Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows -
Phenomenology lies on the opposite side of the explanatory gap from computational theories. It is the study of consciousness from the first-person perspective-how the world appears to me. There is a long tradition of phenomenology in European philosophy and psychology, but it is sometimes dismissed as a legitimate approach to the study of perception, because it is inherently subjective. Scientific approaches are usually considered to require objective methods. However, phenomenological studies can be performed using a variant of standard empirical scientific methods, including hypothesis generation and observation. There are several key differences between conventional psychophysical observations and phenomenological observations. The convention in psychophysics is to keep subjects naïve as to the purpose of the experiment, and give them a well-defined task with highly constrained responses such as "yes" versus "no". In phenomenological experiments subjects are often fully informed about the purpose of the experiment, and their task is kept relatively open with loosely constrained responses. Response classification may occur only after the data have been examined. A key check on validity in phenomenological experiments is intersubjectivity, or agreement among individuals about the nature of their perceptual experience.
Scientific Approach Explained in Research
The provided passage contrasts phenomenology with conventional scientific approaches. Phenomenology is described as the study of consciousness from a first-person perspective, focusing on how the world appears to an individual. This perspective is inherently subjective.
In contrast, the passage highlights that scientific approaches are generally considered to require objective methods. While phenomenological studies can employ empirical methods like hypothesis generation and observation, they differ from standard psychophysical observations. Conventional psychophysics often keeps subjects unaware of the experiment's purpose and uses tasks with constrained responses (e.g., "yes" vs. "no"). Phenomenological experiments, however, often inform subjects fully and allow for more open-ended responses. The validity check in phenomenology is intersubjectivity, which means agreement among individuals about their perceptual experiences.
Analyzing Research Approach Options
Based on the passage's description of scientific approaches and their contrast with phenomenology, let's evaluate the options:
- Option 1: "can never be based on personal experiences." The passage suggests scientific methods lean towards objectivity, contrasting with the subjective, first-person nature of phenomenology. However, it doesn't explicitly state scientific research can *never* involve personal experiences in any capacity, merely that its methods are usually objective.
- Option 2: "usually to be objective in nature." This statement is directly supported by the text, which says, "Scientific approaches are usually considered to require objective methods." This aligns with the passage's emphasis on objectivity as a hallmark of scientific practice when contrasted with phenomenology.
- Option 3: "can never be qualitative." The passage doesn't discuss the qualitative nature of scientific research in general or make such a definitive negative claim. It notes loosely constrained responses in phenomenology, which could imply qualitative data, but doesn't restrict scientific methods from being qualitative.
- Option 4: "always uses some statistics." The passage does not provide information about the mandatory use of statistics in all scientific approaches. It mentions 'inter-subjectivity' as a validity check in phenomenology, but not statistics for general scientific methods.
Therefore, the statement that best reflects the description of a scientific approach to research within the provided text is its tendency towards objectivity.
Important Questions from Research methodology - Teaching
- From the above paragraph, which one of the following is the independent variable ?
- The following are the steps related with construction and standardisation of research tool. Arrange them in their correct order from earlier to later :
A. Construction of items
B. Selection of items for final draft of the tool
C. Item analysis
D. Establishment of norms
E. Selection of items for primary draft of the tool
Choose the correct answer from the options given below : - Arrange the steps in research process in sequential order:
A. Collection and analysis of data
B. Interpretation and report
C. Review concepts and theories
D. Define research problem
E. Formulation of hypothesis
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: - Arrange the steps involved in 'content analysis' in sequential order:
A. Identifying the main themes
B. Classifying responses under the main themes
C. Integrating themes and responses into the text of the report
D. Assigning codes to the main themes
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: - Identify the sources of secondary data from among the following:
A. Archival materials
B. Statistical reports
C. Population census
D. Journals
E. Content analysis
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
