Getting an Experimental Idea Psych 231: Research Methods in Psychology

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.

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.

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 in a future lecture

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

Scientific Method Step 5: Evaluate your evidence Refutes theory Supports theory Leads to the revision of the theory Consider alternative theories There are always alternative explanations

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.

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

Scientific Method Step 6: Repeat observations hypotheses predictions systematic observations new hypotheses predictions systematic observations new hypotheses

Getting ideas for research Where do they come from? Classic barriers

Where do ideas come from? Research is often driven by curiosity. We typically study things that interest us. Continuum of the development of research ideas InformalFormal “This is interesting. I’d like to know more.” “The theory says X. Let’s test the theory.” “We’ve got a problem to solve.” “We understand some things, but there are still questions.”

Where do ideas come from? Common Sense – things that we all think are true “Opposites attract” Nice social psych experiment, does this work? But note: a lot of our common sense is contradictory Absence makes the heart grow fonder Long distance affairs never last

Where do ideas come from? Common Sense Observation – both of others and of yourself (and maybe even of animals or kids). Direct observation - includes public observation, self observation, observing children, observing animals Vicarious observation - what somebody else has observed and reported

Where do ideas come from? Common Sense Observation Past research – find out what research has already been done and ask yourself “what don’t we know still” Follow-up studies, expanding the past research in more detail or new directions Improvements on past research studies, maybe you think the past research had some serious flaws or limitations

Where do ideas come from? Common Sense Observation Past research Identify a problem – perhaps there is an important problem or issue that needs a (or some) solution(s). WWII - why did airplanes keep crashing? Led to development early cognitive theories of attention

Where do ideas come from? Common Sense Observation Past research Identify a problem Ask the Experts – basically, putting your trust in somebody else who knows the research field and the issues that need answers

Idea origins Common Sense Observation Past research Identify a problem Ask the Experts Stick with it and get lucky

Classic barriers to good research ideas You Great ideas

Classic barriers to good research ideas I’m not smart enough. Yes you are, but it may be hard work

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

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?

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

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

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.

Next time Reviewing the Literature Chapter 2 Chapters 2, 5, 9