the scientific method psych 231: research methods in psychology
Post on 19-Dec-2015
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The Scientific method
Psych 231: Research Methods in Psychology
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Announcements & outline Chris has put together a course webpage
www.ilstu.edu/~cnwahlh/home (I’ve also posted a link on the course syllabus page)
If you are in his sections, please consult the page prior to going to lab
Today: The scientific method Problems getting a research idea Reviewing the literature
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Methods of Inquiry
The scientific method A method used to test and analyze claims
about behavior Uses scientific methods of systematic
observation and experimentation.
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Scientific Method write down two generalizations that you have
observed about people’s behavior. Step 1: Observation
Pay attention to the world around you, look for generalizations
Two kinds of generalizations• Descriptive generalizations – just describe how it is/what
was seen, without making predictions• Cause and effect generalizations – makes predictions about
the observed relationship between two (or more) things.
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Scientific Method Step 2: Develop a theory or hypothesis
An explanation for the observed behavior(s)• May be based on past research, common sense, intuition,
logic, etc.
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Scientific Method Step 3: Generate a testable prediction
Need to specify how your hypothesis can be tested. Falsification is at the heart of the scientific method
• More on this next lecture
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Scientific Method Step 4: Make systematic observations
Observational and experimental methods• What are the relevant variables?• How do we measure the variables?• What needs to be controlled?
Much of the rest of this course deals with these
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Scientific Method Step 5: Evaluate your evidence
Refutes theory Supports theory Leads to the revision of the theory Consider alternative theories
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The importance of a critical eye There are always alternative explanations:
Psychic Uri Geller
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Psychic watch repair Uri Geller, famous psychic. In Australia
(and other places), would “heal” watches in audiences and even over radio.
How did he do it? Geller’s claim: Psychic energy from him.
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Psychic watch repair Problem:
Someone else replayed tape of the broadcast and found it worked then too
Alternative explanation: Old watches usually not working because oil
gummed up. Heat of hands is sufficient for a short time.
Experimental Solution: Add a control group
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Scientific Method Step 6: Repeat
observations
hypotheses
predictions
systematicobservations
newhypotheses
predictions
systematicobservations
newhypotheses
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Getting ideas for research
Classic barriers Where do they
come from? What is a “good”
idea?
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Classic barriers to good research ideas
I’m not smart enough. Yes you are, but it may be hard work
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Classic barriers to good research ideas
I’m not smart enough. Somebody else must have already done this.
• review the literature, if somebody has done it remember two things:
• replication is an important part of science• perhaps there is a new angle to add to the research
idea
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Classic barriers to good research ideas
I’m not smart enough. Somebody else must have already done this. I don’t know how to pursue the idea.
again, review the literature, how have others examined similar issues
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Classic barriers to good research ideas
I’m not smart enough. Somebody else must have already done this. I don’t know how to pursue the idea. It’s too simple, something must be wrong.
Parsimony (simplicity) is generally a GOOD thing
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Classic barriers to good research ideas
I’m not smart enough. Somebody else must have already done this. I don’t know how to pursue the idea. It’s too simple, something must be wrong. The idea will take too much work.
don’t be afraid to work hard sometimes you can think of ways to simplify things to
reduce the workload
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Classic barriers to good research ideas
I’m not smart enough. Somebody else must have already done this. I don’t know how to pursue the idea. It’s too simple, something must be wrong. The idea will take too much work.
Our goal is that you come away from this course with the knowledge and ability to see past these pitfalls.
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Why review the literature What is the underlying motivation(s) for doing a review
of the literature? Getting ideas. What has been done, what hasn’t been done? Avoid past mistakes. Understanding the relevant theories. What variables are important?
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What is the literature? Primary Sources - essentially reading the original
report Journal articles Edited books (sometimes) Professional meetings Electronic publishing (fairly new, pluses and minuses) Faculty members & other personal communications
Secondary Sources - reading a report of the report Literature Reviews
Psychological Bulletin, Annual Review of Psychology Text books Citations in books and articles
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What is the literature? Secondary Sources:
Advantages: • Good starting place• Often reviews a lot of relevant literature• Relatively brief descriptions
Disadvantages:• Somebody else’s description
• May be incorrect • May be biased
• Not enough detail
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Next week
How to review the literature & evaluating your research ideas
Read chapter 2 this weekend