1. Introduction, Acquiring Knowledge, and the Scientific Method

2. Why Take a Methods course? Reliance on methods of science to gather and interpret data Conducting research Reading and Evaluating Research Gathering and Evaluating Info in your daily life

3. Methods Tenacity-based on long accepted facts or habit Intuition-info accepted because it feels right Authority-experts Faith-complete trust on all levels Rationalism-seeks answer by use of logical reasoning Empiricism-observation …best is….

4. Scientific Method Formulation of specific questions and methods Steps: – Observe behavior – Hypothesis Formation – Generate testable prediction – Systematic observations – Supported or rejected?

5. Hypothesis Statement that describes relationship among variables Variables: characteristics that change or have different values for different individuals Hypothesis must be testable – Defined and observed

6. Research Steps Idea Strategy Design Conduct Evaluate Report Results Refine