Q&A for How to Conduct Scientific Research

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How do you do good research?

Michael Simpson, PhD
Registered Professional Biologist
Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry.

Michael Simpson, PhD

Registered Professional Biologist

Expert Answer

You should have a clear idea of your objectives even before starting your research. Knowing what specific question you are asking will make it easier to target your research and, if it will involve experiments, coming up with the hypothesis that will provide an answer.

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How do you verify a scientific hypothesis?

Michael Simpson, PhD
Registered Professional Biologist
Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry.

Michael Simpson, PhD

Registered Professional Biologist

Expert Answer

Always remember that one of the fundamental objectives of any experiment is not to prove your hypothesis but to disprove it.

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Question

Should I write to an institution to ask if I can use their facilities to conduct an experiment?

Community Answer

Yes, although normally institutions won't allow you to use their facilities. Some facilities, however, allow you to use them IF you pay a certain amount of money, so keep that in mind.

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Question

Who can write a research paper?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Anyone who is conducting research.

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How do lawyers conduct research?

Donagan

Top Answerer

The kind of research lawyers conduct usually consists of writing letters, making phone calls, and interviewing people.

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Do I need a license to do scientific research? Can I do research for fun if it's just raw data?

Community Answer

You don’t need a license as long as it’s just for fun. It’s best if you are composing an experiment that is already completed, like Mentos and Coke.

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