por We explain what scientific research is, its characteristics, stages, elements, what it is for and we give several examples.
What is scientific research?
The scientific investigation It is a process through which it is possible to acquire relevant and reliable knowledge about the world and the universe. This knowledge is achieved through the use of a systematic method called the scientific method.
It is important to highlight that the scientific method allows minimizing, in the results obtained, personal, social or unreasonable influences. In this way, it is possible to objectively study the phenomena of the world that surrounds us.
Likewise, it is necessary to mention that the scientific method is constituted by a series of stages that guarantee the reproducibility and verifiability of the knowledge obtained.
One of the basic characteristics of scientific research is originality; This is achieved thanks to the methodology used, especially due to the evaluation processes to which scientific papers are subjected.
In addition, scientific research has to be objective and the instruments for collecting the information resulting from the research have to be validated, since this creates reliability and generates effective reports.
The results should preferably be expressed numerically, as this allows statistical comparison in an understandable way. These results must be verified under the same conditions in which the research was carried out.
Stages of scientific research
Scientific inquiry may include some or all of the following stages: observation, problem definition, investigation (planning, evidence evaluation), hypothesis formulation, experimentation (hypothesis testing), evaluation, and analysis.
However, before considering the stages of scientific research, it is crucial to take into account the general objective that is pursued, since this determines the specific objectives to be followed and the methods that are chosen to achieve these objectives.
Observation
The first step of scientific investigation is the observation of a phenomenon, event or problem. The discovery of the phenomenon usually arises due to changes in the natural process of the event.
The problem
The observation of the phenomena or changes leads to the formulation of a question: because? either as? This constitutes the formulation of the problem. On the other hand, the problem must be perfectly defined in terms of place, time and certain basic characteristics of the phenomenon to be studied.
Similarly, the researcher must clarify whether the research topic is exploratory, descriptive or experimental. These points are determinant to have a vision of the validity and the degree of confidence that the results obtained can have.
In addition to the delimitation, the work must be justified, that is, the researcher must indicate the scope and probable contributions of the investigation.
Hypothesis
In order to answer the question structured in the problem, the hypothesis is formulated. This is a precise and perfectly elaborated deduction about the observation. The hypothesis depends on a careful characterization of the research subject.
The researcher at this stage should consult the existing literature on the object of the study. It is preferably required that the information search be carried out on scientific papers published in indexed journals.
First, the hypothesis is elaborated by structuring a statement that is consistent with existing knowledge about the object of study. Then, a possible response to the new observed phenomenon is established.
If the initial hypothesis fails, a second one is structured that takes into account the failures of the first. In general, the hypotheses that fail to explain a phenomenon in a certain time, later (with the advancement of technologies) turn out to be correct.
To develop the hypothesis, two variables are established: the dependent and the independent. The values of the dependent variable are conditioned by what the researcher does with the independent variable, which, when manipulated by the researcher, causes a reaction.
Experimentation
After establishing the hypothesis, it is tested. For this, the experiments are established, which are designed very carefully, adequately controlling each stage. This process is meticulously documented, allowing reproducibility by any other investigator.
In this way, the experiment is designed to test or rule out the hypothesis. Depending on the scientific discipline, experimentation is done in a laboratory, in the field, on a blackboard, or on a computer.
It is necessary to take into account the type of research or study to be carried out, since the methodological treatment depends on this. In population studies this is decisive; For example, the ages, cultures, customs or nutritional status of the populations under study must be defined.
Evaluation and analysis
All results and evidence obtained must be analyzed to avoid wrong conclusions. For this, qualitative and quantitative mathematical analyzes are used, which today are facilitated by the existence of a series of statistical packages.
The most important process of scientific research is the evaluation of the results. This evaluation is carried out objectively by scientific groups and provides the results with significant rigor and credibility.
Subsequently, the results are made public through presentations at congresses, scientific meetings or published in indexed journals. It is important to note that all scientific research is subject to change.
Importance
The importance of scientific research lies in the fact that it allows us to establish a closer contact with reality. Therefore, the objective is to advance in the knowledge of humanity and nature.
In addition, thanks to scientific research, important diseases that plagued humanity have been overcome and man’s living conditions have been improved.
Items
Four elements have been established in scientific research:
1- The subject: is the one who develops the investigation. Therefore, it is the researcher who questions the phenomenon and develops the hypothesis.
2- The object: it is what is investigated, that is, the phenomenon that caused the question in the researcher.
3- The means: it is the set of methods that are used to validate or not the hypothesis.
4- The end: it is the final objective of the investigation; what is pursued, the answer to the problem posed.
What is scientific research for?
Without scientific research, humanity would not have reached the knowledge that we have today about the processes of the world and the universe. The nature of the researcher (curiosity and insistence), along with the methodology used have allowed us to take great steps in this regard.
Individually, research is essential for the student and for the professional. All stages of the study of a profession use observation, the formulation of questions and problems, the design of a scheme to answer the questions and the evaluation of the results.
Therefore, for all types of research there is a process and precise objectives that allow establishing contacts and interrelationships with the internal world and with what surrounds us. In the end, new theories are formulated or existing ones are modified, in a continuous cycle of knowledge evolution.
ANDscientific research examples
Research to develop coronavirus vaccines
A recent example of scientific research is that carried out by companies such as Pfizer or Astrazeneca to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus.
Rotavirus Vaccine
One of the scientific investigations of this millennium that had a profound impact on the health of the child population was the development of the anti-rotavirus vaccine. This virus is recognized as the main cause of acute childhood diarrhea, as well as being an important cause of mortality in this age group.
The development of an effective and safe vaccine was crucial to control the disease. The researchers, after a process that included several successful phases, were able to establish the effectiveness and efficacy of a human attenuated antirotavirus vaccine.
The study included 63,225 children from 11 Latin American countries and from Finland. The severity of the gastroenteritis episodes was evaluated using a standardized scale. In addition, the efficacy of the applied vaccine was rigorously evaluated and statistical packages were used for data analysis.
The researchers were able to determine that the vaccine was able to protect children against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis. Consequently, this vaccine significantly reduced all-cause gastroenteritis and no significant side effects were observed.
Today, the vaccine is included in the childhood vaccination programs of many countries around the world.
The discovery of penicillin
The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming (1881-1995) is one of the most representative examples of the application of the scientific method. The work was published in 1929 and its success was determined by the observation capacity of the researcher.
Fleming was a microbiologist who worked with strains of Staphylococcus aureus. He inoculated culture plates with the bacteria and periodically observed them to assess the growth of the strains. However, when viewed, the culture plates were exposed to air.
In this process, one of the plates was contaminated with a fungus called penicillium notatum, but Fleming observed that the strains inoculated around the fungus did not grow. The researcher asked the question of the scientific method: what prevents the growth of the bacteria strains around the fungus?
After a well-structured experimental procedure, Fleming was able to determine that the fungus produced a bacteriolytic substance that was later called penicillin.
Themes of interest
Exploratory investigation.
Basic investigation.
Field research.
Applied research.
Pure research.
explanatory research.
descriptive research.