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Research Methodology The Aims, Practices and Ethics of Science

Research Methodology

Peter Pruzan

Research Methodology The Aims, Practices and Ethics of Science

123

Professor Emeritus Peter Pruzan, Sc.D., Ph.D. Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy Copenhagen Business School Frederiksberg Denmark

ISBN 978-3-319-27166-8 DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-27167-5

ISBN 978-3-319-27167-5

(eBook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015958917 © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by SpringerNature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland

Foreword

To perform “good research” in the natural sciences, the practitioner must draw upon an inquisitive mind, an appreciation of the methods, aims and limitations of science, and, of course, skill in applying the “tools of the trade.” This book provides an extremely well-written, lucid, and, quite often, thought-provoking approach to these prerequisites of “good research.” It is distinctive in the diverse sets of topics it covers and in the various examples it draws upon from the different areas of the natural sciences. Another distinguishing characteristic is its appeal to the reader’s reflection, not just on the “nuts and bolts” of science and questions of “how to,” but also on more fundamental matters as to “why,” even in sections dealing with such down-to-earth, practical matters as measurement, data collection, design of experiments, and testing of hypotheses. In addition, it provides valuable advice on a matter of importance for all researchers but particularly, graduate students in the natural sciences—how to write up one’s findings in a form suitable for publication. There are few, if any, books that address these needs in one place. This book succeeds on all these fronts. I can illustrate the book’s balancing the reflective with the practical by referring to the treatm