Scientific Method in Research

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a well-defined research problem?

To formulate an explanation of the research study

To conduct a literature review

To identify the research question or problem of study

To guide the researcher through all stages of the research process (correct)

What should the researcher include in the introduction section of the report?

The principal report's main sections

The conclusion's final result

A non-technical summary of findings and recommendations

The study's purpose and methods (correct)

What is the primary purpose of the summary of findings section?

To outline the main body of the report

To restate the researcher's findings at the end of the main text

To summarize the findings if they are lengthy (correct)

To provide a technical summary of the research methods

What should a researcher consider when selecting a research problem or topic?

Interest, magnitude, measurement, clarity, level of expertise, relevance, availability of data, and ethical issues Signup and view all the answers

What should the principal report be divided into?

Sections that are easy to understand Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of conducting a literature review?

To expose the researcher to a more significant body of knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is the final component of the report?

The conclusion Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the scientific method?

Identification of the research question or problem of study Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the table of contents?

To guide the reader through the report's structure Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the formulation of an explanation of the research study?

To give the problem a background and teach the investigator about previous research Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of selecting a research problem without considering certain issues?

The research will be affected, and the amount of time taken to complete it will be longer Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of using approaches such as preliminary and observational surveys, case studies, and interviews?

To gain insight into and better understand a topic Signup and view all the answers

What consists of four main steps?

The scientific method Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of formulating a hypothesis?

To provide focus to a study and determine what data to collect Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a good hypothesis?

It should be simple, specific, and conceptually clear Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a research design?

To minimize the resources required to acquire meaningful evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Phase I in the process of testing a hypothesis?

To formulate a hunch or assumption Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of a research design?

To provide decision-making insights Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a factor that changes or varies in size or quality?

Variable Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of data analysis in research?

To examine the acquired data using statistical methods Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of a well-formulated hypothesis?

A specific conclusion about what is true or false Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a hypothesis that makes it possible to test?

It is operationally definable Signup and view all the answers

What is the final step in the research process?

Communicating findings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is the approach used to gain knowledge in science, involving making observations, formulating laws and theories, and testing theories or hypotheses through experimentation.
It consists of four main steps: identifying a question or problem, formulating an explanation, carrying out research, and communicating the findings.

Identifying a Question or Problem

The first step in the scientific method is to find an issue or formulate a research question.
A well-defined research problem guides the research process, from setting objectives to choosing a technique.
Considerations when selecting a research problem include interest, magnitude, measurement, clarity, level of expertise, relevance, availability of data, and ethical issues.

Formulating an Explanation

Once a problem is identified, the researcher needs to find out more about it through a literature review.
This stage provides background information on the problem and helps the researcher build consistency with previous research.
A hypothesis is a testable explanation of the relationship between variables, and it should be simple, specific, and conceptually clear.

Characteristics of a Hypothesis

A hypothesis should be unidimensional, testing only one relationship at a time.
It should be capable of verification, with methods and techniques available for data collection.
A hypothesis should be operationalizable, meaning it can be expressed in terms that can be measured.
It should be related to the existing body of knowledge and have equal chances of confirmation and rejection.

Functions of a Hypothesis

A hypothesis provides focus to a study, telling the researcher what specific aspects of the problem to investigate.
It tells the researcher what data to collect and what not to collect.
A hypothesis enhances objectivity in a study.

Testing a Hypothesis

The process of testing a hypothesis involves three phases: formulating an assumption, collecting required data, and analyzing data to draw conclusions.
A hypothesis may enable the formulation of a theory and allow for specific conclusions about what is true or false.

Carrying Out Research

Research design is the plan for achieving objectives and answering research questions.
It outlines how to get relevant information and aims to minimize resources required to acquire meaningful evidence.
Research design can be categorized into four types: exploration and surveys, experiment, data analysis, and observation.

Communicating the Findings

After completing the research, the researcher must prepare a report detailing the findings.
The report should be carefully composed in a specific format, including the layout, introduction, summary of findings, principal report, and conclusion.
The report should be written in a clear and concise manner, following APA or BPS ethical styles.

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Description

Learn about the scientific method, a systematic approach to gain knowledge in science, including identifying research questions, formulating laws and theories, and testing hypotheses through experimentation.