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The essential tenets of scientific research are: direct observation of phenomena, clearly
defined variables, methods and procedures, empirically testable hypotheses, ability to
rule out rival hypotheses, statistical justification of conclusions and self correcting
process. One of the primary methods of scientific investigation is the hypothetico-
deductive methods. The method of starting with a theoretical framework, formulating
hypotheses and logically deducing from the results of the study is known as hypothetico-
deductive method. The deduction and induction are two important aspects of the
scientific research through which the answers to a research question can be arrived at.
Further details on deduction and induction are dealt below:
Deduction
Researchers often use deduction to reason out the implication of various acts and
conditions. For example, in a survey a researcher may reason as follows:
Induction
Research is based on both deduction and induction. It helps us to understand, explain and
predict business phenomena.
1. Observing a phenomena
2. Identifying a problem
3. Constructing a theory
4. Developing hypotheses
5. Developing research design
6. Collecting data
7. Analyzing data and
8. Interpreting results
The building blocks of science discussed above provide the genesis for the hypothetico-
deductive method of scientific methods. The steps are discussed below:
1. Observation
Observation is the first stage in scientific investigation. In this process, the researcher
takes into account the changes that are occurring in the environment. To proceed further
the changes observed in the environment should have important consequences. The
changes may be in the form of sudden drop in the sales, increase in the employee
turnover, decrease in the number of customer and the like.
This involves seeking in depth information regarding the facts being observed. The
information may be gathered through formal questionnaires, interview schedules or
through informal or causal talk with the concerned people. Desk research may also be
conducted to enrich the information gathered. The next step is to make sense out of the
factors identified in the information gathering stage by assembling them together in a
meaningful manner.
3. Formulation of theory
4. Developing Hypotheses
The next logical step leads to framing of testable hypotheses. Hypotheses testing are
called deductive research. Sometimes it may so happen that the hypotheses which are not
originally formulated get generated through the process of induction. After the collection
of data an insight may occur based on which new hypotheses can be formulated. Thus
hypotheses testing through deductive research and hypotheses generation through
induction are both common.
After the hypothesis is developed, the data with respect to each variable in the hypotheses
needs to be obtained in a scientific manner so as to test the hypotheses. The primary and
secondary sources can both be explored in order to collect the data. Data on every
variable in the theoretical framework from which the hypothesis is generated should be
collected.
6. Data Analysis
The data gathered are to be statistically analyzed to validate the hypothesis postulated.
Both qualitative and quantitative data needs to be analyzed. Qualitative data refer to
information gathered through interviews and observations. Through scaling techniques
the qualitative data can be converted into quantifiable form and subjected to analysis.
Appropriate statistical tools should be used to analyze the data.
7. Deduction