AGRI 24- Methods of Agricultural Research

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES, PROCESS

PPT Lecture Notes 1

2nd Semester
SY 2020-2021

JOSE EDWIN C. CUBELO, PH.D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
• Is there science without
research? Or research
without science?

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Two Perspectives of Science
A. Science as product of Inquiry

o is commonly defined as a systematized body of

knowledge…

B. Science as method of Inquiry

o Is defined as an “Objective, accurate, systematic ,

analysis of a determinate body of empirical data in
order to discover recurring relationships among
phenomena (Manheim, 1977).
J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Goals of Science (Manheim, 1977)

1. Description GOALS OF SCIENCE

1. Description
o What are the facts? 2. Explanation
o What is the case? 3. Prediction
o What is out there?

❑ Description must come first before one can make

intelligent statements about anything…

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .

MT 41- Dr. J.E. Cubelo

Goals of Science [cont’d]

2. Explanation

o Relates phenomena with others by means of general

laws
o Answers the question why, and explains how things and
events come about, and what causes them?
o Explains what are the laws which determine the
occurrence of certain phenomena ?

❑ Explanation brings meaning to description….

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Goals of Science [Cont’d]

3. Prediction

o Making inferences from facts or laws

o Universal laws or probabilistic generalizations serve
as basis for prediction
o “ If these conditions prevail,” then so and so will
occur.”

❑ Inference – process of deriving logical conclusions

from factual evidence.. J.E.C.CUBELO, PHD .
Basic Aim of Science (Kerlinger)

✓ FORMULATION OF THEORY

Theory
o “A coherent group of tested general propositions regarded
as correct..”

o “A set of interrelated constructs(concepts), definitions,

propositions that present a systematic view of
phenomena, by specifying relations among variables, with
the purpose of explaining and predicting the
phenomena.”. J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .

MT 41- Dr. J.E. Cubelo

 The Scientific Method
1. Problem Identification
2 Problem Definition
3. Formulation f Hypothesis
4. Data Collection Formulation of
5. Testing the hypothesis Hypothesis (3)
6. Formulation of a theory
Problem Definition (2) Data Collection (4)

Problem Identification (1)

Formulation of a Theory Testing of the Hypothesis

(6) (5)
J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Scientific Research

o “systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation

of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypotheses
about the presumed relations among such phenomena”
(Kerlinger,1986).

o utilizes the scientific method

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Characteristics of Scientific Research
1. Systematic
o methodical, regular in procedure that investigators can have critical confidence in
research outcomes

2. Controlled
o observations are tightly disciplined; all but of alternative explanations of a
phenomenon ,one are systematically ruled out.

3. Empirical
o Evidence-based. Research is based on direct experience or observations alone by the
researcher. Hence, subjective belief (hypothesis) is checked against objective reality
(data); the scientist subjects his notions to the court of empirical inquiry and test.

4. Critical
o the scientist is hypercritical of the results of his own and others’ research; involves
careful and precise judgment..
J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .

MT 41- Dr. J.E. Cubelo

PROPERTIES OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. EMPIRICISM
o science ultimately rests on observable data

2. INTERSUBJECTIVITY
o agreement about what constructs mean
o agreement about methods
o replicability

3. RIGOUR
o sources of bias and errors are removed
o empirical regularity
J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
TYPES OF RESEARCH: According to Purpose (Librero, 1998)

o Basic/ pure/ fundamental research

o Applied research

o Action research

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Basic/pure/fundamental research
o research for knowledge sake

o aims to discover basic truths, principles, broad generalizations,

or develop theory

o conclusion-oriented, little concern for application of findings to

actual problems

o usually carried out in laboratories

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Applied research
o application of scientific knowledge to the solution of a
problem

o tests theoretical concepts in actual problem situation

o improve process, procedure, products.

o practical orientation

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Action research
o decision-oriented research

o involves the application of the scientific method in response

to an immediate need for improvement of existing practices

o immediate application

o changes practices and those involved in the practices.

o betterment of Humans
J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
According to Nature/Description (Librero, 1996; Bailey, 1987)

o Historical research

o Descriptive research

o Experimental research

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Historical research
Purpose

o Describes what was for the purpose of discovering

generalizations that are helpful in understanding the
present, and to a limited extent, in anticipating the
future..

Method

o Investigating, recording, analyzing, and interpreting

events of the past
J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Descriptive research
Purpose

o Describe, analyze, interpret existing conditions [“What is”], and

attempts to discover relationship between existing non-
manipulated variables.

Methods

o Correlations, surveys, case studies, direct observation, cross-

cultural growth studies.

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Experimental research
Purpose
o Describes what will be when certain variables are
carefully controlled or manipulated
o Test causal relationships of variables

Methods
o Comparison of experimental and non-experimental
groups by systematically varying conditions.
o Deliberate manipulation
J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .

MT 41- Dr. J.E. Cubelo

Classification according to the setting..
a. Library Research
o Conducted when answers to a specific research question/ problem are
available in the library

b. Field Research
o Conducted in a natural setting
o No changes in the environment
o Applicable to both descriptive survey and experimental methods

c. Laboratory Research
o Conducted in artificial or controlled conditions by isolating the study in a
rigorously specified and operationalized area.
J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
The Research Process

o Overall scheme of activities in which

scientists engage to produce knowledge;

o the paradigm of scientific inquiry

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .

MT 41- Dr. J.E. Cubelo

RESEARCH PROCESS
PROBLEM

GENERALIZATION HYPOTHESIS

THEORY
DATA ANALYSIS RESEARCH DESIGN

DATA COLLECTION MEASUREMENT

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .