Quality Criteria of Scientific Contributions
Motivation
- Anyone who wants to acquire a degree at a university is required by law to submit a degree corresponding scientific work
- Dealing with the current state of science; independently developing the topic.
- Covering the problem area, logical revision within a certain time period, research questions answered in sufficient detail.
- For publication of research results
- Reputation of a researcher
- Basic skills for discussion
Differentiation
Scientific work |
Belletristic work |
---|---|
Factual, objective style |
Fluent, mostly a subjective style |
Knowledge gained is most important |
Entertainment is top priority |
Transparent works |
The reader does not know how the author finds the content |
General relevance of the results |
The interest in the content is top priority but not the pragmatism |
Dealing with real phenomena |
Deals fictionally and realistically |
Content and argumentation are supported by literature |
Usually no literature sources are specified |
Working on the topic systematically |
Preparation of the content is at the discretion of the author |
Requirements of a scientific work
Honesty
-
Moral claims are violated by intentional wrong behavior (for example, manipulation of research results, plagiarism)
Objectivity
-
Can arise by preference, prejudice, resentment, excessive ambition, hopes and expectations as well as limited viewing perspectives.
-
Objectivity is dealt through:
-
Factual representation
-
Correct sources
-
Representative selection
-
Clear description
-
Honest representation
-
Correct interpretation
-
Consideration of objections
-
-
Objectivity describes the level of independence :
-
From the editor of a scientific paper
-
From the evaluator and appraiser
-
Reliability
-
Measuring instruments measure highly reliably with stable results
-
Choose precise instruments
-
Instruments must function and measure exactly
-
Careful selection of appropriate methods
Validitity
-
Measure what is to be measured?
-
Sources of errors:
-
Search queries that have search results
-
A too small sample or an incorrect sampling selection
-
-
Achieving valid content results:
-
Working on the right content areas
-
Formulate the questions precisely
-
To avoid confusion, important areas must be defined
-
The sample must be representative and large enough
-
Verifiability
-
Verifiability of statements:
-
Reproduction of experiments and solution processes
-
Considering the source of the used materials
-
Verification of the truth and information content of statements
-
Control of logical conclusions
-
Control of sources
-
Control of intermediate and final results
-
Scientific vs. Unscientific
-
What is not verifiable, is not scientific
-
-
Falsifiability of statements:
-
To avoid confusion, define important terms
-
Method of falsification
-
Relevance
-
It is relevant for scientific works:
-
What contributes to scientific progress
-
What creates new knowledge in my subject area
-
What helps to solve practical problems
-
-
Whatever has a high information value is relevant.
Originality
-
Quantity versus Quality:
-
To deal intensively with the knowledge and experience of the subject area
-
Acquire timely Know-how
-
Combine the experiences with the personal goals
-
Develop own, orginal solution methods
-
-
Connect knowledge
-
Assess results- stay critical
Understandability
-
Good font design and an appealing layout
-
Consequent content structure:
-
Define the topic, identify the problem context and goal
-
Document procedure, methods used and the end result
-
Summarize significant results, highlight the advantage of the results and perspective
-
-
Suitable linguistic preparation of the text
-
Check spelling and grammar
-
Define unknown important terms
-
Formulate precisely
-
-
Logical argumentation
-
Simplicity (Contrary: complexity)
-
Conciseness (Contrary: verbosity)