METHODS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL
SCIENCES 5TH EDITION FREDERICK J
GRAVETTER, LORI-ANN B. FORZANO
, CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION, ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE, AND
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
CHAPTER OUTLINE
1.1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
WHY TAKE A RESEARCH METHODS COURSE?
1.2 METHODS OF KNOWING AND ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE
THE METHOD OF TENACITY
THE METHOD OF INTUITION
THE METHOD OF AUTHORITY
THE RATIONAL METHOD
THE EMPIRICAL METHOD
SUMMARY
1.3 THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
THE STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Step 1: Observe behavior or other phenomena
Step 2: Form a tentative answer or explanation (a hypothesis)
Step 3: Use your hypothesis to generate a testable prediction
Step 4: Evaluate the prediction by making systematic, planned observations
Step 5: Use the observations to support, refute, or refine the original hypothesis
OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Science is empirical
Science is public
Science is objective
SCIENCE VERSUS PSEUDOSCIENCE
1.4 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
THE STEPS IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS
STEP 1: FIND A RESEARCH IDEA: SELECT A TOPIC AND SEARCH THE
LITERATURE TO FIND AN UNANSWERED QUESTION
STEP 2: FORM A HYPOTHESIS
STEP 3: DETERMINE HOW YOU WILL DEFINE AND MEASURE YOUR
VARIABLES