The scientific method is an empirical means of acquiring knowledge on natural science (Andersen " Hepburn, 2016). This method remains centric and essential in the development of natural science. Importantly, it entails systematic observation, measurement, evaluation and analysis of results. That is, it sets up questions in the form of hypothesis then try to answer them through experimentations that involves careful and systematic observations. Accordingly, one can pose questions, test questions and analyze results; hence developing a sharper understanding of the surrounding environment.
The research study by Yu and Xie followed the scientific method (Yu " Xie, 2017). That is, there was a fieldwork experiment, which focused on revealing the net preference implications on friendship choice. The participants in the study were chosen randomly from the field to avoid a biased result. The researcher had research questions, research hypotheses, and assumptions, which were answered through the systematic observations. The observations enabled the researcher to eliminate some of the hypotheses and confirm some of them.
The scientific method such as systematic measurement was not applicable in this study, as the variables in the study were social constructs, hence requiring a qualitative type of study as opposed to a quantitative approach, which would otherwise require measurement (Andersen " Hepburn, 2016). Evaluation of social constructs requires observation and other means such as the use of a questionnaire. In the study referred to therein, short questionnaire and interviews were significant. Interviews and questionnaires were essential in getting varied opinions on the issues that were at the core of the study. Finally, there were no calculations involved, as the variables were social constructs, which do not require calculations but rather philosophical understanding.
Part two:
Proposed topic: Implications of Single Parenting
Single parenting is becoming a common practice in most societies (Hetherington " Arasteh, 2014). Some of the cases of single parenting are voluntary while some are through the natural acts; including the death of one parent. It is in no doubt that parenting has a direct relation to the future behavior of any given child. The available literature indicates that there is a significant difference in behavior between the kids upraised by both parents in contrast to those raised by single parents. Accordingly, it is important to investigate the implications of single-parenting, hence establishing whether it should be encouraged in the society. This study subsequently is essential to understanding how parenting shapes the behavior of an individual in the society.
This study will use both qualitative and quantitative method of research. Concisely, this study will identify an area of study and randomly sample the participants for interview: their objective opinions are recorded for further analysis. Moreover, observations will be key in this study; that is, the behavior of kids brought up by single parents and those raised by both parents are contrasted. The percentage of the categories therein will be recorded, followed by a graphical representation of the increase or decrease in their number over the last five years. Subsequently, there will be an analysis to explain the trend of the graph: how the trend affects the behavior of the future generation. Lastly, this study will record its findings and evaluate them to reach an objective conclusion, hence answering the research questions.
References
Andersen, H., " Hepburn, B. (2016). Scientific method. Journal of Marketing, 47, 18–31.
Hetherington, E. M., " Arasteh, J. D. (2014). Impact of divorce, single parenting, and stepparenting on children: a case study of visual agnosia. Psychology Press.
Yu, S., " Xie, Y. (2017). Preference effects on friendship choice: Evidence from an online field experiment. Social Science Research, 66, 201–210.
