Questions and Answers
What is the primary objective of research?
Which approach does scientific research primarily rely on?
What distinguishes scientific knowledge from casual observation?
What does not characterize informal research?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant consequence of relying solely on awareness in research?
Signup and view all the answers
Empirical knowledge in research is primarily acquired through which method?
Signup and view all the answers
How does skepticism relate to casual observations in research?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes a valid hypothesis?
Signup and view all the answers
The word 'research' etymologically combines which components?
Signup and view all the answers
How does statistical analysis contribute to research conclusions?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of replicating a study?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key characteristic of scientific research compared to other types of research?
Signup and view all the answers
Which goal of research involves analyzing information to find underlying causes?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be avoided when drawing conclusions in research?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the 'predict' goal of research involve?
Signup and view all the answers
What is essential for ensuring experimental results are accurate and reliable?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Definition of Research
- Research stems from the Middle French term ‘recherché,’ meaning ‘the act of searching closely.’
- The prefix ‘re-’ signifies ‘again’ and ‘search’ means ‘to look for,’ thus research is the process of seeking information repeatedly.
- Its primary objective is to answer questions and acquire new knowledge to solve problems or clarify uncertainties.
Research and Science
- Curiosity and doubt drive individuals to seek better understanding of phenomena through various information sources.
- Informal research relies on diverse resources without strict procedures.
- The scientific approach emphasizes systematic investigation, aiming to describe, explain, and predict events through observations and controlled methods.
- Scientific research is grounded in objective evidence, enhancing accuracy, reliability, and validity.
Research Validity
- Scientific processes adhere to rigorous protocols, making findings more trustworthy.
- Research based solely on casual observation might be met with skepticism despite potentially providing answers.
- Embedding science in research amplifies its accuracy and benefits.
Scientific Methods in Research
- Empirical Approach: Knowledge is derived from direct observation and experimentation, dismissing personal biases.
- Observation: Awareness generates ideas; however, it may lead to information bias without proper measuring instruments.
- Question: Effective knowledge arises from answerable inquiries that conform to current scientific procedures.
- Hypotheses: Testable educated guesses aim to explain phenomena; they guide experimentation and analysis.
- Experiments: Rigorous testing of hypotheses serves to yield accurate results through scientific procedures.
- Analyses: Data undergoes statistical scrutiny to substantiate validity, minimizing faulty conclusions.
- Conclusion: Must derive solely from data, emphasizing objectivity without adding unrelated information.
- Replication: Repeating studies with different participants tests reliability, uncovers new insights, and assesses the generalizability of findings.
Goals of Research
- Describe: Involves defining, classifying, and categorizing studied phenomena to provide essential information.
- Predict: Entails forecasting potential outcomes of current events based on existing knowledge for careful action planning.
- Understand/Explain: Focuses on analyzing information to identify causes behind phenomena, requiring established relationships between events.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.