Animal, Plant & Soil Science Lesson A1-2 Designing and Conducting Agricultural Research

Animal, Plant & Soil ScienceLesson A1-2Designing and ConductingAgricultural Research

Objective•Explain the steps in conducting research in agriculture.

Terms• conclusions• control• dependent variable• experiment• hypothesis• independent variable

• phenomena• replication• research• research process• scientific method• treatment• variable

What are the steps in conducting research in agriculture?

• Research is the careful and diligent search for answers to problems.

• The research process is a systematic approach for discovering the unknown.

• The process of scientific inquiry, or the scientific method, is a carefully controlled, systematic process for discovering the unknown.

• This process is used in all aspects of research.

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• A. The scientific method helps to ensure that conclusions reached through study are valid and reliable.

• 1. When conducting experimental research, all factors except the factor or variable under investigation are controlled, or held constant.

• 2. As a result, any observed results are due to the single variable being examined.

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• B. There are seven basic steps in the scientific method.

• 1. The first step is to identify the problem to be investigated. – Often, this is best stated in the

form of a question. – The research problem should grow out of the

researcher’s area of interest and personal experience in agriculture.

– By choosing a problem in his or her area of interest, the researcher will find the experimentation process to be more enjoyable and more relevant.


• 2. The next step in the process is to predict the results of the experiment. – This prediction is called a hypothesis. – A hypothesis is a tentatively accepted theory

that explains the relationship between two variables.

– Generally, hypotheses should indicate the nature of the relationship between variables.

– The researcher should utilize background knowledge and experience in this area to formulate a hypothesis.

– Once it is made, the hypothesis is subjected to a test that attempts to isolate important factors.


• 3. The third step is to design and conduct an experiment. – An experiment is a set of

observations performed to solve a particular problem or question, to support or falsify a hypothesis, or to research phenomena.

– Phenomena are observed events.

• The following are factors to consider in the design of an experiment.


• a. A variable is a characteristic by which an object or phenomenon may be described. – Variables change from time to time and

may have more than one value.


• An independent variable is a characteristic that the researcher believes will affect another variable. – It is the factor in an experiment that is

manipulated. – Researchers manipulate an independent

variable by managing its presence in the experiment.

– The manipulation of an independent variable is known as the treatment.


• A dependent variable is a characteristic that will be observed. – It is expected to change as a result of the

independent variable. – Measurement of the dependent variable is

critical to the success of the experiment. – During the phase of the experiment, the

researcher must determine the most precise and appropriate way to measure the effect of the independent variable.


• b. It is important that an experiment be controlled.

• Control is the process of holding factors constant. – It allows the effects of

independent variables to be eliminated so that only the effects of dependent variables are measured.


• c. It is critical that the design of an experiment match the stated hypothesis.– The researcher must make sure that the

experiment answers the question stated in the first two steps of the scientific method.

– The research design should also provide for replication.

– Replication is the exact duplication of an experiment.

– This allows the results to be verified across numerous trials, leading to greater confidence in the results.


• d. After all design procedures have been followed, it is time to conduct the experiment.


• 4. The next step in the process is to collect data. – The researcher should consistently and

precisely follow the previously determined methods outlined in the experiment design in the measurement and collection of data.

– A pattern or format of collecting and recording data should have been developed in the design stage of the experiment.

– Data summary charts are often used to record experimental data.

– These charts should be as simple as possible, yet provide for all data to be completely and consistently recorded.


• 5. Once the data is collected, the next step is to analyze the data. – During this stage, data that was collected

during the experiment is analyzed to be used later to draw conclusions.

– The research will follow the procedures outlined in the experiment design stage in organizing the data.

– This can be a very exciting stage of the research process as results of the experiment become evident.


• 6. Once the raw data has been organized into a useable form, the researcher can use that information to draw conclusions.

• Conclusions are determinations made by studying the results of work conducted. – The researcher must answer the question, “Is my

hypothesis correct?” – This is done by looking for patterns in the data or by

interpreting calculations performed on the data. – During this process, the researcher must also determine

if there is any evidence to suggest the data might be inaccurate or might in any way misrepresent what actually happened in the experiment.

– At this point, any limitations of the experiment must also be noted.


• 7. Depending on the nature of the experiment, the researcher may now be able to formulate recommendations based on the findings of the experiment. – Findings should be explained in detail through

conclusions, written discussion, and recommendations. – Results of the experiment should be compared to results

obtained from similar experiments. – Finally, based on the results of the completed

experiment, the researcher should 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.

What are the steps in

conducting research in agriculture?

Review•What are the steps in conducting research in agriculture?

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Animal, Plant & Soil Science Lesson A1-2 Designing and Conducting Agricultural Research