I know of no more encouraging fact

than the unquestionable ability of man

to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.

Henry David Thoreau

RESEARCH AND

SCIENTIFIC WRITING

RESEARCHSearching for a Theory

Testing Theory

Solving a Problem

What is a True Research ..….Research originates with a question.

An inquisitive mind is the beginning of research.

Research demands a clear articulation of a goal.What you intend to do?

Research requires a specific plan of procedure.How you propose to reach the goal?

Research usually divides the principal problem into more manageable subproblems.Principal question is divided to other

questions.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Systematic

Controlled

EmpiricalCritical investigation

A PROBLEM EXISTS:There is an absence of information resulting in a gap in our knowledge

There are contradictory results

A fact exists and you intend to make your study explain it

SOURCES OF A PROBLEMExperiences & ObservationThe vast amount of literature in your own field

Courses that you have takenJournals, books, magazines and abstracts

Theses and dissertationsYour teacher and your classmates

Guidelines in the Selection of a TopicYour interestAvailability of the materials needed for

investigationParticular needs of the communitySocio – economic significance of the

problemTopic is within your level of knowledge and

experienceTime required to finish the projectSafety measures to be undertakenExpenses involved in undertaking the

projectGeneration of new information

Formulating a Research ProblemFor the research problem to be significant it

must:

Help answer a problem / need of the people / community / country

Contribute to the generation of new information

Develop or improve an existing processContribute to the development of the

scientific skills of the researcher

Evaluating the Problem1. Is the problem feasible?

a. Has the problem been specified?b. IS the problem amenable to

research?c. How available are the data?d. Is the problem too large?e. Am I capable of solving the

problem?2. Is the problem worthwhile?

a. Will the result advance knowledge?b. Will the research have some value?c. Will the research be of interest to

possible user?

As soon as you have chosen your topic:Make the topic more specific and definitive.

Start defining major terms in the title.

Survey the literature.

THE TITLEThe title should be written briefly (20

substantive words, function words not included is the maximum allowable length of a title).

Should contain the variables you will study.

Should show the relationship among the variables.

TITLEThe title should be able to catch the attention of the

reader or “eye catching”. It should be concise, descriptive and self-explanatory. It should

indicate clearly what the project is about. The title

should focus on the topic for investigation and the main

variable being studied should be included.

The TITLE is the first thing the reader comes across when

surveying the scientific literature. It is an overview of the entire

article and maybe the only basis for deciding whether to read the

scientific paper or not.

VARIABLES – are the constructs or properties being studiedDEPENDENT VARIABLE or criterion variable

- Is the outcome or objective of the study.

- In lay language, it is the result.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE or variate variable

- Is the property or characteristics that makes the outcome or objective vary or differ.

Samples of independent and dependent variables

Problem Independent Variable

Dependent Variable

The study aims to determine the effect of beer on the growth of orchid.

beer Growth of

orchids

IN EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH:An independent variable is manipulated;

All other variables except the dependent variable are held constant; and

The effect of manipulation of the independent variable on the dependent variable is observed or measured.

HYPOTHESISIs a tentative explanation for certain behaviors, phenomena, or events which have occurred or will occur.

It is the most specific statement of a problem.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HYPOTHESIS:

A good hypothesis is researchable.

It should state, in definite terms, the relationship between variables.

It should be testable.It should follow the findings of previous studies.

FUNCTIONS OF THE HYPOTHESIS:Introduces the researcher’s thinking at the start of the study.

Structures the next stages or procedures of the study.

Helps provide the format for the presentation, analysis, and interpretation of the data in the research.

TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS:Null Hypothesis

- Means no existence of an effect, an interaction, of relationships, or of difference.

Alternative Hypothesis

-Is considered the operational statement of the research hypothesis.

Deductive Hypothesis

based on theoryInductive

Hypothesisbased on observations

ExamplesProblem: What intellectual and non-intellectual

student characteristic can predict academic achievement?

Hypothesis: Environmental conditions in the

home and scholastic aptitude are predictors of physics achievement.

Null Hypothesis (H0): Environmental conditions in the

home and scholastic aptitude are not significant predictors of physics achievement.

INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITYWork on at least five (5) problems for investigation;

Create the title for each problem;

Make the null and alternative hypothesis for each title.

Web sites for Science Project Ideaswww.scienceproject.com/index.asphttp://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/ind

ex.htmlwww.sciencenews.orgwww.sciencedaily.comhttp://whyfiles.orgwww.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/welcome.htmlwww.exploratorium.orgwww.spartechsoftware.com/reekowww.sci-journal org/index.phphttp://www.madsci.org

READ! READ! AND READ!By: esabangan