This document outlines the principles and procedures of scientific methods. It discusses the habits of mind like open-mindedness and perseverance that scientists employ. Key scientific skills include empirical verification, pattern recognition, and verification through repetition. The document contrasts native and traditional knowledge systems with Western science, noting differences in perspectives like holism versus analyzing parts. It then describes the scientific process, including observation, recording data, generalization, and verification. Various research designs, methods, sources of data collection and analysis are also summarized.

1. Scientific Methods & Procedures

2. COMMON GROUND
Organizing principles:
Habits of Mind:
Open mindedness,
Inquisitiveness, Perseverance
Skills and Procedures:
Empirical verification
Pattern recognition
Verification through repetition
Inference and Prediction
Knowledge:
NATIVE KNOWLEDGE
Holistic
Physical linked to meta-physical
linked to moral codes
Trust for inherited wisdom
Qualitative oral records, local
verifications
Communication of metaphors
Integrated and applied to daily
living and traditional subsistence
practices
WESTERN SCIENCE
Part to whole
Limited to evidence and
explanation within physical
world
Skepticism
Quantitative written record
Communication of
procedure, evidence and
theory
Discipline linked,
Mathematical models,
Micro and Macro theory

3. Scientific Methods
•Observation
•Recording
•Generalization
•Verification
A Collective term denoting the
various processes by the aid of
which sciences are built up…. Any
method of investigation by which
scientific or other impartial and
systematic knowledge is acquired.
Encyclopedia of Britannica

4. Scientific Methods
•Induction: Particular to General
•Deduction: General to Particular
•Historical: Archival
•Comparative: Relational
•Structural: Anatomy of the subject
•Functional: Physiology of the subject matter

5. Scientific Approach: Constituent Elements
Procedural Components
• Observation (knowledge,
material and personal
hunches)
• Hypothesis
• Verification
Personal Components
• Imagination
• Analytical ability
• Resourcefulness
• Skills
• Patience
• Independence

6. WHY do we do research?
• Problem Solution
• Generating new knowledge
• Policy making and decision making
• Evaluation of present knowledge
• Programme-system-impact assessment

7. Formulation of Research Problem
• Researcher as a self
• Field of Operation / Place
• Time Dimension
• Goal orientation (Purpose / Objective)
• Judgement mechanism (Use / Evaluation)
• Previous Knowledge / work

8. DATA Analysis
RESEARCH DESIGN
RESEARCH METHOD
[Way of ‘DOING’ it]
SAMPLING
Size
Frame
Procedure
DATA COLLECTION
Technique
Procedure
TOOL

9. Dimensions of Research Design
• Forms of controlled inquiry: Experimental / Non-
experimental
• Setting of Inquiry: Field / Non-field
• Objectives of Inquiry: Evaluative / Non-evaluative
• Time Dimension: Change element
• Sources of Data: Primary / Secondary
• Strategy of data Analysis: Descriptive / Analytical

10. DESIGNS
Descriptive
Exploratory
Experimental
Diagnostic

11. SOURCE: https://research-methodology.net/research-philosophy/

12. Scientific Approach: Constituent Elements
ASSUMPTIONS
Are Statements of:
• Given circumstances
• Taken for granted
• “If so and so remain the
same……..”
• It is inevitable to have
assumptions
• All sciences have assumption
OBJECTIVES
•Measurable
•To be answered at the
end of the research
•Specific and contextual
•Purpose of research