Evaluation Of Scientific Research Methods Essay

The development of the scientific method in the late 1500’s to the early 1600’s was a crucial stepping-stone in the science community. The scientific method is based upon observations, hypotheses and experimentation. The concept is rather simple, and can be applied to many areas of study. Once an observation is made, the observer can make a hypothesis as to why that phenomenon occurs and can then design an experiment to prove whether or not that hypotheses is valid. Although the scientific method has been extremely useful in the discovery of various things from usages of medications to studying animal behavior, there are still those who question the usage of this tool. These critics claim that since

To support the theory of continental drift is through topography, surveying the floors of oceans, charts of rock magnetism, and statistics on rock ages (Trefil & Hazen, 2010). At one time scientist believed that the deep ocean floors were flat; accumulating the sediment that progressively wore away from the prehistoric landmasses (Trefil & Hazen, 2010). However, they discovered steep-walled valleys and elevated highlands. This was evidences that just as the continents are transformed and are active, so to is the seafloor (Trefil & Hazen, 2010). The Mid- Atlantic Ridge, positioned in the central part of the Atlantic Ocean, is recorded to be the longest mountain range on this planet. Volcanoes, lava flow, and earthquakes are a source of

The third resource that I used is from the Office of Justice Programs/Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). A specific article titled “Intimate Partner Violence in the United States” shows a graph of intimate partner violence rates declining from 1993 to 2006. The article is quite vague, with no real description or stats stating whether or not men commit more violence against women than women do against men. “Violence between intimates is difficult to measure because it often occurs in private, and victims are often reluctant to report incidents to anyone because of shame or fear of reprisal” (S. Catalano).

The heading of the article gives clear information about the content of the article and study purpose. Research article has a formal appearance. The source is well structured in a good order with a graph and three tables. It has a decent length and rich content. The origin of the source is well-known as well as the names of the contributing authors.

A single-subject design of research was utilized. This research design is a prevailing and practical tool that is applicable for assessing interventions with the participant seeking specific habitual behavioral changes under a given set of circumstances (monitoring SSB intake). The design involves a AB structure, where “A” is the baseline (regular daily SSB consumption) phase and “B” refers to intervention phase (limiting SSB intake). Outcome was recorded during both phases, which made it easier to understand because it showed (intake) what happened on a day-to-day basis. Baseline data will be collected daily at the home (setting) of the participant for one week and entered into a questionnaire and chart at the end of the week. The following week the participant did the same thing, but only this time SSB intake was monitored daily to see if limits could be put on consumption, the behavior the participant wanted to change.

The Scientific Method is the standardized procedure that scientists are supposed to follow when conducting experiments, in order to try to construct a reliable, consistent, and non-arbitrary representation of our surroundings. To follow the Scientific Method is to stick very tightly to a order of experimentation. First, the scientist must observe the phenomenon of interest. Next, the scientist must propose a hypothesis, or idea in which the experiments will be based around. Then, through repeated experimentation, the hypothesis can either be proven false or become a theory. If the hypothesis is proven to be false, the scientist must reformulate his or her ideas and come up with another hypothesis, and the experimentation begins again. This

One known research method is the Scientific Method which is a uniform way of creating observations, assembly data, establishing concepts, testing predictions, and understanding outcomes. These observations are made in order to observe and define behaviors. The first step to take in using a scientific method is to develop an issue or question. Next step is to perform a research and observation on the issue or question that was developed. Then a hypothesis needs to be formulated after these steps have been made.

The section on different scientific approaches was useful in that it provided a framework for how the reader can apply research principles empirically. However, many of the components that are listed as being necessary for scientific research were redundant and cumbersome to process. For example, reliability and standardization appear to be very similar terms, and it would have been helpful for the authors to more thoroughly describe the distinction between the two components.

Quantitative and Qualitative are said to be systematic in different design. Both design have to follow a process system that involved defining a principle of research.

It is important to mention at this stage that a research study presented by a researcher may not give complete information about the selected topic. There can be certain limitations of methodology and the new researchers may criticise it for being incomplete. As research is a circular process in which ideas can be added and extracted by researchers anytime, the application of the presented ideas by one researcher are tested and verified.

In doing the research, the methodology must be appropriate so that the analysis findings could reach the objective. Research methodology proposed one procedure in order way to be follow to answer all the questions in the research that want to be made. Quoted by Denzin and Lincoln (1994), methodology is a process that related with research objective and data. In the others word, it is early research planning that include the research scope, data collection method, data collection process and data analysis method. For Ranjit (2005), methodology is one of crucial part in research, in order to ensure the research can be done in the systematic way Overall, this chapter will discuss on the research frame and the methodologies used in order to meet the research objectives. Research process been divided into three main parts there are preliminary research part, data collection and last one data analysis.

It is impossible to use active voice when writing methods without using first person. This could divert reader's attention on the researcher rather than the work. Therefore when writing up the methods third person passive voice should be used. Normal prose should be used in each and every section of research paper. Informal lists should be avoided. And make use of complete sentences. Last but not least is the result part of the research conducted by the researcher. The page length of result section is set by the amount and types of data to be reported. Continue to be concise, using figures and table to present results are the most effective means of conveying final results. The purpose of a results section is to present and illustrate researcher’s findings.

Formulating a research question is one of the most important aspects of research itself. There are two

Choosing a topic is always the first step of any research process. The statement seems simple, but the chosen topic defines all other stages of the process. In order to choose a topic, one has first to identify a problem whose remedy or eradication calls for research. This is then followed by the development of a research question. The question forms the statement that serves as the research topic. The topic, which is the focus of the study, provides keywords for the next stage of research, that is, the literature review.

The above objective is fulfilled by initiating an exact design required for performing the research process. The research design illustrates the basic understanding about the research (NLP) and various features.