Scientific research

Karl Popper makes the argument that the scientific method of research is distinguished by its ability to refute the existing fundamental theories in science and replacing them with measurable and updated theories. His argument is based on the traditional forms of scientific research where scientist would carry out various experiments to try and explain a certain phenomena. The experiments include observations and examining available data and other methods of research. The data collected would then be interpreted and final findings and conclusions published to create reliable data explaining the phenomenon under study.

            Popper’s definition of scientific research and the processes involved is credible in that, it entails a description of how research was conducted in the past as well as measures taken to ensure that the data presented was credible. The process of refuting existing information from research conducted in the past helps to do away with scientific errors as well as falsified information (Magee, 1973). When researchers examine existing theories in science, they are able to identify conclusions made in the past that may have been based off of inaccurate data or that make wrong conclusions. The information is then researched further and more data collected to help refute the existing claims and replace them with updated theories.

            Regardless of the nature of research conducted, scientists often rely on scientific assumptions probability when making claims regarding the topic of research. Since it is difficult to prove that a scientific law of phenomena is truly fact, most conclusions drawn often leave room for more research as a way of increasing knowledge to better understand the phenomena under study (Magee, 1973). As such, any conclusions made, regardless of the nature of research conducted, there is always the possibility that the information collected will be examined by other researchers in future and alterations or corrections made depending on new changes and information used by other researchers in future.

            Research findings are heavily dependent on the efficiency of the research team and their ability to remain unbiased and accurate in their reporting. Although researchers try as much as possible to avoid bias, mistakes can arise when collecting data and this could result in inaccurate findings (Magee, 1973). Research claiming that there are only white swans in a region could be because the researchers were only able to see white swans in the region. Other researchers could conduct the same study and identify a black swan, thus refuting the claim that there are only white swans. The possibility of mistakes makes Popper’s definition of research ideal as it allows for the correction of mistakes that may have been made by researchers in the past yet presented as facts.

            An argument can be made that researchers develop their own premise and do not necessarily borrow from previous research. Scientific method of research is therefore influenced by the desire to make new findings rather than improving on those that already exists. While it is true that some researchers carry their own research without being influenced by past research, any new discoveries that go against previously held claims result in the old ones being updated. Since the discovery of new information results in alterations to previous finding, they end up refuting past claims and theories and substitute them with the new ones. The approach is in line with the scientific management theory which operates on the notion that scientific research can help to boost performance. The theory suggests that scientific research can help identify areas in an organizations process that affect productivity and how changes can be made to the corporate culture to enhance productivity (CFI, 2020). Similarly, assessing previous theories can help to identify areas that hinder research and scientific discoveries and make the changes needed to bring about the desirable outcomes.

            Although scientists engage in different forms of research, the process of collecting and interpreting data relies on factual information regarding the phenomena under study. As such, any new findings are likely to be compared against previous beliefs that people had regarding the area under study especially in occurrences where research had previously been collected. Since the methods of research are constantly evolving, findings made in the present are likely to be refuted and maybe even changed in future in accordance with Popper’s argument of the scientific research process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

CFI, (2020) “Management theories” retrieved from,             https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/careers/soft-skills/management-theories/

Magee B, (1973) “Popper” William Collins & Co. Ltd, retrieved from,             https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/careers/soft-skills/management-theories/