Research Methodology Lesson 01 Introduction to Research Methodology and the Scientific Method

1. Research Methodology Lesson 01 Introduction to Research Methodology and the Scientific Method Dr. Dharmakeerthi Sri Ranjan Faculty of Mass Media SriPalee Campus University of Colombo Sri Lanka.

2. Research - Search for knowledge, or systematic investigation, with an open mind, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories. • The term derived from theold French term "recerchier" a compound word from "re-" + "cerchier", or "sercher", meaning 'search‘ • to go about seeking” • In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge.” • Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our • understanding of a topic or issue.

3. Ancient Egyptian documents describe empirical methods in astronomy, mathematics and • medicine • The ancient Greek philosopher Thales in the 6th century BC refused to accept supernatural, • religious or mythological explanations for natural phenomena, proclaiming that every event • had a natural cause. • The development of deductive reasoning by Plato was an important step towards the • scientific method. Empiricism seems to have been formalized by Aristotle, who believed • that universal truths could be reached via induction.

4. Relationship with Mathematics: • Science is the process of gathering, comparing, and evaluating proposed models against • observables. • Mathematical work and scientific work can inspire each other. For example, the technical • concept of time arose in science • The connection between mathematics and reality remains obscure.

5. Scientific Method is based on: • Empirical Evidence • Best source of knowledge - Experiences • Critical sense • Objectivity • Relevance of the Concepts • Predictability: • Generalizability • Ethical Neutrality • Ideology, prejudice or belief does not interfere with his scientific judgment. • He must be patience to listen to others, to their suggestions, but should take decision as scientific man. • Use a Method that is Accessible to Others

6. Science and Common Sense: • Common sense limited to and only to “Perception –Screening”. • Science is committed to systematic and critical examination of the basis • of this screening. – Strategy for Explanation • Common sense is something given to us and there for is mostly culturally • bound. Science penetrates beyond the realm of culture. • Common sense deals with long-term problems, but only of a very • general nature.

7. The Main Categories of Science • Natural Sciences : • Physics, Chemistry, Biology etc. • 2. Social Sciences • Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Philosophy, etc. • Aesthetics • Arts, Music, Drama, Dancing, Performing Arts etc.

8. The Scientific Method

9. Induction Deduction Theory Empirical Generalization Hypothesis Scientific Method Collecting Data Research Proposal Data Analysis

10. Scientific research: • The development of the scientific method is inseparable from the history of science itself. • The Oxford English Dictionary says that scientific method is: "a method or procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses. • Scientific method • Observations and Formation of the topic: Consists of the subject area of one’s interest and following that subject area to conduct subject related research. The subject area should not be randomly chosen since it requires reading a vast amount of literature on the topic to determine the gap in the literature the researcher intends to narrow. A keen interest in the chosen subject area is advisable. • Review of the literature - Primary Sources – Secondary sources

11. Scientific Hypothesis: • People refer to a trial solution to a problem as a hypothesis, often called an "educated guess" because it provides a suggested solution based on the evidence. Experimenters may test and reject several hypotheses before solving the problem. • A hypothesis (plural hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. The term derives from the Greek, hypotithenai meaning "to put under" or "to suppose". • Scientists generally base scientific hypothesis on previous observations . • Scientific hypotheses have the form of a mathematical model. • Any useful hypothesis will enable predictions by reasoning (including deductive reasoning). • Concepts are the basic components of hypotheses. • Connect concepts by specifying the expected relationships between concepts. • Ex: hypothesis such as "education increases income” relationship between "education" and "income”.

12. Conceptual hypothesis cannot be tested. • To test the hypothesis the abstract meaning of education and income must be measured by "years of school completed" or "highest degree completed" etc. Income could be measured by "hourly rate of pay" or "yearly salary" etc. • Quality of Hypothesis: • Testability • Parsimony • Scope – the apparent application of the hypothesis to multiple cases of phenomena • Fruitfulness – the prospect that a hypothesis may explain further phenomena in the future • Conservatism – the degree of "fit" with existing recognized knowledge-systems.

13. A working hypothesis a provisionally accepted hypothesis proposed for further research • Statistical Hypothesis Testing: Correlation Method – Statistical Method • In statistical hypothesis testing two hypotheses are compared, which are called the null hypothesis and the alternative Hypothesis. • Mostly null hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted.

14. 4. Gathering of data: Consists of identifying a population and selecting samples, gathering information from and/or about these samples by using specific research instruments. The instruments used for data collection must be valid and reliable. • Technique of Observation • Technique of Participant Observation • Technique of Living in Role • Technique of questionnaire • Technique of Interview • Technique of case Study • Classification of Data

15. 6. Analysis of data: • process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of highlighting useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision making. • Data analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing diverse techniques under a • Data are values of a qualitative or quantitative variables • variety of names, in different business, science, and social science domains. • Statistical applications • Descriptive statistics • Exploratory data analysis • Confirmatory data analysis • Text analytics • Unstructured data • All are varieties of data analysis. • Data integration - precursor to data analysis, and data analysis is closely linked to data visualization and data dissemination. The term data analysis is sometimes used as a synonym for data modeling.

16. 7. Data Interpretation: This can be represented through tables, figures and pictures, and then • described in words. • 8. Test, revising of hypothesis • Conclusion, reiteration if necessary

17. References: • Bellamy Christine, (2011). Principles of Methodology: Research Design in Social Science, SAGE Publications Ltd. • Barzun, J. and Graff, H. (1992). The Modern Researcher, New York, Harcourt. • Glser, B.G. (1992). Basics of Ground Theory Analysis, Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press. • Wolcott, H.F. (1994). Transforming Qualitative Data: Description, Analysis and Interpretation, Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage.

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