psychological research and scientific method

Question 1

major features of science are…

Answer 1

replicability
objectivity
theory construction
hypothesis testing
use of empirical methods

Question 2

theory construction induction:

Answer 2

• Involves reasoning from the particular to the general.
• Specific observations lead to the development of a theory

Question 3

theory construction deduction:

Answer 3

• Involves reasoning from the general to the specific
• Starting with a theory and finding evidence that confirms this

Question 4

how does science progress

Answer 4

• identify a problem
• develop a hypothesis
• develop a methodology
• analyse results to determine support for the hypothesis or not
• modify/repeat
• develop a theory/confirm theory

Question 5

the use of empiricism definition

Answer 5

• evidence which can be experienced through the senses and verified objectivity through direct testing and measurement
• can be shared and publicly scrutinised = replicability

Question 6

key points of objectivity

Answer 6

• unaffected by values, the expectations of the individual, free from bias
• Popper’s “falsifiability”
• reseachers should look for contradictory evidence
• at no point can a theory be said to be “proven”
• strengthened when evidence is found

Question 7

key points of replicability

Answer 7

• Expectation of full and detailed publications
• Allowing for evaluation and retesting (guards against fraud)
• Confidence in findings increases when investigation is replicated and results in similar findings
• They are to be applied – to ensure they are not a product of the limited sample group
• Lab experiments usually allow good replicability due to the highly controlled conditions
• Tends to be lower for field experiments undertaken in a natural setting

Question 8

what did Thomas S. Khun (1970) come up with

Answer 8

paradigms and paradigm shifts

Question 9

what does Khun think mature science is based on

Answer 9

shared assumptions and conceptual schemas

Question 10

why psychology is a science

Answer 10

• aims to be empirical, objective and use experimental methods
• lab experiments being highly controlled and measured
• seeking evidence to test hypothesis
• standardisation of procedures to minimise bias
• Khun = the hypothetico - deductive model ignores social factors
• part of a community
• constitutes ‘normal’ science

Question 11

why psychology is NOT a science

Answer 11

• assumes a coherent body of knowledge but subject matter is complex and contradictory
• scientific laws are generalisable but psych explanations often restricted to times and places
• subject matter may be unobservable and not measured accurately
• scientists have expectations that influence observations
• what is controlled/not based on researchers judgement
• knowledge and understanding is based on social construction
• perception influences the response and cannot be confident that the stimulus is having a standard effect = demand characteristics

Question 12

what is peer review

Answer 12

the assessment of scientific work by other who are experts in the same field

Question 13

what is the aim of peer review

Answer 13

to ensure that any research conducted and published is of a high quality

Question 14

why is the quality control of peer review important

Answer 14

for preventing incorrect or flawed data from entering the public domain and becoming the basis of policies

Question 15

what is REF in peer review

Answer 15

Research Excellent Framework

Question 16

what does the REF do in peer review

Answer 16

• reviews the work and determines the allocation of research funding
• have a duty to allocate responsibly to research likely to be most worthwhile

Question 17

problems with peer review

Answer 17

requires reviewers to be of sufficient expertise to make appropriate judgements
- has not acted as a deterrent to poor or fraudulent practice
- has failed to detect fraudulent data
- review is anonymous - objective or sidelining academic competition?
- publication bias