Chapter 1: Psychological Research Why do Psychologists use the Scientific Method? - By conducting careful and systematic observations, they can be certain that they are getting the most accurate knowledge they can about the behavior. Way of Knowing ● Intuition - There are probably many ways that you know these things. ● Deductive - Remembering the characteristics of the weather you are experiencing, and knowing you are still living in the exact location as in past years, you can deduce. ● Authority - You may have first learned that the earth is round from an authority figure like your parents, teachers, or text authors. ● Observation - In these situations, what is the best way for you to find the facts? How Psychologists Use The Scientific Method? ● Empiricism - The scientific method relies on observations. ● How do we use Empiricism to learn about behavior? 1.) We can simply observe people in their normal environment. 2.) We can ask them to complete a survey. 3.) We can ask them to come into a lab and complete a task on a computer. ● Why do Psychologists observe behavior? - Observing behavior gives researchers a more accurate understanding of the causes of behaviors than other methods of gaining knowledge. ● Determinism - This is the concept that phenomena in the world (and human behaviors) occur naturally and have identifiable causes. - By conducting studies to observe behavior, we can understand the factors that cause those behaviors to occur. ● How is Determinism used in psychological research? - Researchers design their studies to contribute to this goal through the description of behaviors. ● Parsimony - It is a preference for more simple explanations. simple explanations are preferred. - It is assumed that the simpler explanation is more likely to be correct. More complex explanations should be developed only after simpler explanations have failed to be supported by research studies. ● Why is Parsimony useful in psychological research? - Parsimony helps scientists test their ideas because it is easier to develop a study that might falsify a simple explanation than to develop a study that might falsify a more complex explanation ● Testability - The scientific method can only be used to examine ideas that can be tested through observation. - Seeking only confirmatory evidence and ignoring contradictory evidence is known as Confirmation Bias. - It is one of the reasons that many of Sigmund Freud’s ideas have not had more influence on current clinical and personality psychology theories—they are difficult to test using the scientific method. How is Falsifiability used in psychological science? - Falsification of explanations of behavior advances psychological science much more than supporting explanations (Platt, 1964) Empiricism Gaining knowledge through systematic observation of the world. Determinism The assumption that phenomena have identifiable causes Parsimony The assumption that the simplest explanation of a phenomenon is most likely to be correct. Testability The assumption that explanations of behavior can be tested and falsified through observation. Confirmation Bias - Seeking only evidence that supports our beliefs and ignoring evidence that contradicts those beliefs. Chapter 2: Applied Research and Basic Research Applied Research - Applied research investigates realistic problems. - Research questions in applied research are typically about The Goals of Applied Research - Generally focused on answering questions related to solving real-world problems. Applied researchers are often concerned with the External Validity of their studies. External Validity - It is a consideration in basic research but in some cases can be less important than it is in applied research. - If a study has External Validity, it means that the results of the research can be generalized to other populations, situations, or settings. Basic Research - Research questions in basic research are typically about how behavior works. - Typically, Basic Research provides fundamental knowledge of how behaviors operate that is useful to researchers conducting applied studies. Goals of Basic Research - To understand the most fundamental processes of behavior and how they operate. Applied Research Is research conducted with the goal of solving everyday problems. External Validity - The degree to which the results of a study apply to individuals and realistic behaviors outside the study Basic Research Is research conducted with the goal of understanding fundamental processes of phenomena. Types of Research 1.) According to Purpose A. Predictive or Prognostic Research – Has the purpose of determining the future operation of the variables under study for the purpose of controlling such variables. B. Directive Research – Tells what should be done based on the findings. The purpose is to remedy an unsatisfactory condition if there is any. C. Illuminative Research – Concerned with the interaction of the components of the variables being investigated. 2.) According to Goal A. Basic or Pure Research – Is sometimes called Fundamental Research. It is done for the development of theories or principles. It is conducted for the intellectual pleasure of learning. This type of research is usually carried on in a laboratory or other sterile environment. B. Applied Research – It is the application of the results of pure research. This is testing the efficiency of the theories and principles. Its purpose is improving a product or process – testing theoretical concepts in actual problem situations. C. Action Research – It is focused on immediate application, not on the development of theory or on general application. It has placed its emphasis on a problem here and now in a local setting. Its findings are to be evaluated in terms of local applicability, not universal validity. 3.) According to Types of Analysis A. Analytic Research – The researcher attempts to identify and isolate the components of the research situation. B. Hellenistic Research – The researcher begins with the total situation, focusing attention on the system first and then on its internal relationships. 4.) According to Choice of Answer to Problem A. Evaluation Research – The researcher will find all possible courses of action, specify and identify them, and tries to find the most advantageous solution to the answer. B. Development Research – The researchers’’ focus is on finding or developing a more suitable instrument or process, or material than has been available. 5.) According to the Area of the Field of Study A. Sociological B. Social Research C. Psychological Research D. Anthropological Research E. Physical Research F. Chemical Research G. Business and Industrial Research H. Economical Research I. Health and Sanitation Research J. Nursing and Medical Field Research
