Basics of Scientific Research - Essay Example

Analysis of Scientific Research Article Introduction Scientific research processes feature as the leading machines used in synthesis of knowledge. Usually, desire to synthesize knowledge starts with a proposition or existence of a theoretical assumption. Unfortunately, theories are not satisfactory in explaining concepts found social, economic and political contexts. Concepts in these contexts can only be comprehended satisfactorily after empirical exercises have been performed. Performance of empirical studies resolves around the use of practical data in establishing the relationship between two or more variables. For example, economic models may suggest that increasing inflation is caused by corruption. This statement is just a theoretical proposition. In order to test its truth and validity, a scientific research process must be conducted. During the process, data related to increasing inflation and those of corruption must be statistically compared in order to establish the nature of their relationship. As a means of enhancing objectivity of findings, scientific research processes are always conducted in a procedural manner (Corbin and Strauss, 37). Succeeding sections of this essay contain analysis of an actual research process in terms of essential procedural steps. In August 2013, Dr Patricia Moran, a post-doctoral researcher at Michigan State University, conducted a psychology research. Moran’s research investigated on the effect of childhood emotional neglect on adulthood behavior. Report of the research was published on the October 2013 issue of the journal ‘Psychology Today’. Apparently, Moran followed all essential steps of an ideal scientific research process. Notable procedures in the report include formulation of research question, synthesis of research hypothesis, thorough execution of experimental research design, analysis of results and derivation of conclusion and recommendations from the results. i. Research Question Formulation of a research question is the first step of a scientific process. Questions usually emerge from observable phenomena within a given environment. Based on observation, a researcher asks a question like, what is the cause of an observable effect. Formulation of research questions serves the purpose of creating directionality (Corbin and Strauss, 39). With respect to Dr Patricia Moran’s research, the Dr was puzzled by a remote yet distinct possibility that adulthood behaviors are directly related to childhood experiences (Moran, 29). The question for her research was; “Does childhood emotional neglect causes substantial behavioral effects later at adulthood?” This question directs the entire research towards unearthing the effects of child neglect on adulthood. ii. Synthesis of Hypothesis Hypothesis is an educated answer to an underlying research question. Similar to the question, hypothesis also provides directional effects on the entire scientific process. As the name suggests, a hypothesis is just a claim, and not an absolute reflection of causal-effect relationship. Ideal scientific hypotheses must contain variables; commonly the dependent and independent variables. Moran’s research report contains a clear hypothesis. Moran’s hypothesis says, “Lack of emotional supervision on children causes negative behaviors like social deviance in adulthood.” Level emotional supervision is an independent variable. This variable can be manipulated in order to cause varied outcomes. On the other hand, negative behavior in form of social deviance is the dependent variable. Degree of deviance depends of the level of emotional neglect experienced by an individual during childhood. iii. Execution of Experiment a. Sampling Experimental part comprise of the sampling and data collection sub-steps of a research process. Data must be sourced from practical settings in order to ensure reliability of findings. Apparently, Dr Moran employed a quantitative research method throughout the exercise. The first step in her experiment procedure is population sampling. Moran identified a population of adults within a college setting. Selection of a college setting was meant to increase convenience since all respondents were situated within the same locality. Simple random sampling was used to select 100 college students of different academic levels. 45% of the sampled were female while 55% were male students (Moran, 32). b. Data Collection Moran used primary sources of data. Survey questionnaires were administered to each of the respondent. Each questionnaire contained 10 questions. A Likert scale was used to quantify the responses. For example, one questionnaire statement said, “My parent(s)/guardian (s) constantly expressed affection to me during childhood through hugs and approving smiles. Respondents were required to pick one choice among the five which included; 1 [Strongly Agree], 2 [Agree], 3 [Neutral], 4 [Disagree], 5 [Strongly Disagree] (Moran, 36). Moran used questions and statements meant to elicit responses of childhood emotional status and subsequent behavioral patterns at adulthood from the respondents. All the responses relating to level of emotional supervision and those of degree of adulthood social deviance were quantified using the Likert scale. iv. Data Analysis and Results This is the step that generates research findings. Appropriate statistical techniques are usually employed in generating results. With respect to the research article in subject, all data collected from the exercise were in numerical form. The Likert scale allowed students to rate their responses in a scale of 1-5. A scale of 1 meant strong agreement with the underlying statement while 5 meant strong disagreement with the statement. Moran categorized statements into dependent variable and independent variable sections. Statistical concepts of mean and standard deviation were calculated for both categories. In addition, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was calculated, and a coefficient value of 0.7 was obtained (Moran, 39). Theoretically, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient is a statistical tool used in quantifying the relationship between two variables. Possible values of the Spearman’s coefficient range from -1 to +1. Any value less that 0 indicates presence of a negative relationship. Any value exceeding 0 indicates presence of a positive relationship between variables (Corbin and Strauss, 46). Based on the articles’ results section, Moran reported a coefficient of 0.7. This means the dependent and the independent variables have a strong positive relationship. In other words, lack of childhood emotional supervision causes a high degree of social deviance in adulthood. v. Conclusion Dr Patricia Moran concluded that emotional neglect contributed substantially to evolution of adulthood deviance. The level of emotional affection and responsiveness that parents accord to their children plays in instrumental role in shaping the children’s behavioral traits (Moran, 40). The research recommended that parenting of children should not focus on conventional aspects like physical supervision and educational requirements. Parents and guardians must consider holistic approaches of addressing both physical and emotional needs of their children in order to mitigate on eventual effects of neglect. Personally, I agree with the researcher’s conclusion. The conclusion and recommendations are all derived from findings from the entire process. Observably, all steps of a scientific research process were followed. Therefore, results obtained were objective. In this case, the conclusion and recommendations would be correspondingly objective. In conclusion, it is evident that close adherence to essential scientific procedures is primarily influential in determining reliability of a research’s findings. Works Cited Corbin, Juliet and Strauss, Michael. Basics of scientific research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Detroit: University of Michigan Press, 2010. Print. Moran, Patricia. “Childhood emotional neglect and their effects in adulthood.” Journal of Psychology Daily 53.10 (2013): 29-41. Print. Read More