field and methods Step 5.

use the observations to support, refuse, or refine the original

hypothesis
Lecture 1 – Acquiring knowledge and the scientific method
- the final step of the scientific method is to compare the actual
methods of knowing and acquiring knowledge observations with the predictions that were made from the
hypothesis
- methods of acquiring knowledge r ways in which a person can
- the scientific method is not a linear process but rather a circular
know things or discover answers to questions
process

1. the method of tenacity other elements of the scientific method

- information is accepted true bc it has always been believed or bc
superstition supports it 1. science of empirical
2. the methods of intuition - answers are obtained by making observations
- information is accepted on the basis of a hunch or “gut feeling” 2. science is public
3. the method of authority (method of faith) - available for evaluation by others
- person relies on information or answers from an expert in the - replication/repetition of observation allows verification of the
subject area findings
- ex. consulting an expert directly, going to a library or a website to 3. science is objective
read the works of an expert - observations are structured to avoid researcher’s biases
4. the rational method
- aka rationalism the research process
- seeks answer by using logical reasoning
research
- premise statements – describe facts or assumptions that are
presumed to be true - research as define as the creation of new knowledge in a new and
- argument – a set of premise statements that are logically creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, and
combined to yield a conclusion understandings (western Sydney university, 2021)
5. the empirical method
- aka empiricism the research process
- uses observation or direct sensory experience to obtain
knowledge a. quantitative research – based on measuring variables for
individual participants to obtain scores, usually numerical values,
the scientific method which are submitted to statistical analysis for summary and
interpretation
- an approach to acquiring knowledge involving the formulation of b. qualitative research – based on making observations that are
specific questions and systematically finding answers summarized and interpreted in a narrative report
- a developed system for asking and answering questions to ensure
the accuracy of the answers

step 1. observer behavior or other phenomena

- it begins w casual or informal observations, it does not necessarily

start w a well-planned, systematic investigation
- induction (inductive reasoning) – involves using a relatively small
set of specific observations as the basis for forming a general
statement about a larger set of possible observations

step 2. form a tentative answer or explanation (a hypothesis)

- begins by identifying variables that are associated w ur

observations
- variables – characteristics or conditions that change or have
different values for different individual shave a hypothesis or
possible explanation
- hypothesis – statement that describes or explains a relationships
between or among variables. it is not a final answer but a
proposal to be tested and evaluated

step 3. use your hypothesis to generate a testable prediction

- apply the hypothesis to a specific, observable, real-world situation

- deductive (deductive reasoning) - uses a general statement as the
basis for reaching a conclusion about specific examples
the steps of research process
step 4. evaluate prediction by making systematic, planned observations
step 1. find a research idea: select a topic and search the literature to find
- evaluate the prediction using the empirical method (direct
an unanswered questions
observation)
- data collection phase of the scientific method variables step 2. form a hypothesis – when u are selecting an answer to search as your
hypothesis, u should pick the answer that seems most likely to be correct

step 3. determine how u will define and measure ur variables

step 4. identify the participants or subjects for the study, decide how they
will be selected and plan for their ethical treatment – (humans –
participants, nonhumans – subjects)

- plan for the safety and well-being of the research participants and
inform them of all relevant aspects of the research

step 5. select a research strategy

step 6. select a research design

- involves making decisions abt the specific methods and

procedures u will use to conduct the research study

step 7. conduct the study – data collection

step 8. evaluate the data

- use statistical methods to examine and evaluate the data

step 9. report the results

2 reasons to report research results r:

1. the results become general knowledge that other ppl can use to
answer questions or to general new research ideas
2. the research procedure can be replicated or refuted by other
researchers

step 10. refine or reformulate ur research idea

- most research studies generate more questions that they answer