690+Def+of+Research

A working definition of research—and how it compares to other “ways of knowing.”

From Fraenkel/Wallen Ch. 1: research is careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge.

Fraelen lists the follow "ways of knowing":

sensory experience agreement with others expert opinion logic
 * which can be incomplete and/or undependable
 * majority vote doesn't mean true
 * might have misunderstanding
 * depends on his/her credentials
 * questions we ask him/her
 * their input can be misunderstood
 * no single expert knows everything
 * humans are mortal (major premise)
 * sally is human (minor premise)
 * therefore sally is mortal (conclusion)
 * logic works if both major and minor premise are true

the scientific method 1. ID problem 2. clarify problem 3. determine info/how to obtain info 4. organize info 5. interpret results

results must be made public so they can be repeated by others

One of Marcie's slides...