What counts as scientific research (or theory) and what does not?

The criteria for scientific research

1. Objectivity– Results must be based on facts, not on opinions.

2. Parsimony– sparing in proposed entities, explanations

3. Autonomy– Any non-scientific instance must not influence the results and their

interpretation.

4. Publicity– The results and methods are published so that anybody can check the them

and repeat the experiments

5. Critical– All results are assessed by the scientific community (peer review)

6. Progress and change– Science corrects its own mistakes and changes.

7. Tentative– admits that it might not be correct, does not assert certainty

• n

The cycle of scientific research

collecting data

hypothesesthe organised

data

theory

empirical research

analysing data

empirical research

operationalisation

inductiondeduction

starting point:

practical interest

or curiosity

Science as an enterprise that

produces knowledge

object of study

research strategy

research

process system of

knowledge

tools

reporters

marketing

reportingreports

adaptors

collegues

other scientists

intellectuals

users

researcher,

research

group

system of

knowledge

tools