Research Assignment

Q. 1.Why is Science considered more trustworthy method of knowing than Tenacity, Authority, and Intuition. Discuss.

Ans: A Scientific method or process is considered fundamental to the scientific investigation & acquisition of knowledge based upon physical evidence. Some of the prior things which scientist need to do to prove their research be approved by the world are Observation, Hypothesis, and Deductions to propose explanations for natural phenomena in the form of theories. Predictions from these theories are tested by experiment. These experiments when passed through series of studies by the other renounced people and when it is universally accepted and if prediction turns out to be correct, the theories survive.
There are four elements of scientific method: Characterization, Hypothesis, Prediction and finally Experiment, and if theories pass all these four processes then only it can be said to be scientific. A scientific method is essentially an extremely cautious means of building a supportable, evidence based understanding of our natural world.

Scientific studies have to pass the following four processes:

1. Random observation method: This is the very first step in the process of scientific studies. In this method the very beginning of the investigation goes with the process of observation at first and then it leads to experimentation without creating any concrete hypothesis. From this method nothing but a concept is developed what a researcher is about to do.

2. Systematic exploration: It is regarded as the second process. It leads to planned way to explore new relationship of various factors of phenomenon. As this process is going on we would see that improvements are going on with the development of the first step. This is improvement over first method.

3. Testing of well defined hypothesis: The third step, testing in which specific hypothesis is formed, and the whole process here is to work in a confined way to testing the validity of the hypothesis so formed.

4. Experiment directed to systematic theory: This is the forth step and this is most refined method of systematic investigation where on basis of theory, certain generalization are made. At this point we will know that there are certain things which matches any other hypothesis around us. This thing is done by other individual in the past. Empirical observations are then made and necessary data are collected to verify if generalization are correct. This leds to checking of other people's work. Law of Inertia, Einstein’s Energy Law comes under this type of study.

After having gone through all these processes, a scientific study needs to have certain evaluation of our research. It can be verified through different methods and the whole process is called scientific method. So, the certain steps that we need to take in a scientific methods are as follows:

Steps in Scientific method:

1. Formulation of problem & hypothesis

2. Collection of information/ data

3. Analysis of information/ data

4. Generalization of finding

5. Report writing

Ordinary Observation & Scientific observation

There are generally various ways of observations. We see things differently, sometimes our observations are general and they can be seen by any individual who have the sense of ideas. On the other hand there are observations which need scientific verifications, timely experiments and things which need to be checked once and again. So some of the differences which are between casual and scientific observations are as follows

Ordinary or casual observation is generalized or frequently inaccurate. It is a truth which is accepted by the society only because it is being said and accepted by the society itself. Science helps moderate this error by mandating conscious observation. Science is a series of steps which has to be experimented and proved every time. So scientific observations are more accurate in this case. This is not just a mere thing which is said by the mass rather it’s a scientifically proven words and things. People frequently over-generalize on the basis of few limited observation. Scientist protects themselves against over generalization by employing large random samples & replicating studies. General people observe selectively & ignore that don’t want. But the scientific approach helps to protect against these error by applying investigation process. General people do illogical reasoning, there may be question over validity but sciences provide system of logic. In comparison to casual inquiry, scientific inquiry is more careful than our casual inquiry. This needs series of questioning and then a valid and proven answer to that.

Now we talk about Tenacity where truth rests on assumptions, lots of people believe that why it is valid on what basis it gets validity, so answers to this kind of questions and this kind of observation or gaining of knowledge is tenacity. It’s neither scientifically proved nor laboratorial tested. It’s traditional, people believe from one generation to another. The belief continues as the generation goes on. The validity of the assumption lies on how long has that things being proven right by the generation. There is no examination, no chance of verification just believe what is believed, continue to think what your ancestors have brought for you. There is no way to contradict, rather they continue to accept the truth what they have been forced to believe. Whereas scientific inquiry doesn’t believe in such beliefs, it goes from characterization to experimentation followed by hypothesis & different examinations. Not just a mere explanation by the ancestors but series of experimentation and the result every time must be some proven results.

Similarly, now we talk about Authority which is called as the trusted source. Source may be some scholar, teacher, parents, book or any one. Here question raise about credibility & validity. The trusted source is the major contributor here. Here belief has been established by source. The source acts as the major part here in this case because this leads to Authority and its credibility. Authority for one may not be the same for others but one has the right to believe his credible source that he/she believes the most. Authority may misguide because we never question authority because that is the source which we never question or back fire any other querie. Things said and suggested by him is the only thing for the receiver. Source is not verified. But science, always give opportunity to go for numbers of examination, verification, verification & experimentations. In science, question may be raised over authority. Due to this, many scholars still research on Newton’s laws & suggest further theories.

After this we have Intuition, which is the intellect we put to understand something. In this part we use maximum amount of our level of understanding thins and giving reasons to what we are doing and any questions that arises. Reasoning, logic, intellect, experience is used to gain knowledge in this process. Here people rely on own analytical power. They are completely relied on the knowledge and level of understanding in this part. Intellect has to play in this part, major contributors to this thing has to come from human being himself. Its main drawback is people may be knowledgeable but they cannot be best in everything. They need to be fully relied on themselves, while there is a problem of confusion in human nature. They can get confused due to overdose of knowledge or less knowledge about things that are beyond their understanding. Sometimes humans might say something without any experimentation and later that might be highly negative and not accepted by the scholars. But science never believes on these methodologies. Science begins from Characterization, Hypothesis, Prediction and finally Experimentation; so, science is considered more trustworthy method of knowing than Tenacity, Authority, and Intuition.

Q.2. Discuss the significance of research in the field of mass media research with special reference to characteristics and objectives of research.

Ans: Mass media research is a part of communication research. The scientific process of mass communication in which it explains how mass media influence individual and society is called as Mass media research.

Characteristics of Mass Media Research :

a. Mass media research is systematic, objective and empirical thus it adopts scientific method.

b. Mass media research applies possible tests to validate the measuring tools and the conclusion reached thus it is called as logical.

c. Mass media research aims to describe, interpret, and explain a phenomenon which can be called as purposive. It begins with a question or problem rooted in the real world and seeks answer or a solution.

d. Mass media research is build upon past investigations and lengthy researches. Research does not stand isolated from what others have learned before, which can be termed as cumulative.

e. Mass media research is replicable as its finding can be reproduced by the other investigators. It is also possible that they take particular research to be their point of reference

f. Mass media research is critical as the research done is not for the researcher only, rather the finder has to go through series of questions and answers and answer people's queries. Its purpose is not to arrive at an answer that is personally pleasing to researcher, but rather one that will stand up the test of criticism.

g. Mass media research is verifiable. We can further check the references pointed out in that research. Similarly, as this research relies on scientific method, the conclusion drawn through research is subjected to verification.

Objectives of mass media research:

1. Generating new knowledge, i.e., uncovering new facts or phenomenon or establishing new relationship of various variables.

2. Improving standing, i.e., helping to explain situation.

3. Application testing, i.e., trying out concepts and approaches in the real world to see if they work.

4. Comparing best practice, i.e., gathering information about successful of subjects in different circumstances, and looking for explaining their success.

5. Helping with decision making, i.e., gathering information, concepts, framework and approaches that help executive or planners make better and more effective decision.

6. To extend knowledge, to bring light to information that might never be discovered fully during the ordinary course of life, establishing general laws & contributing in theory building, and verifying, testing existing facts & theory.

Significance of research in the field of mass media

a. To gather necessary information :

Research provides you with all necessary information in field of your work, study or operation before you begin working on it. For example, most companies do research before beginning a project in order to get a basic idea about the things they will need to do for the project.

b. To Make Changes:

Sometimes, there are in-built problems in a process or a project that is hard to discover. Research helps us find the root cause and associated elements of a process.

c. To get familiarity research degree with consequential benefits

d. To Know The Truth

It has been proved time and again that many of established facts and known truths are just cover ups or blatant lies or rumors.

e. To solve unsolved problems since, it generates new knowledge

f. Explore Our History

Research about our planets history and human history has enabled us to learn and understand more about our forefathers and helped us learn from their mistakes and absorb good things from their life.

g. To get intellectual joy and trying out concepts and approaches in the real world to see if they work.

h. Writing term paper, research paper , seminar on a certain topic having not having news sense.

i. To set advertising rates for a media by doing a comparative study of identical organization which helps to get revenue for a media & it is equally important in decision making.

j. In total mass media research helps to study the overall research of social science and journalism related science.

Research also helps them get acquainted with the processes and resources involved and reception from the market. This information helps in the successful outcome of the project.