SCINTIFIC METHODS OF KNOWING Dr. D. Dutta Roy Psychology Research Unit Indian Statistical Institute 203, B.T. Road, Kolkata - 700 108 For Department of Business Administration Kalyani University Kalyani

Dr. D. Dutta Roy

Psychology Research Unit

Indian Statistical Institute

203, B.T. Road, Kolkata - 700 108

For

Department of Business Administration

Kalyani University

Kalyani

SCIENCE AND COMMON SENSE Science and common sense differ sharply in five ways: Use of theories and construct Testing theories Control Relations among phenomena Explaining phenomena

Science and common sense differ sharply in five ways:

Use of theories and construct

Testing theories

Control

Relations among phenomena

Explaining phenomena

Use of theories In common sense, theories are developed out of fanciful explanations. E.g. Failure of jute mill is due to unionism/ due to use of old technology Scientists systematically build theoretical structures, test them for internal consistency, and makes empirical testing.

In common sense, theories are developed out of fanciful explanations.

E.g. Failure of jute mill is due to unionism/ due to use of old technology

Scientists systematically build theoretical structures, test them for internal consistency, and makes empirical testing.

Testing Theories Non scientist tests hypotheses in selective fashion. They select evidence simply because it is consistent with the hypothesis. Scientist carefully guards own preconceptions and predictions and against selective support of hypotheses.

Non scientist tests hypotheses in selective fashion. They select evidence simply because it is consistent with the hypothesis.

Scientist carefully guards own preconceptions and predictions and against selective support of hypotheses.

Control Layman seldom bothers to control systematically explanations of observed phenomena. They ordinarily make little effort to control extraneous variables. Scientist gave much importance on extraneous variables in sampling and in collection of data.

Layman seldom bothers to control systematically explanations of observed phenomena. They ordinarily make little effort to control extraneous variables.

Scientist gave much importance on extraneous variables in sampling and in collection of data.

Relations among phenomena Layman’s preoccupation is loose, unsystematic and uncontrolled. Layman easily comes to the conclusion of cause and effect. Scientist’s theory on relationship is based on more systematic and controlled study. After studying relations of two variables from different angles, scientist makes causal relationship.

Layman’s preoccupation is loose, unsystematic and uncontrolled. Layman easily comes to the conclusion of cause and effect.

Scientist’s theory on relationship is based on more systematic and controlled study. After studying relations of two variables from different angles, scientist makes causal relationship.

Explaining phenomena Scientist avoids metaphysical explanations where as layman uses it in explaining observed phenomena.

Scientist avoids metaphysical explanations where as layman uses it in explaining observed phenomena.

Four methods of Knowing The Methods (Charles Peirce, 1867) Method of tenacity :Men hold firmly to the truth, the truth that they know to be true because they hold firmly to it. They make inference based upon this truth. Method of authority : An established belief, e.g., If a noted physician says that there is a God, it is so. Method of intuition : immediate apprehension or perception of an actual fact Method of science : Knowing through research. Science believes that nothing is obviously truthful. We must support our beliefs through observation, measurement, and experiment.

The Methods (Charles Peirce, 1867)

Method of tenacity :Men hold firmly to the truth, the truth that they know to be true because they hold firmly to it. They make inference based upon this truth.

Method of authority : An established belief, e.g., If a noted physician says that there is a God, it is so.

Method of intuition : immediate apprehension or perception of an actual fact

Method of science : Knowing through research. Science believes that nothing is obviously truthful. We must support our beliefs through observation, measurement, and experiment.

Definitions of Scientific method Scientific method is systematic, controlled empirical, and critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypotheses about the presumed relations among such phenomena. Eg: Research methods in Organizational psychology

Scientific method is systematic, controlled empirical, and critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypotheses about the presumed relations among such phenomena.

Eg: Research methods in Organizational psychology

Steps of Scientific research Reflective thinking Stating Hypothesis Research Design: Sampling, Development of instrument, Collection of data, Statistical control. Analysis of data Interpreting data Theory development

Reflective thinking

Stating Hypothesis

Research Design:

Sampling, Development of instrument, Collection of data, Statistical control.

Analysis of data

Interpreting data

Theory development

Reflective Thinking Reflective thinking : Why something is as it is? It is a vague unrest about observed and unobserved phenomena. Reasoning-deduction: Studying the problem from different perspectives. Develop causal model and Identify Constructs, variables. Explore the relations among sets of variables and how that affects the consequences. Think of situations where in the consequences of hypothesis do not work. Explore other variables that may affect the consequences. Try to find out interactive effect of variables on the consequences. Find out limitation of existing research in terms of sample selection, research design, selection of variables, selection of instruments, selection of statistical tools for analysis etc.

Reflective thinking :

Why something is as it is? It is a vague unrest about observed and unobserved phenomena.

Reasoning-deduction: Studying the problem from different perspectives. Develop causal model and Identify Constructs, variables.

Explore the relations among sets of variables and how that affects the consequences.

Think of situations where in the consequences of hypothesis do not work. Explore other variables that may affect the consequences. Try to find out interactive effect of variables on the consequences. Find out limitation of existing research in terms of sample selection, research design, selection of variables, selection of instruments, selection of statistical tools for analysis etc.

Stating Hypothesis It is a conjectural statement of the relations between two or more measurable variables. Types : Null and Alternative Null hypothesis : no significant relationship between variables/A has no significant effect on B. Alternate hypothesis : Significant relationship between variables/ Increase in A causes decrement in B significantly.

It is a conjectural statement of the relations between two or more measurable variables.

Types : Null and Alternative

Null hypothesis : no significant relationship between variables/A has no significant effect on B.

Alternate hypothesis : Significant relationship between variables/ Increase in A causes decrement in B significantly.

Research Design Purposes of research design are (a) to provide answers to research questions as validly, objectively, accurately, and economically as possible and (b) to control the variance (maximize between group variance, minimize error or random variance, control extraneous/ unwanted variables variance).

Purposes of research design are (a) to provide answers to research questions as validly, objectively, accurately, and economically as possible and (b) to control the variance (maximize between group variance, minimize error or random variance, control extraneous/ unwanted variables variance).