Characteristics and Hallmarks of Scientific Research

Following are the points of the Hallmarks of Scientific Research:

1. Purposiveness

2. Rigor

3. Testability

4. Replicability

5. Precision and confidence

6. Objectivity

7. Generalizability

8. Parsimony

1. Purposiveness

Scientific research is conducted with a specific purpose or goal in mind. For example; a manager of an
organization has started the research for a specific purpose i.e. focusing on increasing employee
commitment to the organization, as this will be beneficial in many ways such as; increase performance
level, decrease turnover and less absentees of employees.

2. Rigor

Rigor suggests carefulness, honesty, and the degree of accuracy in research investigations. For example;
in case the manager of an organization asks 10 to 12 of its employees to suggest that how can we
increase the level of commitment to it. It lacks rigor for the following reasons:

1) The conclusions are incorrectly drawn because they are based on the opinions of a few employees
whose views may not be representative of all employees.

2) The way in which framing and answer questions would lead to bias or incorrect answers. Scientific
research is conducted with a high degree of rigor and attention to detail. Researchers strive to minimize
bias and errors in their methods and results.

3. Testability

Scientific research is testable, meaning that it can be replicated and verified by other researchers.

This allows for the validation of research findings and promotes the development of new knowledge.
The researcher develops a hypothesis on how employee commitment can be improved, and then these
can be tested by applying certain statistical tests on data collected for the purpose. For instance, the
researcher may hypothesise that those employees who observe greater opportunities for participation
in decision making will have a higher level of commitment.

4. Replicability
Scientific research should be replicable, meaning that other researchers should be able to repeat the
study and obtain similar results. Replication is important for verifying the validity and reliability of
research findings.

We repeat the test of hypothesis again and again for the batter outcomes. We will place greater faith
and trust in these feelings and conclude if the same findings are based on data collected by other
organizations using similar methods to put it differently. Hypothesis test results should be supported
again and again when same type of research is repeated in other similar cases. We will gain confidence
in the scientific context of our research. In other words, our thoughts have been supported by chance,
but they reflect the true state of affairs in people.

5. Precision and confidence

Precision refers to the closeness of the findings to “reality” based on a sample. In other words, precision
reflects the degree of accuracy of the results on the basis of the sample, to what really exists in the
universe. While Confidence refers to the probability that our estimation are correct.

That is, it is not merely enough to be precise, but it is also important that we can confidently claim that
95% of our results will be true and there is only 5% chance of our being wrong. This is also known as the
confidence level.

Scientific research aims to be precise and to provide a high degree of confidence in the results.
Researchers use statistical analysis and other methods to assess the strength and significance of their
findings.

6. Objectivity

Scientific research is conducted in an objective manner, meaning that researchers strive to minimize the
influence of personal bias or subjective factors on their results. The conclusion reached on the
interpretation of the results of the data analysis should be objective, that is, they should be based on the
facts of the findings based on actual data, not our independent and emotional levels. For example, if the
hypothesis is about organizational commitment, a lot of time and effort can be wasted in finding ways to
create opportunities for staff participation in decision-making.

7. Generalizability

It refers to the scope of applicability of the research findings in one organizational setting to other
settings. Obviously, the wider the range of applicability of the solutions generated by research, the more
useful the research is to the users. Scientific research aims to be generalizable, meaning that the
findings can be applied to other populations or situations beyond the specific context of the study.

8. Parsimony

Scientific research aims to be parsimonious, meaning that it seeks to explain phenomena in the simplest
and most straightforward way possible, while still accounting for all relevant factors. It can be
introduced with a good understanding of the problem and the important factors that influence it. Such a
good conceptual theoretical model can be realized through unstructured and structural interviews with
the concerned people, and a thorough literature review of the previous research work in the particular
problem area.