research & scientific method by dr.p.n.narayana raja

8/3/2019 Research & Scientific Method by Dr.P.N.Narayana Raja

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RESEARCH & SCIENTIFICRESEARCH & SCIENTIFIC

METHODMETHOD

Dr.P.N.Narayana RajaDr.P.N.Narayana Raja


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WHAT IS RESEARCHWHAT IS RESEARCH

Research is a Journey that unfoldsResearch is a Journey that unfolds

newer perceptions, substantiates ornewer perceptions, substantiates or

contradicts the existing perceptions withcontradicts the existing perceptions withan aim of adding knowledge that helpsan aim of adding knowledge that helps

both researcher and the recipient toboth researcher and the recipient to

have new perception on the subject thathave new perception on the subject thatwas researched.was researched.


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WHAT IS RESEARCHWHAT IS RESEARCH

Research is a process of discovery. It isResearch is a process of discovery. It is

a way o f enhancing our exisitnga way o f enhancing our exisitng

knowledge, understanding or skill or ofknowledge, understanding or skill or of

uncovering something new.uncovering something new.

Research is a process of finding answerResearch is a process of finding answer

to a question.to a question.


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First tools of research were thoseFirst tools of research were those

derived from:derived from:

ExperienceExperience -- Our life experience, andOur life experience, and

cumulative experience of severalcumulative experience of several

generations , gives us an understanding ofgenerations , gives us an understanding of

a whole range of phenomena, allowing usa whole range of phenomena, allowing us

to take for granted and predicts reliablyto take for granted and predicts reliably

many aspects of our lives.many aspects of our lives.


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The use of our sensesThe use of our senses -- Our senses allowOur senses allow

us to identify and recognize much that isus to identify and recognize much that isaround us.around us.

The human mindThe human mind -- Our minds then enableOur minds then enable

us to sift through the bits and piecesus to sift through the bits and pieces

which have come from experience and thewhich have come from experience and thesenses, to analyze them and drawsenses, to analyze them and draw

conclusions, whether based on rationalconclusions, whether based on rational

thought, convictions or our emotions.thought, convictions or our emotions.


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METHODS OF KNOWINGMETHODS OF KNOWING

Method of

Tenacity

Always known to be true

Method of

Authority

Told by significant people

A priori

method

Method of

Science

Intution says it true Objective method


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Three approaches to researchThree approaches to research

Historistic

method

Positivistic/

Scientific

method

Insightful

Understanding

method

Approaches


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What is ScienceWhat is Science

Science is a system ofScience is a system of

KnowledgeKnowledge

EmpiricalEmpiricalObjectiveObjective

Self CorrectiveSelf Corrective

VerifiableVerifiableReliableReliable

UniversalUniversal


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FUNCTIONS OF A SCIENCEFUNCTIONS OF A SCIENCE

BUILDING

THE

ORIE

S

PROVIDING

EXPLANATION

PREDICTION CONTROL


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Scientific methodScientific method

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS ASCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS A

SYSTEMATICSYSTEMATIC

CONTROLLEDCONTROLLED

EMPIRICAL ANDEMPIRICAL AND

CRITICAL INVESTIGATION OFCRITICAL INVESTIGATION OF

HYPOTHETICAL PROPOSITIONHYPOTHETICAL PROPOSITION

ABOUT THE PRESUMED RELATIONSABOUT THE PRESUMED RELATIONS

AMONG THE NATURAL OR SOCIALAMONG THE NATURAL OR SOCIAL

PHENOMENAPHENOMENA


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Assumptions of Scientific MethodAssumptions of Scientific Method

1.1. Discoverable uniformities, regularities and laws.Discoverable uniformities, regularities and laws.The world is orderly and not irregular.The world is orderly and not irregular.

2.2. The world can be understood through SenseThe world can be understood through Sense

perceptions and not through introspection orperceptions and not through introspection oremotions.emotions.

3.3. Cause and effect relation can be establishedCause and effect relation can be established

4.4. The assumption of MechanoThe assumption of Mechano--morphismmorphism

5.5. Objectivity is not a characteristic of data but aObjectivity is not a characteristic of data but away of responding to data.way of responding to data.

6.6. Social Behaviour like customs, attitudes are asSocial Behaviour like customs, attitudes are as

real as tangible things.real as tangible things.


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Two Systems of LogicTwo Systems of Logic


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Steps in Scientific MethodSteps in Scientific Method

OBSERVATION

DESCRIPTION

CLASSIFICATIONME

ASURE

ME

NT

FURTHER TESTING

CORRECTIONS

TENTATIVE ACCEPTANCE

OF FACTS

TENTATIVE INDUCTIVEGENERALISATIONS

LOGICAL DEDUCTIVE

REASONING

FURTHER

GENERALIZATIONS


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Criticism on Scientific MethodCriticism on Scientific Method

1.1.

Not possible to undertake experimentation toNot possible to undertake experimentation tounderstand human behaviourunderstand human behaviour

2.2. Human behaviour changes and evolves but naturalHuman behaviour changes and evolves but natural

behaviour does not changebehaviour does not change

3.3. Human behaviour is a learned behaviourHuman behaviour is a learned behaviour

4.4. Awareness of being studied alter the behaviourAwareness of being studied alter the behaviour

5.5. Generalization of law will be used to controlGeneralization of law will be used to control

human behaviourhuman behaviour

6.6. Tradition would influence methodologyTradition would influence methodology

7.7. Semantic conflation is possibleSemantic conflation is possible

research & scientific method by dr.p.n.narayana raja

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