Chapter 2

Scientific Investigation

Slide 2-2
 Hallmarks
Hallmarks of
of Scientific
Scientific Research:
Research:

 Hallmarks or main distinguishing

characteristics of scientific research:
 Purposiveness
 Rigor
 Testability
 Replicability
 Precision and Confidence
 Objectivity
 Generalizability
 Parsimony
Slide 2-3
 Hypothetico-Deductive Research

 The Seven-Step Process in the

Hypothetico-Deductive Method
 Identify a broad problem area
 Define the problem statement
 Develop hypotheses
 Determine measures
 Data collection
 Data analysis
 Interpretation of data
Slide 2-4
 Deduction and Induction

 Deductive reasoning: application of a

general theory to a specific case.
 Hypothesis testing

 Inductive reasoning: a process where we

observe specific phenomena and on this
basis arrive at general conclusions.
 Counting white swans

 Both inductive and deductive processes

are often used in research.
Slide 2-5
 Alternative
Alternative Approaches
Approaches to
to What
What
Makes
Makes Good
Good Research
Research

 Positivism
 Constructionism

 The middle ground:

 Critical realism
 Pragmatism

Slide 2-6
 Positivism

 Scientific research is the way to get to the

truth

 Rigour and replicability, reliability, and

generalizability

 Key approach: experiment

Slide 2-7
 Constructionism
Constructionism

 The world as we know it is fundamentally

mental

 Aim to understand the rules people use to

make sense of the world

 Research methods are often qualitative in

nature

Slide 2-8
 Critical Realism

 There is an external reality but we cannot

always objectively measure this external
reality

 The critical realist is critical of our ability

to understand the world with certainty

Slide 2-9
 Pragmatism
 Do not take a particular position on what
makes good research

 Research on both objective and

subjective phenomena can produce
useful knowledge

 Relationship between theory and practice

 Purpose of theory is to inform practice

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