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Inquiry: A Fundamental Concept for Scientific Investigation

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Principles of Social Research Methodology

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief description of ‘inquiry’, a very important but rarely includes in the research methodology books. Initially, the chapter explains the conceptual definition of inquiry with the phases that develop ideas about inquiry. Then the chapter discusses the different characteristics of inquiry. Then, it provides a brief description of the theories and sources of inquiry in social research. The processes, steps, and methods of inquiry are explained with ‘20 questions’ inquiry process. Then the chapter includes a brief description of the position of inquiry in education learning. Finally, the chapter explains the importance of inquiry in social research.

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Correspondence to M. Rezaul Islam .

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© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Islam, M.R. (2022). Inquiry: A Fundamental Concept for Scientific Investigation. In: Islam, M.R., Khan, N.A., Baikady, R. (eds) Principles of Social Research Methodology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5441-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5441-2_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-19-5219-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-19-5441-2

  • eBook Packages: Social Sciences

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