Research Process
Research process steps
When you have to write a thesis or dissertation, it can be hard to know where to begin, but
there are some clear steps you can follow.
The research process often begins with a very broad idea for a topic you’d like to know more
about. You do some preliminary research to identify a problem.
After refining your research questions, you can lay out the foundations of your research
design, leading to a proposal that outlines your ideas and plans.
This article takes you through the first steps of the research process, helping you narrow
down your ideas and build up a strong foundation for your research project.
Scientific Research
Scientific research refers to research that collects data using systemic methods and
strategies.
There is a scientific and systemic basis in the collection of data, interpretation, and
evaluation of data.
When conducting scientific research, the researcher should plan the research and
specify the methodology.
According to the techniques used in data collection, scientific research can be
classified into different categories as observational and experimental.
Scientific research operates at two levels.
One level is the theoretical level, and the other is the empirical (observable,
practical, experiential, experimental ..) level.
At the theoretical level, concepts are developed, especially concepts (ideas,
notions perspectives) related to social and natural phenomena.
At the empirical level, theoretical concepts and relationships are tested. There are
two forms of scientific research: inductive and deductive (logical, empirical,
inferential).
This depends on the researcher’s training and interest.
In inductive research, the researcher gathers theoretical concepts from observed
data, while in deductive research, the researcher tests concepts and patterns of the
theory using new empirical data
What is Non-Scientific Research?
Non-scientific research is research conducted without any systematic methods and
scientific basis. In non-scientific research, intuition, personal experience, and
personal beliefs are used as techniques to reach a conclusion.
Thus, conclusions in non-scientific research are basically based on personal
thinking and presumption.
In non-scientific research, logical and systematics methods are not used in
analyzing data. Non-scientific research simply gives a solution for a certain
problem.
It does not focus on other activities or recommendations for that particular
problem. Moreover, it does not use a logical or organized procedure to form the
conclusion.
What is the Difference Between Scientific and Non-Scientific Research?
Although both scientific and non-scientific research are used in collecting data,
they follow different methods and procedures.
The key difference between scientific and non-scientific research is that scientific
research can be repeated several times using the same methods and data, whereas
non-scientific research cannot be repeated since it uses intuition, personal
experience, and personal beliefs.
Moreover, in scientific research, data is collected using different techniques such
as observation, formulation, and testing hypotheses.
On the other hand, in non-scientific research, data collection only uses observation.
Besides, scientific research follows a logical and systematic process in arriving at a
conclusion but, in non-scientific research, only the beliefs and expectations of
people are considered in arriving at a conclusion.
Furthermore, non-scientific research does not follow any logical, scientific, or
systematic method. Thus, this is another major difference between scientific and
non-scientific research.
In addition, scientific research is objective, while non-scientific research is
subjective.
Find table for the scientific research
Scientific research Non-scientific research
Definitions Scientific research refers to research No-scientific research
that collects data using systematic refers to research
methods and strategies conducted without any
systematic methods and
scientific bias
Nature Can be repeated several times using Cannot be repeated since
methods and data it uses intuition, personal
experience and personal
beliefs
Data Data collected using different Data collected only using
collection techniques such as observation, observation
formulation and testing hypothesis
conclusion Follows a logical and systematic Does not follow any
process arriving at a conclusion logical, scientific method
Objective objective subjective
vs
subjective