1. The Scientific Method

2. How Do Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions?
The scientific method
Description
Correlation
Experimentation

3. The Scientific Method

4. Operational definition
Theory
Explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events
Hypothesis
Testable prediction, often implied by a theory
Operational definition
Carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study
Replication
Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances

5. A Good Theory… Effectively organizes Leads to clear predictions
Often stimulates research
May be replicated
Theory
Effectively organizes a range of self reports and observations
Leads to clear predictions that anyone can use to check the theory
Often stimulates research that leads to a revised theory which better organizes and predicts what we know
May be replicated and supported by similar findings

6. The Scientific Method Testing hypothesis and refining theories
Descriptive methods
Correlational methods
Experimental methods
Descriptive methods describe behaviors, often by using case studies, surveys, or naturalistic observations.
Correlational methods associate different factors. (You’ll see the word factor often in descriptions of research. It refers to anything that contributes to a result.)
Experimental methods manipulate, or vary, factors to discover their effects.

7. What does a good theory do? Why is replication important?
ANSWER: 1. It organizes observed facts. 2. It implies hypotheses that offer testable predictions and, sometimes, practical applications. 3. It often stimulates further research.
ANSWER: Psychologists watch eagerly for new findings, but they also proceed with caution—by awaiting other investigators’ repeating the research. Can the finding be confirmed (the result replicated)?