al-Bahth al-Ilmi Asasiyyatuhu al-Nazariyya wa Mumarasatuhu al-Amaliyya
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al-Bahth al-Ilmi: Asasiyyatuhu al-Nazariyya wa Mumarasatuhu al-Amaliyya (Scientific Research: Its Theoretical Fundamentals and Practical Application) is a comprehensive Arabic methodological guide written by the Syrian academic Raja Wahid Duwaydari. Completed in Damascus on 3 Dhu al-Hijjah 1420 AH / 9 March 2000 CE, the work was designed as an all-encompassing reference covering both the conceptual foundations and the applied procedures of scientific research for university students and specialized scholars across all academic disciplines.
Purpose and Scope
Duwaydari authored the book to address what she identified as a relative scarcity of comprehensive literature uniting scientific methodology, conceptual thought, and practical execution. Aiming to provide a systematic guide answering the technical questions faced by researchers, she structured the text to balance concise explanations for experienced scholars with detailed exposition for beginners. The work integrates classical Arab-Islamic scholarly contributions with modern scientific and methodological conventions, maintaining that while practical applications differ across disciplines, the overarching principles of scientific inquiry remain unified.
Structure and Contents
The work is organized into six major parts spanning twenty-five chapters, followed by supplementary indexes and reference listings:
- Part One: Science and Scientific Thinking (Chapters 1–3): Explores the nature and objectives of science, the distinction between science and knowledge, scientific thinking, the historical classification of sciences among the Arabs, and the relationship between heritage and modern scientific revival. It defines the qualities of the researcher and clarifies key methodological terms, including research problems, hypotheses, observation, facts, theories, constructs, and variables.
- Part Two: Scientific Research Methodologies (Chapters 4–7): Details major research methodologies along with their historical backgrounds and heritage precedents. It covers historical research (criticism of facts, synthesis, and construction), descriptive research (surveys, correlational studies, developmental studies, and content analysis), and experimental research (experimental design, rules, and stages), providing critical evaluations for each method.
- Part Three: Mathematical Methods in Scientific Research (Chapters 8–10): Covers statistical analysis, probability theory, descriptive and relational statistics, modern systems analysis, and the construction and classification of mathematical, experimental, and natural models.
- Part Four: Tools of Scientific Research (Chapters 11–15): Examines the selection and evaluation of data collection instruments, specifically sampling techniques, direct and precise observation, interviewing procedures, questionnaire design, and measurement scales, including testing and projective techniques.
- Part Five: Sources of Scientific Research (Chapters 16–19): Focuses on source evaluation, internet and library usage (including the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification schemes), modern documentation and indexing technologies, and rules for quotation and footnoting.
- Part Six: Steps and Writing of Scientific Research (Chapters 20–25): Guides the researcher through the execution of a project, from topic selection, title framing, and work plans to hypothesis testing, data analysis, and report drafting. It outlines the stylistic and structural standards for academic reports, formatting of tables and illustrations, final review, layout, evaluation, and the compilation of supplementary apparatuses such as bibliographies and glossaries.
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