1. www.wiley.com/college/sekaran Scientific Investigation
Chapter 2
Scientific Investigation
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

2. Hallmarks of scientific research:
Hallmarks or main distinguishing characteristics of scientific research:
Purposiveness
Rigor
Testability
Replicability
Precision and Confidence
Objectivity
Generalizability
Parsimony
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

3. 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
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

4. 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.
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

5. Alternative approaches to what makes good research
Positivism
Constructionnism
The middle ground:
Critical realism
Pragmatism
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

6. © 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
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

7. © 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
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

8. © 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
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

9. © 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
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.