this is about hypotheses and problem solving in reaseach

1. Research
Methods(IS3010)
Hiranthi Tennakoon – UCSC – University of Colombo
Day 2

2. Aims of science, scientific
explanation and theory
 Basic Aim – Explain Natural
phenomena – It’s not the betterment
of humanity, The theory
 Other aims :
Understanding
ControlPrediction
Explanations

3. A Theory…
 Is a set of propositions consisting of defined
and interrelated constructs
 Set out the interrelations among a set of
variables
 Explains phenomena – how variables are
related

4. Explanation and prediction
 Explanation can be satisfactory
explanation or not
 Explanation extend is depend of the
human being
 Prediction – High degree of probability

5. Scientific research
Is a systematic, controlled, empirical,
amoral, public and critical investigation
of natural phenomena. It is guided by
theory and hypotheses about the
presumed relations among such
phenomena

6. Scientific research
 So ordered
 Tightly discipline
 Must be checked against objective
reality
 Research reports
 Inquiry and test
Systematic and controlled
Scientific investigation is empirical

7. Scientific approach – Dewey’s
analysis
Problem – Obstacle - Idea
Hypotheses
Reasoning – Deduction
Observation – Test - Experiment

8. Problem – Obstacle - Idea
 Formulate the research problem or question to be solved
 Obstacles to understanding
 Get the idea out in the open
 What at first is merely an emotional quality of the whole solution – As Dewey
Hypotheses
 Observe relevant phenomena
 Formulate a conjectural statement about the relationship between
phenomena or variables
 Referring to past experience for possible solutions
 Formulate hypotheses

9. Reasoning – Deduction
 Lead to more significant problem and provide ideas
 Reasoning lead to wider, more significant problems
 Inductive reasoning – starts from particular facts, move to
general statements
Observations Theory Statement

10. Observation – Test – Experiment
Identify variables
Relationship between variables

11. CHAPTER 2 – Problems and
Hypotheses

12. Criteria of a good problem and
problem statement
 The problem should be expressed as
a relationship between two or more
variables
 The problem should be put in the form
of a question
 The problem statement should imply
the possibilities of empirical testing

13. Hypotheses
 Is a conjectural statement of the
relationship between two or more
variables
 It is put in the form of a declarative
statement