Nature of Research and Scientific Inquiry Flashcards
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.
“Google-ing”
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
Formal Research
Benefits of Doing Empirical Research?
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
Procedures
Topic LiteratureReviews ResearchQuestions/Hypotheses Research Design Research Ethics Clearance Data Collection Data Analysis Report/Paper Writing
any systematic investigation of any social or natural phenomena where results
and conclusions are aimed at contributing to generalizable knowledge
Research
Research becomes scientific if it satisfies two requirements.
Research contributes to a body of science.
2. Research follows the scientific method
refers to a systematic and organized body of knowledge in any area of inquiry that is
acquired using “the scientific method”
Science
the science of naturally occurring objects or
phenomena, such as light, objects, matter, earth, celestial bodies, or the human body
Natural Science
is the science of people or collections of people, such as groups, firms, societies, or
economics, and their individual or collective behaviors.
Social Science
explain the most basic objects and forces, relationships between them, and laws of physics,
mathematics, and biology.
Basic sciences or pure sciences
refers to a generalized body of laws and theories to explain a phenomenon or
behavior of interest that are acquired using the scientific method.
Scientific knowledge
are observed patterns of
phenomena or behaviors,
Laws
are systematic explanations of the underlying phenomenon
or behavior.
theories
four criteria that
the scientific method must fulfill:
Replicability:
Precision
Falsifiability:
Parsimony:
indicates that the information, knowledge, and understanding are gathered through
experience and direct data collection
Empirical
COMPONENTS OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS
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
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.
Basic Research
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.
Applied Research
Types of Research Categories
Exploratory Research
Descriptive Research
Explanatory Research
seeks to investigate an under-researched aspect of social life
Exploratory Research
“seeks to richly describe an aspect of social life”
Descriptive Research
seeks to explain
an aspect of social life”
Explanatory Research
Five Basic Ethical Principles:
Beneficence or the avoidance of harm Veracity or the avoidance of deception- Privacy or autonomy- Confidentiality Consent
Ethical Principles in Research: Scope and Implications
Respect for persons
Beneficence
Justice
Vulnerability
