Scientific Thinking Flashcards
Why is studying research methods important?
It helps in becoming informed, developing critical thinking, engaging better with information, public policy, and is necessary for program implementation
What are some common ways which we acquire knowledge?
Authority, intuition, empirical evidence
What is the most reliable method of acquiring knowledge?
Empirical evidence
What does “empirical” mean in scientific research?
Based on observation or experience, rather than theory or pure logic
What is “universalism” in scientific thinking?
Observations should be systematic, structured, and objectively evaluated
What does “communality” mean in scientific research?
Methods and results of empirical research should be openly shared and replicable to ensure the results are not just by chance
Why is “replicability” important in scientific research?
It ensures that the results are reliable and not due to pure chance, allowing for meta-analysis
What is “disinterestedness” in the context of scientific research?
Researchers should be motivated by finding the truth, not by personal gain
What is “organized skepticism” in scientific thinking?
New evidence should be evaluated based on its scientific merit, typically through the peer review process
What is the peer review process?
A process where new evidence or research is critically evaluated by experts in the field before publication
What is pseudoscience?
Claims, beliefs, or practices presented as scientific, but lacking empirical support, replication, or peer review
What does the scientific method result from?
It is a result of systematic observation, empirical evidence, and reinforcement of structured methods of knowledge acquisition
What are the four goals of psychological research?
To describe, predict, explain, and determine the causes of behaviours
