Chapter 2

Scientific Investigation

Research
Methods

2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wiley.com/college/sekaran

Chapter Objectives
1. Explain what is meant by scientific investigation, giving
examples of both scientific and non-scientific
investigations
2. Explain the eight hallmarks of science
3. Briefly explain why research in the organizational behavior
and management areas cannot be completely scientific
4. Describe the building blocks of science
5. Discuss the seven steps of hypothetico-deductive method,
using an example of your own
6. Describe the process of induction and deduction
7. Appreciate the advantages of knowledge about scientific
investigation
Research
Methods

2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wiley.com/college/sekaran

Hallmarks of scientific
research:
Hallmarks or main distinguishing
characteristics of scientific research:
Purposiveness
Rigor
Testability
Replicability
Precision and Confidence
Objectivity
Generalizability
Parsimony
Research
Methods

2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wiley.com/college/sekaran

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
Research
Methods

2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wiley.com/college/sekaran

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.
Research
Methods

2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wiley.com/college/sekaran

Alternative approaches to what

makes good research
Positivism
Constructionnism
The middle ground:
Critical realism
Pragmatism

Research
Methods

2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wiley.com/college/sekaran

Positivism
Scientific research is the way to get
to the truth
Rigour and replicability, reliability,
and generalizability
Key approach: experiment
Research
Methods

2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wiley.com/college/sekaran

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

Research
Methods

2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wiley.com/college/sekaran

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
Research
Methods

2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wiley.com/college/sekaran

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
Research
Methods

2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wiley.com/college/sekaran