Scientific Method the Objective of This Study

Scientific Method

The objective of this study is to examine the 'scientific method' of research. Towards this end, this study will examine the literature in this area of inquiry.

The scientific method of research involves specific steps including those of: (1) defining the question of research; (2) location of resources and gathering of information; (3) formulation of a hypothesis or hypotheses; (4) planning of research collection methods; (5) collection of data; (6) organization of data and analysis of data; (7) interpretation of data and drawing of conclusions; and (8) communication of the results of the research. (National Science Foundation Project, nd, p.1)

Defining the Question

This step involves narrowing down the potential topics and making a choice about the questions that are the focus of the research. The question must be a specific question and more information will have to be gathered prior to settling on the final question of research. Questions one should ask at this point are which topics are of interest and why as well as what is it that one wants to know about and the reason for asking this specific question. In addition, one must ask what the answer will provide and if research will serve to provide an answer to the question. Finally, the question should be posed of whether the research is feasible in nature and can the research be completed with the time and resources available for use. (National Science Foundation Project, nd, paraphrased)

II. Formulation of Hypothesis/Hypotheses

This step involves answering the question of what it is that one expects to find from the research. (National Science Foundation Project, nd, paraphrased)

III. Planning Research and Development of Data Collection Methods

This step involves the formulation of a specific plan on how the research will be conducted and how the data will be collected. This procedure should be one that is clear and that can be duplicated by someone else. Questions that one should ask in this step include how will the research question be answered and how will the hypotheses be tested, in addition to what data should be collected and how one will collect the data. (National Science Foundation Project, nd, paraphrased)

One should question as to what equipment or supplies are needed and will variable have to be manipulated to answer the research question. As well, one needs to know how many samples, sites, or tests that will be needed and what record-keeping techniques will be used. In addition, one must question if the data collection techniques are both organized and thorough. Finally, if there are sequential steps in the research, these must be identified and the time for each step set out clearly. (National Science Foundation Project, nd, paraphrased)

III. Collection of Data

When one collects data they must be sure that all of the information is recorded that might affect the research question's answer. When the data is collection, the following questions must be posed:

(1) is all relevant data being recorded?

(2) are all steps being recorded?

(3) Is the research being objective in the course of data collection? (National Science Foundation Project, nd, paraphrased)

IV. Organizing and Collecting the Data

This step in the scientific method allows the researcher to pull the data collected together and examine it more closely. The information gathered should be compared and contrasted in order to view the results of the research. The researcher should ask the following questions in this step of the scientific method:

(1) How will the data collected be organized and summarized?

(2) What does the data show and how should the data be presented so that the results can be clearly seen by others?

(3) Are the results of the study significant and are there any tests that might be used to test the significance of the results? (National Science Foundation Project, nd, paraphrased)

V. Interpretation of the Data and Drawing of Conclusions

This step in the scientific method involves stepping away from the data and examining it more critically. This step involves determination of what conclusions can be drawn. The researcher should ask the questions as follows:

(1) Is there alternative hypotheses that might serve to explain these results?

(2) Is all relevant data being considered including the "extremes and oddball data" in the analysis?

(3) How might the sampling or data collection methods have affected the results?

(4) What answer do the results provide to the original question?

(5) How do the results compare to what it was expected to find?

(6) What can be concluded from the results?

(7) What are the implications? (National Science Foundation Project, nd, paraphrased)

VI. Communication of the Results

The questions asked in communication of the results include:

(1) who is the audience;

(2) what is the best way to communicate to the audience?

(3) What visual aids can be used to clearly communicate the research to the audience?

(4) Have the following components been addressed in the communication: (a) introduction to question and purpose of research; (b) description of data collection methods; (c) results; (d) conclusions; and (e) what questions does the research raise and how do others respond to the study? (National Science Foundation Project, nd, paraphrased)

VI. Problem in Studying People

The problems noted in the study of people or in the research in the social sciences including education, psychology, and management is that "any research that involves human behavior poses certain challenges because people are complex and hard to observe." (Research Assessment Advisor, nd, p.1) Stated is that the same results may not be gained every time. Specific limitations are stated to include the following limitations:

(1) Observation. Much is subjective and open to interpretation. Values and attitudes are not directly observable. In addition, people with different characteristics function differently in various settings.

(2) Replication. It is hard to set up the same study in the very same way in different settings to observe human behavior.

(3) Interaction. Just having a researcher observe participants in a study might influence the findings. The famous Hawthorne effect occurred because workers knew that they were singled out to be studies.