Scientific research is a process of finding solutions to a problem in a logical, orderly
and systematic fashion (Herman, 2016). Whereas according to Longman Dictionary
of Contemporary English, non scientific research is the one which does not use
scientific methods to collect information and form opinion.
According
to Kowakzyk, scientific research is a logical stepped process used for investigating
and acquiring or expanding understanding; whereas non-scientific research is
acquiring knowledge and truths about the world using techniques that do not
follow the scientific methods.
Generally,
the term scientific research is one which undergoes systematic and logical ways
to find the solution to a problem while non scientific research is simply the
opposite i.e. do not follow systematic ways in solving problems like use of
dreams.
The
word science etymologically comes from Latin word of “scientific” which means
knowledge. Science therefore, upper to the system of acquiring knowledge. It
lies on objective, logical and systematic; on the other hand, non scientific is
its opposite i.e. does not require and follow what science do even though they are
both the methods of finding solutions to the phenomenon.
Scientific
research and non scientific research now are like two different fields of the
same application but in some ways they differ. The following are the some of
factors showing distinction among these two fields.
According
to Doksat (n.d), scientific research can be changed or replaced by new one;
when a research found wrong or did not get a true solution, a researcher can
replace it by conducting a new one to arrive to a clear and true solution where
non-scientific research cannot be changed because it base on what people
(researcher) belief and expect to take place true without reasoning. Scientific
research can be repeated several times to prove the results are correct in all
the cases of observation and experiments carried out. Non scientific research
is just acquiring the truths of different phenomenon in the society.
In
scientific research Data collection involves observation, experimentation,
formulation and testing hypothesis while in non scientific research involves
observation and presume relations among natural phenomenon. Non scientific
research under this factor, it observes the data while taking them for granted
(assuming them) to be true without proof. Example in non-scientific research
when one claim (through a divine inspiration) he/she presume it with no and
evidences to prove the information.
Non
scientific research is dogmatic in nature; this means that non-scientific
research is based on the set of beliefs that people are expected to accept
without reasoning called dogma. Because non-scientific does not follow any
systematic methods, it has the set of beliefs that people accept when come to
prove the truths hence it is non scientific. On the other hand scientific
research is based on logical, systematic and scientific. This means that it
follow logical procedural accepted to arrive to a conclusion.
According
to Doksat (n.d) scientific research is objective and produces objective
information while non-scientific research is subjective information while
nonscientific research is subjective one and normally produces subjective
information. This can be elaborated as; scientific to be objective is simply
due to the systematic methods and techniques which are explicit to researchers
when undertaking some problems to be solved while non scientific research
normally use intuition which base on what people see to be true in connection
with the natural phenomenon.
Observation,
data collection, experimentation, formulation and testing the hypothesis are
main procedural and logical techniques in undertaking the activity, on the
other hand, intuition as the main method, divide inspiration, personal
experience and the means of dreams are the methods and crucial techniques used
by people in non-scientific research to reach a conclusion of a certain
problem, meaning that it mostly base on the personal thinking (experiences)
presuming in association of natural phenomenon.
Scientific
research helps to increase understanding and close knowledge gaps (B. J.
Kirchchoffer) this means that when people conduct a research he/she tends to
get a new knowledge which previously was not understood. In a whole research
activity, there are many activities under the study which among them were not
known to the usechov, so through this ore, can understand them and from there
new knowledge being increased; distinctively from this, non scientific research
is simply just for solution which does not involves much activities to
understand the new phenomenon hence it continue to maintain one’s knowledge and
three is a new knowledge gap(s).
Conclusively,
the anthropological evidence, then suggests that there is a scientific and
non-scientific THROUGHTS IN ALL SOCIETIES AND WITHIN ALL INDIVIDUALS (Longman
Dictionary of Contemporary English). From this argument therefore, both
scientific and non scientific research are necessary in the society since they
save at least the same task despite of their different ways of reaching the
conclusion. Apart from that there are some procedures like experiences and
logic are used in both fields.
References
Dr. Boksat, M. K. (2004). The
Differences between Scientific and non-scientific research. Retrieved from http://www.sufizmveinsan.com/guncel/thedifference.html
Herman, G. (2016). Educational
Research Methods: Apraisal Guide. Mwanza, Tanzania. Mahelo Book Center.
Kowalczyk, D. (n.d). Non Scientific
and Scientific Research. Retrieved from http://study.com/academy/lesson/nonscientificandscientificresearchdefinitionsanddifferences.html
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary
English. Retrieved from http://www.idoconline.com
In
a scientific research, logical reasoning (logic) is highly needed because in
undertaking the activity researcher must apply the use of logic and critical
thinking. According to Chegg, (2007), logical reasoning is the process of
using rational systematic series of steps based on sound mathematical
procedures and gives statements to arrive at a conclusion. Therefore it is the
means to make more affective decisions about different cases. In any research
logical reasoning in one or another way it is crucial because it has not
application in research. The logical reasoning used in research normally is
deductive or inductive one. These two use the so called argument(s) and this is
a logical argument. It is made up of precise and conclusion.
Deductive
and inductive logical reasoning are of high use in scientific research because
they contribute much in conducting a research like thinking about the activity
or generalization.
In
research, deductive logical reasoning are of high use in scientific research
because they contribute much in conducting a research like thinking about the
activity or generalization.
In
research, deductive reasoning is a thinking process in which one proceeds from
general to specific statements using prescribed rules of logic (Herman, 2016).
Deductive is an argument presented with the intention of being valid or sound
(Bradley, and Dowden, 2011). From these, therefore deductive logical reasoning
can be simply defined as the way of thinking and applying different phenomenon
from general one to the specific as part so that to get a conclusion by the
help of other process: on the other hand inductive reasoning in research
defined by Herman (2016) as the thinking process that one proceeds from
specific to general. Also it defined by Bradley and Dawden (2011) as the one
which intended to be individually strong. They therefore it is the process of
thinking where a researcher starts from
specific argument to general argument example;
Lubuva is a politician
Lubuva come from Mzumbe University
Therefore all students from Mzumbe University are
politicians
In
the process of generalization in research, inductive reasoning use a selective
elements to sample. Whenever a generalization is produced on a sample, is said
to be inductive generalization or empirical enumeration (Bradley & Dowden,
2011:416) this generalization may be statistical or non-statistical.
Distinctively,
deductive reasoning in research generalization is acting vice versa to
inductive whereby it uses the population to generalize.
Deductive
use the general solution obtained from the population to make generalization
not on the single event or findings.
Deductive
reasoning is explores deductively valid reasoning, meaning that the conclusion
under this follows certainity from the premises. Example of this is the
mathematical proof; mean while inductive logic reasoning is less secure
reasoning meaning that the conclusion follow from its premises with probability
but not with certainty.
Generally,
these two approaches are useful in any scientific research due to demands of
researcher to conduct a clear research where should use the combination of two
methods. Therefore in a scientific research the so called inductive-deductive
method is nowadays applied by vast number of researchers because it used to
accumulate the knowledge in both aspects of reasoning.
References
Brian, G., Mohammad, P. &
Jxoti, R. (n. d). Logical Reasoning. Retrieved from http://www.
chegg.com/comeworkhelp/definitions/logical-reasoning-63
Dowden, B. H. (2011). Logical
Reasoning. USA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Herman, G. (2016). Educational
Research Methods: A Practical Guide. Mwanza: Mahelo Book Centre.
Skyrms, B. (2000). Choice and
Chance: An Introduction to Inductive Logic. USA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
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