Excellent quality study notes for the Honours module, HMPYC 80. This document contains study notes for Chapter 03 in Research at Grass Roots (5th edition). Perfect for tests, assignments and/or exams. The notes are in English and were summarised in 2021 using the textbook and the 2021 tutorial lett...
Chapter 03:
Introduction to the
Research Process
HMPYC 8
, ➢ 1. Introduction:
• The process of research is largely circular: it begins with the problem, and it ends with that problem being s
- In a truer sense, the research cycle can perhaps be more accurately conceived as a Helix, or spiral, or resea
• To consider research and the research process in this way, is to recognize its dynamic or true nature – far fro
that research is a one-time, static or self-contained end in itself.
➢ 2. Scientific Inquiry:
• Science is a method of inquiry that helps us to learn and know things about the world around us in ways
reliable than alternative forms of knowledge.
• For an inquiry to be regarded as scientific, there should be a clear process of investigation and the descrip
of how the investigation has been carried out to allow for external assessment of the resulting evidence.
• Knowledge based on scientific inquiry is more likely to be true and has less chance of containing mistakes
or ambiguity.
• Tradition can be seen as a form of authority from the post, as things have always been and are based on c
and repetition.
- Tradition is founded on a belief in the sanctity of ancient wisdom and the ways of our forefathers, and it
in all societies.
- Tradition can be an important source of knowledge especially as far as moral judgments and values or co
hold particular value in indigenous communities, but it can also become distorted as it is passed on.
, ➢ 2. Scientific Inquiry:
• When something is accepted as true just because someone in an authoritative position maintains that it is
it has been written in an authoritative publication, authority as a basis of knowledge is being used.
- One can, however, overestimate the expertise of people who may speak on fields they know little about.
• Personal experience also has a strong impact and is a powerful source of knowledge.
- It can, however, also mislead people through propaganda and stereotyping, and often leads to over gener
- Selective observation may be a problem in personal experience – when you take special notice of some pe
and then generalize from these observations – especially when they fit any of your own preconceived ideas
researcher.
• A person regarded as one with common sense relies on what others know and believe.
- People with common sense are presumed to be able to make sound decisions even though they may lack
specialized training and knowledge.
- Common sense can be valuable and accurate, but it does not normally involve a rigorous or systematic att
distinguishing reality from fiction.
- Common sense is mostly insufficient and a highly risky alternative to scientific knowledge.
• Although we can learn a lot from the popular media, we can also be very easily misled.
- There are key differences between journalism and science: the observations of scientists are much more s
nature to avoid in accuracies, whereas journalists are not always concerned with theory building or theory v
develop an abstract explanation of people’s behavior.
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