Just because it seems to be necessary... :)



Good Research Practices

Good research practices use what is called the "scientific method" for determining whether a theory or conjecture is valid, or at least has merit. It is based on evidence rather than belief.

What is this "scientific method"?

1. Observe and describe a phenomenon or set of phenomenons.


2. Create a theory or conjecture to explain the phenomenon(s).


3. Use what is theorized to predict repeat performances of said phenomena.


4. Experiment to see whether the theory is correct by discovering whether the criteria will actually duplicate the same set of results. Properly performed experiments will have the most reliable results.

What is the typical process like?

1. Define the question


2. Gather information and resources


3. Form hypothesis


4. Plan experiment


5. Do experiment and collect data


6. Analyze data


7. Interpret data and draw conclusions that serve as a starting point for new hypotheses


8. Communicate results

Key points to note:

• If the experiments bear out the hypothesis it may come to be regarded as a theory.


• If the experiments do not bear out the hypothesis, it MUST BE REJECTED OR MODIFIED.


• The key in the description of the scientific method just given is the predictive power of the
  hypothesis or theory, as tested by experiment.

It is often said in science that theories can never be proved, only disproved. There is always the possibility that a new observation or a new experiment will conflict with a long-standing theory.


COMMON MISTAKES:

• Ignoring data which does not support the hypothesis.


• Failure to account for errors in the method used to run the experiment.


• Mistaking the hypothesis for an actual explanation, without performing proper experiments.


• Bias towards a specific result or specific set of results.

Selected links for further understanding:

http://phyun5.ucr.edu/~wudka/Physics7/Notes_www/node6.html
http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/Plants_Human/scimeth.html
http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/scimeth.htm
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/CC/chance.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method