Hypothetico Deductive Method of Research

Summary

This lecture on Business Research Methods covers two key scientific research approaches: deduction and induction, along with the Hypothetical Deductive Method. The lecturer explains deduction as drawing conclusions based on general facts, while induction involves observing phenomena to formulate general propositions. The lecture then details the seven steps of the Hypothetical Deductive Method, including observation, preliminary research, theory formulation, hypothesizing, data collection, data analysis, and concluding. The example of a sales manager addressing customer satisfaction by analyzing stock levels and sales behavior demonstrates the method in action, concluding with the importance of maintaining stock to enhance customer satisfaction.

Takeaways

• 😀 Deduction in scientific research involves arriving at a conclusion based on a general known fact.
• 😀 Induction, the opposite of deduction, starts with specific observations and leads to general conclusions.
• 😀 The hypothetical detective method consists of seven steps to perform scientific research on a broad problem area.
• 😀 The first step in the hypothetical detective method is to observe the problem or changes in behavior or attitudes.
• 😀 Preliminary information gathering, the second step, involves collecting relevant data through literature review or interviews.
• 😀 Theory formulation is the third step, where researchers create a logical model linking the observed variables.
• 😀 Hypothesizing, step four, involves making testable conjectures based on the theory formulated in step three.
• 😀 The fifth step is further scientific data collection to test the hypotheses by gathering data on variables.
• 😀 Statistical analysis in the sixth step tests the hypotheses to support or reject them based on the data collected.
• 😀 The final step, deduction or conclusion, involves interpreting the results of statistical analysis and drawing inferences.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the lecture?

The primary focus of the lecture is on the hypothetical detective method in research, along with an explanation of the deduction and induction methods in scientific research.

What are the two main topics discussed in the lecture?

The two main topics discussed are deduction and induction in scientific research, and the hypothetical detective method with its steps.

What is deduction in scientific research?

Deduction in scientific research is a process where a researcher arrives at a specific conclusion based on a general known fact. The researcher generalizes from known facts to address a specific problem.

Can you provide an example of deduction in research?

An example of deduction is: 'All high performers are highly proficient in their jobs.' If John is a high performer, the conclusion is that John is highly proficient in his job.

What is the difference between deduction and induction?

Deduction is a process where a researcher starts with a general fact and applies it to a specific situation. In contrast, induction starts with specific observations or phenomena and generalizes to form broader conclusions or theories.

What is induction in scientific research?

Induction in scientific research is the process where a researcher observes specific phenomena and then generalizes or correlates these observations with known facts or theories to draw a conclusion.

Can you provide an example of induction in research?

An example of induction is observing that factories produce products and then concluding that factories exist for production purposes based on this observation.

What are the seven steps in the hypothetical detective method of research?

The seven steps are: 1) Observation, 2) Preliminary information gathering, 3) Theory formulation, 4) Hypothesizing, 5) Further scientific data collection, 6) Data analysis, and 7) Deduction or conclusion.

What does the observation step involve in the hypothetical detective method?

In the observation step, the researcher observes changes, behaviors, or numerical data in the environment to identify a broad problem area that needs investigation.

What is theory formulation in the hypothetical detective method?

Theory formulation involves integrating all gathered information logically to create a conceptual model that links possible variables responsible for the identified problem.

What happens during the data analysis step in the hypothetical detective method?

During data analysis, the researcher uses statistical methods like correlation or regression analysis to test the hypotheses and identify relationships between variables.

What is the final step of the hypothetical detective method?

The final step is deduction or conclusion, where the researcher interprets the results of the data analysis to draw conclusions about the relationship between the variables.