The Scientific

Method

 The Scientific Method is a body of

techniques for investigating phenomena
and acquiring new knowledge, as well as
for correcting and integrating previous
knowledge.
It is based on gathering observable,
empirical, measurable evidence, subject
to specific principles of reasoning.
Eg: deductive; (hypothetico-deductive); inductive; abductive

http://www.mghs.sa.edu.au/Internet/Faculties/Science/Year8/workingScientifically.htm

 Four essential elements:

Characterisations
Hypotheses
Predictions
Experiment

Paradigms

Approach

Research methods

Positivism

Quantitative Surveys:
longitudinal,
cross-sectional,
correlational;
experimental,
quasi-experimental,
ex-post facto research

-Relationship between income and

willingness to recycle

Antipositivism

Qualitative

Biographical;
Phenomenological;
Ethnographical;
case study

-A case study of recycling facilitated

by school situated in a middle
income area
-A case study incidence of shigella
over a period of 3 years in a group
of families living in X district of
Kampala

Critical
theory

Critical and
actionoriented

Ideology critique;
action research

-Can middle income families be

persuaded to participate more fully
in recycling when exposed to an
education campaign ?
-Can the incidence of diahorreal
disease be reduced by improving
santiation near boreholes supplying
potable water ?

http://www.celt.mmu.ac.uk/researchmethods/

Examples

-What proportion of residents in

Kampala test positive for the strain
of shigella found in the nearest
borehole supply?

 It is important for your experiment to be a

fair test. A "fair test" occurs when you
change only one factor (variable) and keep
all other conditions the same.

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml

Writing Up
Experimental
Chapters
Based on: How to Write a Thesis:
A Working Guide
R Chandrasekhar

Indicate all assumptions

Include enough information on
Methods
Materials
to enable repeat of your experiments
Tedious but necessary details - Appendix
Do not mix Materials and Methods with Results

Experimental Chapters
State your hypothesis clearly
only results that are relevant to your
hypothesis
but also results that may contradict your
hypothesis

Tables & Graphs

When do you use a graph, when do you use a
table?
Caption all diagrams, graphs and tables so
that they may be read by independently of the
main text
Refer in your text to every diagram, graph and
table, especially where you present and
discuss your results.
Introduce table/graph
Explain table graph

 Results
Are they valid if they convey no sense of the
new ?
Have you squeezed all possible info from
them ?
(This takes experience)
Use Occams razor

Do not present results chronologically;

present them logically.

Discussion
Present Results separately from Discussion ?
Commingle fact and opinion ?
Repetition

Discussion section - where you add value

What meaning do results have ?

Are they in accord with accepted theory?
What do they mean with respect to your hypothesis?
Do your results uphold your assumptions?
How do you treat unexpected or inconsistent results?
Can you account for them?
Do you need to revise your experiments or repeat them?
What are the limitations in your methodology?
How do your results fit in with the work of others in the field?
What additional work can you suggest?

Discussion
An A+ student distinguishes himself or herself
by the quality, depth, knowledge that is
apparent from the discussion.
If the hypothesis fell as a result of the
experiment - discussion of results still important

Conclusions
Power of your scientific thinking.
Unite all that has gone before with a thread of
unified perspective.
why your story is a good one
summarise evidence from your work
did hypothesis stand, fall, or require modification? (or
what was the answer to your research question?)
briefly compare your work with that of others
Knowledge gained from your work
Suggest what may be done to further new knowledge.

Do not introduce NEW points!!!