LOGO Part 1: Scientific Research Prepared by: O. Tamimi Revised by: Dr. Nashaat N. Nassar, PhD, PEng An Najah National University Principles of Scientific

LOGO

Part 1: Scientific Research Part 1: Scientific Research

Prepared by: O. Tamimi

Revised by: Dr. Nashaat N. Nassar, PhD, PEng

An Najah National University

Principles of Scientific & Technical Writing Research

Contentso Meaning of Scientific Research

o Examples of Scientific Research

o Who is a Researcher, What Does a Researcher Do o What is the difference between Scientist and Researcher?

o Choosing a Research Topic by a Scientisto Classification of Scientific Research

o Pure Researcho Applied Research

o Additional Classificationso Qualitative researcho Quantitative research

o Characteristics of Research o Research Process (Fundamental Steps)o Step-1:

o Observations o Find a Problem o Scientific Questions

o Examples of Observations & Scientific Questions Page-1 An Najah National University O. Tamimi

Contents

o Step-2: Literature Review (Background-Research)o Sources of Literature Review

o Primary Sourceso Secondary Sources

o Step-3: Testable Hypothesiso Step-4: Design an Experiment (Procedure)o Step-5: Collecting & Analyzing Data

o Primary Datao Secondary Data

o Step-6: What to do if Hypothesis is wrong o Step-7: Writing Reports & Publish Findings

o Research Title o Scientific Questionso Testable Hypothesis

o Procedure o Data Collections, Data Analysis & Discussions o Conclusionso Further Reading & References

Page-2 An Najah National University O. Tamimi

Meaning of Scientific Research

The systematic process of collecting and analyzing information to increase our understanding of an issue

Systematic observations of phenomena for the purpose of learning new facts or testing the application of theories to known facts

Examples of Scientific Research (current research)

Its an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge

Effect of GPS satellite on health Electrical properties of silicon material or the semiconductor

diodes

Effect of genetically modified food on health Contaminated water and cancer Studying the effect of global warming on see levels & wild-life

The research aims at seeking answers to problems through the application of scientific mythology, which guarantees that the information is reliable and unbiased.


The word "research" can be confusing because it is frequently used in conversation to describe a non-scientific searching process.

For example, you might say that you conducted "research" to find the best price for a computer, or maybe you "researched" the internet for the best deal of Ford car.

In both instances you clearly did not follow a rigorous, scientific method of solving problems.


Who is a Researcher, What Does He Do

A researcher is a knowledgeable person who has a good background in science with a good written and communication skills

A researcher should be able to carry out a range of professional assignments; including:

1.Define research subject 2.Gather information, techniques, studies from various

literatures 3.Carry out experiments 4.Analyze & interpret research results 5.Prepare research reports6.Take part in seminars and workshops

What is the difference between Scientist and Researcher?

A scientist is highly specialized professional who has a significant knowledge and expertise in one or many disciplines

A scientist is a researcher, but not vice-versa


Depending on the researcher’s subject of interest or specialty area e.g., Chemical Engineering

The interest of a researcher in exploring ideas or issues e.g., Plastic Recycling (Dissolving the Plastics )

Problems detected and needing a solution in practical or theoretical terms e.g., Studying the effectiveness of acetone extraction C3H6O in dissolving

plastic

Questions arising from experience or reading the literature e.g., Studying how safe the x-rays are on pregnant women?

Choosing a Research Topic by a Researcher


Classification of Scientific Research

Pure Research: it is undertaken for the sake of knowledge, without any intention to apply it in practice (i.e., Natural/Physics research). e.g., Newton Laws

Pure research tends to investigate answers like the following questions How did the universe begin ? What the protons, neutrons & electrons composed of ? Why are there 7 colors in a rainbow ?

Applied Research: aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization

Applied research may investigate ways to: Treat or cure a specific disease Improve the energy efficiency of offices or homes Discovery of x-ray


Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

Additional Classifications

Qualitative ResearchDesigned to explore and understand people's beliefs,

experiences, attitudes, behavior and interactions Used in social science

Quantitative Research Relies primarily on the collection and analysis of numerical data Lab research and engineering research falls under the quantitative research terms


Characteristics of Research

The followings represent the mains characteristics of a scientific research

Purpose: the purpose of research is clearly stated

Solution: it is oriented and directed towards the solution of a problem

Relation: Determines the relation between two or more problems

Skills: Research require a careful skill in recording and reporting the data

Knowledge: Research requires that researcher have full knowledge of the problem under the study

Replication: research is replicable. The design, procedures and result of scientific research should be replicable so that any person other than the researcher assess the validity of the research or can reproduce the study.


Research process consists of series ofActions or steps necessary to effectively carryout research

Research Process (Fundamental steps)


The first step of a scientific research is divided into three main steps 1- Observe a specific situation 2- Identify the problem in the situation 3- Formulate a question

Observations Observations ”means“ looking at something without influencing it and

simultaneously recording it for later analysis, or facts you have discovered using your five senses

Scientific observations can be made directly with our own senses or may be made indirectly through the use of tools

Scientific Questions Any question related to an observation and answered through scientific

investigation Often comes from the thought “what we have right now is not good enough,

we can do better…” Scientific question usually starts with: How, What, When & Who

Step-1 Make an Observation, Find a Problem & Ask a Question


Research Problem It is a clear and a stand‐alone statement ,which explains what are

you aiming or trying to achieve To formulate a research problem: Firstly, select your research topic

and describe the problem at the beginning of research Research problem is not a problem in the normal sense (is actually

the unknown part of a research) Problem statement shall have an outcome based verb

identify define analyze review justify

formulate explain apply suggest clarify

create design evaluate purpose suggest


Examples of Scientific Questions Why the sky turns red when the sun goes down?Why the color of an apple-slice turns to brown after few

hours?

Examples

Analyze the readiness of Palestinian cities to a massive earthquake

Identify the risks of plastic enclosures for reservoir food on health


Observations & Scientific Questions Examples

“Observation” Discovery of water in the form of water-ice on mars planet “Scientific question” Is there any life forms on that planet? (being investigated) “ Marie Curie’s observation” Uranium causes air ionization (electrically

conductive).

“Scientific question” Is the Uranium a radioactive element?

“Observation” The compass needle aligns itself when an electric current flows through a nearby wire

“Scientific question” What makes the needle of a compass to align. This has led to the discovery of electromagnetism which revolutionized our world

Note: Good observations lead to scientific discoveries


Step-2 Reviewing Literature (Background Research)

Why Reviewing Literatures ? It’s a regular rule that research projects begins with conducting literature

review, which means to identify related research projects Literature review aims to get an insight and a view work of others Literature review helps you anticipate common problems in your research

context you should look at conclusions, theories, arguments that underline the work

and look for similarities and differences with closely related work

Writing a Good Literature Review Requires You have to have an ability to show why your research should be carried out Why did you choose certain theories to work with And how your work already adds to research carried out.

By Studying of Literature we Would Like to Find the Answers to the Following Questions: Did anybody else formulate the same research problem in the past? Did anybody else solve the same or similar problem in the past? Are the results of the previous solving acceptable for us or not?


Sources of Literature Review

Primary Sources (Highly Reliable, Up to Date Knowledge) Scientific Journals Seminar papers Academic Thesis Academic Dissertation Patents

Secondary Sources Lab Reports Textbooks eBook Documentaries Web-Links (Google scholar, company websites or Forums)

The term sources refer to print, electronic or visual materials necessary for your research. Sources are classified into primary and secondary sources

Step-2 Literature Review (Background Research)


Hypothesis A hypothesis is a special kind of prediction that forecasts (predicts) how changing one part of an experiment will affect the results. It is NOT a guess. It is an informed and well-thought out prediction that requires background information. You can also think of it as a cause-effect statement.

A hypothesis is best written in the “If ______________, then _____________.”

Examples of a Hypothesis (Using If, Then Statement)If the temperature of sea water increases, then the amount of salt that dissolves in the water increases.

Scientific Question: How does the amount of daylight affect plant growth ?Hypothesis: If the amount of daylight increases, then the growth of a

plant increases

Scientific Question: How does the color of a surface affect its temperature? Hypothesis: if the color of a surface is black then the temperature

absorption is high

Step-3 Testable Hypothesis


Example

If color change in leaves is related to temperature, then exposing leaves to direct sunlight will make them to burn

Any hypothesis statement has two variables: Independent variable & Dependent variable

Dependent variable → (Leaves)Independent variable → (Temperature)

More Hypothesis Examples (Using May Statement) Chocolate may cause pimples Salt soil may affect plant growth Plant growth may be affected by the color of light Bacterial growth may be affect by temperature Ultra violet light may cause a skin cancer

Step-3 Testable Hypothesis


Designing an Experiment is Influenced by Many Factors; including:

Determine place, time, budget for the experiment Means of obtaining the information (Data collection method) Resources available for the research Skills of the research personnel

The Procedure is an Integral Part of the Experimental Design, the Following Represents the Fundamental Steps of Writing a Procedure

Includes a list of steps that the scientist takes to complete the experiment

Very detailed list that is numbered 1,2,3.. order (its not a paragraph)

The procedure should allow others to repeat it. (reproducible) Your procedure is considered a good one if someone does it and

achieves the same results as you did

Step- 4 Design an Experiment (Procedure)


Step- 5 Collecting / Analyzing Data

Data collections is an important aspect of any scientific research, there are different approaches for data

Data Quantitative research is usually expressed in numerical form and presented in tables and figures

Primary Data (Not published yet): Collected by the researcher him/herself

either through experiments (e.g., Lab or Field experiments) or through surveys .

Survey Data is collected using one of the following ways: Observations Personal interview Telephone interview Questionnaires

Secondary Data (Readily available data): is a data found in published sources, such as Journals, Internet, Books, etc.


After the research data has been obtained, Data analysis shall be carried out using a closely related operations; such as:

Presenting data in Tables & Figures Study the relationship between variables (direct, indirect, proportional,

etc…) Percentage, average & coefficient computations using statistical formulas

Step- 5 Collecting / Analyzing Data


Step-6: (Decision) Hypothesis Testing

After analyzing the data, the researcher is in a position to test the hypotheses, to see if the facts support hypothesis or they happen to be contrary. Hypothesis testing involves stating the hypothesis by converting the research question into null and alternative hypothesis

Null Hypothesis: (Denoted H0)Attempts to show that there is no-relationship between hypothesis

variables (Does not relate hypothesis variables in anyway) statement that is capable of being proven false (It is simple to disprove)Examples

(Chocolate may not cause pimples) (Fertilizers have no effects on plant growth)

Alternative Hypothesis: (Denoted H1) It means that there is a relationship between variables (opposite to Null-

Hypothesis) Example

(Chocolate may cause pimples)


There are two possible decisions:

Conclude that there is enough evidence to support the alternative hypothesis. Reject the null. (Chocolate may cause pimples)

Conclude that there is not enough evidence to support the alternative hypothesis.

Fail to reject the null. (Chocolate may not cause pimples)

The experiment is to be carried out in an attempt to prove or reject the null-hypothesis

Step-6: (Decision) Hypothesis Testing

What to do if Hypothesis (Alternative) is Wrong Amend the hypothesis and do the experiment again Stop the research


Step- 7 Writing Report & Publish Findings

Writing and publishing a research report is necessary in order to Circulate the ideas, facts and findings to the others To make a good contribution to the existing stock of knowledge To get the ideas protected

Research report shall be carefully written by keeping in view the following elements:

Title page Abstract Background research (Introduction). Experimental procedure Data analysis and discussion (includes data table and graph(s)) Conclusions

Research report has many different styles, such as:■Lab Report ■Scientific Literature (published in Journal, conference, patent,

and Books) ■Project Thesis (For educational purposes)■Project Dissertation (For educational purposes)Page-24 An Najah National University O.

Tamimi

Sample Scientific Research Research Title: Light effects on colored surfacesScientific Question: How does the color of a surface affect its temperature? Testable Hypothesis: If a dark-colored object is exposed to light, then it is expected to get warm Material


1) Place the two containers on a level surface and allow the air inside the containers to equalize with air in the room. This should take no more than about 10 minutes.

2) Cut a strip of dark paper to fit one container and tape this paper around the outside of the container covering its surface.

3) Cut a strip of light paper to fit the other container and tape this paper around the outside of the container covering its surface.

4) Cut two pieces of foam to firmly fit like caps inside the top of each of the containers.

5) Cut slots in each of the foam caps for inserting the thermometers, insert one thermometer inside the slot of each of the foam caps.

6) Place the caps with the thermometers inserted firmly on each container, making sure that the liquid in the thermometer is visible. Record the temperature of

each thermo-meter.7) Put the two containers side by side and place the heat lamp about 6 inches

from the containers. Plug the light into an electrical outlet and turn it on.

Procedure


8) Record the temperature of both thermometers at 5-minute intervals, 5 different times.

Data Collections, Data Analysis & Discussion

Data Collections

Time (Minutes) Temp. (C°)

Dark Container

Temp. (C°) Light

Container0 13 135 16 1510 21 1915 27 2420 31 2725 35 30

Experimental Setup

Experimental Results


Data Analysis Calculating the average temp.

T = 30 Cºmax (Light-Container)

T = 35 Cºmax (Dark-Container)


The figure demonstrates the temp rise for both; light container and dark container

As expected, the drawing indicates that there was a temperature rise in both containers; but based on the data analysis (average and max temperatures) it can be noticed that the dark colored container reached a higher temperature than the light-colored one.

Discussions


It can be concluded that the light and dark surfaces show a difference in increase of temperature over a 25-minute period, with the dark-colored container reaching the highest temperature reading. Dark surfaces become warmer because they absorb more of the incident radiation. Light-colored surfaces reflect more of the incident radiation, hence absorbing less radiation. The higher the absorption, the warmer the temperature.

Conclusion

Note: Because the assumed hypothesis at the beginning of the experiment is proven correct, it is possible to carry on and write down a conclusion that summaries the outcomes


Further Reading & References

Edgar Bright Wilson (1990), Introduction to scientific research. 3rd ed. NY. 367

Steve Chapman (2005), Research Methods. 3rd ed. NY. 207

C. R. Kothari (2006), Research Methodology: Methods & Techniques. 2nd ed. New-Delhi. 398

http://undsci.berkeley.edu/index.php

http://www.null-hypothesis.co.uk/science//item/what_is_a_null_hypothesis


http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/scientific-papers-13815490http://www.bms.bc.ca/resources/library/pdf/GuidelinesScientificPapers.pdf http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=148http://www.researchproposalsforhealthprofessionals.com/dissemination_of_findings.htm

http://www.b2binternational.com/b2b-blog/ebook/10-market-research-ch10.pdf

http://nursingplanet.com/Nursing_Research/e-book/reporting_communicating.html

http://www.slideshare.net/ytaki/introduction-to-academic-publishing

http://www.fppsm.utm.my/download/doc_view/183-introduction-to-scientificresearch.html

http://www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/booth/glossary/qualres.html

http://wilderdom.com/research/QualitativeVersusQuantitativeResearch.html

http://www.writing.engr.psu.edu/workbooks/laboratory.html

http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~pyo22/students/hypothesis.html.

http://mattforte.hubpages.com/hub/Scientific-Methods-of-Research

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/scientific_method.html#PREDICTION

http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/researchcourse/

http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/howscienceworks_18

Further Reading & References


Documents

LOGO Part 1: Scientific Research Prepared by: O. Tamimi Revised by: Dr. Nashaat N. Nassar, PhD, PEng An Najah National University Principles of Scientific