Objective 2: Explain the steps in conducting research in agriculture.

Forum Question: What are the steps in conducting research in

agriculture? Explain what should be done when conducting research in
science/agriculture.
I. Eight phases of the scientific research process.
a. Identifying the problem to be investigated
i. Best stated in the form of a question
ii.Should grow out of the researcher’s areas of interest
and personal experience in agriculture
1. Choosing a problem in an area of interest, the
researcher will find the experimentation
process to be more enjoyable and more
relevant
b. Research the problem.
i. Utilize various sources to gain knowledge about the
problem to be tested.
ii.This information will allow the researcher to move to
the next step in the scientific method
c. Predict the results of the experiment.
i. This prediction = hypothesis.
ii.A hypothesis is a tentatively accepted theory
explaining the relationship between two variables.
1. Hypotheses indicate the nature of the
relationship between variables.
2. Utilize background knowledge and experience
in this area to formulate the hypothesis.
3. Once the hypothesis is made, it is subjected to
a test that attempts to isolate the important
factors.
a. Called an experiment.
d. Design and conduct the experiment.
i. Include observation and measurement procedures,
control measures, and selection of variables.
ii.Variable is characterized by what is different or
what changes
1. Variables change from time to time and may
have more than one value
2. Independent variable is the characteristic
that the researcher believes will affect another
variable
a. Variable determining value of others
b. Variable manipulated in an experiment
c. Researchers manipulate an independent
variable by managing its presence in the
experiment.
 i. Manipulation of the independent
variable is known as the
treatment.
3. The dependent variable is the characteristic
that will be observed.
a. It is expected to change as a result of the
independent variable.
b. Measurement of the dependent variable
is critical to the success of the
experiment
i. The researcher must determine the
most precise and appropriate way
to measure the effect of the
independent variable.
c. It is critical that the design of the
experiment match the stated hypothesis.
i. The experiment must answer the
question stated earlier.
ii.The research design also should
provide for replication.
4. Replication is the exact duplication of the
experiment.
a. Allows the results to be verified across
numerous trials
b. Results in greater confidence in results.
5. After all design procedures have been followed
a. Time to conduct the experiment.
e. Next stage: data collection step.
i. The researcher should consistently and precisely
follow the previously determined methods outlined in
the experiment design in the measurement and
collection of data.
1. A pattern or format of collecting and recording
data should have been developed in the design
stage of the experiment.
2. Data summary charts are usually used to
record experimental data.
3. Charts should be as simple as possible
a. Yet provide for all data to be completely
and consistently recorded.
f. Next step: analyze the data.
i. Data that was collected during the experiment is
analyzed
1. Later to draw conclusions.
ii.Research will follow the procedures outlined in the
experiment design stage in organizing the data.
 iii.Results of the experiment become evident.
g. Last step: draw conclusions
i. From the information the researcher must answer a
question-“Was my hypothesis correct?”
1. Done by looking for patterns in the data
2. Or by interpreting calculations that were
performed on the data.
ii.During this process, the researcher must determine
if there is any evidence to suggest that the data
might be inaccurate or in any way misrepresent what
actually happened in the experiment.
iii.At this point any limitations of the experiment also
must be noted.
iv.Depending upon the nature of the experiment
1. Formulate recommendations based on the
findings of the experiment.
2. Findings should be explained in detail through
a. Conclusions, written discussion, and
recommendations
3. Results should be compared to results obtained
from similar experiments
4. Finally identify new research questions to
explore through further experimentation
Through this continuing cycle of questioning, experimentation, further
questioning, and further experimentation, agricultural research is done