T3 Slide W1 Flashcards
Why do we need the Scientific Method? (5)
Human Judgement is not reliable. We rely heavily on techniques such as:
- Intuition
- Heuristics/Biases
- Perception vs Reality
- Human Observation
- Reliance on Authority
How do Psychologists know things?
Use the Scientific Method to observe and measure reliably
What are some non-science ways of knowing?
- Intuition
- Heuristics/Biases
- Perception vs Reality
- Human Observation
- Reliance on Authority
Why do we not trust human Judgement?
Human Judgement is not reliable and humans are fallible.
Non Science ways of knowing (5)
- Tenacity
- Intuition
- Authority
- Rationalism
- Empiricism
Explain Psychology and Research
In order to study the mind scientifically we need to develop agreed upon methods for acquiring knowledge.
We use the Scientific Method to ensure this as best we can
Brain in a Vat Scenario
- A scenario where a “mad Scientist” puts a brain in a jar and sustains it’s life force
- The brain is attached to a computer and is able to think and feel normally
- The brain believes it is real and alive. It does not know it is merely a simulation
- Do we even need a body? Is our body real?
Tenacity
Acquiring Knowledge through superstition and or habit
Intuition
Acquiring Knowledge that is not based on reason or logic
Reliance on Authority
Accepting information because it is from a respected source or authority
Rationalism
Acquisition of knowledge through reasoning
Empiricism
Acquiring knowledge through experience
What do we accept as evidence of truth?
- Science is based on evidence
- Evidence must be reproducible
- Objective evidence requires an objective process
Goals of Science (4)
- Describe
- Predict
- Determine Cause
- Explain
What is good scientific Research? (8)
- Based on the work of others
- can be replicated
- Is generalisable to other settings
- Is based on some logical rationale and tied to theory
- Is doable
- Generates new questions
- Is incremental
- Is an apolitical activity
What does all Good Research have in common?
- The process taken to find the truth is based on the scientific method
- If the process is sound then the conclusion will be sound
Hypothetic-Deductive Model of Scientific Research
- Karl Popper: The Logic of Scientific Discovery
- he said “there are no statements in science which cannot be tested”
- suggested falsification of theories could demonstrate them as untrue
- Theories in principle could not be proven only refuted
Can we ever know the absolute truth?
- the Scientific method is the best method available for establishing the truth
- it is an objective way of observing, thinking about and solving problems.
The Process of the Scientific Method (8)
- Asking the Question
- Identifying Important Factors
- Formulating a Hypothesis
- Collecting Relevant Information
- Testing the hypothesis
- Working with the Hypothesis
- Reconsider the Theory
- Asking a new Question
The Scientific Process - Asking a Question
- Arise as a result of curiosity or need to find an answer
- Questions guide the direction a research field takes
The Scientific Process - Identifying Important Factors
Factors should:
- Not have been investigated previously
- Contribute to understanding
- Available to investigate
- Hold interest personally and/or professionally
- Lead to other questions
Important factors could be:
Age, gender, experience, motivations for dangerous driving, campaign valence
The Scientific Process - Formulating a hypothesis
- A Hypothesis is an educated guess; If, then, else
- are declarative
- posit an expected relationship
- reflect theory and literature
- brief and to the point
- are testable
The Scientific Process - Collecting Relevant Information
- We set out to test hypotheses not to prove them
- We aim to reveal the truth (as much as possible) whether we like the result or not
- Being wrong isn’t bad it just leads to more questions
- Always ask another question
The Scientific Process - Testing the Hypothesis
- How do you know if you have a difference or not?
- How do we know its not just random differences?
- Inferential Statistics allow us to assign probability level to our findings
- Allows us to figure out if the effect we are seeing is real or due to chance or something else.
The Scientific Process - Working with the hypothesis
- Does your data support your hypothesis
- Results provide a valuable outcome either way
- Do the scientific community value null results?
Inferential Statistics
- provide ways of testing the reliability of the findings of a study
- Allows us to “infer” characteristics from a small sample population onto much larger the populations.
Null Hypothesis
- The hypothesis that there is no significant difference between specified populations, any observed difference being due to sampling or experimental error
The Scientific Process - Reconsider the Theory
- All theories are tentative - they evolve over time
- Observations in science must be replicable
- Science acknowledges it is fallible
- Nothing is ever proved absolutely
- Scientists remain alert to alternative explanations
All Theories are Tentative - They evolve over time
- Observations in science must be replicable
- Science acknowledges it is fallible
- Nothing is ever proved absolutely
- Scientists/researchers remain sceptical and alert to alternative explanations
- Science and research are essentially a matter of attitude
- a genuine desire to understand the way things are
Observations in Science must be replicable
Science acknowledges it is fallible
Nothing is ever Proved absolutely
Scientists/Researchers remain sceptical and alert to alternative explanations
Science and research are essentially a matter of attitude - a genuine desire to understand the way things are
Desrcibe Basic Research
- tries to answer fundamental questions about the nature of behaviour
- often designe to address theoretical issues such as emotion, motivation or personality development
- Doesn’t seek to solve problems and no specific applications are looked at
- High degrees of control and emphasises on refuting or supporting theories and explaining how the world works
Describe Applied Research
- conducted to address issues in which there are practical problems and potential solutions
- Takes place in the real world
- is less controlled, strict research protocols may need to be relaxed.
Compare Basic & Applied Research
- Both are important and neither is superior
- progress in science is dependent on synergy between both styles
- Applied research is often guided by basic research investigations
What are two common types of research methods?
Basic and Applied Research
What kinds of statistics should I use to figure out the probability that my hypothesis is false?
Inferential Statistics
