This is a presentation regarding the Rresearch Methods

1. SCIENCE & THE SCIENTIFIC
APPROACH
Objectives
• To learn & understand the language and approach of science &
research
• To study the basic constructs of the social, behavioral and
educational scientists
• To formulate & use reasonably accurate first approximations
and to progress to more satisfactory definitions

2. Science & Common Sense
• Science & Common sense alike
• Science is a systematic & controlled extension of
common sense
View
point
1
• Science & common sense differ mainly in five
ways
• In creative thought, evaluation of knowledge
common sense is a poor master
View
point
2

3. Common Sense Science
1. Use of conceptual scheme & theoretical structure
Use theories & concepts, but in loose
fashion
Systematically build theories, structure
2. Testing the theories & hypothesis
Test hypothesis in a selective fashion –
selective tendency
Not based on selective tendency, research &
test against own perceptions
3. Lies on the notion of control
Accept the explanations according to the
perceptions & bias
Systematically rule out variables that are
possible causes – not bias to
4. Nature of the way it defined
Preoccupied with relations in unsystematic
uncontrolled way
Consciously & systematically pursue
relationships & preoccupied with it
5. Different explanations of observed phenomena
Concerned with metaphysical explanations Only concerned with things that can be
publicly observed & tested

4. Method of Tenacity
People hold firmly to the truth
Always know it to be true
Frequent repetition of such truth seems to
enhance their validity
Method of Authority
Method of established belief
Superior to method of tenacity
Under certain circumstances method of
authority is unsound.
E.g.: If the Bible says it, it is
so..
Priori Method
Knowing or fixing belief
It is the method of intuition
Priori propositions agree with reasons, not
necessarily with experiences
Method of Science
It has self-correction
Do not accept the statements as true until
tested on them
Four Methods
of Knowing

5. 3 Stereotypes to understand Scientific
Activities
• White coat-stethoscope-laboratory stereotype
• Work with facts in laboratories
• Use complicated equipments, do innumerable experiments
1
• Brilliant individuals
• Think, spin complex theories
• Because of their thinking, impractical theories results to
practical significant
2
• Science with engineering & technology
• The improvement of automobiles & missiles
• The automation of industry
• The invention of teaching methods
3

6. Two Broad Views of Science
Static View
Influence laypeople & students
Sees science as an activity that
contributes systematized scientific
information to the world.
It is the way of explaining observed
phenomena.
Emphasis present state of knowledge
and adding to it present set of laws,
theories, principles & etc.
Dynamic View
Regards science more as an activity
It is a base for further scientific theory
& research
Called as “heuristic view” –serving to
discover & reveal
Has the connotation of self-discovery –
emphasize students discovering things
for themselves.
This is also called as problem solving

7. The Aim of Science
•The basic aim of science is to develop theories & explain natural phenomena, not the
betterment of humanity
•Other aims are explanation, understanding, prediction & control
What is a Theory
“A theory is a set of interrelated concepts. Definitions and propositions
that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations
among variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting the
phenomena “

8. Characteristics of a Theory
•A theory has main three characteristics
1. Set of properties consisting of defined and interrelated constructs
2. Systematically sets the interrelations among a set of variables
3. Explains phenomenon – specifying which variables are related to which variables
and how they are related
•A theory,
because it is general, apply for many phenomena
is parsimonious
is tentative explanations
is one that cannot fit all observations

9. Scientific Research
“Scientific Research is systematic, controlled, empirical and critical
investigation of natural phenomenon. It is guided by theory and hypothesis
about presumed relations among such phenomenon. It is also public and
amoral”
•Systematic & controlled – scientific investigation is so ordered that investigators can have
confidence in research outcomes
•Empirical – if the scientists believe something is so, that belief must somehow or other be
put to an outside independent test. Science is there peer review
•Knowledge obtained scientifically is not subject to moral evaluation. But in terms of
validity and reliability

10. Scientific Approach
According to Dewey is made up of the followings;
•Problem-Obstacle-Idea-Formulate the research problem or question to be solved
•Hypothesis- formulate a conjectural statement above the relationship between
phenomena or variables
•Reasoning-Deduction-scientists deduce the consequences of the hypothesis. This can
lead to more significant problem and provide ideas on how the hypothesis can be tested in
observable terms
•Observation-Test-Experiment- This is the data collection and analysis phase. The results
of the research conducted are related back to the problem