SCIENTIFIC METHOD

What is the scientific method?

 It is a step by step procedure of scientific problem
solving.
 Similar to a recipe for science.
 The scientific method is a process used to
systematically investigate observations, solve
problems, and test hypotheses.
 The scientific method helps scientists ensure that the
theories they test are true by testing a hypotheses
with tests.
 Scientific Method
1. Hypothesis
2. Sequence of experiments
a) Randomization
b) Repetition
3. Change one parameter/experiment
4. Prove/Disprove Hypothesis
5. Document for others to reproduce results

Taken from “How to have a bad carreer in research/academia” by David Patterson, Feb 2002.
Hypotheses
 A possible explanation for a cause and effect of a
given situation or set of factors that can be tested,
and can be repetitively proved right (or wrong!)
 A hypothesis is not an observation or description of
an event, that is in the first, observation stage!
 Hypotheses are tentative, intelligent guesses as
to the solution of the problem
Scientific Method of Problem Solving

 Step 1: develop the problem (define and

delimit it)
 identify independent and dependent variables
 Step 2: formulate the hypotheses
 the anticipated outcome
 Step 3: gather data
 maximize internal and external validity
 Step 4: analyze and interpret results
Research Model

Scope
Inference {
Reliability
Real World

Experiment Results

Theory

Knowledge
The Systematic Process of
Research
• Selection of a Research Topic
• Interest and Significance
• Originality and Feasibility
• Literature Review and Detailed Research Plan
• Implement Research Design, Data Collection &
Analysis
• Draw Conclusions
• Write Up Results
Student Project Work Structure

Doing a BS Project

Select a Make a Perform Gather & Write up

topic plan literature analyse data
search

Produce Plan Create

Decide Develop
estimates resources Gantt
objectives Work Struct.
chart