Fundamental of Scientific Research (Research methods) Dr. Maram Bani Younes, Assistant Professor Philadelphia University Copyright © S. Ghoul (2009) Graziano & Raulin (1997)

Chapter 1 Introduction to Research in Science What is Research? • Research: is the search of knowledge • Research: is a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge • Research: is the scientific and systematic process of collecting and analyzing information on a specific issue in order to increase our understanding Graziano & Raulin (1997)

What is Research? Research: is the investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws.

Research Objectives Generate new knowledge • Gain familiarity with new insights into a phenomenon • Interpret the characteristics of a particular situation • Examine hypothesis between variables

Research and Development (R&D) Research and Development (R&D) is any creative systematic activity undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this knowledge to devise new applications.

Basic Assumptions of Science Assumptions are accepted without proof Assumptions of science True, physical universe exists Universe is essentially orderly The principles that define the functioning of the universe can be discovered All ideas are tentative, potentially changed by new information Form the basis of all scientific thinking Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007)

Observation and Inference Facts: Events that can be observed Most “facts” of psychology are behaviors Constructs: Inferred from observations Constructed to explain the observations Examples: memory; emotion; personality Used “as if” they really existed Reification of a construct: incorrectly believing it is a fact Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007)

Inductive & Deductive Thinking Inductive thinking: from the specific instance to the general theory Deductive thinking: from the general theory to predict specific instances Science Develops theories through inductive logic Tests theories by generating predictions through deductive logic and empirically verifying those predictions Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007)

Research Philosophy Model: simplified representation of the real things. Graziano & Raulin (1997)

Research Methods vs. Methodology Methods are the techniques or procedures used to gather and analyze data for conducting the research. • Methodology is the strategy, plan of action, process, or design lying behind the choice and use of methods to the desired outcomes.

Research Methods Research methods can be put into the following three groups: 1. Methods concerned with the collection of data. These methods will be used where the data already available are not sufficient to arrive at the required solution; 2. Methods used for establishing relationships between the data and the unknowns 3. Methods used to evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained.

Research Methodology Research methodology is a systematic way for solving the research problem. It includes the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic behind them. • Researchers need to know which methods are relevant and which are not, and what would they mean and indicate and why. • Researchers also need to understand the assumptions underlying various methods and they need to know the criteria by which they can decide that certain methods and procedures will be applicable to certain problems and others will not

Research Methodology Research methodology should answer the following: • Why the researcher chose that focus? • How will the study be designed and why? • What is the scientific approach? • What methods will be used? • How will the research be conducted scientifically? • What steps will be carried out? • Why the alternative was rejected?

Research Methodology Methodology should specify: • Purpose of the study • The models to be used • Type of data to be acquired • The technique of data collection • The methods of data analysis and validation

Designing Scientific Research Research problem investigation • Research design • Research design validation • Do the research • Evaluate the research Publish the Research

Research Management Research Proposal • Research Plan • Research Execution • Research Report Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007)

Research Flow

Research Phases

Research Flow

Research Formulation Do a comprehensive theory and research review • Begin with a statement of the problem, then move on to a review of theory and past research, and conclude with a defining of the research methodology • Focus your research very specifically • Organize your research around a set of questions that can guide your research Choose your methodology wisely Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007)

Academic Honesty Compliance: means the researcher follows the rules set out by the government, funding agencies and the researcher’s institution. • Ethics: refers to a responsible behavior towards humans, sentient beings, society and ecosystems. • Both compliance and ethics are required for the Responsible Conduct in Research. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2007)

Academic Honesty • Plagiarism: is committed when someone uses another person’s words, ideas or opinions without acknowledging them as being from that other person. Special care should be taken with information taken from web sites and other electronic sources. • Do not copy/paste from the internet • Always give credit to others work that you have used Turnitin. Graziano & Raulin (1997)

Academic Honesty • Not everything on the net is true! • Do not copy/paste from internet sources • Do the following steps: • Read  Understand  Select  Copy  Paste  Modify  Summarize  Organize • Most Important Give Credit and Reference other peoples work

Academic Honesty • Fabrication: is the making up of data or results and then documenting them in report • Falsification: is the practice of omitting or altering research materials, equipment, data, or processes in such a way that the results of the research are no longer accurately reflected in the research record. • Fabrication and Falsification are unethical • You would be misleading others who might read and refer to your work

Other Forms of Misconduct Academic Honesty Other Forms of Misconduct • Letting other people do your work • Working with unauthorized collaboration • Publishing the same paper in two different journals • Adding a colleague as an author on a paper without him making serious contributions • Stealing supplies, books, or data

In order to make research you should use the following skills: Skills of Research In order to make research you should use the following skills: 1- Reading Papers 2- Writing A Paper 3- Presenting your Work Defend it,