What are the building blocks of scientific research?

Answer 1

The essential tenets of scientific research are: direct observation of phenomena, clearly defined variables, methods and procedures, empirically testable hypotheses, ability to rule out rival hypotheses, statistical justification of conclusions and self correcting process. One of the primary methods of scientific investigation is the hypothetico-deductive method. The method of starting with a theoretical framework, formulating hypotheses and logically deducing from the results of the study is known as hypothetico-deductive method. The deduction and induction are two important aspects of the scientific research through which the answers to a research question can be arrived at. Further details on deduction and induction are dealt below;

Deduction

Deduction is a process by which the researchers arrive at a reasoned conclusion by logical generalization of a known fact. Deduction leads to conclusions, which should be necessarily based on reasons. The reasons are said to imply the conclusions and represent a proof. The bond between the reasons and conclusions is much stronger than in the case of induction. To be correct, a deduction should be both valid and true. True in the sense that the reasons given for the conclusions must agree with the real world. Valid means the conclusion must necessarily be arrived from the reasons.

Researchers often use deduction to reason out the implication of various acts and conditions. For example in a survey a researcher may reason as follows:

Surveying households in urban area is difficult and expensive (Reason 1)

The study involves interview with households in urban area (Reason 2)

The interview in this survey will be difficult and expensive (Conclusion)

Induction

Induction is a process where certain phenomenon is observed on the basis of which conclusions are arrived at. The conclusions are drawn from one or more facts or pieces of evidence. The conclusions in induction result in hypotheses. Induction leads to establish a general proposition based on observed facts. For example the researcher understand that production processes is the prime feature of factories. It is therefore concluded that factories exist for production purposes.

Research is based on both deduction and induction. It helps us to understand, explain and predict business phenomena.

The building blocks of scientific inquiry include the following sequences

1. Observing a phenomena
2. Identifying a problem
3. Constructing a theory
4. Developing hypotheses
5. Developing research design
6. Collecting data
7. Analyzing data and
8. Interpreting results

Observation a phenomenon may be casual or purposeful. A casual scanning of the environment may lead us to the knowledge of interesting facts. This observation may lead to identifying the problem in the concerned area. The problem identification needs gathering of primary data form the customers or from the employees or management concerned with the particular problem. Further insights may be obtained to refine the problem in a more specific manner. The next step is to build a conceptual model or theoretical framework taking into consideration all the factors contributing to the problem. The framework enables to integrate all the information collected in a meaningful manner. From this theoretical framework several hypotheses can be generated and tested to support the concept. A research design provides the blue print of the mechanism or insight regarding the methods of collecting data, analyzing the same and interpreting them in order to solve the problem.

The building blocks of science discussed above provide the genesis for the hypothetico-deductive method of scientific methods. The steps are discussed below:

1. Observation

Observation is the first stage in scientific investigation. In this process, the researcher takes into account the changes that are occurring in the environment. To proceed further the changes observed in the environment should have important consequences. The changes may be in the form of sudden drop in the sales, increase in the employee turnover, decrease in the number of customer and the like.

2. Preliminary information gathering

This involves seeking in depth information regarding the facts being observed. The information may be gathered through formal questionnaires, interview schedules or through informal or causal talk with the concerned people. Desk research may also be conducted to enrich the information gathered. The next step is to make sense out of the factors identified in the information gathering stage by assembling them together in an meaningful manner.

3. Formulation of theory

Theory formulation enables to integrate all the information in a logical manner so as to conceptualize and test the factors responsible for problem. The critical variables contributing to the problems are examined. The association or relationship among the variables contributing to the problem is studied in order to formulate the theory.

4. Developing Hypotheses

The next logical step leads to framing of testable hypotheses. Hypotheses testing are called deductive research. Sometimes it may so happen that the hypotheses, which are not originally formulated, get generated through the process of induction. After the collection of data an insight may occur based on which new hypotheses can be formulated. Thus hypotheses testing through deductive research and hypotheses generation through induction are both common.

5. Scientific Data collection

After the hypothesis is developed, the data with respect to each variable in the hypotheses needs to be obtained in a scientific manner so as to test the hypotheses. The primary and secondary sources can both be explored in order to collect the data. Data on every variable in the theoretical framework from which the hypothesis is generated should be collected.

6. Data Analysis

The data gathered are to be statistically analyzed to validate the hypothesis postulated. Both qualitative and quantitative data needs to be analyzed. Qualitative data refer to information gathered through interviews and observations. Through scaling techniques the qualitative data can be converted into quantifiable form and subjected to analysis. Appropriate statistical tool should be used to analyze the data.

7. Deduction

Deduction is the process of arriving at conclusions by interpreting the meaning of results of the data analysis. Based on the deduction recommendations can be made to solve the problem encountered.