Objective 2: Explain the steps in conducting research in agriculture.
Forum Question: What are the steps in conducting research in
agriculture? Explain what should be done when conducting research in science/agriculture. I. Eight phases of the scientific research process. a. Identifying the problem to be investigated i. Best stated in the form of a question ii.Should grow out of the researcher’s areas of interest and personal experience in agriculture 1. Choosing a problem in an area of interest, the researcher will find the experimentation process to be more enjoyable and more relevant b. Research the problem. i. Utilize various sources to gain knowledge about the problem to be tested. ii.This information will allow the researcher to move to the next step in the scientific method c. Predict the results of the experiment. i. This prediction = hypothesis. ii.A hypothesis is a tentatively accepted theory explaining the relationship between two variables. 1. Hypotheses indicate the nature of the relationship between variables. 2. Utilize background knowledge and experience in this area to formulate the hypothesis. 3. Once the hypothesis is made, it is subjected to a test that attempts to isolate the important factors. a. Called an experiment. d. Design and conduct the experiment. i. Include observation and measurement procedures, control measures, and selection of variables. ii.Variable is characterized by what is different or what changes 1. Variables change from time to time and may have more than one value 2. Independent variable is the characteristic that the researcher believes will affect another variable a. Variable determining value of others b. Variable manipulated in an experiment c. Researchers manipulate an independent variable by managing its presence in the experiment. i. Manipulation of the independent variable is known as the treatment. 3. The dependent variable is the characteristic that will be observed. a. It is expected to change as a result of the independent variable. b. Measurement of the dependent variable is critical to the success of the experiment i. The researcher must determine the most precise and appropriate way to measure the effect of the independent variable. c. It is critical that the design of the experiment match the stated hypothesis. i. The experiment must answer the question stated earlier. ii.The research design also should provide for replication. 4. Replication is the exact duplication of the experiment. a. Allows the results to be verified across numerous trials b. Results in greater confidence in results. 5. After all design procedures have been followed a. Time to conduct the experiment. e. Next stage: data collection step. i. The researcher should consistently and precisely follow the previously determined methods outlined in the experiment design in the measurement and collection of data. 1. A pattern or format of collecting and recording data should have been developed in the design stage of the experiment. 2. Data summary charts are usually used to record experimental data. 3. Charts should be as simple as possible a. Yet provide for all data to be completely and consistently recorded. f. Next step: analyze the data. i. Data that was collected during the experiment is analyzed 1. Later to draw conclusions. ii.Research will follow the procedures outlined in the experiment design stage in organizing the data. iii.Results of the experiment become evident. g. Last step: draw conclusions i. From the information the researcher must answer a question-“Was my hypothesis correct?” 1. Done by looking for patterns in the data 2. Or by interpreting calculations that were performed on the data. ii.During this process, the researcher must determine if there is any evidence to suggest that the data might be inaccurate or in any way misrepresent what actually happened in the experiment. iii.At this point any limitations of the experiment also must be noted. iv.Depending upon the nature of the experiment 1. Formulate recommendations based on the findings of the experiment. 2. Findings should be explained in detail through a. Conclusions, written discussion, and recommendations 3. Results should be compared to results obtained from similar experiments 4. Finally identify new research questions to explore through further experimentation Through this continuing cycle of questioning, experimentation, further questioning, and further experimentation, agricultural research is done