The Scientific Method
Describe the scientific method of research. Be sure to identify the key components, providing examples of each. Use external sources to support your answer.
The methods of science are the methods of all correct thinking. In all thinking we are concerned with getting and organizing knowledge, or with testing, applying, and developing the knowledge we have already acquired (Jones, 1909). According to Zikmund, Babin, Carr, and Griffin, “the scientific method is a set of prescribed procedures for establishing and connecting theoretical statements about events, for analyzing empirical evidence, and for predicting events yet unknown.” The scientific method may include some or all of the following “steps” in one form or another: observation, defining a question or problem, research (planning, evaluating current evidence), forming a hypothesis, prediction from the hypothesis (deductive reasoning), experimentation (testing the hypothesis), evaluation and analysis, peer review and evaluation, and publication (McLellan, p. 2). Business Research Methods suggests the following operations in the application of the scientific method: 1. Assessment of relevant existing knowledge of a phenomenon, 2. Formulation of concepts and propositions, 3. Statement of hypothesis, 4. Design of research to test the hypothesis, 5. Acquisition of meaningful empirical data, and 7. Proposal of an explanation of the phenomenon and statement of new problems raised by the research. (Zikmund, Babin, et al, 2013, p. 44)
Defining a research problem is the fuel that drives the scientific process, and is the foundation of any research method and experimental design, from true experiment to case study (Shuttleworth, 2013). Therefore, every experiment must have a specific and well defined purpose. A relevant question must be asked; one that can be readily tested with materials and technology available ("Steps to a," 2013). For example, a small business owner observes low traffic numbers at her brick and
The methods of science are the methods of all correct thinking. In all thinking we are concerned with getting and organizing knowledge, or with testing, applying, and developing the knowledge we have already acquired (Jones, 1909). According to Zikmund, Babin, Carr, and Griffin, “the scientific method is a set of prescribed procedures for establishing and connecting theoretical statements about events, for analyzing empirical evidence, and for predicting events yet unknown.” The scientific method may include some or all of the following “steps” in one form or another: observation, defining a question or problem, research (planning, evaluating current evidence), forming a hypothesis, prediction from the hypothesis (deductive reasoning), experimentation (testing the hypothesis), evaluation and analysis, peer review and evaluation, and publication (McLellan, p. 2). Business Research Methods suggests the following operations in the application of the scientific method: 1. Assessment of relevant existing knowledge of a phenomenon, 2. Formulation of concepts and propositions, 3. Statement of hypothesis, 4. Design of research to test the hypothesis, 5. Acquisition of meaningful empirical data, and 7. Proposal of an explanation of the phenomenon and statement of new problems raised by the research. (Zikmund, Babin, et al, 2013, p. 44)
Defining a research problem is the fuel that drives the scientific process, and is the foundation of any research method and experimental design, from true experiment to case study (Shuttleworth, 2013). Therefore, every experiment must have a specific and well defined purpose. A relevant question must be asked; one that can be readily tested with materials and technology available ("Steps to a," 2013). For example, a small business owner observes low traffic numbers at her brick and
References: Jones, A. (1909). Logic, inductive and deductive: An introduction to scientific method. (p. 1). New York: Henry Holt. McLelland, C. V. (n.d.). The nature of science and the scientific method. The Geological Society of America, 2-. Retrieved from http://www.geosociety.org/educate/NatureScience.pdf Shuttleworth, M. (2013). Defining a research problem. Retrieved from http://explorable.com/defining-a-research-problem Steps to a scientific method - an introduction to the scientific method in order. (2013, January 24). Retrieved from http://the-pink-panther.hubpages.com/hub/Steps-to-a-Scientific -Method Zikmund, W.G., Babin, B.J., Carr, J.C., & Griffin, M. (2013). Business Research Methods (9th ed., pp. 44-46). Mason, OH: South-Western, Cengage Learning