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Week 2

The document discusses the scientific method in research. It begins by defining science as a way to find truth behind phenomena through systematic observation rather than just subject matter alone. It then defines the scientific method as a process of experimentation used to explore observations and answer questions. Key aspects of the scientific method include recognizing and defining a problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting and analyzing data, and stating conclusions. The document outlines the typical steps of the scientific method as asking a question, conducting background research, constructing a testable hypothesis, designing an experiment to test the hypothesis, analyzing the results, and communicating the findings. It emphasizes that the scientific method is a reliable, systematic approach to furthering knowledge through empirical investigation and evidence.

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Hina Kaynat
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77 views

Week 2

The document discusses the scientific method in research. It begins by defining science as a way to find truth behind phenomena through systematic observation rather than just subject matter alone. It then defines the scientific method as a process of experimentation used to explore observations and answer questions. Key aspects of the scientific method include recognizing and defining a problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting and analyzing data, and stating conclusions. The document outlines the typical steps of the scientific method as asking a question, conducting background research, constructing a testable hypothesis, designing an experiment to test the hypothesis, analyzing the results, and communicating the findings. It emphasizes that the scientific method is a reliable, systematic approach to furthering knowledge through empirical investigation and evidence.

Uploaded by

Hina Kaynat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lecture: 02

Topic: Scientific Method in Research.

Introduction to Scientific Method.

Science:
Science helps to find out the truth behind the phenomenon. It is an
approach to gathering of knowledge rather than mere subject matter. It
has following two main functions: - to develop a theory. – To deduce
hypothesis from that theory. Research shows a way to solve life
problems scientifically. It is a reliable tool for progress of knowledge.
Being systematic and methodological, it is treated as a science. It also
helps to derive the truth behind the knowledge. It offers methods of
improving quality of the process and the product as well. Ultimately,
Science and research go hand in hand to find out solution of the problem.
Definition of Science:
The knowledge obtained by observing natural events and conditions in order to
discover facts and formulate laws or principles that can be verified or teste.
Scientific Method:
An enquiry is a natural technique for a search. But when its used systematically
and scientifically, it takes the form of method. So scientific enquiry is also known
as Scientific Method. This method is different from the methods of knowledge –
generation like trial and error, experience, authority and intuition.it is a parallel to
Dewey’s reflective thinking, because the researcher himself is engrossed in
reflective thinking while conducting research.
Definition of Scientific Method:
The scientific method is a process of experimentation that is used to explore
observations and answers questions.
According to L.R. Gay:
The scientific method is an orderly process involving a number of steps:
recognition and definition of a problem, formulation of hypothesis, collection of
data, analysis of data, and statement of conclusions regarding confirmation or
disconfirmation of the hypothesis.
Cuff and Payne (1979):
A scientific method necessarily involves standards and producers for
demonstrating the “empirical warrant” of its findings, showing the match or fit
between its statements and what is happening or has happened in the world.
Research problems and topic:
In research process. The first and foremost step happens to be that of
selecting and properly defining a research problem. A researcher must find
the problem and formulate it so that it becomes susceptible to research. Like
a medical doctor, a researcher must examine all the symptoms (presented to
him and observed by him) concerning a problem before he can diagnose
correctly. To define a problem correctly, a researcher must know: what a
problem is?

What is a research problem?


A research problem, in general, refers to some difficulty which a researcher
experience in the context of either a theoretical or practical situation and
wants to obtain a solution for the same.
Components of a research problem:
i. There must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty or
the problem.
ii. There must be some objectives to be attained as if one wants nothing,
one cannot have a problem.
iii. There must be alternatives means (or the course of action) for
obtaining the objective one wishes to attain. This means that there
must be at least two means available to a researcher forif he has no
choice of means, he cannot have a problem.
iv. There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with
regard to the selection of alternatives. This means that research must
answer the question concerning the relative efficiency of the possible
alternatives.
v. There must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains.
Characteristics of a Research problem:
1. Research is an exact systematic, accurate and critical investigation, into a
phenomenon.
2. It adopts Scientific method.
3. It is based up on Observable Experience or empirical evidence.
4. It emphasizes the development of generalization, principles or theories.
5. It gathers new knowledge or data from primary or first –hand sources.
6. It is logical and objective.
7. Research is patient and unhurried activity.
8. Research is an carefully recorded and reported.
9. Conclusions and generalizations are arrived at carefully and cautiously.
10.The researcher eliminates personal feelings and preferences.
Steps of Scientific Method:
1. Ask a Question:
The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that
you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where? For a
science fair project some teachers require that the question be something you
can measure, preferably with a number.
2. Do Background Research:
Rather than starting from scratch in putting together a plan for answering
your question, you want to be a savvy scientist using library and internet
research to help you find the best way to do things and insure that to don’t
repeat mistakes from the past.
3. Construct a Hypothesis:
A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. It is an attempt to
answer your question with an explanation that can be tested. A good
hypothesis allows you to then make a prediction:
“If ------ [I do this] --------, then-------- [this] ------ will happen.”
State both your hypothesis and the resulting prediction you will be testing.
Predictions must be easy to measure.
4. Test Your hypothesis by Doing an Experiment:
Your experiment tests whether your prediction is accurate and thus your
hypothesis is supported or not. It is important for your experiment to be a
fair test. You conduct a fair test by making sure that you change only one
factor at a time while keeping all other conditions the same. You should also
repeat your experiments several times to make sure that the first results
weren’t just an accident.
5. Analyze your Data and draw a Conclusion:
Once your experiment is complete, you collect your measurements and
analyze them to see if they support your hypothesis or not. Scientists often
find that their predictions were not accurate and their hypothesis was not
supported, and in such cases they will communicate the results of their
experiment and then go back and construct a new hypothesis and prediction
based on the information they learned during their experiment.
6. Communicate your result:
To complete your science fair project you will communicate your results to
other in a final report and\or a display board. Professional scientists do
almost exactly the same thing by publishing their final report in a scientific
journal or by presenting their result on a poster or during a talk at a scientific
meeting.
Books Reference
Jack R. Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E. & Hyun, H. H. (2012) How to Design and
Evaluate Research in Education (8th edition) New York: McGraw-Hill.

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