Essential Concepts of Scientific Research and Methodology

Core Concepts of Science and Research

Science: The systematically organized set of recorded knowledge.

Classification of Science

By Practical Use

• Applied Science: Knowledge directly useful for solving specific problems.
• Basic Science: Seeks to develop knowledge driven by the desire to learn, regardless of practical application.

By Object of Study

• Formal Sciences: Deals with ideas that do not exist in the physical world (creations of the human mind).
• Factual Sciences: Deals with objects with real existence (physical, chemical, biological).

Technology: A set of theories and techniques used in the practical application and use of scientific knowledge.

Scientific Disclosure: Making objective and valid products of scientific research available to interested persons to broaden their knowledge.

The Scientific Method and Reasoning

Scientific Method: The set of steps used to pose problems and test proposed solutions to determine their validity (true or false).

Stages of the Scientific Method

1. Statement of the problem.
2. Construction of a theoretical model.
3. Derivation of consequences from the problem.
4. Putting the assumptions to the test (proof).
5. Incorporation of research findings into the theory.

Inference: A mode of reasoning used to logically derive certain statements, utilizing the following procedures:

• Induction: Formulating general principles from particular cases.
• Deduction: Applying general principles to particular cases.

Research Design and Documentation

Research Problem: Indicates the hypothesized relationships that exist between two or more events to explain their occurrence.

Theoretical Framework: Integration of information directly related to the investigation in a logical, coherent, and clear manner, substantiating interest in the topic.

Theoretical Levels of Information

• Theories about the problem.
• Indirect empirical evidence.
• Direct empirical information.

Bibliographic Research: A procedure used to locate, access, and utilize documentary materials relevant to the research.

Types of Research Notes (Tiles)

Common formats for recording research information include:

• Quotations
• Summary or abstract
• Form tables
• Terminological questions
• Problem type
• Mixed notes
• Personal commentary
• Cross-reference

Types of Investigation

The type of investigation defines the degree of knowledge sought in a study:

• Exploratory Research: Used when a problem is rarely studied or has not been addressed previously.
• Correlational Research: Studies the relationship between two events, where modification in one suggests a change in the other.
• Experimental Research: Studies causes and effects of phenomena elements through controlled studies, establishing cause-effect relationships between two or more factors.

Variables and Hypothesis

Hypothesis: An assumption made about what happens to the phenomenon being studied.

Variable: A condition that has different values and can be manipulated to observe the effects of that change.

• Independent Variable: The variable manipulated by the investigator; its modification causes changes in the dependent variable.
• Dependent Variable: The variable that is measured or observed, which changes in response to the independent variable.