Introduction to Scientific Research and Communication
1. What is Science?
Science is the systematic collection of knowledge constituting a branch of human knowledge (e.g., philosophy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, history).
2. What is Technology?
Technology is the application of scientific methods to satisfy human needs by transforming the environment.
3. What is Research?
Research is a systematic, organized, and objective process that aims to answer a question or hypothesis, increasing knowledge and information about an unknown subject.
4. What is Scientific Research?
Scientific research is the intentional search for knowledge or solutions to scientific problems.
Elements Involved in Scientific Research:
- Subject
- Object
- Means
- End
5. Who is the Subject?
The subject refers to the researcher(s) who conduct the research, motivated by achieving a specific goal.
6. What is the Object?
The object is the subject or topic being researched. It is the central issue of the research and can be an object or natural phenomenon (e.g., rain, a virus, a plant, certain animal species).
7. What are the Means?
The means are the appropriate techniques and resources used by researchers (e.g., microscopes, projectors, books, magazines, library materials).
8. What is the Purpose of Research?
The purpose is the desired outcome of the research activity, which lies in solving identified problems.
9. Importance of Scientific Research
Scientific research spreads knowledge and concepts, fostering support, appreciation, and interest from society. This can lead to a favorable attitude towards change, adaptation of individual teachings, and the creation of an environment conducive to development.
10. Criteria for Classifying Scientific Research
a) By Purpose:
- Basic
- Applied
b) By Data Collection Methods:
- Documentary:
- Bibliographic
- Hemerographic
- Archival
- Field:
- Interviews
- Questionnaires
- Surveys
- Observations
- Experimental
c) By Level of Knowledge Acquired:
- Exploratory
- Descriptive
- Correlational or Explanatory
11. Classification Based on Purpose
Referred to the classification criterion based on the purpose or purposes pursued in scientific research.
12. Classification Based on Data Collection Methods
According to the means used to obtain data, scientific research can be classified as:
- Sociological Research
- Historical Research
- Ethnographic Research
- Care Research
- Archaeological Research
- Educational Research, etc.
13. What is Basic Research?
Also called pure, theoretical, or dogmatic research, it operates within a theoretical framework and aims to formulate new theories or modify existing ones. It seeks to increase scientific and philosophical knowledge without immediate practical application.
14. What is Applied Research?
Also called practical research, it aims to solve specific, practical problems. It draws on existing theories and knowledge to develop solutions for real-world issues.
15. Importance of Technological Research
Technology refers to the relationships and distinctions we make between social systems. It is essentially applied science.
Technological research strives for the reliability of devices, leading to the construction of efficient and safer devices that make our environment more livable. It does not allow for the fallibility of its prospects, as devices must operate under normal conditions. In technological research, corroboration and acceptance with minimal risk are fundamental to assessment procedures.
16. What is Correlational Research?
Correlational research aims to understand how one concept or variable can predict the behavior of related variables. It attempts to predict the approximate value a group of individuals or cases will have in a variable based on the value they possess in related variables.
17. What is Descriptive Research?
Descriptive research uses the method of analysis to characterize an object of study or a specific situation, identifying its characteristics and properties. It combines classification criteria to sort, group, or systematize the objects involved in the research. Descriptive research can provide a basis for investigations requiring a greater level of depth.
18. What is Exploratory Research?
Exploratory research aims to highlight the fundamental aspects of a particular problem and find appropriate procedures for further inquiry. It is useful because its results can simplify opening lines of inquiry and proceed to their subsequent verification.
19. Steps of the Scientific Method
- Define the Problem
- Delineate the Field of Study
- Formulate a Hypothesis
- Conduct Experiments/Gather Data
- Analyze Results
- Draw Conclusions
20. Eliminating Bias in Scientific Communication
The scientific community and society strive to eliminate bias and subjectivity in the communication of scientific research.
21. Purpose of Scientific Communication
Scientific communication aims to spread knowledge and concepts developed through research, fostering support, appreciation, and interest from society. This can lead to a favorable attitude towards change, adaptation of individual teachings, and the creation of an environment conducive to development.
22. Importance of Communication Technology
Communication technology involves using scientific knowledge to develop “soft” or “hard” technologies that facilitate the dissemination of information and knowledge.
23. Areas Where Technology Has Been Applied
Technology has been applied in various areas, including:
- Mechanical
- Electronic
- Chemical
- Biological
- Medical
- Space
24. Learning About Research
We learn about research through various types of texts and their classifications, understanding the appropriate writing style for each type of text, utilizing techniques for better comprehension, and employing correct wording and structure.
25. Common Elements for Dissemination
- Brochures
- Magazines
- Videos
- Documentaries
- Essays
26. What is a Brochure?
A brochure is a small book or pamphlet that typically contains promotional material or product information.
27. What is a Magazine?
A magazine objectively disseminates factual stories of general interest, both existing and new, with a regular rhythm or at short intervals.
28. What is a Video?
A video is a magnetic tape on which visual images are recorded and played back using a player-capturing system. It is considered a communication tool.
29. What is a Documentary?
Documentaries are films presented for informational purposes, showcasing facts and scenes taken from reality or experiments.
30. What is an Essay?
An essay is a literary composition that presents the author’s ideas on a focused topic, usually on a specific aspect.
31. Parts of a Brochure
- Cover: Title
- Internal: Titles, Text
- Closing: Logo
32. Organizing Information in a Brochure
Presenting information in sections improves readability and simplifies the editor’s job. Information can be divided:
- From simplest to most complex
- From known to unknown
- From the center to the periphery
- From past to present, or present to future
33. Structure of an Essay
An essay should follow a specific structure:
- Introduction
- Development
- Conclusions
- Bibliography
34. Steps to Writing an Essay
- Select and define the topic
- Search for information:
- Reading
- Note-taking
- Analysis
- Synthesis
- Write the essay
35. What is Broadcasting?
Broadcasting scientific knowledge involves making it available to specific groups or social sectors for direct use.
36. What is Disseminating?
Disseminating science involves making the theories, methods, and practical applications of various sciences accessible to a wider audience.
37. The Investigator’s Main Question
The main question driving an investigator’s work is: “What problem am I trying to solve or what question am I trying to answer?”
38. What is Knowledge?
Knowledge is having a clear understanding of a person or thing through our intellect.
39. What is Understanding?
Understanding is having a clear idea of our goal or objective.
40. Classification of Scientific Dissemination
Scientific dissemination can be classified:
- By target audience
- By level of technical depth
- By subject matter
41. Instruments of Scientific Communication
Examples of instruments of scientific communication include:
- Scientific journals
- Conferences
- Presentations
- Posters
- Popular science articles
42. The Introduction of an Essay
The introduction expresses the theme and objective of the essay, explaining the content, sub-themes, and criteria used. It constitutes about 10% of the essay and aims to capture the reader’s attention.
43. The Development of an Essay
The development section includes discussion and analysis of the topic, presenting the author’s ideas supported by information sources (e.g., books, magazines, internet, interviews). It constitutes about 80% of the essay and is developed around the main theme, using a structure that is 60% synthesis, 20% commentary, and 20% summary.
44. The Conclusions of an Essay
The conclusion section expresses the author’s own ideas on the subject, offering potential solutions, summarizing the main points, and suggesting areas for further analysis. It constitutes about 10% of the essay.
45. The Bibliography of an Essay
The bibliography lists the sources used to gather information and support the ideas presented in the essay (e.g., books, magazines, internet sources, interviews, television programs, videos).