Many researchers avoid using questionnaires, interviews or experiments in research (For many reasons, including the lack of knowledge or it is just not common in their faculties), so they ask questions at the beginning of the research and then answer these questions themselves at the conclusion of the research. Is this valid according to the logic of scientific research?
Could you subsidies your answer with a reference?
I fail to see how drawing conclusions on the basis of research one has undertaken to answer a research question constitutes "using oneself as a sample". I agree with Me Cheshmehsohrabi and would only add that the nature of a researcher's answer also depends on the specific research question.
I think the answer of a researcher to a question in a research depends on the research method and data collection techniques. I suggest you introduce a specific case.
I fail to see how drawing conclusions on the basis of research one has undertaken to answer a research question constitutes "using oneself as a sample". I agree with Me Cheshmehsohrabi and would only add that the nature of a researcher's answer also depends on the specific research question.
I think the confusion arises because there are two questions here. The first is the title: Can a researcher assume himself as a sample in the research? The answer is Yes: In some research paradigms that is the case. For example: Action Research or ethnographies.
The second proposition is regarding the avoidance of using questionnaires, interviews or experiments. Those are three very different paradigms. Questionaires can be very scientific, or not. Take for example the Likert scale: Is that scientific? Some argue that it is not, yet many researchers use such scales to perform mathematical analysis that assumes a regulated division between answers, making the results more quantitative. So what is it exactly?
Also, in defence of those that 'avoid' experiments etc., some researchers only do standalone literature reviews, and that is acceptable. Others will indulge in lengthy ethnographic tomes, that take years to complete. Depending on the type of ethnography, the researchers voice is either included or not. Ethnographic content is not considered scientific, but it is considered useful in delivering information. The researchers are certianly not avoiding anything, because ethnographies are arduous and take commitment.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Microbiology
- Scientific Research