NAME:
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 814365
MODULE CODE: IRM1501
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT NUMBER: 03/ TAKE-HOME EXAMINATION
ACADEMIC DECLARATION OF AUTHENTICITY
I, XXXXXX Student number: XXXXdeclare that I am the author of this assignment,
IRM1501.
By signing this declaration, I acknowledge that I am aware of what plagiarism is.
I declare that this assignment is my own, original work and that where I used other
information and resources, I did so in a responsible manner.
I did not plagiarize in any way and I have referenced and acknowledged any legal
resources that I have consulted and used to complete this assignment.
I did not use a current or previous student’s work submitting it as my own.
I did not allow anyone to copy my work and submit it as their own.
Furthermore, I acknowledge that I am aware of UNISA’s policy on plagiarism and
understand that if there is evidence of plagiarism within this document, UNISA will
take the necessary action.
Date: 22 MAY 2022
Signature: XXXXXX
, Question 1
Meaning of a scientific research
To be able to bring to light the meaning of scientific research one needs to detail
some of the views on what “science” really means. The first view is that science is
always facts based.1 Such facts can be observable (empirical) or non-observable
(non-empirical) facts, for example principles or values. 2 The second view is that
science is logical and objective. In other words, the facts from which science is
founded are a product of a rational process. The third is that science is informed by
the desire to provide certainty. The fourth view on science is that the answers
provided by science or through a scientific inquiry or investigation are always precise
and measureable.
Having regard to what is said about science in the section above, scientific research
can be understood to mean a systematic investigation of scientific theories and
certain propositions.3 Because scientific research is systematic, a particular process
or processes should be followed.
Question 2
Meaning of a document based research
Document-based research has to do with the reviewing of sources that are mostly
sourced from or found in the library.4 These sources include law reports, legislation,
textbooks, law journals, and so forth. Basically, researchers assess the available
literature in an attempt to find the required answer or what has been written on a
specific subject. In doing all this, researchers seek to “immerse themselves in the
1
Prof M Swanepoel and N Mabeka, Introduction to Research Methodology: Only Study Guide for
IRM1501 ( Unisa 2019) 4.
2
Prof M Swanepoel and N Mabeka, introduction to Research Methodology 4.
3
Ibid.
4
Prof M Swanepoel and N Mabeka, introduction to Research Methodology 9.
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 814365
MODULE CODE: IRM1501
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT NUMBER: 03/ TAKE-HOME EXAMINATION
ACADEMIC DECLARATION OF AUTHENTICITY
I, XXXXXX Student number: XXXXdeclare that I am the author of this assignment,
IRM1501.
By signing this declaration, I acknowledge that I am aware of what plagiarism is.
I declare that this assignment is my own, original work and that where I used other
information and resources, I did so in a responsible manner.
I did not plagiarize in any way and I have referenced and acknowledged any legal
resources that I have consulted and used to complete this assignment.
I did not use a current or previous student’s work submitting it as my own.
I did not allow anyone to copy my work and submit it as their own.
Furthermore, I acknowledge that I am aware of UNISA’s policy on plagiarism and
understand that if there is evidence of plagiarism within this document, UNISA will
take the necessary action.
Date: 22 MAY 2022
Signature: XXXXXX
, Question 1
Meaning of a scientific research
To be able to bring to light the meaning of scientific research one needs to detail
some of the views on what “science” really means. The first view is that science is
always facts based.1 Such facts can be observable (empirical) or non-observable
(non-empirical) facts, for example principles or values. 2 The second view is that
science is logical and objective. In other words, the facts from which science is
founded are a product of a rational process. The third is that science is informed by
the desire to provide certainty. The fourth view on science is that the answers
provided by science or through a scientific inquiry or investigation are always precise
and measureable.
Having regard to what is said about science in the section above, scientific research
can be understood to mean a systematic investigation of scientific theories and
certain propositions.3 Because scientific research is systematic, a particular process
or processes should be followed.
Question 2
Meaning of a document based research
Document-based research has to do with the reviewing of sources that are mostly
sourced from or found in the library.4 These sources include law reports, legislation,
textbooks, law journals, and so forth. Basically, researchers assess the available
literature in an attempt to find the required answer or what has been written on a
specific subject. In doing all this, researchers seek to “immerse themselves in the
1
Prof M Swanepoel and N Mabeka, Introduction to Research Methodology: Only Study Guide for
IRM1501 ( Unisa 2019) 4.
2
Prof M Swanepoel and N Mabeka, introduction to Research Methodology 4.
3
Ibid.
4
Prof M Swanepoel and N Mabeka, introduction to Research Methodology 9.
