...Scientific Method and Steps in Scientific Inquiry Thomas J. Tophia Jr. BSHS/435 May 26, 2016 Dr. Judith A. Geske Scientific Method and Steps in Scientific Inquiry This paper will define and describe the scientific method and the steps in scientific inquiry. This paper will further explain what the steps are in the scientific method of inquiry or research process and why each of these steps must be included to support the scientific method. Further the paper will briefly discuss how the scientific method was applied in the article “Faculty Beliefs, Perceptions, and Level of Community Involvement in Their Research: A Survey at One Urban Academic Institution”. Lastly the paper will summarize how scientifically sound research supports the function of a human service manager. Scientific Method The scientific method can be defined as a method that is used for research and study and involves “identifying a problem that defines the goal of research, make a prediction that, if confirmed, resolves the problem, gather data relevant to this prediction, analyze and interpret the data to see if it supports the prediction and resolves the question that initiated the research.” (Monette, Sullivan, & DeJong, 2011) These steps now provide the foundation for education research according to, “Monette, Sullivan, & DeJong, 2011”. The scientific method can help produce the right answers to questions that cannot be answered with common sense alone. Researchers can use...
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...Research methodology: What are the Objectives of Research? The prime objectives of research are: (1) To discover new facts (2) To verify and test important facts (3) To analyse an event or process or phenomenon to identify the cause and effect relationship (4) To develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories to solve and understand scientific and non-scientific problems (5) To find solutions to scientific, non-scientific and social problems and (6) To overcome or solve the problems occurring in our every day life. What Makes People do Research? No person would like to do research unless there are some motivating factors. Some of the motivations are the following: (1) To get a research degree, along with its benefits like better employment, promotion, increment in salary, etc. (2) To get a research degree and then to get a teaching position in a college or university. (3) To get a research position in countries like U.S.A., Canada, Germany, England, Japan, Australia, etc. and settle there (4) To solve the unsolved and challenging problems (5) To get joy of doing some creative work (6) To acquire respectability (7) To get recognition (8) Curiosity to find out the unknown facts of an event. But, Some students undertake research without any aim possibly because of not being able to think of anything else to do. Such students can also become good researchers by motivating themselves toward a respectable goal. The research process: ...
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...Research, Statistics, & Psychology Psy/315 January 9, 2012 Research, Statistics & Psychology The scientific, objective, and the methodic gathering of information for a theory is research. Statistics is collection of data, interpretation, the analysis, and presentation of the data. Statistical data is the important part to any good research. Psychology, statistics is the method of pursuing the truth (Aron, Aron, & Coup, 2009). The statistics methods is to make sense out of the large amount of data collected during research by psychologists. This paper will explore the role of research and statistics in psychology field. The paper will give the definition of the research and the scientific method, and the characteristics of the primary and secondary data that researcher use to help form an hypothesis. The paper will also explore the role of statistics in research. Research and Scientific Method Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines research has the, “studious inquiry or examination, especially: investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical...
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...Fundamentals of Research Paper BSHS/382 Define the scientific method. The scientific method has its foundation in a number of steps including research, observational analysis and establishing data-driven rulings. Tell how it relates to human services research. Based on substantiation research studies, medical treatments and newer drugs are not only sustained but also adapted and improved over time. Exclusive of scientific research, their formation and effectiveness regulation will not be achievable. What are the steps in the process of scientific inquiry? Why must each of these steps be included to support the scientific method? Provide a human services research example of the scientific method and identify each step within your example 1. The first step in executing a scientific examination for research in a given field of study. It ascends and takes a solid shape, once a trained researcher figures out that some evidence may be necessary but is missing, and to study such information, the researcher proposes the research setback. 2. Then occur, set up of variables and investigational conditions. 3. This is trailed by choosing or indiscriminately assigning qualified participants, under controlled laboratory and research conditions, to their individual experimental groups. 4. The variables are expended in distinctive variations, along with the treatment to be tested, and their endings are noted...
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...Fundamentals of Research Shannon Ladd April 21, 2013 BSHS/382 Vanessa Byrd This paper will define scientific method as well as give an explanation of how scientific research is used in a human services field. It will also discuss the steps in scientific inquiry and why those steps are important and an example will provide of scientific method in relation to the human services field. A description of quantitative and qualitative research will be given, explaining the differences in both model and how these methods relate to the human services as well as the scientific method. Further discussion will involve quantitative and qualitative research methodology touching on the definition of mixed method research. Finally summarizing how scientifically research sound supports the function of a human services manager. The scientific method is a method for research and study that is applied to investigate observations and to bring answers to questions. Researches can exploit the scientific method to search for cause and effect relationships. There are many different types of aspect to the human services field, no matter which one research is always needed. If there is a sudden increase in homelessness, child abuse, or joblessness, research offering results is required to answer the question that are related to the increase. The path to those answers can only be found through research. Scientific method according to the Merriam-Webster (2010), is “principles...
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...DWhat are the essential tenets of the scientific method, and why is the scientific method important to business research? Toyota has a problem with unexplained acceleration problems in some of its top models. It closed down plants and stopped production on several models. What types of research might Toyota conduct to make these decisions? When one decides to do business research, one method that could be considered would be scientific research. Our textbook lists nine characteristics of scientific method. The characteristic listed are: 1. Purpose clearly defined. Understanding why the research is being completed. 2. Research process detailed. Documenting the steps or tests that were taken to come up with the results is important. Documenting things properly would allow someone else to follow your steps and come up with the same results. 3. Research design thoroughly planned. Opinions or recollections should be left out of research. Only information that is objective about the subject be considered. When observations are taken into consideration for the research, the information should be documented as soon as possible, this will help to control the information and keep it bias. 4. High ethical standards are applied. Sometimes when research is being performed one may come across a situation where something unethical has happened. It is important to set standards or safeguards in order to not cause any other mental or physic damage, more than what has already been done...
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...Research is the systematic investigation into existing or new knowledge.[citation needed] It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories. A research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field. In order to test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, research may replicate elements of prior projects, or the project as a whole. The primary purposes of basic research (as opposed to applied research) are documentation,discovery, interpretation, or the research and development of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge. Approaches to research depend on epistemologies, which vary considerably both within and between humanities and sciences. There are several forms of research: scientific, humanities, artistic, economic, social, business, etc. Contents [hide] * 1 Forms of research * 2 Etymology * 3 Definitions * 4 Steps in conducting research * 5 Scientific research * 6 Historical method * 7 Research methods * 8 Publishing * 9 Research funding * 10 Original research * 10.1 Different forms * 11 Artistic research * 12 See also * 13 References * 14 Further reading * 15 External links | ------------------------------------------------- [edit]Forms of research Scientific research relies on the application of the scientific method, a harnessing of curiosity. This research provides scientific information...
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...The Scientific Method The scientific method is a process for creating models of the natural world that can be verified experimentally. The scientific method requires making observations, recording data, and analyzing data in a form that can be duplicated by other scientists. In addition, the scientific method uses inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning to try to produce useful and reliable models of nature and natural phenomena. Inductive reasoning is the examination of specific instances to develop a general hypothesis or theory, whereas deductive reasoning is the use of a theory to explain specific results. The ‘scientific method’ merely refers to a broad framework for studying and learning more about the world around us in a scientific manner. It is not so much a series of absolute, unchangeable steps as a guideline to the method that must be used when trying to reach a scientifically acceptable theory about a subject matter. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a finite number of steps or an exact procedure for following the scientific method. However, the scientific method steps detailed below describe the main steps that scientists commonly take when conducting a scientific inquiry. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD HAS FIVE STEPS: 1. Observation and description of a phenomenon. The observations are made visually or with the aid of scientific equipment. 2. Ask a question, the purpose of the question is to narrow the...
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...Fundamentals of Research in Human Services Yolanda M. Long BSHS/382 Research and Statistics for the Social Sciences March 17, 2014 Michael A. Keitler, MA Fundamentals of Research in Human Services This paper will define the term scientific method and how it relates to research in human services. The process to evaluate the research must incorporate steps needed to identify the problem, analysis the data, and finally form a conclusion. The paper will further explore and define the differences between quantitative and qualitative research in the human services field and the scientific method behind the research. An example depicting a quantitative research, qualitative research, and mixed method research will be covered as well as how scientifically sound research can support the functions of a human service professional. Scientific Method and how it Relates to Human Services Research The Institute Innovation in Health and Human Services at James Madison University defines Scientific Method as the collection of quantitative and/or qualitative date for studies that incorporate logical design and are replicable. The measures, procedures, and analysis are informed by best practices in the field, and the findings are interpreted within the context of the extant research literature (para. 5). Scientific method is important to the field of human services as professionals try to assist clients through reliable data previously captured. If a client is dealing with abuse issues...
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...Research The Importance of Research - it is a valuable tool to produce needed changes. - it is a pathway to progress and development. - used to address problems that need to be solved. - used to look into situations that require improvements. - used to review policies that must be revised. - programs actions that demand modifications to be truly responsive to complex human existence. The Meaning of Research Research is a multi-faceted human endeavor: 1) To a lot of people , it is a difficult and demanding task. 2) To beginners, it is a complicated process. 3) To students, it is something that must be done to complete a course requirement. 4) To those who value knowledge and the truth, it is a very fulfilling and exciting challenge. What is Research? According to: 1) Aguinaldo (2002) and Calderon (1993) – research is a "a purposive, systematic, and scientific process of gathering, classifying, organizing, presenting, analyzing and interpreting data for the solution of a problem, for prediction, for invention, for the discovery of truth or for the expansion or verification of existing knowledge, all for the preservation of the quality of life." 2) Sevilla (1998) – defines research as "searching for theory, for testing theory or for solving problem." 3) Andres (1998) – defines research as a "careful, critical inquiry or examinationin seeking facts or principles; a diligent investigation...
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...Running Head: FUNDAMENTALS OF RESEARCH Fundamentals of Research Tawni Romero University of Phoenix BSHS 382 Research and Statistics Tina Henderson May 2, 2011 Fundamentals of Research The text defines scientific method as a “general expression for the methodology of science, or a systematic research approach or outlook emphasizing the use of empirical reasoning” (Rosnow & Rosenthal, 2008, p. 424). Within this paper there will be a discussion on the scientific method and how it relates to research in the human services field. This paper will review the steps in the scientific inquiry process. This paper will define quantitative and qualitative research and explain how they relate and differ each to the human services field and the scientific method. The paper will determine whether to use a quantitative or qualitative research methodology, and provide examples of what sort of study is appropriate for each methodology and why. The paper will define mixed method research with descriptions and strengths included. Examples of when it is appropriate to apply mixed method research in the human services field will also be examined. In conclusion, there will be a summary of how scientifically sound research supports the function of the human services manager. The Scientific Method The six steps to conducting research are “1) identifying a research problem, 2) reviewing the literature, 3) specifying a purpose for research, 4) collecting data, 5) analyze and interpreting...
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...uses, see Research (disambiguation). "Researcher" redirects here. For the oceanographic research ship, see NOAAS Researcher (R 103). Basrelief sculpture "Research holding the torch of knowledge" (1896) by Olin Levi Warner. Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C.Research comprises "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications."[1] It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories. A research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field. To test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, research may replicate elements of prior projects, or the project as a whole. The primary purposes of basic research (as opposed to applied research) are documentation, discovery, interpretation, or the research and development (R&D) of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge. Approaches to research depend on epistemologies, which vary considerably both within and between humanities and sciences. There are several forms of research: scientific, humanities, artistic, economic, social, business, marketing, practitioner research, etc. Contents 1 Forms of research 2 Etymology 3 Definitions 4 Steps in conducting research 5 Scientific research 6 Historical...
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...Research, Statistics, and Psychology To understand thoroughly something a person must understand its background and conduct research. According to Bing Dictionary (2012), research is an organized way to study something; that can include an investigation to uncover facts, to create a theory or correct a previous one, or to make a plan based upon the discovered facts. A person cannot conduct or make connections in research without the use of statistics. Statistics can be just about any compilation of information on any subject in use with performance, time management, effectiveness, budgeting, and many more. Both research and statistics are important components in psychology. This paper will discuss the role of research and statistics within psychology. Examining what research and the scientific method are, comparing and contrasting the characteristics of primary and secondary data, and explaining the role of statistics within research. Role of Research and Statistics Research is a vital component in just about any field for advancement of a product or idea, especially in psychology. As stated above research is an organized way to study something. Because psychology is a field that tries to understand human thinking and behavior it is necessary that research be a vital component. Research is important to psychology because it provides pertinent information about the way a person may think or behave and forming an idea or opinion as a response from the conducted research. A...
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... |Chapter Summary/Lecture Organizer | I. INTRODUCING PSYCHOLOGY A. What is Psychology? - The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychology values empirical evidence - information acquired by direct observation and measurement using systematic scientific methods and critical thinking – the process of objectively evaluating, comparing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Studying psychology offers practical solutions to everyday problems and develops an appreciation for scientific methods of research, as opposed to pseudo psychologies (“false psychologies”) that pretend to discover psychological information through nonscientific methods. B. Psychology’s Goals -The four goals of psychology are: (1) Description - to describe particular behaviors by careful scientific observation, (2) Explanation – to explain behaviors by conducting experiments to determine their causes, (3) Prediction – to predict when a behavior being studied will occur in the future, and (4) Change – to change inappropriate behavior or circumstances. psychologists investigate behavior with basic research or...
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... Research Methods I Kaplan University Helen Farel The disease of addiction may never be fully understood, but further studies in methadone maintenance with opioid dependence will prove that methadone maintenance prevents cravings and withdrawal symptoms and helps an addict to maintain their sobriety while trying to overcome their addiction. In this paper the author will discuss the scientific method and several studies that have been conducted on the use of methadone in the treatment of substance abuse. The scientific method is a set of principles and procedures that researchers use to develop questions, collect data and reach conclusions. (Cherry, 2013). In Psychology the goals of the scientific method is to seek and describe behaviors and explain why the behaviors occur. (Cherry, 2013). Researchers also strive to create research that can be used to predict and change human behavior. (Cherry, 2013). The four steps of the scientific method are, (1) forming a testable hypothesis, (2) devising a study and collecting data, (3) examining the data and reaching conclusions and (4) reporting the findings of the study. (Cherry, 2013). All the research articles discussed in this paper used the empirical research method. This type of research is based on experimentation or actual observation;...
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