Chapter 2

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Scientific Investigation

Slide 2-2

Hallmarks of Scientific Research:

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• Hallmarks or main distinguishing characteristics of scientific research:
• Purposiveness
• Rigor
• Testability
• Replicability
• Precision and Confidence
• Objectivity
• Generalizability
• Parsimony

Slide 2-3

Hypothetico-Deductive Research

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• The Seven-Step Process in the Hypothetico-Deductive Method
• Identify a broad problem area
• Define the problem statement
• Develop hypotheses
• Determine measures
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Interpretation of data

Slide 2-4

Deduction and Induction

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• Deductive reasoning: application of a general theory to a specific case.
• Hypothesis testing

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• Inductive reasoning: a process where we observe specific phenomena and on this basis arrive at general conclusions.
• Counting white swans

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• Both inductive and deductive processes are often used in research.

Slide 2-5

Alternative Approaches to What Makes Good Research

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• Positivism
• Constructionism

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• The middle ground:
• Critical realism
• Pragmatism

Slide 2-6

Positivism

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• Scientific research is the way to get to the truth

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• Rigour and replicability, reliability, and generalizability

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• Key approach: experiment

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Slide 2-7

Constructionism

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• The world as we know it is fundamentally mental

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• Aim to understand the rules people use to make sense of the world

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• Research methods are often qualitative in nature

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Slide 2-8

Critical Realism

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• There is an external reality but we cannot always objectively measure this external reality

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• The critical realist is critical of our ability to understand the world with certainty

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Slide 2-9

Pragmatism

• Do not take a particular position on what makes good research

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• Research on both objective and subjective phenomena can produce useful knowledge

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• Relationship between theory and practice

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• Purpose of theory is to inform practice

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Slide 2-10