Subject: Chemistry
Unit: Research
Topic: Research Methods (Chemistry)
Level: 3
Recommended reading:
Recommended further reading for this topic is listed in the back
pages of these learning materials.
Further resources:
Further resources to deepen your learning on specific aspects of this
topic are listed throughout these learning materials.
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, Subject: Chemistry
Unit: Research
Topic 1: Research Methods (Chemistry)
Level: 3
LEARNING MATERIALS
Contents
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1. How research works.........................................................................3
1.1 Scientific method and the research process ...............................................3
1.2 Identifying the research question ................................................................5
1.3 The rationale for the investigation ...............................................................5
1.4 Research title...............................................................................................6
1.5 Identifying the research aim ........................................................................7
1.6 Identifying the research objectives..............................................................7
1.7 Defining variables ........................................................................................8
1.8 Hypothesis ...................................................................................................9
1.8.1 Directional and non-directional hypotheses................................10
1.9 Literature review ........................................................................................11
2. Choosing a research method or technique .................................... 13
2.1 Quantitative and qualitative research........................................................13
2.2 Experimental research methods ...............................................................14
2.2.1 Variables......................................................................................14
2.3 Reliability and validity ................................................................................18
2.3.1 Reliability .....................................................................................18
2.3.2 Validity .........................................................................................19
2.4 Risk assessment .......................................................................................20
3. Methodology .................................................................................. 23
3.1 Apparatus list .............................................................................................23
3.2 Method .......................................................................................................24
3.3 Results collection and analysis .................................................................25
3.3.1 Results collection ........................................................................25
3.3.2 Results analysis ..........................................................................26
3.4 Timings ......................................................................................................28
Recommended reading .......................................................................... 30
Credits ................................................................................................... 30
, Subject: Chemistry
Unit: Research
Topic 1: Research Methods (Chemistry)
Level: 3
LEARNING MATERIALS
Introduction
In this topic:
In this topic, we will look at the basic techniques and methods used
in practical scientific research for Chemistry. You will learn the
essentials of research methods, including the way researchers plan
and conduct their studies, analyse their data and draw conclusions.
Most aspects of life have been studied in our quest to discover, understand and explain the
reasons for how and why events happen. Researchers in the natural sciences such as biology,
chemistry and physics, or in social sciences such as in psychology, criminology and sociology,
use scientific techniques and methods to look at questions ranging from:
• Why did the dinosaurs die out?
• Will increasing light intensity to a plant increase oxygen production?
• Will ethanol (biofuel) produce as much heat energy as petrol?
The topic will focus on how scientifically valid studies are conducted to gain results that can then
be analysed in order to draw reliable conclusions.
Things to do:
Before you begin work on this topic, work through the following
module on at the Climate Science Investigations (CSI) website from
NASA. It explains science as a way of acquiring knowledge, looks at
how scientific arguments are formulated, examines why scepticism is
important in science, and describes how scientists collaborate and
reach consensus.
NASA: Climate Science Investigations (CSI): The Nature of
Science
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