Scientific research is a process that generates knowledge from observation, establishment of hypotheses, conducting experiments and obtaining results. In other words, it is a previously planned study method that follows a series of well -structured steps. In this video we will explain the characteristics of scientific research, its stages or steps, why it is important and finally we will give you examples of scientific research.
If you want to know more visit the links in the description. The first step of a scientific investigation is the question or question that arises from the observation, a phenomenon or event. For example: What substances stop the growth of bacteria on surfaces?
The main objective of scientific research is to produce new knowledge; For this reason, the person (or researcher) who carries out this type of research is creative, has critical thinking and basic knowledge in the area they want to explore or learn about. Characteristics of scientific research Among the characteristics of scientific research, its systematic nature, the possibility of verifying its results and the objectivity of its procedures stand out. - It is original By originality we mean how novel the research is, that is, how new it is in some or all of its elements.
For example: a scientific investigation can be original in the orientation of the problem, the materials or equipment used, the procedure or in the subjects on which the investigation is carried out. The greater the degree of originality of the project, the more scientific significance it can achieve. In conclusion, originality refers to the novel or innovative elements that the research intends to find with its results.
- It is objective Scientific research must be objective and impartial to provide valid results. This implies that the results must not be biased, that is, they must not be influenced by the previous judgments of the researcher or by their subjective assessments. - It is verifiable The final conclusions obtained through scientific research can be verified at any time.
That is, verifiability implies that all research, together with its conclusions , can be verified by another researcher or a group of specialists, which gives credibility to the findings obtained. We can take the example of an investigation whose results conclude that a type of substance, under certain conditions —such as concentration and exposure time— manages to eliminate bacteria from a metal surface. This research can only be considered verifiable if another scientist, under the same conditions, repeats the research and obtains the same results and conclusions.
- It is cumulative Scientific research uses the findings of previous studies to sustain itself. In other words, researchers always use previous studies as the basis for their own work. In this way, scientific research is constituted in a series of findings that support each other.
- It is predictive One characteristic is that the knowledge obtained through scientific research can predict what will happen at a given time. For example: when the behavior over time of an insect population is studied and it is observed that they are more abundant during the rainy season, it is possible to predict in which season of the year the insect will increase its population in a given region. - Use a systematic method One of the main characteristics of scientific research is the use of a systematic procedure called the scientific method.
Through the rigor of this method, it is possible to minimize personal and subjective influences in the investigation. - Controlled A scientific investigation must avoid chance, and the process must be supported by control mechanisms that allow it to obtain truthful results. Chance has no place in scientific research: all actions and observations are controlled, according to the criteria of the researcher and according to the object investigated, through very well defined methods and rules.
Process, stages in scientific research Scientific research may contain some or all of the following stages, which are developed successively: - Observation The first step in scientific research is the observation of a phenomenon, event or problem. For these reasons, the researcher is generally a curious and observant person. Likewise, the discovery of the phenomenon usually arises due to unexpected changes in the natural process of the event.
- The problem The observation leads to the formulation of several questions: Why? How? When?
This constitutes the formulation of the problem. The problem must be perfectly delimited in terms of certain basic characteristics of the phenomenon to be studied. For example: Why is the growth of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus stopped by the fungus Penicilliun notatum?
In addition to the formulation of the problem, the researcher must indicate the scope and probable contributions of the investigation. - Formulation of the hypothesis To answer the question elaborated in the problem, the hypothesis is formulated. This term refers to a statement that is presumed to be true, even though it has not been experimentally verified.
Therefore, a hypothesis is an unproven truth. An example of a hypothesis would be: if the growth of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is contained by the fungus Penicilliun notatum, then this fungus produces a substance that prevents the growth of the bacterium. As seen in the example, the hypothesis is a likely response to the observed phenomenon.
- Experimentation The hypotheses are subjected to methodological processes to determine their veracity or, on the contrary, establish their nullity and reject it. These experiments and processes are structured and rigorously controlled. - Evaluation of the results and conclusions All the results and evidence obtained are analyzed in order to respond to the problem posed.
Then, the results and conclusions are made public through presentations at congresses, scientific meetings or published in journals. Importance Scientific research allows us to analyze and learn about different phenomena. In addition, due to the rigor of its methodology, conclusions, theories and laws are obtained that allow humanity a closer contact with reality.
Likewise, thanks to scientific research , among other great discoveries, it has been possible to discover, analyze and defeat important diseases that have harmed humanity. Examples of Scientific Research - The Works of Louis Pasteur Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) is the best example of how scientific research begins with a meticulously observed event and progresses to the formulation of theories and laws; This researcher managed to verify, through scientific research, that microorganisms multiply. To prove this, Pasteur used gooseneck flasks.
These glass containers have a very elongated upper part in the shape of an "S", which allows air to enter but prevents the passage of dust and other particles from the environment. Then, he filled two containers with meat broth, one with a swan neck and the other with a short neck; subsequently, he boiled both flasks to eliminate the microorganisms present in the broths. At the same time, Pasteur observed that the broth placed in the “S” shaped container remained intact, while the content in the short neck container easily decomposed.
In this way Pasteur was able to demonstrate that the microorganisms did not form spontaneously inside the broth and that the decomposition of the broth in the container with a short neck was caused by microorganisms that were in the environment. - The discovery of the structure of DNA One of the most striking examples of the application of scientific research is the discovery of the structure of DNA. This finding was made by James Watson and Francis Crick.
DNA is a molecule that is found in the nucleus of cells and is the carrier of the information necessary for the development and functioning of living beings. However, at the time of Watson and Crick the structure of this molecule was unknown. The researchers posed a question, what is the structure of DNA?
They knew all the theoretical and experimental bases on the subject, and used them to carry out a series of exhaustive and detailed experiments. In this way, their experiments allowed them to conclude that the structure of DNA is similar to a spiral staircase that turns to the right. After 18 months of work, on April 2, 1953 Watson and Crick published their work in which the structure of the molecule is described in detail.
- Identification of the virus that causes gastroenteritis, rotavirus Rotaviruses are viruses that cause intestinal infections (gastroenteritis) in children. They were discovered in 1973 in Australia by Ruth Bishop, when she was trying to figure out which was the causal agent of the disease in cases of gastroenteritis. Bishop, through meticulous observation and using the electron microscopy technique, was able to show the presence of the virus in biopsies of children hospitalized for gastroenteritis.
Bishop published his finding in 1973.
