Question

Explain the key characteristics of the scientific method and show why these are important to managers concerned with research.

Answer 1

Key characteristics of the scientific method are explained below:

Public: the research should be freely available so that other researchers can use it and criticize it, if necessary. The results of a research may immediately seem to be correct but when the results are discussed by more people, the real issues and the criticisms are highlighted.

Objective: explicit rules and procedures are used by the researcher to conduct the study. Any reader will believe the research only if proper procedures are followed. Results based on random methods of study will not be reliable.

Empirical: the results of the research should be clearly visible. Research should be conducted on the basis of the facts which are measurable and can be observed.

Systematic and cumulative: the research should be conducted by a systematic process. This helps in easy comparison by the users due to standardization of procedure.

Predictive: a research report becomes more helpful when it leads the path for the future.