Chapter 1: psychological research: the whys and hows of the scientific method

Why Psychologists Conduct Research The best way to make certain that the information about behavior is accurate. By conducting careful and systematic observations, psychologists can be certain that they are getting the most accurate knowledge they can about behavior. Primary ways that we learn new facts: Intuition Deduction Authority Observation McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Ways of Knowing Intuition-relying on common sense as a means of knowing about the world. For example, suddenly knowing the answer to a problem. McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Ways of Knowing Deduction-using logical reasoning and current knowledge as a means of knowing about the world. For example, you may know from past experience that where you live, in the month of September, days tend to still be warm but start to get cooler, especially at night. McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Ways of Knowing Authority-relying on a knowledgeable person or group as a means of knowing about the world. You may know there is a poverty crisis in some parts of Africa from authority figures (e.g., magazine and newspaper reporters, Bono). McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Ways of Knowing Observation-relying on what one observes as a means of knowing about the world. You may have observe that the earth is round by viewing photographs taken from space of the earth. McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Ways of Knowing McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Using Science to Understand and Explain Behavior Research is the foundation of the field of psychology. Helping professionals need to understand the findings from research so that they know what types of treatments and therapies can best help their clients. Research helps clinicians and counselors understand what constitutes “normal” behavior and what behaviors might be considered “abnormal.” McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

The Scientific Method How psychologists use the scientific method: Scientific study requires observations. It is the primary aspect of the scientific method. However, there are actually four primary facets or canons (i.e., rules or principles that guide a field of study) that define the scientific method. McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Canons of the Scientific Method Empiricism: knowledge about behavior can be gained by observing. Observing behavior gives researchers a more accurate understanding of the causes of behaviors than other methods of gaining knowledge. McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Canons of the Scientific Method Determinism: behaviors have identifiable causes By conducting studies to observe behavior, we can understand the factors that cause those behaviors to occur. McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Canons of the Scientific Method Parsimony: simpler explanations of behavior are more likely to be correct In psychological research, we develop explanations of behavior starting with the simplest descriptions and expanding those descriptions only when it becomes clear that the behavior is more complex than our original description of it. McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Canons of the Scientific Method Testability: explanations of behavior can be tested and falsified through observation The only explanations of behavior that can be tested with the scientific method are those that can be contradicted with observations of behavior. McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Basic Research The goal is to understand the most fundamental processes of behavior and how they operate. Research questions in basic research are typically about how a behavior works. How much information can we store in short-term memory? Who exhibits more symptoms of depression: men or women? Do we have implicit stereotypes that affect our social behavior? McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Applied Research Investigates realistic problems. These researchers want to be able to apply their results to a problem that applies to individuals who are not participants in their study. Applied researchers are often concerned with the external validity of their studies. McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Basic and Applied Research McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.

Why Should I Care About Research Much of what we know about effective treatments and counseling techniques comes from research. It is important that we as individuals understand how to interpret the vast amounts of information we take in each day through media sources. The new knowledge you gain from your study of research methods may help you decide how to evaluate claims made by others in general. McBride, The Process of Research in Psychology. Third Edition © 2016 SAGE Publications, Inc.