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Lecture 4

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Lecture 4

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READING ACADEMIC TEXT: READING STRATEGIES

Rakhmatova M.M.
PhD., Associate Professor
Recognize the key features of a textbook
Learn how to use monographs and edited volumes
Understand how journal articles and reports are organized
Choose the right reading strategy for your purpose
Read quickly for specific information
Deal with unfamiliar vocabulary
Read complex and difficult sentences

Glossary: commentary, topic sentence, subheading, index, survey,substantial, scan, annotate, scope,
corroborate, hypothesis, rationale, validity, replicate, theoretical perspective, executive summary.
Scientific method peculiarities and
scientific speech techniques
Agenda
Introduction

Scientific method peculiarities

Steps & Procedures for Conducting Scientific


Research

Conclusion

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The scientific method is the system used by scientists
to explore data, generate and test hypotheses, develop
new theories and confirm or reject earlier results.
Although the exact methods used in the different
sciences vary (for example, physicists and
psychologists work in very different ways), they share
some fundamental attributes that may be called
characteristics of the scientific method.

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Five key
descriptors for
the scientific
method

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Empirical Observation

The scientific method is empirical. That is, it relies on


direct observation of the world, and disdains
hypotheses that run counter to observable fact. This
contrasts with methods that rely on pure reason
(including that proposed by Plato) and with methods
that rely on emotional or other subjective factors.

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Replicable Experiments

Scientific experiments are replicable. That is, if


another person duplicates the experiment, he or
she will get the same results. Scientists are
supposed to publish enough of their method so that
another person, with appropriate training, could
replicate the results. This contrasts with methods
that rely on experiences that are unique to a
particular individual or a small group of individuals.

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Provisional Results

Results obtained through the scientific method are


provisional; they are (or ought to be) open to
question and debate. If new data arise that
contradict a theory, that theory must be modified.
For example, the phlogiston theory of fire and
combustion was rejected when evidence against it
arose.

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Objective Approach

The scientific method is objective. It relies on facts


and on the world as it is, rather than on beliefs,
wishes or desires. Scientists attempt (with varying
degrees of success) to remove their biases when
making observations.

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Systematic Observation

Strictly speaking, the scientific method is


systematic; that is, it relies on carefully planned
studies rather than on random or haphazard
observation. Nevertheless, science can begin from
some random observation. Isaac Asimov said that
the most exciting phrase to hear in science is not
"Eureka!" but "That's funny." After the scientist
notices something funny, he or she proceeds to
investigate it systematically.

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Steps & Procedures for Conducting Scientific
Research

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Defining Problem and Research

 First, a broad topic is selected concerning some topic or a


research question is asked.
 The scientist researches the question to determine if it has been
answered or the types of conclusions other researchers have
drawn and experiments that have been carried out in relation to
the question.
 Research involves reading scholarly journal articles from other
scientists, which can be found on the Internet via research
databases and journals that publish academic articles online.
 During research, the scientist narrows down the broad topic into a
specific research question about some issue.

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Hypothesis

 The hypothesis is a concise, clear statement containing the


main idea or purpose of your scientific research.
 A hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable, meaning there
must be a way to test the hypothesis and it can either be
supported or rejected based on examining data.
 Crafting a hypothesis requires you to define the variables
you're researching (e.g., who or what you're studying),
explain them with clarity and explain your position.
 When writing the hypothesis, scientists either make a
specific cause-and-effect statement about the variables
being studied or make a general statement about the
relationship between such variables.

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Design Experiment

 Designing a scientific experiment involves planning how


you're going to collect data.
 Often, the nature of the research question influences how
the scientific research will be conducted. For example,
researching people's opinions naturally requires conducting
surveys.
 When designing the experiment, the scientists selects from
where and how the sample being studied will be obtained,
the dates and times for the experiment, the controls being
used and the other measures needed to carry out the
research.

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Collect Data

 Data collection involves carrying out the experiment the


scientist designed.
 During this process, the scientists record the data and
complete the tasks required to conduct the experiments. In
other words, the scientist goes to the research site to
perform the experiment, such as a laboratory or some other
setting.
 Tasks involved with conducting the experiment vary
depending on the type of research. For example, some
experiments require bringing human participants in for a test,
conducting observations in the natural environment or
experimenting with animal subjects.

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Analyze Data

 Analyzing data for the scientific research process involves


bringing the data together and calculating statistics.
 Statistical tests can help the scientist understand the data
better and tell whether a significant result is found.
 Calculating the statistics for a scientific research experiment
uses both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics
measures.
 Descriptive statistics describe the data and samples
collected, such as sample averages or means, as well as the
standard deviation that tells the scientists how the data is
distributed.
 Inferential statistics involves conducting tests of significance
that have the power to either confirm or reject the original
17 hypothesis.
Draw Conclusions

 After the data from an experiment is analyzed, the scientist


examines the information and makes conclusions based on
the findings.
 The scientist compares the results both to the original
hypothesis and the conclusions of previous experiments by
other researchers.
 When drawing conclusions, the scientist explains what the
results mean and how to view them in the context of the
scientific field or real-world environment, as well as making
suggestions for future research.

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THANK
S!

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