8 Jan 2013

The criteria of a good research problem.

Hornet and Hunt have given following characteristics of scientific research:
  1. Verifiable Evidence: That is factual observations which other observers can see and check.
  2. Accuracy: That is describing what really exists. It means truth or correctness of a statement or describe things exactly as they are and avoiding jumping to unwarranted conclusions either by exaggeration or fantasizing.
  3. Precision: That is making it as exactly as necessary, or giving exact number or measurement. This avoids colorful literature and vague meanings.
  4. Systematization: That is attempting to find all the relevant data, or collecting data in a systematic and organized way so that the conclusions drawn are reliable. Data based on casual recollections are generally incomplete and give unreliable judgments and conclusions.
  5. Objectivity: That is free being from all biases and vested interests. It means observations are unaffected by the observers values, beliefs and preferences to the extent possible and he is able to see and accept facts as they are, not as he might wish them to be.
  6. Recording: That is jotting down complete details as quickly as possible. Since human memory is fallible, all data collected are recorded.
  7. Controlling Conditions: That is controlling all variables except one and then attempting to examine what happens when that variable is varied. This is the basic technique in all scientific experimentations – allowing one variable to vary while holding all other variables constant.
  8. Training Investigators: That is imparting necessary knowledge to investigators to them understand what to look for, how to interpret in and avoids inaccurate data collection.