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Objective 2: Explain the steps in conducting research in agriculture.Forum Question: What are the steps in conducting research inagriculture? Explain what should be done when conducting research inscience/agriculture.

I. Eight phases of the scientific research process.

a. Identifying the problem to be investigatedi.Best stated in the form of a questionii.Should grow out of the researchers areas of interest

and personal experience in agriculture1. Choosing a problem in an area of interest, the

researcher will find the experimentationprocess to be more enjoyable and morerelevant

b. Research the problem.i.Utilize various sources to gain knowledge about the

problem to be tested.

ii.This information will allow the researcher to move tothe next step in the scientific method

c. Predict the results of the experiment.i. This prediction = hypothesis.ii.A hypothesis is a tentativelyaccepted theory

explaining the relationship between two variables.1. Hypotheses indicate the nature of the

relationship between variables.2. Utilize background knowledge and experience

in this area to formulate the hypothesis.3. Once the hypothesis is made, it is subjected to

a test that attempts to isolate the importantfactors.

a. Called an experiment.d. Design and conduct the experiment.

i. Include observation and measurement procedures,control measures, and selection of variables.

ii.Variable is characterized by what is different orwhat changes

1. Variables change from time to time and mayhave more than one value

2. Independent variable is the characteristicthat the researcher believes will affect anothervariable

a. Variable determining value of othersb. Variable manipulated in an experimentc. Researchers manipulate an independent

variable by managing its presence in theexperiment.

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i.Manipulation of the independentvariable is known as thetreatment.

3. The dependent variable is the characteristicthat will be observed.

a. It is expected to change as a result of theindependent variable.b. Measurement of the dependent variable

is critical to the success of theexperiment

i.The researcher must determine themost precise and appropriate wayto measure the effect of theindependent variable.

c. It is critical that the design of theexperiment match the stated hypothesis.

i. The experiment must answer thequestion stated earlier.

ii.The research design also shouldprovide for replication.

4. Replication is the exact duplication of theexperiment.

a. Allows the results to be verified acrossnumerous trials

b. Results in greater confidence in results.5. After all design procedures have been followed

a. Time to conduct the experiment.

e. Next stage: data collection step.i. The researcher should consistently and precisely

follow the previously determined methods outlined inthe experiment design in the measurement andcollection of data.

1. A pattern or format of collecting and recordingdata should have been developed in the designstage of the experiment.

2. Data summary charts are usually used torecord experimental data.

3. Charts should be as simple as possible

a. Yet provide for all data to be completelyand consistently recorded.

f. Next step: analyze the data.i.Data that was collected during the experiment is

analyzed1. Later to draw conclusions.

ii.Research will follow the procedures outlined in theexperiment design stage in organizing the data.

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