The document discusses the scientific method and its application in research. It describes the scientific method as involving observation, hypothesis formulation, deductive reasoning, evidence collection and analysis, and hypothesis verification or modification. The scientific method follows a never-ending spiral process and involves four phases: the empirical phase, hypothesizing phase, deductive phase, and verification phase. Disciplines can be characterized and compared based on their progression through this spiral model of scientific development.

2. Seminar on

3. Introduction
 Knowledge gained as a result of
everyday occurrences.
 Formulation of generalizations
based on first hand experience &
the use of logical reasoning.
 More efficient & effective
approach to expand knowledge,
Research.

4.  Research – Systematic quest for
knowledge.
 17th century gave birth to
modern scientific movement.
 Francis Bacon planted the seed of
Scientific method.
 Reaching conclusions on the basis
of observed facts.

6.  Newton, Galileo's, and their successors
eventually combined the inductive and
deductive thought processes.
 The synthesis of reason and observation
produced the modern scientific method
of research.
 The philosophy common to all research
methods, although they may vary from
one science to another.

8. “The Scientific method is one and
same in all branches (of science)
and that method is the method of
all logically trained minds…”
~ Karl Pearson
Scientific method is pursuit of
truth as determined by logical
considerations.

9.  Relies on empirical evidence.
 Utilizes relevant concepts.
 Committed to only objective
considerations.
 Presupposes ethical neutrality.
 Results into probabilistic
predictions.

10.  Methodology is made known to
all concerned for critical for
critical scrutiny are for use in
testing the conclusions through
replication.
 Aims at formulating most
general axioms or what can be
termed as scientific theories.

11. o Identification & definition of the
problem.
o Formulation of a hypothesis.
o Implications of hypothesis
through deductive reasoning.

12. o Collection and analysis of
evidence.
o Verification, rejection or
modification of hypothesis.

16.  Characterized by never ending
spiral.
 Conceptualized by Dr S.R.
Rangananathan.
Helpful in the studies on the
mode of development of
subjects.

17. Four phases
1) Empirical Phase
2) Hypothesizing Phase
3) Deductive Phase
4) Verification Phase
*Schematically represented in the following
figure

19. • Four cardinal points > Nadir,
Ascendant, Zenith and Descendant.
 Nadir ~ Accumulation of facts
obtained by observation,
experimentation,…
 Ascendant ~ The accumulation of
inducted or empirical laws got out of
the facts accumulated at the Nadir

20. Zenith ~ The fundamental
laws formulated with the aid
of institution of some degree
or other so as to comprehend
all the inducted or empirical
laws accumulated at the
ascendant.

21. Descendant ~ The
accumulation of the
deducted laws got from
the fundamental laws at
the Zenith.

22.  Quadrant 1 – Between Descendant
& Nadir
 Quadrant 2 – Between Nadir &
Ascendant
 Quadrant 3 – Between Ascendant
& Zenith
 Quadrant 4 – Between Zenith &
Descendant

23. Corresponds to the stage in the development
of the domain of universe of knowledge,
confirming to scientific method.
 Primary senses are used
 Observations are made of knowees
 Progression towards concreteness
and regression from abstractness.
 Facts are found and recorded.

24. Corresponds to the stage in which:
 Intellect is used
 Reasoning is made
 Regression from particularization &
progression towards generalization
 Regression from concreteness &
progression towards abstractness
 Inducted / Empirical laws are
formulated & recorded

25.  Intuition of some intensity
 Inducted / empirical laws stand boiled
down to a very small number of
fundamental laws.
 Regression from particularization &
progression towards ultimate
generalization
 Fundamental laws are seized &
recorded

26.  Intellect is used either by itself or
aided
 Reasoning is made with the aid of
deductive logic
 Progression towards concreteness
and regression from abstractness
 Deducted laws are derived and
recorded

27.  Characterizes a discipline
on the basis of it’s method
of development rather than
on the basis of it’s subject
of study

28.  Any discipline may adopt the
scientific method in it’s
development
 Certain specific attributes of the
different subjects become clear
 Different models of the development
of subjects may be formulated to help
the prediction of likely developments
in each of subjects

29.  Facility for the prediction of the trend
of development in a subject is variable
to the classification and classifier in
particular and the librarian in general
 Spiral of Scientific method is open
ended in nature
* Following table gives examples of grouping of subjects with the
aid of spirals

30. Particulars Examples of examples
Completed one or more
cycles in the spiral (i.e.: all
the four quadrants)
Physics, Chemistry, Biology,
Psychology, Education, History,
Political Science, Law
Quadrants 1,2 &4 completed
and the cycle likely to be
completed in due to course
Applied sciences such as
Engineering, Chemical
technology, Animal husbandry,
Sociology
Quadrants 3 & 4 alone Pure mathematics
Quadrants 4 & 1 alone Speculative discipline such as
Religion and metaphysics
Quadrants 3 alone Mysticism, Fine arts, & Literature
proper

31.  Characterizes a discipline on the
basis of it’s method of development
 Any discipline may adopt the
scientific method in it’s
development
 Certain specific attributes of the
different subjects become clear

32.  Different models of the development
of subjects may be formulated to help
the prediction of likely developments
in each of the subjects or groups of
them
 Facility for the prediction of the trend
of development in a subject is
valuable to the classificationist and
classifier in particular and the
librarian in general.

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