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Introduction to research process
- 2. Observations Observation =paying attention to the world around you E.g., Newton conceived the concept of universal gravitation when he observed an apple falling and at the same time noticed the moon in the sky Personal Experience ◦Relying on one’s knowledge of prior experiences ◦Limitations How one is affected by an event depends on who one is One frequently needs to know something that cannot be learned through experience
- 3. Tradition Doing thingsas they have always been done Limitations Traditions are often based on an idealized past Can be distant from current realities and the complexities associated with them Experts or Authorities Relying on the expertise or authority of others Limitations Experts can be wrong Experts can disagree among themselves, as in a “second opinion”
- 4. Creativity ◦Using yourimagination to find new ways to answer questions ◦Einstein –started his work on relativity by imagining things would like if he travelled on a beam of light. When asked what single event was most helpful in developing the Theory of Relativity, Eisnteinreplied: “Figuring out how to think about the problem.” ◦Skinner –built many novel appratusesto answer questions about behavior–“Skinner Box” Much can be gained from group creativity or brainstorming: “Borrowing from one source is called plagiarism, but borrowing from more than one source is called research”
- 5. Logic A. Inductive reasoning ◦Reasoning from specific to general ◦Limitations order to be certain of a conclusion, one must observe all In examples examples can be observed only in very limited All situations where there are few members of the group B. Deductive reasoning ◦Reasoning from the general to the specific ◦Limitations You must begin with true premises in order to arrive at true conclusions Deductive reasoning only organizes what is already known
- 6. The ScientificMethod The goal of the scientific method is to explain, predict, and/or control phenomena Involves the acquisition of knowledge and the development and testing of theories The use of the scientific method is more efficient and reliable than any other source knowledge
- 7. Five steps thatcharacterize the scientific method The Scientific Method Limitations ◦Inability to answer value-based questions involving “should” ◦Inability to capture the full richness and complexities of the participants ◦Limitations of measurement instruments ◦Ethical and legal responsibilities
- 8. Application ofthe scientific method to study educational problems. Goal is to explain, predict, and/or control educational phenomena
- 9. Derived fromthe Latin word meaning „to know‟. Systematic and a replicable process, which identifies and defines problems within specified boundaries. Employs well designed method to collect data and analyze the results Disseminates the findings to contribute to generalizable knowledge.
- 10. Organized inquirydoes not directly solve the problems but it provides information that in turn helps solve the problems. Information can widen the number of options that can be used in dealing with specific problems. Research is the orderly investigation of a subject matter for the purpose of adding to knowledge.
- 11. Research canmean ‘re-search’ implying that the subject matter is already known but, for one reason or another, needs to be studied again. can be used without a hyphen and in this case it typically means investigating a new problem or phenomenon. RESEARCH is any organized inquiry carried out to provide information for solving problems. Research is always problem-based. For a specific question, any corresponding organized inquiry should provide an answer. The inquiry is done in an organized manner in the sense that the scientific process is done.