Explore BrainMass

Explore BrainMass

    Research Methods and Experimental Design

    Research methods and experimental design are essential to the study of science because it is through these qualitative and/or quantitative analyses that questions of interest become answered. In different disciplines of science certain methodologies are more appropriate and commonly used than others. However, the overall approach used generally follows a similar pattern.

    In scientific analyses, the methods of reasoning can be either deductive in nature or inductive. Deductive reasoning starts with a theory and then tests a hypothesis to analyze whether that theory can be confirmed or not. For example, pretend that you wanted to test the theory that the Earth revolves around the sun. Using deductive reasoning, this analysis would begin with a general statement which is the theory, then a hypothesis would be made regarding this theory and that hypothesis would be tested. At this point the theory can either be confirmed or disproved. Going through these steps, this heliocentric theory (which is a current theory) would become confirmed, unlike the geocentric theory (which was rejected due to the heliocentric theory) which going through these steps would be disproven.

    As an overview, the steps of deductive reasoning are as follows:

    1. Theory
    2. Formulate a hypothesis.
    3. Test this hypothesis.
    4. Confirm or disprove the theory.

    Inductive reasoning works opposite to deductive reasoning. Instead of starting with a theory, it starts with an observation and then works towards trying to formulate a theory. The steps are as follows:

    1. Observation is made.
    2. A pattern becomes noticed.
    3. This pattern leads to a hypothesis.
    4. A theory is formulated once the hypothesis is tested.

    Basically, deductive and inductive reasoning are the opposite approaches of each other. However, they both have the same end goal of making scientific discoveries. The approach taken is likely based on preference or the circumstances which led to the idea of starting the study in the first place. Regardless, either approach can be used and also depends on the construction of a strong hypothesis, which is a critical element when using the scientific method. 

    © BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com March 19, 2024, 6:22 am ad1c9bdddf

    BrainMass Categories within Research Methods and Experimental Design

    BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

    Attention Deficit Disorder Manifestation

    Week- Module 2- Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a syndrome in which a person has difficulty focusing sustained attention on a task for a significant amount of time. In some cases this is accompanied by hyperactivity as well. It is currently being diagnosed at an all-time high. Between 1989 and 1996, youth visits for ADD incr

    Media Vs. Scientific Article

    Find a news report of a current outbreak or other health crisis (within a month) then search for a peer-reviewed scientific article on the same or closely related topic (does not have to be current). List similarities between the two situations and differences.

    Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses of Study Design

    In the fall of 1974, MDPH epidemiologists conducted a study in which they collected interview, medical, and laboratory data from residents of quarantined dairy farms and from residents of an equal number of non-quarantined farms matched by geographic area and randomly selected from lists of dairy producers. Personal interviews w

    Research Methods and Freshwater Organisms

    1. All researchers keep current in their field by reading scientific journals. From these journals they gather information already known about their area of interest so that they don't " re-invent the wheel". They also learn about new techniques and new technology. Question: What might a researcher learn from scientific journa

    Bio Task

    Match each example task in Column 2 with a step of the scientific method in Column 1. List out each match in order according to the scientific method steps, and explain the reasoning for your choice. Scientific Method Matching Exercise Resource Match each example task in Column 2 with a step of the scientific method in Col

    Hypothetical biology scientific study

    I know this is long, but I think all the questions are what's confusing me. I am on a total brain freeze when going over this. Please help. Assignment details: In this assignment, we will take a look at science and the scientific method. Then, you will design a (pretend) scientific study to answer a specific question base

    Enzyme Kinetics using Absorbance to make a Lineweaver Burk plot

    So here's the deal, I have an exam tomorrow and one of the topics is enzyme kinetics. I need to know how to derive a Lineweaver Burk plot using an absorbance over time graph for both a control and in the presence of an inhibitor. So, in the practice lab, I have five concentrations for the control: 6.25uM, 12.5uM, 25uM, 50uM,

    Species study design for two groups of squirrels

    You are conducting fieldwork and discover two groups of squirrels living on opposite sides of a lake. How would you design a study to determine, without disturbing the squirrels, whether these two groups belong to the same species? Explain.

    Summarizing an Article

    I need help summarizing this biology article discussing the evolution of how bird song affects signal efficiency using the following sections: Background information & importance to biology Question researched Hypothesis/Predictions made Material and Methods (Details not required) Result Conclusion Article: http://www

    Parts of a Paper

    Hello, I need assistance with how to write the abstract, results and discussion part of a paper.

    Radioactive Dating Methods of Three Isotopes

    For Uranium-235, Thorium-232 and Samarium-147: 1) How long is its half-life? 2) How long will it take for there to be 25 percent of original radioactive product left? 3) What material is it best used for? 4) What are the disadvantages and advantages of using this element for dating? 5) Describe the process of decay it u

    Scientific Method: Acid Rain.

    I need help with the following please and information will greatly be appreciated. I am asking for any input on how to develop two alternative hypotheses and experiments on the problem of acid rain. for example types of experiments and ways to go about it and points, notes or assistance with the direction I need to go in will

    Using random sampling to estimate population size

    In this week's experiment, we will examine the technique of random sampling as a tool for the estimation of large populations. After reading the background material, can you think of any ecological experiments in which the random sampling technique could be helpful? Post your ideas, and do a bit of research to see if any sci

    Basic Biology

    1) Identify 2 differences between the bacteria and protist kingdom. 2) If you were testing the effects of different brands of fertilizer to detemine which one promoted the best growth over 6 weeks. a) identify a negative control b) identify 2 controlled variables c) identify the ependent variable 3) Living organ

    Scientific method and hypothesis-driven science

    Biology is a hypothesis-driven science. Biologists make observations that lead to new biological questions. They then formulate and test hypotheses in order to explain their observations and thereby answer the resulting question. The results of the testing determine whether their thinking was correct. This whole process is known

    The equitability of securing a new element

    In addition, read this story about the newest element, number 118: https://www.llnl.gov/str/April07/Shaughnessy.html and discuss: If you thought you had discovered a new element, how could you get the scientific world to accept your discovery? What roadblocks might you face, working outside the science community? How could y

    How to formulate Hypotheses with Good Scientific Method

    One of the key concepts in biological science is to formulate a tangible and interesting hypothesis. After this, good scientific methods should be followed. Here, I give some examples how to examine if a hypothesis is valid and good. Assignment Question 1: Read the scenario below and then analyze what is wrong with the hypo

    Protocol for enzyme purification

    Using a five-step protocol, you have purified an enzyme to the point where the specific activity remains constant when you perform any additional purification steps. When you run the purified enzyme on a gel filtration chromatography column, you find it has a molecular mass of 50 kD. However, when you run the purified enzyme on

    Importance of controls

    Please help with the following problem. Provide references to go along with the solution. Consider the following statement: If, under a strictly controlled experimental setting, we observe the predicted outcome, then we have established support for the hypothesis. Why does an experiment need to be controlled? Give a brief de

    Biotechnology application help

    Biotechnology allows the use of living organisms or their processes for human needs or purposes. Currently, this topic includes such general examples as cloning, stem cells (adult, umbilical cord, and embryonic), DNA fingerprinting, biological warfare, bioremediation, genetically modified organisms, vaccines, and transgenic pla

    Do you think nonexperimental studies are less scientific?

    Experimental studies involve the manipulation of an independent variable, while controlling other extraneous variables. Nonexperimental studies do not involve the manipulation of variables and/or do not assume control over other variables. Do you think nonexperimental studies are less scientific? What is the reason for your expl

    Explain the steps of the scientific method.

    Scientists use the scientific method to help answer questions and solve problems efficiently. You use the scientific method everyday to solve real-life problems as well. You may not consciously think about each step; however, you apply each step whenever you face a problem. Using an everyday example of a real-life problem, expla

    Scientific Method in Real Life

    Part I: The Scientific Method Apply the Scientific Method to two real life scenarios: Scenario 1: You arrive home late at night. You walk up to the front door, unlock it, and reach in to turn on the light switch located just inside the front door. The light does not come on! Now what? Scenario 2: Develop your own det

    Science in Daily Life

    Describe a typical day in your life from the time you wake up, until the time you go to bed. Describe how science impacts you and your routine throughout the day.

    I don't know nothing on biology how the fruit fly

    Start by observing the living species around you. Ever wonder why a pollinator is attracted to a particular flower, or what would happen to predator species if a particular prey species is eliminated? If you were a scientist you could do an experiment to answer your question. For this assignment, choose two non-human species

    Scientific Method - Steps to take to solve a problem

    I am an accounting student and I am having a hard time with my biology class. If I could get some help, it would be appreciated. Here is the problem: In science, one perspective of the scientific method is that the scientific method is a problem-solving method. In your response, list the steps that you would take to solv