Objective and Characteristics of Scientific Research, Nature and types of Variables

Research Method -
Objective of scientific research, characteristics of scientific research, nature and types of variables

1. Reseach Method Objective and Characteristics of Scientific research Nature and types of variables made by psychologist stella

2. Objective of Scientific Research

3. Objective Research objective means “ declarative statements that focus on the identification and the description of variables or concepts and sometimes on determination of relationships of variables” In general, research objectives describe what we  expect to achieve  by a project. Research objectives are usually expressed in  lay terms  and are directed as much to the client as to the researcher. Research objectives may be linked with a hypothesis or used as a statement of purpose in a study that does not have a hypothesis.

4. Objective Objectives should be closely related to the statement of the problem . The general objective of a study states what researchers expect to achieve by the study in general terms. It is possible (and advisable) to break down a general objective into smaller, logically connected parts. These are normally referred to as specific objectives.

5. Why should research objectives be developed? The formulation of objectives will help you to: Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials); Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary for understanding and solving the problem you have identified ; and Organise the study in clearly defined parts or phases . Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of your research methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilisation of data .

6. How should you state your objectives? Take care that the objectives of your study: Cover the different aspects of the problem and its contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical sequence ; Are clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly what you are going to do, where, and for what purpose; Are realistic considering local conditions; and Use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated. Examples of action verbs are: to determine, to compare, to verify, to calculate, to describe, and to establish . Avoid the use of vague non-action verbs such as: to appreciate, to understand, or to study . Keep in mind that when the project is evaluated , the results will be compared to the objectives . If the objectives have not been spelled out clearly, the project cannot be evaluated.

7. Characteristics of Scientific Research

8. Characteristics We have argued that science is the preferred way to obtain reliable and valid knowledge about the natural world . In order to produce reliable and justified knowledge, the scientific process relies on several important characteristics. Controlled: – in exploring causality in relation to two variables, the study must be set in a way to minimise the effects of other factors affecting the relationship. Rigorous – be scrupulous in ensuring that the procedures followed to find answers to questions are relevant, appropriate and justified.

9. Characteristics Systematic – the procedures adopted to undertake an investigation follow a certain logical sequence ... Different steps cannot be taken in a hazardous way. Valid and verifiable – whatever is concluded on the basis of the findings must be correct and can be verified by the researcher and others. Empirical – any conclusions drawn are based upon hard evidence gathered from information collected from real-life experiences or observations. Critical – critical scrutiny of the procedures used and the methods employed.

10. Characteristics Solution of a problem : –. Based upon empirical or observable evidence:- Involves precise observation and accurate description :- Research gives emphasis to the development of theories, principles and generalizations :- Research is characterized by systematic, objective and logical procedures :-

11. Characteristics Researcher have patience and courage to think over the problem and find out the correct solution. Researcher have full expertise of the problem being studied . Research is replicable. Research requires skill of writing and reproducing the report .

12. Nature & Types of Variables

13. Variable Scientists somewhat loosely call the constructs or properties the study “ Variables. ” Examples of important variables in sociology, psychology and education are: gender, income, education, social class, organizational productivity, occupational mobility, level of aspiration, verbal aptitude, anxiety, religious affiliation, political preference, ego strength, task orientation, conformity, intelligence, achievement. A variable is anything that can vary , i.e. changed or be changed, such as  memory, attention, time taken to perform a task , etc.

14. Variable It can be said that a variable is a property that takes on different values. A variable is a symbol to which numerals or values are assigned. Some of the variables used in behavioral research are true dichotomies- that is they are characterized by the presence or absence of a property : male-female, employed-unemployed. Some variables are polytomies . Example:________. Most variables however, are theoretically capable on continuous values . It has been common practice in behavioral research to convert continuous variable, to dichotomies or polytomies . Example: __________

15. Types of Variables Variables can be classified in several ways. Three kinds of variables are very important. Independent and dependent variables. Active and attribute variables. Continuous and categorical variables.

16. Independent & Dependent This categorization is highly useful because of its general applicability, simplicity, and importance in conceptualizing and designing research and in communicating the results of research. An independent variable is the presumed cause of the dependent variable , the presumed effect. The independent variable is the antecedent; the dependent is the consequent. The term “ Independent variable ” and “ dependent variable ” come from mathematics . In experiments the independent variables is the manipulated by the experimenter . The dependent variable, of course, is the variable predicted to, whereas the independent variable is predicted from .

17. Active& Attribute Manipulated variables will be called active variables; Measured variables will be called attribute variables. Any variable that is manipulated, then, is an active variable. Any variable that cannot be manipulated is an attribute variable.

18. Continuous& Categorical A continuous variable is capable of taking on a ordered set of values within a certain range . The continuous values of a continuous variable reflect at least a rank order , a large value of the variable meaning more of the property in question than a smaller value. Categorical variable, as I will call, belong to a kind of measurement called nominal.

19. Extraneous variables When we conduct experiments there are other variables that can affect our results, if we do not control them . The researcher wants to make sure that it is the manipulation of the independent variable that has changed the changes in the dependent variable . Hence, all the other variables that could affect the d ependent variable to change must be controlled. These other variables are called extraneous or confounding variables. Extraneous variables  – These are all variables, which are not the independent variable, but could affect the results (e.g. dependent variable) of the experiment .

20. Extraneous variables Extraneous variables should be controlled were possible. They might be important enough to provide alternative explanations for the effects.

21. Others variables Confounding variable: extra variables that have a hidden effect on your experimental results. Control variable: a factor in an experiment which must be held constant. For example, in an experiment to determine whether light makes plants grow faster, you would have to control for soil quality and water . Discrete variable : a variable that can only take on a certain number of values. For example, “number of cars in a parking lot” is discrete because a car park can only hold so many cars. A  measurement variable  has a number associated with it. It’s an “amount” of something, or a”number ” of something. Nominal variable : another name for categorical variable. Ordinal variable : similar to a categorical variable, but there is a clear order. For example, income levels of low, middle, and high could be considered ordinal.

22. Others variables Qualitative variable : a broad category for any variable that can’t be counted (i.e. has no numerical value). Nominal and ordinal variables fall under this umbrella term. Quantitative variable : A broad category that includes any variable that can be counted, or has a numerical value associated with it. Examples of variables that fall into this category include discrete variables and ratio variables. Random variables  are associated with random processes and give numbers to outcomes of random events. A  ranked variable  is an ordinal variable; a variable where every data point can be put in order (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). Ratio variables : similar to interval variables, but has a meaningful zero