Nature of Research and Scientific Inquiry

Question 1

a common daily research we practice as a consumer of information. Sometimes, we
research about topics that range from the weather forecast to the products we plan to purchase.

Answer 1

“Google-ing”

Question 2

Questions that are academic in nature and advance a scientific understanding of human society
or human behavior
• Systematic and evaluative screening and collection of information on a topic
• Tasks of systematic and careful data analysis and report-writing

Answer 2

Formal Research

Question 3

Benefits of Doing Empirical Research?

Answer 3

Raise appropriate questions
• Assess existing information
• Set goals and make plans to meet the goals
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data
• Use data in a meaningful and appropriate way

Question 4

Procedures

Answer 4

Topic
LiteratureReviews
ResearchQuestions/Hypotheses
Research Design
Research Ethics Clearance
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Report/Paper Writing

Question 5

any systematic investigation of any social or natural phenomena where results
and conclusions are aimed at contributing to generalizable knowledge

Answer 5

Research

Question 6

Research becomes scientific if it satisfies two requirements.

Answer 6

Research contributes to a body of science.

2. Research follows the scientific method

Question 7

refers to a systematic and organized body of knowledge in any area of inquiry that is
acquired using “the scientific method”

Answer 7

Science

Question 8

the science of naturally occurring objects or

phenomena, such as light, objects, matter, earth, celestial bodies, or the human body

Answer 8

Natural Science

Question 9

is the science of people or collections of people, such as groups, firms, societies, or
economics, and their individual or collective behaviors.

Answer 9

Social Science

Question 10

explain the most basic objects and forces, relationships between them, and laws of physics,
mathematics, and biology.

Answer 10

Basic sciences or pure sciences

Question 11

refers to a generalized body of laws and theories to explain a phenomenon or
behavior of interest that are acquired using the scientific method.

Answer 11

Scientific knowledge

Question 12

are observed patterns of

phenomena or behaviors,

Answer 12

Laws

Question 13

are systematic explanations of the underlying phenomenon

or behavior.

Answer 13

theories

Question 14

four criteria that

the scientific method must fulfill:

Answer 14

Replicability:
Precision
Falsifiability:
Parsimony:

Question 15

indicates that the information, knowledge, and understanding are gathered through
experience and direct data collection

Answer 15

Empirical

Question 16

COMPONENTS OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Answer 16

BEGIN WITH A SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITY:
DRAW OUT THE RESEARCH QUESTION
CONDUCT A LITERATURE REVIEW
PREPARE THE RESEARCH DESIGN / METHODOLOGY
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
RESEARCH REPORT WRITING

Question 17

When it discovers new phenomena
or new ideas of general interest.

Aim of research Theoretical, to improve general
understanding… But it is, of course,
not accidental that improved
understanding of the world increases
our ability to act rationally and
efficiently.
Shapes social and political values and
goals.

Social effects of
research
Discovery of new phenomena and
new ideas of general interest. By
shaping our understanding of the
world the discoveries of basic science
become preconditions for any precise
formulation of political and other
practical problems.
Sometimes basic research has a
direct and dramatic effect by
discovering new threatening
problems and thus immediately
setting a new political agenda.

Answer 17

Basic Research

Question 18

Primary
criterion of
success

When it contributes to the solution of
specific practical problems.
Aim of research 
Funded by government agencies,
private firms, nongovernmental
interest organizations, etc. to further
their respective purposes in terms of
social and medical improvements,
economic profitability, ideological and
political acclaim, etc.
Provides means (instruments) for
solving tasks or problem set by
politics.
Social effects of
research

Solutions to practical problems as
recognized by politicians, government
bureaucrats, commercial
entrepreneurs, etc. It is an instrument
in the service of its patron.
Helps interpret and refine the patron’s
problems to make them researchable,
and then investigates possible
solutions.

Answer 18

Applied Research

Question 19

Types of Research Categories

Answer 19

Exploratory Research
Descriptive Research
Explanatory Research

Question 20

seeks to investigate an under-researched aspect of social life

Answer 20

Exploratory Research

Question 21

“seeks to richly describe an aspect of social life”

Answer 21

Descriptive Research

Question 22

seeks to explain

an aspect of social life”

Answer 22

Explanatory Research

Question 23

Five Basic Ethical Principles:

Answer 23

Beneficence or the avoidance of harm
Veracity or the avoidance of deception-
Privacy or autonomy-
Confidentiality
Consent

Question 24

Ethical Principles in Research: Scope and Implications

Answer 24

Respect for persons
Beneficence
Justice
Vulnerability