Steps for Scientific Research Process

Research Process Stages

Beginning: Starting point: we wish to know the assignment, project, or real need. We start our role as researchers.

Choosing the Topic

We have to choose the topic(s). Once decided, it determines our investigation.

General Problem

Our research will be focused on...

Literature Review

What has been said before our time? (Theoretical & practical) “State of the matter.”

Limiting the Problem: Questions and Hypothesis

• Identify the problem.
• Take into account the methodology (it indicates the activities and techniques we will develop to achieve our goal we want to follow).

Once we have identified the problem, we must think about our objectives.

Hypothesis

What we think will happen in our investigation. (They are created by linking two or more variables. Useful for identifying some contradictions).

Determine the Design and Methodology

It gives us information about: How we will collect data, Samples. Methodology has incisive effects on our process as researchers.

IMPORTANT: The idea is that by following the same methodology, different researchers have to get the same results (Validity).

Data Collecting

This process is developed through the techniques previously selected by the researcher(s). Focus on Validity + Reliability.

Data Analysis + Presentation of the Results

We can use tables, diagrams… an element to help us understand the amount of information. It has to be attractive and easy to identify.

Interpreting Results

We have to generate a discourse in line with the audience. It must be comprehensible. We have to answer the objectives we assumed from the very beginning.

Conclusions + Generalization

It synthesizes the investigation and generalizes the results in other contexts (if applicable).

The Scientific Method

It has 5 characteristics:

1. Scientist communication is public: We are supposed to take advantage of it.
2. Science is objective: We have to tell the truth when we investigate; there has to be a clear description of methodology.
3. Science is empirical: Scientific knowledge relies on experience, measurable aspects of reality, plus theoretical aspects.
4. Science is systematic and accumulative: When we investigate, we have to take into account what has been said before about our topic of research.
5. Science is predictive: It has the intention to generate knowledge for foreseeing events or behaviors.