17
for a connection between causes and consequences and reaching conclusions by
dividing or breaking down the whole of its components. Several activities and techniques are used in making the analysis. In recent years, cluster or group analysis has
often been used, which is a multivariate technique of statistical analysis based on
the efforts to determine, identify, and analyze relevant homogeneous objects or variables. Analysis and synthesis in scientific research are always together, and therefore, we can treat them as a single scientific method, analytical-synthetic method.
When it comes to monitoring natural and anthropogenic phenomena in the environment, the application of comparative methodology should certainly be pointed
out. It is a method that applies a comparison of the same or related facts, phenomena, processes, and relationships, i.e., determines their similarity and diversity. This
method allows researchers to enrich their knowledge and come to new conclusions.
The comparison between two things, two phenomena, and two events moves so that
first their common things are determined and then they are what distinguish them.
The comparison should emphasize what is common and what is different, and it also
shows the cognitive role of this method. In this method, words that have a purpose
for a certain metaphorical meaning can be applied. Namely, through pictorial
expressions, various words – most often adjectives – are presented to us that should
be known to us, so that the unknown will be compared to something similar to it and
known to us. Important features and goals of this method are identification of common or similar things, phenomena, and forms that are explored; setting the basic
hypothesis; testing the hypothesis and its specifics; systematic comparison; and
classification of new phenomena in the composition. Objectives are defined by
describing the structure, functions, and behavior of parts as common or different;
classification of newly known things, phenomena, and their systematization; and
detecting or monitoring the development, evolution, strategy, progress, or lag in the
development of defined – certain things and phenomena.
Statistics is a tool, a scientific method for studying atypical phenomena expressed
in numbers. Statistics is one of the most applied methods in scientific research work
in all scientific areas, fields, areas, and disciplines and is therefore known as a general scientific method. Statistics as a scientific method is evolving very fast, so that
28 new statistical procedures-methods are constantly appearing (Charou et al.
2003). These new statistical procedures are applied in certain scientific areas and
disciplines. The modern scientist needs knowledge of the statistical method in order
to easily collect data, process it, and based on that come to certain conclusions.
From the numerous statistical procedures applied in various scientific fields and
disciplines, we will mention analysis of attribute and geographical sequences; analysis of numerical sequences (arithmetic mean, median, modus, moment, measures
of dispersion and asymmetry, measures of roundness); time series analysis (indices,
mean value, time series); theoretical distribution (normal, binomial, Student’s,
Posson’s, and hypergeometric distribution); sample method; graphical representation of statistical data histograms (rectangular or bar chart; structural circles; linear
diagram; cartogram; pictogram graph with pictures, dots, or other signs; statistical
maps; etc.); and correlation (linear, correlation, curvilinear, partial correlation).
1 General Aspects of Environmental Degradation vs. Technological Development…
for a connection between causes and consequences and reaching conclusions by
dividing or breaking down the whole of its components. Several activities and techniques are used in making the analysis. In recent years, cluster or group analysis has
often been used, which is a multivariate technique of statistical analysis based on
the efforts to determine, identify, and analyze relevant homogeneous objects or variables. Analysis and synthesis in scientific research are always together, and therefore, we can treat them as a single scientific method, analytical-synthetic method.
When it comes to monitoring natural and anthropogenic phenomena in the environment, the application of comparative methodology should certainly be pointed
out. It is a method that applies a comparison of the same or related facts, phenomena, processes, and relationships, i.e., determines their similarity and diversity. This
method allows researchers to enrich their knowledge and come to new conclusions.
The comparison between two things, two phenomena, and two events moves so that
first their common things are determined and then they are what distinguish them.
The comparison should emphasize what is common and what is different, and it also
shows the cognitive role of this method. In this method, words that have a purpose
for a certain metaphorical meaning can be applied. Namely, through pictorial
expressions, various words – most often adjectives – are presented to us that should
be known to us, so that the unknown will be compared to something similar to it and
known to us. Important features and goals of this method are identification of common or similar things, phenomena, and forms that are explored; setting the basic
hypothesis; testing the hypothesis and its specifics; systematic comparison; and
classification of new phenomena in the composition. Objectives are defined by
describing the structure, functions, and behavior of parts as common or different;
classification of newly known things, phenomena, and their systematization; and
detecting or monitoring the development, evolution, strategy, progress, or lag in the
development of defined – certain things and phenomena.
Statistics is a tool, a scientific method for studying atypical phenomena expressed
in numbers. Statistics is one of the most applied methods in scientific research work
in all scientific areas, fields, areas, and disciplines and is therefore known as a general scientific method. Statistics as a scientific method is evolving very fast, so that
28 new statistical procedures-methods are constantly appearing (Charou et al.
2003). These new statistical procedures are applied in certain scientific areas and
disciplines. The modern scientist needs knowledge of the statistical method in order
to easily collect data, process it, and based on that come to certain conclusions.
From the numerous statistical procedures applied in various scientific fields and
disciplines, we will mention analysis of attribute and geographical sequences; analysis of numerical sequences (arithmetic mean, median, modus, moment, measures
of dispersion and asymmetry, measures of roundness); time series analysis (indices,
mean value, time series); theoretical distribution (normal, binomial, Student’s,
Posson’s, and hypergeometric distribution); sample method; graphical representation of statistical data histograms (rectangular or bar chart; structural circles; linear
diagram; cartogram; pictogram graph with pictures, dots, or other signs; statistical
maps; etc.); and correlation (linear, correlation, curvilinear, partial correlation).
1 General Aspects of Environmental Degradation vs. Technological Development…