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Research Methods PSYC 310 > Introduction, Acquiring Knowledge and the Scientific Method: Chapter 1 > Flashcards

Introduction, Acquiring Knowledge and the Scientific Method: Chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

why study research methods

A
  • to be able to conduct research
  • to be able to evaluate others’ work
  • to be able to distinguish science from pseudoscience
  • to protect oneself against those who would take advantage of others
  • to think like a scientist and develop a systematic way of asking questions
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2
Q

sources of knowledge

A
  • method of tenacity
  • method of intuition
  • method of authority
  • method of faith
  • rational method
  • empiricism
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3
Q

method of tenacity

A

ideas are accepted as truth because they have been around for a long time and/or based on superstition

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4
Q

problem with method of tenacity

A
  • information may not be accurate
  • no method of correcting erroneous ideas
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5
Q

method of intuition

A
  • information is accepted as being true because it makes sense, seems plausible or feels right
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6
Q

problem with method of intuition

A

no mechanism for separating accurate from inaccurate knowledge

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7
Q

method of authority

A

knowledge obtained from an authority figure or expert in a given area

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8
Q

problem with method of authority

A
  • not always accurate
  • some experts can be subjective
  • assumes expertise in one area can be generalized to other areas
  • statements are often accepted without question
  • not all experts are “experts”
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9
Q

method of faith

A

knowledge obtained from an authority figure and based on complete trust
examples: pastor, parents, teachers, spiritual leaders

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10
Q

problem with method of faith

A

allows no mechanism to test the accuracy of the information

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11
Q

rational method

A
  • knowledge acquired through logical reasoning
  • begin with known facts or assumptions and use logic to arrive at an answer
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12
Q

problem with rational method

A
  • a faulty premise can lead to the wrong conclusion
  • not everyone is good at reasoning
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13
Q

empiricism

A

knowledge acquired through direct observation or personal experience

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14
Q

problem with empiricism

A
  • we cannot necessarily believe everything we see or hear or feel
  • may make erroneous interpretations
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15
Q

scientific method

A
  • systematic way of examining a specific issue or problem
  • allows to put forth our best guess, we cannot say we have proven something
  • KNOWLEDGE IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING - WHAT IS TRUE TODAY MAY BE PROVEN FALSE TOMORROW
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16
Q

fundamental assumption

A

world is orderly and governed by natural laws

17
Q

importance of logic

A

discover laws of nature through a process of logical thinking

18
Q

theory conditions

A
  • parsimony
  • precision
  • testability
19
Q

parsimony

A

should explain many results with few concepts

20
Q

precision

A

must be precise enough so that different investigators can agree about its predictions

21
Q

testability

A

theory must make predictions that can be tested empirically

22
Q

categories of reasoning

A
  • inductive
  • deductive
23
Q

inductive reasoning

A

from data, you develop theories

24
Q

deductive reasoning

A

from theories, you develop hypotheses to test

25
Q

data cycle

A
  • continuous cycle between theories and data
  • ongoing process of testing and correcting, based on how data fits predictions
    THEORY - DEDUCTION - DATA - INDUCTION - THEORY
26
Q

research approaches

A
  • basic
  • applied
27
Q

basic research approach

A

understand a particular phenomena

28
Q

applied research approach

A

solve a particular problem

29
Q

scientific method

A
  1. observe a phenomenon + reach a conclusion
  2. formulating a hypothesis
  3. generating a testable prediction
  4. making systematic, planned observations
  5. evaluating the original hypothesis
30
Q

scientific method must be…

A
  • empirical
  • public
  • objective
31
Q

pseudoscience

A

system of ideas presented as science, but is lacking key components that are essential to scientific research

32
Q

quantitative research

A

based on measuring variables for individual participants or subjects to obtain scores, usually numerical

33
Q

qualitative research

A

based on observations that are summarized and interpreted in a narrative report

34
Q

research process

A
  1. find a research idea and search the literature
  2. form a hypothesis
  3. determine how you will define and measure your variables
  4. Identify the Participants or Subjects for the Study, Decide How They Will Be Selected, and Plan for Their Ethical Treatment
  5. Select a Research Strategy
  6. Select a Research Design
  7. Conduct the Study
  8. Evaluate the Data
  9. Report the Results
  10. Refine or Reformulate Your Research Idea

Research Methods PSYC 310 (9 decks)

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