Science

• Fundamental research


  Not concerned with practical application, focused on scientific relevance
• Applied research


  Focuses on solving problems that have a practical application, has social relevance
• A theoretical problem questions scientific theory and the solution is sought using fundamental research
• A practical problem is normally one that arises in daily life
• Two distinct types of research


  • Quantitative research
  • Qualitative research
• Quantitative research


  Based on numerical information and figures that represent objects, organisations and people. Tools used are statistics
• Qualitative research


  Practical in the field, mainly interested in the meaning that a person attaches to a situation or experience. Research subjects are studied in their environment as a whole (holism)
• Students can explain the nature and the processes of scientific enquiry and use the modes of scientific enquiry and habits of mind to investigate and interpret the happenings around them
• Formulate explanations by using logical thinking and evidence
• Vocabulary


  • Research skills
  • Knowledge skills applied in research
• Skills


  Organise ideas and findings using logical thinking and evidence
• Attitudes and values: Build confidence in ways of presenting ideas scientifically
• The most important aspect is the value and meaning that people attach to situations and issues
• Fundamental approaches to research (paradigms)


  • Empirical analytical
  • Interpretative
  • Critical-emancipatory
• Empirical


  Refers to the research which is conducted using systems to assess what takes place in a certain setting. It means using experience as the source of knowledge
• Analytical


  Refers to the view of the results, which is critical and rational. Research Findings remain valid until they are refuted (fundamental)
• Interpretative


  Looking for an interpretation, the way people perceive situations and circumstances and how they behave. The focus is on people and the research is most often qualitative
• Critical-emancipatory


  Critical describes this movement's approach: concern with society. Emancipatory refers to the social processes that are being investigated and the equality between men and women
• To define the quality of a scientific research, there are certain rules the research must follow
• Rules for quality scientific research


  • Independence: unbiased and objectivity
  • Intersubjectivity: when researchers agree with one another as far as the results are concerned
• Guidelines


  • Identifying and defining the problem
  • Checking if the problem is being researched before
  • Learning Objectives
  • Vocabulary
  • Knowledge
  • Skills
  • Categories
• Research skills


  • Critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Analysis
  • Imagination and creativity
  • Logic and reasoning
  • Data collection
  • Conceptual thinking
  • Reflection and feedback
  • Scientific experimentation
  • Dissemination
• Clear understanding of the content/concept
• The writing should be simple and avoid unnecessary jargons
• Develop in-depth knowledge of the subject
• Use innovative ideas and ways to justify the research work
• Explain different scientific terminologies and provide a track of
• Strictly follow all the specification of the approving and publishing authority
• Thoroughly proofread from top to bottom of the research paper
• Accuracy


  Refers to how close a measured or estimated value is to the true or accepted value
• Precision


  Refers to the consistency or repeatability of measurements
• Systematic error


  A consistent deviation of measurements or results from the true value in the same direction
• Random error


  The variability of measurements or results that fluctuate unpredictably and without a consistent pattern
• Parallax error


  An error in measurement caused by the observer's line of sight not being perpendicular to the surface being measured
• Significant figures


  The more significant figures there are, the more accurate the measurement will be
• Prefixes


  • Kilo (k) - 1000
  • Hecto (h) - 100
  • Deka (da) - 10
  • Deci (d) - 0.1
  • Centi (c) - 0.01
  • Milli (m) - 0.001
• Unit system equivalents


  • 1 in = 2.54 cm
  • 1 yd = 0.91 m
  • 1 lb = 0.45 kg
  • 1 oz = 28.35 g
  • 1 mi = 1.61 km
  • 1 fl oz = 29.57 ml
  • 1 qt = 0.95 L
  • 1 gal = 3.79 L
  • 1 acre = 0.40 ha
  • °F = (°C * 9/5) + 32
  • °C = (°F - 32) * 5/9
  • K = °C + 273
• We want our measurements to be as accurate and precise as possible
• For precision, we have to make sure the equipment is calibrated and measurements are taken carefully
• For accuracy, we need a way to determine how close we can get to the actual value