1.

Define and explain the concept of scientific research, deduction and induction reasoning,
hyphothesis and empiricism

Concept of Scientific Research

Scientific research is the systematic investigation of scientific theories and hypotheses.

Therefore, it operates at two levels: theoretical level and an empirical level. The theoretical level
is concerned with developing abstract concepts about a natural or social phenomenon and
relationships between those concepts while the empirical level is concerned with testing the
theoretical concepts and relationships to see how well they reflect our observations of reality,
with the goal of ultimately building better theories.

Scientific research involves continually moving back and forth between theory and
observations. Making inferences and ignoring theory is not considered valid scientific research
because both the theory and the observations are essential components of scientific research.

Moreover, the goal of scientific research is to discover laws and postulate theories that
can explain natural or social phenomena, thereby, building scientific knowledge.

Deduction and Induction Reasoning

The process of scientific inquiry may be inductive or deductive. In inductive research

(theory-building research), the goal of a researcher is to infer theoretical concepts and patterns
from observed data. In deductive research (theory-testing research), the goal of the researcher is
to test concepts and patterns known from theory using new empirical data to refine, extend and
improve the theory being studied. Research has its theories and observations, thus, inductive and
deductive processes traverse in the entire research cycle.

Hypothesis and Empiricism

A hypothesis is a single assertion, a proposed explanation of something based on

available knowledge, for something yet to be explained, that is subjected to further
experimentation. On the other hand, empiricism is a theory of knowledge which emphasizes
those aspects of scientific knowledge that are closely related to experience, especially as formed
through deliberate experimental arrangements. All concepts in empirical research originate in
experience.

Empiricism is a fundamental requirement of scientific research that all hypotheses and

theories must be tested against observations of the natural world (empirical evidence), rather than
resting solely on a priori reasoning, intuition, or revelation.
2. Explain clearly the difference between conceptual and theoretical framework.

A theoretical framework is a single formal theory. When a study is designed around a

theoretical framework, the theory is the primary means in which the research problem is
understood and investigated. Although theoretical frameworks tend to be used in quantitative
studies, you will also see this approach in qualitative research.

A conceptual framework includes one or more formal theories (in part or whole) as well
as other concepts and empirical findings from the literature. It is used to show relationships
among these ideas and how they relate to the research study. Conceptual frameworks are
commonly seen in qualitative research in the social and behavioral sciences, for example,
because often one theory cannot fully address the phenomena being studied.

Further, theoretical theory is based on theory in the form of model/paradigm which serves
as the basis for the study while conceptual framework is the researcher’s own model exhibiting
variables that specify the study problems and shows direction.

Moreover, theoretical research mentions the proponents of the study and their results and
explains broader relationships that exists between concepts while conceptual framework is not
well developed as theoretical framework and may be an adaption of a model in an early theory
with modifications that suits the inquiry.