Observation, experimentation and generalization are the vital components of research method. Each term plays a crucial role in how researchers and individuals understand and interpret the world around them. Being the foundational components of research method, observation is defined as the act of gathering data through five senses.
On the other hand, experimentation refers to the methodical process of conducting tests to explore hypotheses and determine relationships between variables. This aspect of scientific inquiry allows researchers to manipulate specific conditions and observe the outcomes.
And, generalization is the capacity to draw broader conclusions based on specific observations and experimental outcomes. This cognitive process enables individuals to apply findings from one context to another, fostering a deeper understanding of patterns and principles.
In short, these concepts enable individuals to observe phenomena, formulate hypotheses, conduct experiments, and ultimately draw meaningful conclusions that advance our understanding of the world. Let’s learn the foundational components of scientific research method.
Observation: Meaning, types and examples
Observation is a conscious way of perceiving things through senses to gather information or collect data. It is a vital scientific process applied in mainly empirical research. Compare to other data collection methods like interviewing, the importance of observation in research processes is matchless. Basically, observation is one of the most important science processes employed to collect relevant and reliable data to test predictions in question.
It is conscious, deliberate, and careful process of perceiving things in question to understand things, theirs connections, and established patterns to derive conclusions.
Rules for correct observation
There are certain rules dictating the proper means and ways of observation in research processes.
Close and careful attention
Exactly, observation targeted to achieve a research goal should be attentive as well as deliberate. Observer can’t be mere spectator of happenings.
Attention means selection of salient points, concentration and avoid unnecessary distractions. In other words, it should be carefully focused endeavour.
Conscious and deliberate observation
Deliberate means getting involved in any targeted activity with a pre-planned goal. If your intent is to find something, you need to be conscious enough to go through.
Interpretation and understanding
Quick interpretation and understanding of observed phenomenon is essential to encode it to make such things applicable. After all, the ultimate goal of observation is to reach at the conclusions and test predictions.
Goals, objectives, and importance of observation in research
Generally, the ultimate goal of observation is to collect information of phenomenon you observe to test hypothesis or predictions in question.
In order to achieve this, firstly, one needs to interpret things in question properly. It is essential because without giving proper meaning to individual events or items, you cannot find or understand relations or connections among different things.
Secondly, you need to locate the patterns of happenings and understand why the phenomenon in question is repeating the way it is.
Thirdly, you can deduce or infer final finding in the form of conclusions. And, such perceived data you can use either to introduce a newer hypothesis or test predictions in question.
Participant, non-participant, controlled, Uncontrolled are the types and examples of observation used in the research processes.
Generalization and experimentation : meaning and importance
Experimentation
Undoubtedly, it is a core concept of research process for testing hypothesis to build theories. Whereas, generalization mean applying results of research in broader context. Simply, one helps to test theories and make available key knowledge. And, other measures the degree of generalizability of available results.
The motive and purpose of experimentation is whether the dependent variable gets affected with changes in independent. Simply, it helps to determine the causal link between independent and dependent variables by the means of collected data.
In short, experimentation is hypothesis testing scientific process by the means of available knowledge and facts. If it is tested, we will get important knowledge to generalize at the higher level.
Generalization
Generalization is a scientific process to measure the degree of usefulness of achieved research results in the broader context. Simply. It is a process of applying research findings in the practical world. Really, generalization is a means to understand and predict broader phenomenon.
In this case, the degree of generalizability determines whether the results effective enough to build theories or just a tendency statement. If they are inadequate, then, repetition of entire research cycle become compulsion.
Experimentation vs observation
In scientific research, both experimentation and observation are means to find results. But, the findings discovered by the means of experimentation treated as more reliable than the means of observation.
Observation is a means to experience the world you live in to collect data and information to test knowledge claim.
Experimentation involves testing knowledge claimed in the light of available empirical data. This is all about the empirical research methodology and processes.
Q. 1. What is the difference between empiricism and positivism?
Ans: Relatively, modern day research method empirical research methodology grounded in the philosophical base of empiricism and positivism philosophies.
First, Empiricism philosophy assumes or believes that knowledge is what we experience with our senses. It means that by observation of world you live in, you can find patterns and connections to test knowledge claim.
Second, Positivism is a philosophy that assume or believes that there is nothing like in random but in order. It emphasis that this universe is an orderly place. And, we can find patterns and connections by careful observation.
Hence, Both empiricism and positivism helped to emerge Empirical research method that laid the foundation of modern science.