another method.

What is research?
Research is an investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of
accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws. It is
also a practice of collecting information about a particular subject.
Research provides the best solution to some of the world's problems and also enhances the knowledge of the
researchers. It can give explanations to certain questions stated in the research problem. Through the explanations, it
serves as a tool for building knowledge and for facilitating new learning. Research also introduces new ideas, helps the
researchers identify problems and appropriate solutions in new ways, and provides a new framework to guide thinking
and action. It informs action, proves a theory, and contributes to developing knowledge in a field or study. Therefore, it
understands various issues and increases public awareness.
The types of research are namely:
1. qualitative researches and
2. quantitative researches

Using the table, compare and contrast the qualitative and quantitative research.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH:

Qualitative research is a market research method that focuses on obtaining data through open-ended and
conversational communication. This method is about “what” people think and “why” they think so.
For example, consider a convenience store looking to improve its patronage. A systematic observation concludes
that more men are visiting this store. One good method to determine why women were not visiting the store is
conducting an in-depth interview with potential customers.
TYPES:
1. One-on-one interview:
Conducting in-depth interviews is one of the most common qualitative research methods. It is a personal interview
that is carried out with one respondent at a time. This is purely a conversational method and invites opportunities to get
details in depth from the respondent. One of the advantages of this method is that it provides a great opportunity to
gather precise data about what people believe and their motivations. If the researcher is well experienced asking the
right questions can help him/her collect meaningful data. If they should need more information the researchers should
ask such follow-up questions that will help them collect more information. These interviews can be performed face-to-
face or on the phone and usually can last between half an hour to two hours or even more. When the in-depth
interview is conducted face to face it gives a better opportunity to read the body language of the respondents and
match the responses.
2. Focus groups:
A focus group is also one of the commonly used qualitative research methods, used in data collection. A focus
group usually includes a limited number of respondents (6-10) from within your target market. The main aim of the
focus group is to find answers to the “why” “what” and “how” questions. One advantage of focus groups is, you don’t
necessarily need to interact with the group in person. Nowadays focus groups can be sent an online survey on various
devices and responses can be collected at the click of a button.
3. Ethnographic research:
Ethnographic research is the most in-depth observational method that studies people in their naturally occurring
environment. This method requires the researchers to adapt to the target audiences’ environments which could be
anywhere from an organization to a city or any remote location. Here geographical constraints can be an issue while
collecting data. This research design aims to understand the cultures, challenges, motivations, and settings that occur.
Instead of relying on interviews and discussions, you experience the natural settings firsthand. This type of research
method can last from a few days to a few years, as it involves in-depth observation and collecting data on those
grounds. It’s a challenging and time-consuming method and solely depends on the expertise of the researcher to be able
to analyze, observe and infer the data.
4. Case study research:
The case study method has evolved over the past few years and developed into a valuable quality research
method. As the name suggests it is used for explaining an organization or an entity.
This type of research method is used within several areas like education, social sciences, and similar. This method may
look difficult to operate, however, it is one of the simplest ways of researching as it involves a deep dive and thorough
understanding of the data collection methods and inferring the data.
5. Record keeping:
This method makes use of the already existing reliable documents and similar sources of information as the data
source. This data can be used in new research. This is similar to going to a library. There one can go over books and
other reference material to collect relevant data that can likely be used in the research.
6. Process of observation:
Qualitative Observation is a process of research that uses subjective methodologies to gather systematic
information or data. The focus on qualitative observation is the research process of using subjective methodologies to
gather information or data. Qualitative observation is primarily used to equate quality differences. Qualitative
observation deals with the 5 major sensory organs and their functioning – sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. This
doesn’t involve measurements or numbers but instead characteristics.

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH:

 Qualitative research methods usually collect data at the sight, where the participants are experiencing issues or
problems. These are real-time data and rarely bring the participants out of their geographic locations to collect
information.
 Qualitative researchers typically gather multiple forms of data, such as interviews, observations, and
documents, rather than rely on a single data source.
  This type of research method works towards solving complex issues by breaking them down into meaningful
inferences that are easily readable and understood by all.
 Since it’s a more communicative method, people can build their trust in the researcher and the information thus
obtained is raw and unadulterated.
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Quantitative research is an objective, systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena through the use
of computational techniques. It highlights numerical analysis of data hoping that the numbers yield unbiased results
that can be generalized to some larger population and explain a particular observation.
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Objective
Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of target concepts. It is not based on mere
intuitions and guesses. Data are gathered before proposing a conclusion or solution to a problem
2. Clearly Defined Research Questions
In quantitative research, the researchers know in advance what they are looking for. The research questions are
well-defined for which objective answers are sought. All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data
are gathered.
3. Structured Research Instruments.
Data are normally gathered using structured research tools such as questionnaires to collect measurable
characteristics of the population like age, socio-economic status, and number of children, among others
4. Numerical Data.
Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often organized and presented using tables, charts, graphs, and
figures that consolidate large numbers of data to show trends, relationships, or differences among variables.
5. Large Sample Sizes.
To arrive at a more reliable data analysis, a normal population distribution curve is preferred. This requires a
large sample size, depending on how the characteristics of the population vary. Random sampling is
recommended in determining the sample size to avoid the researcher's bias in interpreting the results.
6. Replication.
Reliable quantitative studies can be repeated to verify or confirm the correctness of the results in another
setting. This strengthens the validity of the findings thus eliminating the possibility of spurious conclusions.
7. Future Outcomes.
By using complex mathematical calculations and with the aid of computers, if-then scenarios may be formulated
thus predicting future results.
Strengths of Quantitative Research:
The advantages of quantitative research include:
1. It is objective. Since it provides numerical data, it can't be easily misinterpreted.
2. The use of statistical techniques facilitates sophisticated analyses and allows you to comprehend a huge amount
of vital characteristics of data.
3. The numerical data can be analyzed quickly and easily. By employing statistically valid random models, findings
can be generalized to the population about which information is necessary.
4. Quantitative studies are replicable. Standardized approaches allow the study to be replicated in different areas
or over time with the formulation of comparable findings.
Weaknesses of Quantitative Research:
The disadvantages of quantitative research are as follows:

1. Quantitative research requires a large number of respondents, it is assumed that the larger the sample is, the
more statistically accurate the findings are.
2. It is costly. Since, there are more respondents compared to qualitative research, the expenses will be greater in
reaching out to these people and in reproducing the questionnaires.
3. The information contextual factors to help interpret the results or to explain variations are usually ignored. It
does not consider the distinct capacity of the respondents to share and elaborate further information unlike the
qualitative research.
4. Many information are difficult to gather using structured research instruments, specifically on sensitive issues
like pre-marital sex, domestic violence, among others.
 5. If not done seriously and correctly, data from questionnaires may be incomplete and inaccurate. Researchers
must be on the look-out for respondents who are just guessing in answering the instrument
Kinds of Quantitative Research
The kind of research is dependent on the researcher's aim in conducting the study and the extent to which the findings
will be used. The following are the various kinds of quantitative research that a researcher may employ:
1. Descriptive Research. This design is concerned with describing the nature, characteristics, and components of
the population or a phenomenon. There is no manipulation of variables or search for cause and effect related to
the phenomenon. This design attempts to find general attributes of the presently existing situation and
determine the frequency with which it occurs. Descriptive research is used if, for example, you want to know
how many hours senior high school students spend on social media, the number of malnourished students who
failed the achievement test, and how healthy the food served during recess in public schools.
2. Correlational Research. It is the systematic investigation of the nature of relationships, or associations between
and among variables without necessary investigation into causal reasons underlying them. It is also concerned
with the extent of relationships that exist between or among the variables. For example, if pre-board
examination results can be used to predict performance in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), then
the higher the pre-board grade, the higher likely the score in the LET. Correlational research is employed if you
know, for example, if the following factors are related to each other: sex and mathematical ability, marriage and
cancer recovery, occupation, and life span.
3. Evaluation Research. This kind of research aims to assess the effects, impacts, or outcomes of practices, policies
or programs. Assessing the implementation of nursing care in a hospital and determining the impact of a new
treatment procedure for patients are examples of evaluation research
4. Survey Research, A survey research is used to gather information from groups of people by selecting and
studying samples chosen from a population. It may be done in various ways like face-to-face, phone, mail, and
online. The survey research may be cross-sectional if the information is collected from a sample at just a single
point in time just like the child-rearing practices of single parents, and population control practices of unmarried
couples. The survey research is considered longitudinal if the researcher collects information on the same
subjects over a period sometimes lasting many years to study the changes through the years Longitudinal survey
is utilized, for example, to determine the growth of rice yield in the country and the rate of promotion of
doctorate holders five years after earning the degree.
5. Causal-Comparative Research. It is also known as ex post facto (after the fact) research. This kind of research
derives conclusions from observations and manifestations that already occurred in the past and are now
compared to some dependent variables. It discusses why and how a phenomenon occurs. For example, a
researcher is interested in how weight influences the stress-coping level of adults Here, the subjects would be
separated into different groups (underweight, normal weight, overweight) and their stress-coping levels
measured. This is an ex post facto design because a pre-existing characteristic (weight) was used to form the
groups.
6. Experimental Research. This research utilizes the scientific method to test cause-and-effect relationships under
conditions controlled by the researcher. In this case, an effort is made to determine and impose control over all
other variables except one. An independent variable is manipulated to determine the effects on the dependent
variables. For instance, a teacher would like to know if a new teaching strategy is effective or not so he/she
teaches one section using the new strategy and teaches another comparable section without the new strategy,
then an achievement test is given to the two sections. The manipulated independent variable is the new
teaching strategy which is being tested if it has an effect on the dependent variable is me achievement of the
students. Notice that the sections are comparable with one mother meaning all other variables are controlled
by the teacher.
RESEARCH VARIABLES:
One of the aspects of research is to describe and explain variables. A variable is a central concept in research. It is a
measurable characteristic that changes in value. A variable is anything that assumes varied numerical or categorical
values. Ex. Sex is a variable
TYPES:
1. Continuous and Discrete Variables.
A variable that can take an infinite number of values that can occur within a population is known as a continuous
variable. Its values can be divided into fractions. Examples: age, height, and temperature. A discrete variable also known
as a categorical or classificatory variable, on the other hand, is any variable that has a limited number of distinct values
and which cannot be divided into fractions like sex, blood group, and number of children in the family.
2. Dependent and Independent Variables
In a typical study, the researcher starts with an effect and investigates its possible causes. The cause variable or the one
responsible for the conditions that act on something else to bring about changes is the independent variable. The
dependent variable also called the outcome variable is the result of the effect of the changes brought about by another
variable.
CATEGORY OF CONTINUOUS VARIABLE:
1. Interval variable
Is a measurement where the difference between the values does have meaning. The difference between a
temperature of 60 degrees and 50 degrees is the same as between 30 degrees and 20 degrees.
2. Ratio variable
Possesses the properties of interval variables and has a clear definition of zero indication that there is none of
that variable. Examples of ratio variables include height, weight, and distance. But temperature measured in
degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit is not a ratio variable because 0 under these temperature scales does
not mean no temperature at all.
CATEGORY OF DISCRETE VARIABLE:
1. Nominal variable- This is a variable that has no quantitative value. Examples: eye color, business type, and
religion.
2. Ordinal variable- Is a variable that has two or more categories that can be ranked.

RESEARCH AS THE ART OF INQUIRY

Ask the learners, in your own words, what is inquiry?

An inquiry is a method that has the aim of extending knowledge, undertaking doubt, or solving a problem. A
theory of inquiry is an interpretation of the various types of inquiry and action of the ways that each type of inquiry
attains its aim.
Now, to give you an idea of how to prepare for research, you may do the inquiry-based learning using the following
steps mentioned below:

1. Focus.
An ill-structured problem demands consideration of diverse perspectives.
2. Decide on a topic.
Think-aloud, asks probing questions, monitors, and encourages participants to decide on a topic.
3. Understanding the problem
This will include clarifications of misconceptions and possibilities.
4. Design on the problem.
This is the final stage to address problems within manageable scales and extend their learning pathways.

Brainstorming is a way of inquiring about ideas that will help you to develop concepts and focusing techniques by
asking questions and knowing the interests of the persons involved in the said issues. The potential ideas can be
visualized for interpretation. The following are the things that may be considered before starting the research activity:

1. A problem that is most interesting to you

2. Existing problems in the class/school/campus that one may want to solve
3. Existing needs of the community or society
4. Area of interest, specialization, or event from related fields
5. Prevailing theories and philosophy

Criteria for Choosing a Research Topic:

1. It should be something new or different from what has already been written about.
2. It must be original.
3. It should be significant to the field of study or discipline.
4. It must necessarily arouse intellectual curiosity.
5. It should be of the researcher’s interest.
6. It should be a modest one for a beginner to be carried out within a limited period.
7. It should be clear, not ambiguous.
 8. It should be specific, not general.
9. It should consider the training and personal qualifications of the researcher.
10. It should consider the availability of data involved in the study and the methods and techniques to be employed
in gathering them.
11. It should consider the availability of effective instruments for gathering the data and their treatment.
12. It should consider the financial capacity of the researcher to support the project.
13. It should consider the time factor involved in the undertaking.

Here are some examples of possible basis of issues applicable for senior high school learners. These are useful in
crafting a research agenda that will lead in the writing of the title and research problem.

If you already identified the possible topic in the agenda of your research study, you may think of the identity of
your research either a qualitative or quantitative research then decide on the methodology by not disregarding the
importance of your research to others, to the community, to the society or to the nation as well.
Observe the given example as a guide about the mentioned concerns in your research agenda.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This part of the research includes information that would focus attention on the importance and validity of the
problem. It is the general orientation to the problem area. For a good background, the researcher can state the
antecedents of the study, and the reasons why this topic is proposed relative to previous studies.
The Background includes:
1. discussion of the problem in general and the specific situations as observed and experienced by the researcher
(macro to micro approach).
2. concepts and ideas related to the problem including clarification of important terminologies; and
3. discussion of the existing or present conditions and what is aimed to be in the future or the gap to be filled in by
the research.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK/ THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The theoretical framework provides a general representation of relationships between things in a given
phenomenon. The conceptual framework, on the other hand, embodies the specific direction by which the research
will have to be undertaken.
Theoretical framework
A theoretical framework can be thought of as a map or travel plan. These are relevant theories underpinning the
knowledge base of the phenomenon to be researched. By addressing simple questions, the researcher can begin to
develop a loosely- structured theoretical framework to guide them. The following questions have been adopted from
Slevin and Basford (1999:298):
1. What do I know about the phenomenon that I want to study?
2. What types of knowledge are available to me (empirical, non- empirical, tacit intuitive, moral, or ethical)
3. What theory will best guide my teaching practice?
4. Is this theory proven through theory-linked researched?
5. What other theories are relevant to this practice?
6. How can I apply these theories and finding in practice?
The conceptual framework
This is the researcher’s idea on how the research problem will have to be explored. This is founded in the
theoretical framework, which lies on a much broader scale of resolution. The theoretical framework dwells on time-
tested theories that embody the findings of numerous investigations on how phenomena occur.

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
Research hypothesis is a statement that introduces a research question and proposes an expected result. It is an
integral part of the scientific method that forms the basis of scientific experiments. Therefore, you need to be careful
and thorough when building your research hypothesis
Your will be expressing your hypothesis in 3 ways:
• As a one-sentence hypothesis
• As a research question
• As a title for your paper
Your hypothesis will become part of your research proposal.
Examples:
 Research Hypothesis: It is hypothesized that the recognition of the right to physician-assisted suicide is a
protection of individual civil liberties.
 Hypothesis as Question: Would the recognition of the right to physician-assisted suicide be a protection of
individual civil liberties?
 Paper Title: The Right to Physician-Assisted Suicide and Individual Civil Liberties
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This is the basic difficulty, the issue, the area of concern, the circumstances which exist, then, how they ought to
be. The statement of the problem tells what is done to make the situation that exists more like what it should be. It
exposes anything that is wrong with the situation or condition or circumstance which is being described.
It has two main elements:
1. the objective; and
2. research questions
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
This gives your readers an understanding of the concepts or factors that will be discussed throughout your study, as well
as contextual information as to how you will be using those concepts in your study.
IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY
In this part of the research, the researcher defines who will benefit out of the findings of the study. He/She
describes how the problem will be solved specifically pinpoints who will benefit from such findings or results. Usually,
beneficiaries of the study are those experts concerned about the problem, the administrators or policy-makers who
make the decisions or implement programs, the subjects themselves, future researchers and those who are directly or
indirectly affected by the problem.
Tips in writing the significance of the study
1. Refer to the statement of the problem
2. Write from general to specific
Write the significance of the study by looking into the general contribution of your study, such as its importance
to society as a whole, then to individuals which may include yourself as a researcher.

Example:
The study must be conducted to find out the major causes of teenage pregnancy and the extent of the effect of
teenage pregnancy on the development of students and out-of-school youth in Maramag. Bukidnon. The result of this
study is beneficial to students and out-of-school youth, to the parents, teachers, to the community, school
administrators, researchers and other interested individuals because this can give empirical data as bases for
suggestions on minimizing teenage pregnancy in the community.

The study will also benefit students who are still at school because it will give them information about the
causes of teenage pregnancy and its possible effects on their studies. This paper will guide them to focus first their
attention on their studies.
The study will also benefit the out-of-school youth in the sense that they are made aware of the causes of
teenage pregnancy and are helped to avoid the same to increase their chances of participating in the Alternative
Learning System (ALS) or increase their chances to go back to the formal school.
This study will also benefit the parents to enable them to realize their great role in educating their teenagers,
protecting and diverting them from indulging in premarital sex. This study, too, will make the parents aware that
education about the use of contraceptives will start also at home.
This study will also benefit the teachers on the steps to take for they could be informed how important
education is to the development of children to manhood/womanhood. This enables them to guide and identify the
major causes of teenage pregnancy, especially in Maramag, Bukidnon.
This study will also benefit school administrators. It will provide them with information on the importance of
knowing the major factors behind early pregnancy and the possible effects on the educational development of
teenagers. It's one way that administrators will intensify sex education in their schools and improve the knowledge of
their teachers through seminars so that they can deal well with students to avoid pregnancy at an early age. The
researcher hopes that the result of this study would also be a great help to future researchers and to all people who
are interested to know more about teenage pregnancy-their Causes and the possible effects on their educational
development.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope describes the coverage of the study. It specifies what is covered in terms of concept, number of subjects
or the population included in the study, as well as the timeline when the study was conducted. Delimit by citing factors
or variables that are not to be included and the boundary in terms of time frame, number of subjects, participants, or
respondents who are excluded. Specify that which you will not deal with within the study.

Example
The main purpose of the study is to provide information regarding metro-sexuality and how being a
metrosexual affects the lifestyle of the student. The study considers the student's personal information such as their
name (optional) gender, age, and section.
The researchers limited the study to 80 male and female secondary education students enrolled in the second
semester of the school year 2015- 2016 of the Technological Institute of the Philippines. Each of the respondents was
given a questionnaire to answer. The students selected came from four different sections to prevent bias and get
objective perceptions.