Introduction to psychology
Chapter 2: Research Methodology
2.1 How Is the Scientific Method Used in Psychological Research?
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Identify the four primary goals of science.
Describe the scientific method.
Differentiate among theories, hypotheses, and research.
Data: measurable outcomes of research studies.
Science Has Four Primary Goals
Description: describing what a phenomenon is.
Prediction: predicting when a phenomenon might occur.
Control: controlling the conditions under which a phenomenon occurs.
Explanation: explaining why a phenomenon occurs.
Critical Thinking Means Questioning and Evaluating Information
Critical thinking is a skill that helps people become educated consumers of information.
Critical thinkers:
Question claims
Evaluate the claims by looking for well-supported evidence
The Scientific Method Aids Critical Thinking
Scientific evidence obtained through research is considered the best possible evidence for
supporting a claim.
Research: a scientific process that involves the careful collection of data.
Scientific method: a systematic and dynamic procedure of observing and measuring
phenomena, used to achieve the four goals and involves interaction among research
theories and hypotheses.
Theory: a model of interconnected ideas or concepts that explains what is observed
and makes predictions about future events. Theories are based on empirical
evidence.
, Hypothesis: a specific, testable prediction, narrower than the theory it is based on.
The scientific method:
1. Form a hypothesis
2. Conduct a literature review
3. Design a study
4. Analyze the data
5. Report the results either supports or fails to support theory --> leads to conclusion
or refinement of theory.
The scientific method is cyclical.
Replication: involves repeating a study and getting the same/similar results (to
confirm the results). If results from two or more studies are the same/support the
same conclusion, confidence in the findings increase.
Good theory produces a wide variety of testable hypotheses
e.g. good: Piaget’s child development led to many hypotheses papers
e.g. bad: Freud’s “The Interpretation of Dreams”: unconscious wishes
untestable
Unexpected Findings Can Be Valuable
Serendipity: in general, unexpectedly finding things that are valuable or agreeable. In
SCIENCE, unexpectedly discovering something important/valuable.
e.g. Wiesel and Hubel in nerve cell activity experiment with cats (Nobel Prize)
Serendipitous discoveries sometimes occur, but only researchers who are prepared
to recognize their importance will benefit from them.
Unexpected findings can suggest new theories these findings must be replicated
and elaborated.
2.2 What Types of Studies Are Used in Psychological Research?
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Distinguish between descriptive studies, correlational studies, and experiments.
List the advantages and disadvantages of different research methods.
Chapter 2: Research Methodology
2.1 How Is the Scientific Method Used in Psychological Research?
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Identify the four primary goals of science.
Describe the scientific method.
Differentiate among theories, hypotheses, and research.
Data: measurable outcomes of research studies.
Science Has Four Primary Goals
Description: describing what a phenomenon is.
Prediction: predicting when a phenomenon might occur.
Control: controlling the conditions under which a phenomenon occurs.
Explanation: explaining why a phenomenon occurs.
Critical Thinking Means Questioning and Evaluating Information
Critical thinking is a skill that helps people become educated consumers of information.
Critical thinkers:
Question claims
Evaluate the claims by looking for well-supported evidence
The Scientific Method Aids Critical Thinking
Scientific evidence obtained through research is considered the best possible evidence for
supporting a claim.
Research: a scientific process that involves the careful collection of data.
Scientific method: a systematic and dynamic procedure of observing and measuring
phenomena, used to achieve the four goals and involves interaction among research
theories and hypotheses.
Theory: a model of interconnected ideas or concepts that explains what is observed
and makes predictions about future events. Theories are based on empirical
evidence.
, Hypothesis: a specific, testable prediction, narrower than the theory it is based on.
The scientific method:
1. Form a hypothesis
2. Conduct a literature review
3. Design a study
4. Analyze the data
5. Report the results either supports or fails to support theory --> leads to conclusion
or refinement of theory.
The scientific method is cyclical.
Replication: involves repeating a study and getting the same/similar results (to
confirm the results). If results from two or more studies are the same/support the
same conclusion, confidence in the findings increase.
Good theory produces a wide variety of testable hypotheses
e.g. good: Piaget’s child development led to many hypotheses papers
e.g. bad: Freud’s “The Interpretation of Dreams”: unconscious wishes
untestable
Unexpected Findings Can Be Valuable
Serendipity: in general, unexpectedly finding things that are valuable or agreeable. In
SCIENCE, unexpectedly discovering something important/valuable.
e.g. Wiesel and Hubel in nerve cell activity experiment with cats (Nobel Prize)
Serendipitous discoveries sometimes occur, but only researchers who are prepared
to recognize their importance will benefit from them.
Unexpected findings can suggest new theories these findings must be replicated
and elaborated.
2.2 What Types of Studies Are Used in Psychological Research?
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Distinguish between descriptive studies, correlational studies, and experiments.
List the advantages and disadvantages of different research methods.
