This essay serves as a comprehensive examination on the following subjects: Research Methods (Basic and Advance), Indigenous Communities and Development and Muslims in Mindanao. All three are required subjects of the Master of Arts in Applied Social Research Program (area of concentration: Mindanao Studies) of Ateneo de Davao University. These subjects were taught by Marlina Lacuesta, Ph.D., Prof. Napoleon Amoyen, Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ, and Prof. Alber Husin, respectively.