LESSON 1: RESEARCH AND INQUIRY

DISCUSSION: READ AND UNDERSTAND

NATURE OF INQUIRY AND RESEARCH

One goal of education is knowledge acquisition. However, education is not just stocking your
brain with knowledge, but it also encourages you to use acquired knowledge for a deeper understanding
of the world – an understanding that inspires you to create, construct, or produce things for the
betterment of not only your own life, but of the whole world as well. How is this possible?

Inquiry, a term that is synonymous with the word “investigation,” is the answer to this question.
When you inquire or investigate, you tend to ask questions to probe or examine something. You do this
kind of examination through your higher-order thinking strategies (HOTS) of inferential, analytical,
critical, creative, and appreciative thinking to discover more understandable or meaningful things
beyond such object of your inquiry. Thinking in this manner makes you ask open-ended questions to
elicit views, opinions, and belief of others in relation to your research.

Inquiry is defined as the “quest for truth, information, or knowledge through questioning.” The
process of inquiry follows the developmental stage of a person, which proceeds from “womb to tomb.”
Inquiry begins when a person is born; an infant starts to grasp his surroundings, and gathers information
and data using the human senses: seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting. The progression of
inquiry continues as the child grows up, develops, and perceives his environment. He forms his own
concepts and interpretations and creates his own meaning based on the given stimulus.

Inquiry denotes participation that leads to acceptance. Involvement in the learning process leads
to the mastery of skills and attitudes which are necessary in the search for answers to questions. Inquiry
is also important in the construction of new knowledge and resolution of problems and issues.

IMPORTANCE OF INQUIRY
Today’s generation of people are very much overwhelmed by the so-called “information
revolution.” Data flood the internet, which makes information easily accessible and readily available to
researchers. However, these data and information could change every single minute. Thus,
memorization of facts is no longer encouraged at present. More than simply memorizing, an
understanding of how data and information may be explored and used productively is man’s greatest
challenge today.

The learners must go beyond information accumulation and move toward the application of
useful and relevant knowledge. Through the process of inquiry, individuals construct much of their
understanding of the world.

“Inquiry is not so much seeking the right answer – because often there is none – but rather
seeking appropriate resolutions to questions and issues. For educators, inquiry implies emphasis on
the development of inquiry skills and the nurturing of inquiring attitudes or habits of mind that will enable
individuals to continue the quest for knowledge throughout life.” (Excline, 2004)

The subject area content is only a means to an end, and not the end in itself. The knowledge
foundation for the different subject areas is constantly enlarging and changing. No one can ever learn
all the knowledge in the universe, but everyone can better develop their skills and nurture the inquiring
attitude necessary to continue the generation and examination of knowledge throughout their lives
 LESSON 1: RESEARCH AND INQUIRY
WHAT IS RESEARCH?

The word Research is a combination of the prefix “re” (do again) and the root word “search” (to
seek explore, and investigate). Research is a continuous and repetitious pursuit of knowledge in order
to arrive at a truth. Man’s thirst for knowledge must always be quenched or satisfied. Through research,
which is the very core of learning, new knowledge may be discovered and the truth revealed.

Research is the acquisition of new knowledge through a purposive, organized, and designed
program of activities. It seeks to find the answers to problems and generate new information for a better
understanding of the concept under study.

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 many things
you tend to wonder about the topic of your research work.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH:

1. ACCURACY - It must give correct or accurate data, which the bibliographical entries should
honestly and appropriately documented or acknowledged.
2. OBJECTIVENESS - It must deal with facts, not with mere opinions arising from assumptions,
generalizations, predictions, or conclusions.
3. TIMELINESS - It must work on a topic that is fresh, new, and interesting to the present society.
4. RELEVANCE - Its topic must be instrumental in improving society or in solving problems
affecting the lives of the people in community.
5. CLARITY - It must succeed in expressing its central point or discoveries by using simple, direct,
concise, and correct language.
6. SYSTEMATIC - It must take place in an organized or orderly manner.

AIMS OF RESEARCH:

1. PRODUCE NEW KNOWLEDGE OR INFORMATION. The mass of data and information that
we have today is a product of man’s constant search for significant facts and continuous
investigation through the years. These pieces of information may not necessarily be updated;
hence, it is the task of the researcher to acquire the most up-to-date and relevant information.
2. UTILIZE THE NEW KNOWLEDGE. Knowledge should be applied and must not remain
stagnant. The application of knowledge could yield other facts. Learning can only find meaning
and becomes more relevant when it is used or applied.
3. VALIDATE EXISTING KNOWLEDGE. With the passing of time, an established fact or truth may
be challenged or deconstructed. Validation of an existing knowledge is necessary in order to
render it credible and reliable.
4. IMPROVE THE RESEARCHER. Doing research challenges the investigator to exercise his own
creativity and skills. Through independent study, the researcher may contribute to the growing
body of knowledge. His initial failures and frustrations in doing research could provide
opportunities for growth, and help improve himself in the process.
 LESSON 1: RESEARCH AND INQUIRY
PURPOSES OF RESEARCH:

1. To learn how to work independently.

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References: Practical Research I and II by Esther L. Barcelos (Rex Book Store)