Scientific Investigation - Scientific Investigation

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1. Chapter # 2Chapter # 2
Scientific InvestigationScientific Investigation

2. The Hallmarks of Scientific The Hallmarks of Scientific
ResearchResearch
PURPOSIVENESS
–The manager must start with a define aim or purpose
for the research. It means the scientific research must
be purposive.
RIGOR
–Rigor connotes carefulness, scrupulousness, and the
degree of exactitude in research investigations.

3. TESTABILITY
–Scientific research let itself to test logically developed
hypotheses to see whether or not the data support the
educated conjectures or hypotheses that are developed
after a careful study of the problem situation.
REPLICABILITY
–Our hypotheses would not have been supported merely
by chance, but is reflective of the true state of affairs in
the population.
The Hallmarks of Scientific The Hallmarks of Scientific
Research Research (cont.)(cont.)

4. PRECISION AND CONFIDENCE
–Precision refers to how close the findings, based on a
sample, are to “reality” while confidence refers to the
probability that our estimations are correct.
–Confidence refers to the probability that our estimations are
correct
OBJECTIVITY
–The conclusions drawn through the interpretation of the
results of data analysis should be objective; that is, they
should be based on the facts resulting from the findings
from actual data.
The Hallmarks of Scientific The Hallmarks of Scientific
Research Research (cont.)(cont.)

5. GENERALIZABILITY
–Generalizability refers to the scope of applicability of the
research findings in one organizational setting to other
settings.
PARSIMONY
–Simplicity in explaining the phenomena or problems that
occur, and in generating solutions for the problems, is
always preferred to complex research frameworks that
consider an unmanageable number of factors.
The Hallmarks of Scientific The Hallmarks of Scientific
Research Research (cont.)(cont.)

6. The Building Blocks of Science The Building Blocks of Science
(Arguments)(Arguments)
DEDUCTION
The process by which we arrive at a reasoned
conclusion by logically generalizing from a known
fact.
INDUCTION
A process where we observe certain phenomena
and on this basis arrive at conclusions.

7. The Building Blocks of ScienceThe Building Blocks of Science
Observation
Problem Identification
Theoretical Framework or Network of Association
Hypotheses
Constructs, Concepts, Operational Definitions
Research Design
Data Collection
Analysis of Data
Interpretation of Data
Implementation or Refinement of Theory

8. The Hypothetico-Deductive MethodThe Hypothetico-Deductive Method
Identify a broad problem area
A broad problem area provides researchers with enough
information to embark on their research journey. A problem
is any situation where a gap exists between an actual and
a desired ideal state.
Define the problem statement
A clear, precise, succienct statement of the question or
issue that is to be investigated with the goal of finding an
answer or solution

9. Develop hypotheses
Hypothesis is a clear, precise, succienct statement of the
question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal of
finding an answer or solution. A scientific hypothesis must
meet two requirements:
–Testable: The ability to subject the data collected to appropriate
statistical tests, in order to substantiate or reject the hypotheses
developed for the research study
–Falsifiable: it must be possible to disprove the hypothesis
Determine measures
Unless the variables in the theoretical framework are
measured in some way, we will not be able to test our
hypotheses. Concepts are then operationally defined so that
they can be measured.
The Hypothetico-Deductive Method The Hypothetico-Deductive Method
(cont.)(cont.)

10. Data collection
Data with respect to each variable in the hypothesis need to be obtained.
Data analysis
At this step, the data gathered are statically analyzed to see if the hypothesis
that were generated have been supported.
Interpretation of data
We must decide whether our hypotheses are supported or not by interpreting
the meaning of the results of the data analysis. Deduction is the process of
arriving at conclusions by interpreting the meaning of the data analysis results.
The Hypothetico-Deductive Method The Hypothetico-Deductive Method
(cont.)(cont.)

11. Deductive vs InductiveDeductive vs Inductive
Deductive reasoning: to test a theory (recall that, to a scientist, a
theory is an organized set of assumptions that generates testable
predictions) about a topic of interest. In deductive reasoning, we
work from the more general to the more specific. We start out with
a general theory and then narrow down that theory into specific
hypotheses we can test. We narrow down even further when we
collect specific observations to test our hypotheses. Analysis of
these specific observations ultimately allows us to confirm (or
refute) our original theory.
Inductive reasoning: it is a process where we observe specific
phenomena and on this basis arrive at general conclusions.
Hence, in inductive reasoning, we work from the more specific to
the more general. The observation of a first, second, and third
white swan (this is a very famous example) may
lead to the proposition that “all swans are white.” In this example,
the repeated observation of a white swan has led to the general
conclusion that all swans are white.
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