The Scientific Method General Psychology

How Do Psychologists Develop New Knowledge? Psychologists, like all other researchers, perform empirical investigations using the scientific method An approach that relies on sensory experience and observation as research data A 5-step process of a hypothesis under conditions to control biases and subjective judgments 18

How Do Psychologists Use the Scientific Method? HYPOTHESIS PROCEDURE Think of a statement, a hypothesis, that predicts the outcome of a scientific study. Create operational definitions. These are exact procedures used to establish conditions and measurements of results. Sample Hypothesis: Preschoolers who are placed in day care will acquire greater social skills than preschoolers who are cared for in the home. Sample Operational Definitions to consider: How do you define social skills? How do you quantify social skills? How do you measure social skills? Record your observations or findings from the test. This can be done in a variety of ways such as: Writing notes Using a recording device (i.e. video camera) Taking a survey Sample observation: 60% of the children attend a day care were receptive to the new child. 40% of the children that do not attend a day care were receptive to the new child. When a hypothesis is rejected, psychologists may construct a theory or modify the theories from which the hypothesis was derived. Sometimes, this may inspire new research questions. Sample new research question: Would preschoolers who are cared for in the home be more comfortable with meeting adults than other children? Draw conclusions on the basis of your findings. Based on analysis, you can accept or reject your hypothesis. Sample conclusion: Preschoolers who are placed in daycare are more likely to acquire greater social skills than preschooleres who are cared for in the home. Perform a controlled test using an independent variable which is a variable that is manipulated by the experimenter. Sample Test: Take a group of preschoolers who attend day care and another group who do not, and introduce each child to a new child in a controlled setting such as a child research center. OBSERVATION CONCLUSION PUBLISH, CRITICIZE, REPLICATE 19

Types of Psychological Research Experiments Experimental condition Control condition Correlational studies Correlational coefficient Survey Naturalstic observations Case studies 24

Researchers must also attempt to control confounding variables Sources of Bias Bias could affect the way an experimenter designs a study, collects data, or interprets results Personal Bias Observer Bias Expectancy Bias Researchers must also attempt to control confounding variables 25

Ethical Issues in Psychological Research Deception Debriefing Animal Research 27

Questions Science Cannot Answer The scientific method is not appropriate for answering questions that cannot be put to an objective, empirical test Preferences Ethics Religious Choices Morality

To continue your lesson, close this window and click Course Content Based on: Psychology Core Concepts, 5th Ed. By: Philip G. Zimbardo, Robert L. Johnson, Ann L. Weber Presented by 27