The Scientific Methods Of Research Inquiry

In the reading it says that a hypothesis is “a tentative explanation that can be tested and is based on observation and/or scientific

There are four main characteristics of the scientific method: observation/measurements, make an assumption, test the assumption, and revise the assumption. The first stage we make an observations. For instance, I notice that my peppers in my garden are not growing well. I am going to assume this is because I did not water that area well enough. So I am now going to test my assumption. This is done by watering the peppers in my garden more frequently. Lastly, I am going to see if my assumption was correct. If my peppers only needed more water, they will begin to grow more rapidly. It is also possible that my assumption was wrong, and that my peppers were getting enough water; however, there could be something wrong with the soil, temperature, etc. These are the four main characteristics of the scientific method; it is important to note that our assumptions sometimes be wrong, thus it is always important that we test our assumptions to make sure we are correct.

There are several parts to the experiment such as both the independent and dependent variables. The independent variable is controlled or changed during the experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. The dependent variable is tested and measured during the test .A controlled variable is an example for an independent variable would be variable that is held constant throughout the experiment. An example is a theory that could extend a person’s life expectancy. The independent variable is the amount of vitamin given to the subject within the experiment. The dependent variable is the life span

In our Penny Lab, we wanted to extend what we were told to do with experimental design. We’re doing this because we wanted to prove what he thought our hypothesis had been, and a hypothesis can not be true unless it can be tested. We investigated what variables made the Penny Lab easier, or harder. As a class we decided to investigate variables like, dropping the penny from the same height, and applying the same pressure to the penny for each drop. But first we had to know what variables were, and which variables we needed to use in the experiment. The variables were, the independent variable, dependent variable, the experimental group, and the control group. We investigated this to show how much water a penny could hold, but we introduced

Describe the experimental method, state its advantages and disadvantages, and distinguish between independent and dependent variables.

Describe the experimental method, state its advantages and disadvantages, and distinguish between independent and dependent variables.

This article analyzed the positive experiences of twelve individuals who had visible differences (Egan et al 2011, p. 739). This study discovered four main elements that helped people to interpret their related experiences in a positive way. Generally, it can be seen that the authors applied interpretive social science (Neuman 2006, p. 87) to produce this study to capture participants’ experiences and feelings. There are some advantages that can be yielded by utilizing this perspective. Firstly, the authors were able to understand individuals’ different social lives. The complex social factors can be extracted to interpret participants’ feelings and emotions from their personal experiences. It was

The dependent variable is observed to see how it changes in response to the experimental variable.

If a hypothesis is verified using experimentation then what might be the next step in the scientific method?

The results obtained support the hypothesis at the beginning of the experiment. Apart from that, the experiment is conducted according to the instructions given. This increases the validity of the experiment.

This question can come from the observation in some cases, but will most likely still be followed by more observations after the question is formed. This question gives birth to a hypothesis which is an idea or explanation into what will or did happen. once this hypothesis is formed it is only natural for a scientist to want and see if their explanation is correct. This desire to test a hypothesis gives way to the experimental part of scientific method where in a scientist will scrutinize and test their own belief. This will often times lead to the scientist reforming their hypothesis into a different explanation or scrapping it altogether. Once the hypothesis has been proven by the experiment then it is up to the scientist to form the conclusion from the results.

This essay will focus on phenomenological research methodology. Historically, quantitative or positivist methodologies dominated education research with their traditional, systematic approach to the study of human behaviour and educational issues. However, by the 1960s and 1970s a strong move towards “a more qualitative, naturalistic and subjective approach” left educational research divided between two competing methods, the scientific approach and the phenomenological model (Burns, 1997, pp. 3-5). Phenomenology draws upon the works of Edmund Husserl and Alfred Schultz who based their research methodology on philosophical ideals which contrasted with scientific methodologies based on specific natural/social science disciplines (Cohen, et al, 2007, pp. 22-23). Phenomenology represents a radical departure from traditional scientific methods because it “emphasises the importance of subjective experience of individuals, with a focus on qualitative analysis” (Burns, 1997, pp. 3-5). Phenomenologists reject the possibility of producing casual explanations of human behaviour, believing that it is impossible to objectively measure and classify the world. Phenomenologists argue that human beings make sense of the world by imposing their own meanings and classifications upon it, so that these meanings and classifications make up an individual’s subjective social reality; thus “there is no

All experiments have to have a testable question. For a question to be testable, you have to be able to do an experiment to answer it.  The question shouldn’t be too easy that you can’t even test it. “Will the growth of the plant be affected by the color of the light?” is an example of a testable question because you can design an experiment to answer this question.  You can use 5 different colors with 5 similar plants and see and observe how their growth is affected for at least a week or more. A non-example of a testable question would be “Which is a better flavor of ice cream, vanilla or chocolate?” This is not a testable question because it is an opinionated question, and you do not need an experiment to answer it. In addition, an experiment should also have a well-defined question which means that it is clear and not vague.  It also means that it is not too broad that it will take such a long time to answer, but it should not be too narrow that there’s no need for experimentation or research.

To design and carry out a certain experiment, one should follow some crucial steps. These steps holistically make up a systematic process called the scientific method (Penn State Science, 2008). The scientific method involves the recognition of a problem, compilation of background research, formulation of a hypothesis, design and conduction of an experiment, interpretation of a conclusion, and discussion of future implications of the investigation (Hess, 2011). Overall, this is a fundamental outline of how the experiment ought to be executed.

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.