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    Chapter 1.2 - The Scientific Method

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    Marco Raga
    This document provides an overview of key concepts in the scientific method and research strategies. It defines terms like meta-analysis, replication, and theory that are important to basic scientific research. It also outlines common "red flags" seen in pseudoscience like a lack of evidence or shifting the burden of proof. The document then describes descriptive and experimental research methods, noting that descriptive research observes behaviors while experimental research tests cause-and-effect relationships. Key terms are defined for survey design, correlation studies, variables in experiments, sources of bias, and ethical guidelines.

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    Chapter 1.2 - The Scientific Method

    Uploaded by

    Marco Raga
    22 views3 pages
    This document provides an overview of key concepts in the scientific method and research strategies. It defines terms like meta-analysis, replication, and theory that are important to basic scientific research. It also outlines common "red flags" seen in pseudoscience like a lack of evidence or shifting the burden of proof. The document then describes descriptive and experimental research methods, noting that descriptive research observes behaviors while experimental research tests cause-and-effect relationships. Key terms are defined for survey design, correlation studies, variables in experiments, sources of bias, and ethical guidelines.

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    Intro to psychology

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    CHAPTER 1.2_ THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

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    This document provides an overview of key concepts in the scientific method and research strategies. It defines terms like meta-analysis, replication, and theory that are important to basic scientific research. It also outlines common "red flags" seen in pseudoscience like a lack of evidence or shifting the burden of proof. The document then describes descriptive and experimental research methods, noting that descriptive research observes behaviors while experimental research tests cause-and-effect relationships. Key terms are defined for survey design, correlation studies, variables in experiments, sources of bias, and ethical guidelines.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    22 views3 pages

    Chapter 1.2 - The Scientific Method

    Uploaded by

    Marco Raga
    This document provides an overview of key concepts in the scientific method and research strategies. It defines terms like meta-analysis, replication, and theory that are important to basic scientific research. It also outlines common "red flags" seen in pseudoscience like a lack of evidence or shifting the burden of proof. The document then describes descriptive and experimental research methods, noting that descriptive research observes behaviors while experimental research tests cause-and-effect relationships. Key terms are defined for survey design, correlation studies, variables in experiments, sources of bias, and ethical guidelines.

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    of 3

    CHAPTER 1.

    2: THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

    BASIC RESEARCH TERMS

    1. Meta-analysis - a statistical technique that involves combining and analyzing the results of
    many research studies on specific topic in order to identidy overall trends.
    2. Replicate - to repeat or duplicate a scientific study in order to increase confidence in validity
    of the original findings.
    3. Theory - a tentative explanation that tries to integreate and account for te relationship of
    various findings and observation,
    4. Descriptive Research Method - scientific procedures that involve systematially observing
    behavior in order to describe the relationship among behaviors and events.

    PSUEDOSCIENCE RED FLAGS


    1. Testimonials rather than scientific evidence
    2. Scientific jargon without scientific substance
    3. Combining established scientific knowledge with unfounded claims
    4. Irrefutable or nonfalsifiable claims
    5. Confirmation bias
    6. Shifting the burden of proof
    7. Multiple outs

    TYPES OF RESEARCH STRATEGIES


    1. DESCRIPTIVE - strategies for observing and describing behavior
    2. EXPERIMENTAL - strategies for inferring cause and effect relationships among variables.

    DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH METHODS


    - describe a set of facts
    A. Naturalistic observation - directly observe and record behavior to detect naturally occuring
    behavior
    - no changes, just watching
    B. Case Studies - hihly detailed description of an individual: usually a rare, unusual, or extreme
    conditions
    C. Survey - designed to investigate opinions, behaviors, or characteristics of a particular group.
    Self report.

    IMPORTANT TERMS IN SURVEY DESIGN


    1. Sample - a selected segment of population used to represent the group that is being studied.
    2. Representative Sample - a selected segment that very closely parallels the larger population
    being studied on relevant characteristics.
    3. Random Selection/ Random Sampling - process in which subjects are selected randomly
    from a larger group such that every group member has an equal chance of being included in the
    study.
    CORRELATION
    CORRELATIONAL STUDY - research strategy hat allows the precise calculation of how
    strongly related two factors are to each other.
    CORRELATION COEEFICIENT - numerical indication of magnitude and direction of the
    relationship between two variables.
    CORRELATION does not necessarily indicate CAUSALITY.

    EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS


    - used to demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables.

    TYPES OF VARIABLES
    1. Independet variable - the thing that will change
    2. Dependent variable - measures the change

    Terms:
    1. Hypothesis - specific questions or prediction to be tested
    2. Main Effect - any change that can be direcly attributed to the independent or treatment
    variable after controlling for other possible influences.
    3. Independent Variable - purposely manipulated factors tought to produce change in an
    experiment
    4. Dependent Variables - factors that is observed and measured for change in an experiment,
    thought to be influenced by the independent variable.
    5. Extraneous Variables - a factor or variable other than the ones being studied that, if not
    controlled, could affect the outcome of an experiment.
    6. Experimental Group - participant who are exposed to all experimental conditions
    7. Controlled Group - gets no kind of change
    8. Random Assignment - all participants have an equal chance of being assigned to any of the
    experimental groups or conditions.
    9. Single-blind study - researchers, but not the subjects, are aware of critical information.
    10. Double-blind study - both the participants and the researchers interacting with them are
    blinded, or unaware of the treatment or condtion to which the participants have been assigned.

    Sources of Bias
    A. Expectancy Effect - change in dependent variable produced by subjet's expectancy that
    change should happen
    B. Demand Characteristics - subtle cues or signals by the researcher that communicate the type
    of responses that are expected.
    C. Placebo - a fake substance, treatment, or procedure that has no known direct effects
    D. Placebo Effect - any change attributed to the person's beliefs and expectations rather than to
    an actual drug, treatment, or procedure.

    Limitations of Experimental Designs


    - often criticized for having little to do ith actual behavior because of strict laboratory conditions.
    - ethical considerations in creating some more lifelike situations
    - may get more ecological valid insights from natural experiments

    Ethical Guidelines by APA

    1. Informed consent and voluntary participation


    2. Students as research participants
    3. The use of deception shall be limited
    4. Confidentiality of information
    5. Information about the study and debriefing

    Research using animal subjects must have an acceptable scientific purpose.


    Increase knowledge about behavior
    increase understanding of the species under study
    produce results that benefit the health or welfare of humans or other animals.

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