Scientific Methodologies

The Scientific Method

Defining the question: Identifying the area of research and formulating a specific question to guide the investigation.
Background research: Conducting literature reviews, studying previous research to understand the context of your study.
Formulating hypotheses: Based on the result of your background research, create a defined, testable hypothesis.
Experimentation: Design and execute an experiment to test your hypothesis. This should include a controlled environment where you manipulate a single variable at a time.
Data collection: Gather measurable, empirical evidence during your experiment. This should be rigorous to ensure reliability.
Analysis and interpretation: Analyse the data collected and interpret whether it supports or disproves your hypothesis. Always use statistical methods to increase objectivity of your interpretation.
Draw conclusions: Based on interpretation, draw a logical conclusion. State whether the data supports the hypothesis or not.
Communicate results: Present your findings in a clear, concise manner adhering to scientific reporting standards. Always include your methodology, for the benefit of future research.

Controls: Key to obtaining reliable results. Controls are unchanged factors that can be used as a comparison.
Replication: Essential to ensure reliability of results. It minimises the effects of random variations, and allows precision and validity.
Randomisation: Used in experimental design to eliminate bias, ensuring that experimental units have an equal chance of receiving each treatment.
Statistical analysis: Vital for interpreting experimental results. It allows scientists to determine if variations observed could be due to chance or to the manipulations made.

Observation: Watching and recording behaviour or events in their natural setting without interfering.
Experiments: Manipulating one variable to determine its effect on another. Ensures causality and control.
Surveys and Questionnaires: Useful for collecting large amounts of information. Important to ensure they are correctly designed to avoid biases and inaccuracies.
Sampling: The process of selecting a subset of individuals from a population to test. Representative sampling is key to valid results.

Informed consent: Necessary when subjects are involved in your research.
Non-maleficence: Principle that research should not harm the object or subject being studied.
Sustainability: Consider the environmental impact of your research, aim for sustainable methods.
Accuracy: Disclosure of limitations and findings accurately and honestly.
Data protection: Confidentiality of the data and individuals should be maintained.