Conducting Agricultural Research

Learning Objectives

• Understand the importance of the scientific

method.
• Explain the steps in conducting research in
agriculture.
• Explain the importance of controlled research.
Terms

• Experiment • Replication

• Hypothesis • Scientific method

• Independent variable • Treatment

• Dependent variable
• Variable
Steps in conducting agricultural research
• Process of scientific inquiry
or scientific method
• A carefully controlled, systematic process for
discovering the unknown

• so that conclusions of the study - valid and reliable

• all factors are controlled or held constant
except factor or variable under investigations
• any observed results are due single variable
being examined
The Scientific Method

• Identify the problem

• Research the problem
• Formulate the hypothesis
• Design and conduct experiment
• Collect data
• Analyze the data
• Draw conclusions
• Make recommendations
Identifying problems to be
investigated
• State problem in a question form
• Should expand out of areas of interest and personal
experience in agriculture

• Will allow experimentation process to be more

- enjoyable and
- relevant to the researcher
 Predict results of experiment

• Prediction is called a hypothesis

• A hypothesis – uncertain theory that explains
relationship between two variables
• Should utilize background knowledge and experience
in area of interest to formulate a hypothesis
• Test hypothesis to isolate/identify important factors
• The test is called an experiment
 Design and conduct the experiment
Factors to consider in design of experiment :

• observation and measurement procedures

• control measures

• selection of variables
Third step …..

• A variable is a characteristic by which an object of

phenomenon may be described

• An independent variable is the characteristic that the

researcher believes will affect another variable

- The manipulation is known as the treatment

• The dependent variable is the characteristic that is observed

 Third Step ……

• Measuring dependent variable (parameter) - critical to

success of experiment

• Researcher must determine most precise and appropriate

way to measure effect of independent variable

• Design of experiment must match stated hypothesis

• Research design should also provide for

randomization/replications
Third Step……
• Replication - exact duplication/repetition of treatments
• allows results to be verified
across numerous trials - greater confidence
in the results

• After all design procedures have been

followed, then it is time to conduct the
experiment
Data collection step

• Follow determined methods outlined in experiment

design in measuring and collecting data
• During design stage of experiment, develop a pattern or
format for collecting and recording data
• Use data summary charts to record experimental data:
- should be
- complete and consistent
recording of all data
Step 5 ….. analyze the data

• Data collected during the experiment need to

analyzed statistically to draw conclusions

• Follow procedures outlined in experimental

design stage in organizing the data

• A very exciting stage of research process -

results of experiment become evident
 The last step…. use
information to draw conclusions
• Researcher must answer the question,
“Was the hypothesis correct?”

• Look for patterns in data

• Interpret calculations performed on data
• Determine evidence to suggest that data
- might be inaccurate or
- did not represent what actually happened in
experiment
Formulate recommendations
• Researcher may be able to formulate recommendations
based on findings of experiment based on results
• Explained findings in detail: in discussion, conclusions and
recommendations
• Compared results of experiment to results from other similar
experiments

• Researcher should identify new research

questions to explore further experimentation

• Through continuing cycle of questioning, experimentation,

further questioning, further experimentation, agricultural
research is done
 Assignment 1 (due next week)

• Bring copies of a full-text article published recently on a topic

of your interest that is related to horticulture or agronomy
• Provide a written summary (1-2 pages, double spaced, times
roman font) of your answers and answer the following
questions.
• You’ll be asked to give a brief oral presentation (5 – 7 min)
regarding your article and your answers to the following
questions:

1. What is the research problem?

2. What is the objective statement?
3. What is the initial hypothesis for this study?
4. Is the hypothesis rejected or accepted?
5. What is the overall conclusion of this paper?