Characteristics of Scientific Research – Research and Development | Business Research Methods

Characteristics of Scientific Research | What are the characteristics of scientific research? | What is scientific research? | What are the functions of scientific research?

What is scientific research?

Scientific research is the application of scientific methods, scientific principles to the investigation of relationships among different variables to find out solutions to the problems or to develop a new theory. It is mostly carried out by the scientific researcher with a systematic observation. The characteristics of scientific research are as follows:

Characteristics of Scientific Research

1.Purposiveness

Scientific research must have some specific purpose for conducting the research. The main characteristic of scientific research is that there must be some purpose involved in conducting the research. In conducting further research process, all the activities to be carried out are directly influenced by the purpose of the research ie; the purpose of the research forms the basis of your procedures which influences your methods of executing it and affects the interpretation of your findings with scientific reasoning as well.

Therefore, if your research has followed some major purpose, meaningful results can be obtained but if your research is without purpose it will lead your study nowhere.

2. Testability

In scientific research, there is an important need to test the hypothesis to understand and find out the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Therefore, testability is one of the important characteristics of scientific research.

3. Replicability

Scientific research must be replicable as the research results which are replicable have more acceptability and confidence as being scientific. Replicability means that if we use similar methods and procedures of data collection and analysis as compared to the previous study, the other research studies must also come out with similar results.

4. Objectivity

Scientific research must be objective in nature. Objectivity is one of the important characteristics of scientific research. Scientific research must deal with facts rather than interpretations of facts. The data that is collected for research should be free from all biases and vested interests ie; observation should be unaffected by the observer’s values, beliefs and preferences to the extent possible and he/she should able to see and ac­cept facts as they are, not as he/she might wish them to be.

5.  Rigor

Scientific research must be carried out carefully with proper thought-out methodology. In order to make a meaningful and worthwhile contribution to the field of knowledge, research must be carried out rigorously. Conducting rigorous research requires good theoretical knowledge and a clearly laid out methodology. This will eliminate the bias; facilitate proper data collection and analysis, which in turn would lead to sound and reliable research findings.

6. Parsimony

Scientific research must have the feature of parsimony ie; the research should be conducted in a simple and economic manner. There should be simplicity in explaining the problems and generalizing solutions for the problems.Vague ideas should be converted into simple concepts.

7. Generalizability

Scientific research must have the characteristics of generalizability. The results obtained from the research must be applicable and acceptable worldwide. Generalizability refers to the scope of applying the research findings of one organizational setting to other settings of almost similar nature. The more generalizable the research, the greater will be its usefulness and value. However, it is not always possible to generalize the research findings to all other settings, situations or organizations.

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