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ننیلپ افلنئ ننیلپ رپسٹکیروپرٹ سسیھت س
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ااہتنیئ ااسٹنمنئالیامیاسیرپاولپڈاوواںیئ
ری
انمس ٹ ارگآپیمیلعتوینز،ررٹسجنشی،داہلخ،ڈیش،رزل،ااسٹنمنئ ب
،اجبزاورپبایقامتماپ
ڈسٹیاےنپومپبالئرپفزیاحلصاوپااچےتہںیہ۔وتےچیندےیےئگواسٹایربمنوکاےنپ
مسی ومپبالئںیمویساوےکاانپپامھکلاوواسٹایاودںی۔سٹیٹسروزاہنالزیمچاوںی۔
ببزاہاومںیمہ بجےنجیھبےکدعباینپ
پباریاکااظتنراوںی۔ ونٹ :اسےکالعوہامتمویوینرزیٹسےکآنال نئ
مہدلجازدلجآپوکوجابدںیےگ۔ داےلخوجھباےناور ب
اجبزےکےیلآنال نئاالپیئ
اوواےنےکےیلراہطباوںی۔
Assignment No. 1
Q.1 Define briefly each source of knowledge. Explain the one that inspires you the most
and why?
Sources of Knowledge
Epistemic Awareness:
Epistemology is the branch of philosophy defined as “the study of human knowledge.” Like
epistemology TOK involves questioning our sources and the nature and accuracy of our
knowledge in the hope that we will develop a more informed understanding of what we know
and don't know. That is, enabling us to become more epistemically aware.
It is important because accurate knowledge of our two worlds - the real world and the inner
world - correctly informs us of the conditions we must cope with. To know facts is to survive;
not to know, or to assess one's environment wrongly, is to lose the fight for survival.
2. How can we determine which facts are important? However, it is not enough to simply
determine which facts are true, we must also consider which facts are useful. A correct
catalogue of the size and shape of every blade of grass on my lawn may well be factually true
but it will not be as useful as knowing that my lawn is on fire and about to engulf my house.
Given the overwhelming number of facts available to us, what criteria can we use for
deciding what is more important, what less?
The Senses
Information from the senses is called empirical knowledge and empiricists believe that the
fundamental source of all knowledge is our senses. Our senses are exploratory organs; we use
them all to become acquainted with the world we live in. We learn that candy is sweet, and so
are sugar, jam, and maple syrup. Lemons are not, and onions are not. The sun is bright and
blinding. Glowing coals in the fireplace are beautiful if you don't touch them. Sounds soothe,
warn, or frighten us. Through millions of single sense-events we build a fabric of empirical
information which helps us interpret, survive in, and control the world about us.
However, our senses present us with a serious credibility problem. Before we start the TOK
course most of us are naïve realists people who simply accept what their senses are telling them
as the truth … but is there any way we can actually be sure about this? Can we really trust what
our senses seem to tell us?
Unfortunately the answer must be a reluctant no. Our senses do not give us a "true picture" of the
real world; they give us useful picture – a picture that is designed to help us move around,
survive in and take advantage of our world. To take a simple example: if you think about it we
know that the chairs we sit on are not actually not solid: they are made of atoms which are
actually more space than anything else. Yet our senses tell us that they are solid. Why? Because
in terms of day to day survival there is no point knowing about atoms: you need to know that a
chair will hold you up if you sit on it and that a rock will hurt if it falls on you: a sensitive
awareness of the arrangement of the sub-atomic particles of a boulder as it plummets towards
you will not do your survival chances any good.
Authority:
Other people are continual sources of information. Such information, however, is always second-
hand knowledge - or third-, fourth-, or nth-hand knowledge. It is all "hearsay." The farther it is
removed from our own personal experience, the more caution we must exercise before accepting
a fact-claim.
All of our historical knowledge is acquired in this way as is most of our knowledge of the
sciences. We can't experience the past or personally repeat every experiment, so we must trust
the specialists and accept, though not blindly, the discoveries they record for us. They key thing
with knowledge from authority is that it can be double-checked and the work of scientists and
historians is continually being ‘double checked’ as other workers in the same field (even
sometimes us in our classrooms) repeat their experiments or investigations. A healthy cynicism
of sources, the development of the skills required to check facts and an awareness of which
sources are more or less reliable is a good way to ensure that the knowledge we receive from
authority is as good as it can be.
Reason:
Reasoning might be defined as the process of using known facts to arrive at new facts. In this
way Reason can help us arrive at new facts or new knowledge BUT only as long as the original
facts we put into the process are correct and the process itself is reliable.
Imagine you are travelling in Japan and you know that the exchange rate is 200 yen to a dollar,
you can easily work out that an 800 yen sushi meal will actually cost you $4. This is new
knowledge (you didn’t know it before) but … it only works if your original facts are right (i.e.
you’ve got the correct exchange rate and are correct about the cost of the meal) and if the process
is right (you can do multiplication / division properly)
Reasoning generally comes in two forms: deduction and induction. Deduction is the kind of
reasoning usually used in Maths and is the more certain of the two as it involves ‘drawing out’
valid conclusions from previously known facts – e.g. All cats are animals, Jack is a cat, so Jack is
an animal. Induction, on the other hand, is usually used in Science and is less certain as it
involves jumping from some things you have observed to making universal statements about all
things – e.g. I drop this pencil and it falls, so it is likely all dropped pencils (and indeed things)
will fall. Notice that both forms are usually dependent on sensation to give us the initial facts or
ideas in the first place.
The problem with reasoning is that deduction (the most certain form of reasoning) can never
teach us anything new because all the information is there in the facts at the start, while induction
(the thing that can give us what seems like new knowledge) can’t ever give us anything certain,
only things that are likely to be the case.
Intuition:
Although the word intuition has connotations of the mystical or unscientific, when carefully
defined it can be considered a source of knowledge. Intuition refers to insights or bits of
knowledge which suddenly ‘pop’ into consciousness as our deeper subconscious chugs away
working on data that we have collected earlier. We have all probably had the experience where
the answer to a question we were previously thinking about but have currently forgotten has
suddenly popped into our minds for no reason. This is intuition and, as such, like reason, it too is
dependent on our senses to provide the raw material on which the subconscious works.
Sometimes intuition seems to be a ‘feeling’. We often say something like "I have the feeling he's
not telling the truth," without being sure of why. The psychologist Jung suggested that actually
this is actually a form of unconscious reasoning where your subconscious picks up on the tell-
tale signs of lying (sweating, nervous movements, etc) that are too subtle for your conscious
mind to notice and processes them resulting in the ‘feeling’ that this person is untrustworthy.
The problem with intuition however, is that most of our intuitions are wrong and they need
careful double checking before they are trusted.
Other Sources:
· Faith often accompanied by supernatural revelation;
· Instinct;
· Racial Memory / the Collective Unconscious – another idea of Jung’s, that we have
cultural memories that we can all inherit and share without actually experiencing the thing
that caused the memory in the first place;
· Extrasensory Perception;
· Anamnesis ("recollection") or the remembrance of things from a past life;
· Spiritualism and the Occult, such as Ouija boards, tarot cards, etc.
Reference:
http://mrhoyestokwebsite.com/Knower/Useful%20Information/Sources%20of%20Knowledge.ht
m
Q.2 Discuss the accepted connotation of research. To what extent do you agree to them?
Explain
Research
Inductive research methods analyze an observed event, while deductive methods verify the
observed event. Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research, and deductive
methods are more commonly associated with quantitative analysis.
characteristics of research
1. Good research follows a systematic approach to capture accurate data. Researchers need to
practice ethics and a code of conduct while making observations or drawing conclusions.
2. The analysis is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and deductive methods.
3. Real-time data and knowledge is derived from actual observations in natural settings.
4. There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no anomalies associated
with it.
5. It creates a path for generating new questions. Existing data helps create more research
opportunities.
6. It is analytical and uses all the available data so that there is no ambiguity in inference.
7. Accuracy is one of the most critical aspects of research. The information must be accurate and
correct. For example, laboratories provide a controlled environment to collect data. Accuracy
is measured in the instruments used, the calibrations of instruments or tools, and the
experiment’s final result.
purpose of research
There are three main purposes:
5. When it comes to customers and market studies, the more thorough your questions, the
better the analysis. You get essential insights into brand perception and product needs by
thoroughly collecting customer data through surveys and questionnaires. You can use this
data to make smart decisions about your marketing strategies to position your business
effectively.
Qualitative methods
Qualitative research is a method that collects data using conversational methods, usually open-
ended questions. The responses collected are essentially non-numerical. This method helps a
researcher understand what participants think and why they think in a particular way.
1. One-to-one Interview
2. Focus Groups
3. Ethnographic studies
4. Text Analysis
5. Case Study
Quantitative methods
Quantitative methods deal with numbers and measurable forms. It uses a systematic way of
investigating events or data. It answers questions to justify relationships with measurable
variables to either explain, predict, or control a phenomenon.
1. Survey research
2. Descriptive research
3. Correlational research
Remember, research is only valuable and useful when it is valid, accurate, and reliable. Incorrect
results can lead to customer churn and a decrease in sales.
Reference
https://www.questionpro.com/blog/what-is-research/
Educational Research
Experimental educational research is a research approach that seeks to establish the causal
relationship between two variables in the research environment. It adopts quantitative research
methods in order to determine the cause and effect in terms of the research variables being
studied.
Experimental educational research typically involves two groups – the control group and the
experimental group. The researcher introduces some changes to the experimental group such as a
change in environment or a catalyst, while the control group is left in its natural state.
The introduction of these catalysts allows the researcher to determine the causative factor(s) in
the experiment. At the core of experimental educational research lies the formulation of a
hypothesis and so, the overall research design relies on statistical analysis to approve or disprove
this hypothesis.
Based on functionality, educational research can be classified into fundamental research, applied
research, and action research. The primary purpose of fundamental research is to provide insights
into the research variables; that is, to gain more knowledge. Fundamental research does not solve
any specific problems.
Just as the name suggests, applied research is a research approach that seeks to solve specific
problems. Findings from applied research are useful in solving practical challenges in the
educational sector such as improving teaching methods, modifying learning curricula, and
simplifying pedagogy.
Action research is tailored to solve immediate problems that are specific to a context such as
educational challenges in a local primary school. The goal of action research is to proffer
solutions that work in this context and to solve general or universal challenges in the educational
sector.
• Surveys/Questionnaires
A survey is a research method that is used to collect data from a predetermined audience about a
specific research context. It usually consists of a set of standardized questions that help you to
gain insights into the experiences, thoughts, and behaviors of the audience.
Surveys can be administered physically using paper forms, face-to-face conversations, telephone
conversations, or online forms. Online forms are easier to administer because they help you to
collect accurate data and to also reach a larger sample size. Creating your online survey on data-
gathering platforms like Formplus allows you to.also analyze survey respondent's data easily.
In order to gather accurate data via your survey, you must first identify the research context and
the research subjects that would make up your data sample size. Next, you need to choose
an online survey tool like Formplus to help you create and administer your survey with little or
no hassles.
• Interviews
An interview is a qualitative data collection method that helps you to gather information from
respondents by asking questions in a conversation. It is typically a face-to-face conversation with
the research subjects in order to gather insights that will prove useful to the specific research
context.
An unstructured interview is a type of interview that is fluid; that is, it is non-directive. During a
structured interview, the researcher does not make use of a set of predetermined questions rather,
he or she spontaneously asks questions to gather relevant data from the respondents.
Data from Interviews can be collected using audio recorders, digital cameras, surveys, and
questionnaires.
• Observation
Reference:
https://www.formpl.us/blog/educational-
research#:~:text=Importance%20of%20Educational%20Research,educational%20challenges%2
0using%20scientific%20methods.&text=Educational%20research%20helps%20students%20app
ly%20their%20knowledge%20to%20practical%20situations
Based on purpose or utility, a research approach can either be basic or applied. While basic
research aims at expanding knowledge by creating new theories and modifying existing ones,
applied research is focused on providing practical solutions to specific problems by analyzing
empirical evidence.
There are several meeting and departure points for these approaches, and it is pertinent for every
researcher to understand them effectively. In this article, we will be detailing 15 key differences
between basic and applied research methods, while also highlighting some similarities between
these research methodologies.
Basic Research
Basic research is a research approach that is entirely theoretical and aimed at improving or
expanding the knowledge-base of a particular field of study. It focuses on "knowledge for its
own sake" and it is primarily driven by curiosity and the need to explore the unknown.
Applied Research
In many cases, applied research is a follow-up research design for basic research because it
further investigates the outcomes of pure or basic research in order to validate these findings and
apply them to create innovative solutions to specific problems.
Applied research is a research methodology that creates practical solutions for specific problems
while basic research is an approach to research that seeks to expand knowledge in a field of
study. This means that applied research is solution-driven while basic research is knowledge-
specific.
Basic research seeks to advance the frontiers of knowledge by creating new theories or
modifying existing ones. On the other hand, applied research is primarily concerned with
creating solutions to problems by collecting and analyzing empirical data in order to arrive at
valid research outcomes.
• Characteristics
Applied research is primarily defined by its focus on providing a practical solution to a defined
problem while basic research is primarily defined by its focus on expanding knowledge. In other
words, basic research is theory-oriented, applied research is practical-oriented.
Applied research is action-oriented and synthetic in nature while basic research is explanatory
and analytical in nature. Basic research is solution-specific and primarily concerned with the
expansion of knowledge and not with the application of research findings which is the focus of
applied research.
Basic research results in the acquisition of new knowledge and it also expands existing
knowledge while applied research does not lead to the acquisition of new knowledge. Applied
research only focuses on applying knowledge to solve existing problems hence, it is solution-
specific.
Findings from basic research have been predominantly responsible for breakthroughs in different
fields of study while findings from applied research are primarily useful for solving specific
research problems. Hence, basic research is universal in nature while applied research is limited
in nature.
Applied research helps organizations and individuals to solve specific problems, unlike basic
research that is simply focused on expanding knowledge without providing solutions to existing
problems. This, however, does not negate the fact that findings from basic research are useful to
proffer solutions to problems.
Unlike basic research which is somewhat subjective in its approach, applied research is an
objective method of inquiry. Typically, applied research is unbiased because it arrives at
outcomes by subjecting empirical evidence to standardized scientific procedures and this makes
it a more valid research method.
• Examples in Education
In education, applied research is used to improve teaching and learning methods by providing
practical solutions to pedagogic problems. On the other hand, basic research is used in education
to develop new pedagogic theories that explain different behaviors by teachers and students
within the learning environment.
• Examples in Health
Applied research helps health and medical practitioners to develop evidence-based solutions to
pressing health problems. On the other hand, basic research helps medical practitioners to gain
insights into different health issues such as the origin and symptoms of diseases and infections
which can be useful in developing a cure for such conditions.
1. An investigation into the secondary symptoms of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
2. An investigation into the symptoms of diarrhea.
• Examples in Psychology
research in psychology is used to gain insights into different psychological conditions in order to
understand these behaviors better.
• Other Names
• Uses
Applied research is useful for finding practical solutions to defined problems while basic
research is useful for gathering novel information about a concept, phenomenon or field of
study.
Basic research explores the functions and features of newly discovered phenomena in order to
improve the understanding of these concepts hence; it fuels scientific and technological
innovations. Applied research, on the other hand, helps to provide solutions to improve a specific
condition or create new technology.
• Research Purpose
Basic research is driven by curiosity and the need to explore new areas of knowledge in different
fields. On the other hand, applied research is driven by the need to provide answers to specific
questions in order to solve a problem.
This means that applied research is primarily concerned with examining empirical evidence for
answers while in basic research, the researcher examines data samples in order to gather more
information about them. Such information improves the quality of knowledge of the subject
matter.
• Research Context
In applied research, however, the researcher allows the dependent and independent variables to
freely interact with one another in an unrestricted setting where other variables or third factors
may intervene. This allows the researcher to have a broader overview of the research problem
and arrive at valid and practical solutions.
Generally, applied research is more limited in scope when compared to basic research. This is
because unlike basic research that can be applied to diverse concepts, applied research largely
focuses on a specific subject, and its research outcomes are primarily relevant to this subject.
Because it deals with diverse concepts across different subject matters, basic research is
considered a more universal research method than conceptual research. Fundamental research
explores knowledge across multiple dimensions in order to gather new information and improve
an existing body of knowledge.
• Theory Formulation
Basic research aims at formulating theories that explain research findings and in the process,
improve a body of knowledge while applied research aims at arriving at research findings that
can solve practical problems. Basic research focuses on principles and theories while applied
research focuses on solutions.
Typically, basic research aims at formulating theories and generalizations that explain a concept,
subject or phenomenon and are universally applicable. On the other hand, applied research or
conceptual research studies empirical evidence in order to align its findings with a specific
problem.
• Research Outcomes
After carrying out applied research by testing the empirical evidence, the researcher arrives at
valid findings or conclusions that confirm or negate the research hypotheses. These findings
typically answer the specific research questions, that is, the reason for the applied research.
On the other hand, at the endpoint of basic research lies new theories, new dimensions to existing
theories or new information that improves on a body of knowledge. The outcomes of basic
research do not directly serve as innovative solutions to a practical problem.
• Research Approach
Basic research is theoretical in nature while applied research is practical in nature. In this sense,
basic research generates theories and improves on existing theories with the aim of contributing
to an existing knowledge bank.
Applied research, on the other hand, is practical and more descriptive in nature. It is more
concerned with the utility and value of research outcomes in terms of their end usage, that is,
how they can be used to solve existing problems and develop innovations.
Reference:
https://www.formpl.us/blog/basic-applied-
research#:~:text=Based%20on%20purpose%20or%20utility,problems%20by%20analyzing%20e
mpirical%20evidence
Experimental design refers to how participants are allocated to the different groups in an
experiment. Types of design include repeated measures, independent groups, and matched pairs
designs.
Probably the commonest way to design an experiment in psychology is to divide the participants
into two groups, the experimental group, and the control group, and then introduce a change to
the experimental group and not the control group.
The researcher must decide how he/she will allocate their sample to the different experimental
groups. For example, if there are 10 participants, will all 10 participants take part in both groups
1. Independent Measures:
This should be done by random allocation, which ensures that each participant has an equal
chance of being assigned to one group or the other.
Independent measures involve using two separate groups of participants; one in each condition.
2. Repeated Measures:
Repeated Measures design is an experimental design where the same participants take part in
each condition of the independent variable. This means that each condition of the experiment
includes the same group of participants.
Counterbalancing
Suppose we used a repeated measures design in which all of the participants first learned words
in 'loud noise' and then learned it in 'no noise.' We would expect the participants to show better
learning in 'no noise' simply because of order effects, such as practice. However, a researcher can
control for order effects using counterbalancing.
The sample would split into two groups experimental (A) and control (B). For example, group 1
does ‘A’ then ‘B,’ group 2 does ‘B’ then ‘A’ this is to eliminate order effects. Although order
effects occur for each participant, because they occur equally in both groups, they balance each
other out in the results.
3. Matched Pairs:
A matched pairs design is an experimentl design where pairs of participants are matched in terms
of key variables, such as age or socioeconomic status. One member of each pair is then placed
into the experimental group and the other member into the control group.
One member of each matched pair must be randomly assigned to the experimental group and the
other to the control group.
Experimental design refers to how participants are allocated to the different conditions (or IV
levels) in an experiment. There are three types:
2. Repeated measures /within-groups: The same participants take part in each condition of the
independent variable.
3. Matched pairs: Each condition uses different participants, but they are matched in terms of
important characteristics, e.g., gender, age, intelligence, etc.
Reference:
https://www.simplypsychology.org/experimental-
designs.html#:~:text=Experimental%20design%20refers%20to%20how,groups%2C%20and%20
matched%20pairs%20designs.