The Application Of Scientific Method In Psychology

Question 1

Hypothesis testing

Answer 1

The scientific method processes by hypothesis testing. A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested with research

Question 2

Empirical methods

Answer 2

Gather information about the world through direct observations or experiments
Allows us to observe or measure some aspect of our behaviour and use our findings to build and modify theories
Allow us to develop hypotheses and theories that psychologists assume to be correct
Psychology is only a science as long as it’s theories are actually testable using scientific method

Question 3

Scientific method / hypothetico-deductive method

Answer 3

Observations > develop hypothesis > test hypothesis > analyse results > develop theory

Question 4

Replicability

Answer 4

This is the ability to check and verify scientific information by repeating the method of a study to assess if a similar findings are achieved

Question 5

Why replicability is an important part of the scientific process

Answer 5

Formulating hypotheses which are tested using empirical methods
Research findings are an important part of this process, if the results are the same or very similar when the experiment is repeated this confirms the accuracy of the original results
For this to happen it is important for scientists to record their methods carefully so that the procedures are repeatable and can be followed in the future
Unrepeatable results may imply flaws or lack of control within the method and so will be of limited use when constructing theories

Question 6

Objectivity

Answer 6

Research should be free of opinion or bias and be purely based on empirical evidence

Question 7

Why objectivity is an important part of the scientific process

Answer 7

A high level of objectivity increase other people’s confidence in the results as they are able to say that the results would be the same regardless of who had carried out the investigation
If the researcher was not objective then the results might be biased or influenced by the researchers opinion.

Question 8

Theory construction

Answer 8

Using facts to construct theories to help understand and predict natural phenomena
Theory construction is a fluid and dynamic process
This means researchers must be able to develop ideas that can ultimately end in the rejection or development of the theory.

Question 9

Application of the scientific method to psychology

Answer 9

For an investigation to be scientific the researcher must >
Develop hypotheses which can be tested by conducting well controlled experiments
The investigator must try to eliminate extraneous variables which could affect findings
All variables must be carefully operationalised to ensue that the study can be replicated
Must use large representative samples to avoid bias
Must be objective and ensure that’s their work is free of bias

Question 10

Peer review

Answer 10

The process by which psychological research is subjected to the independent scrutiny of scientific research by other psychologists who are experts in the field.
They asses the research in terms of its VALIDITY SIGNIFICANCE and ORIGINALITY.

Question 11

Why is peer review important

Answer 11

Helps ensure that any research paper published in a well respected journal has integrity because is has been scrutinised by experts in the field and therefore can be taken seriously
Increases probability that weaknesses will be identified and addressed. This helps to promote poor work entering the public domain
Allows university research to be rated and funded in terms of their quality

Question 12

Peers can judge whether …

Answer 12

The work is methodologically sound, valid and does not involve plagiarism of other people’s research
The findings are novel, interesting and relevant and add to the knowledge of a particular research area
The authors are making unjustified claims about the importance of their findings
The research is important or significant in a wider context

Question 13

Problems with peer review - Conservative

Answer 13

Most findings build on previous knowledge or theory. Research that does not ‘fit’ with previous work may be seen as suspect and rejected. Peer review can act as a force to preserve the status quo ignoring new findings. This slows down the process of theory progression and means that changes to scientific theories can take years

Question 14

Problems with peer review - publication bias

Answer 14

Peer review tends to favour the publication of positive results, possibly because editors want research that has important implications in order to increase the standing of their journal. Our understanding of a subject becomes distorted

Question 15

Problems with peer review - time consuming and expensive

Answer 15

Can take months or even years if revisions are necessary, which may delay publication of important findings

Question 16

Bias in peer review

Answer 16

Objectivity - hard for a reviewer to be truly objective. A reviewer may be strongly support an opposing view making them less likely to provide an unbiased opinion of the work
Anonymity - in reality the research world is very small so peer review can be used to to settle old scores or favour upon research presented by someone within their social circle
Institution bias - research from prestigious universities is favoured
Gender bias - male researchers seem to be favoured

Question 17

Research report sections

Answer 17

Title 
Abstract 
Introduction 
Aims and hypothesis 
Method 
Results 
Discussion 
References 
Appendices

Question 18

Research report - title

Answer 18

Should say what the study is about and include the iv and dv

Question 19

Research report - abstract

Answer 19

To provide a brief summary of the study covering aims/hypotheses method/procedures results and conclusion

Question 20

Research report - introduction

Answer 20

To introduce the background and rationale of the study. It will include a general overview of the area being studied, including existing theories and relevant studies explaining why the researchers intend to conduct this particular research and how the current hypothesis were derived

Question 21

Research report - aims and hypotheses

Answer 21

The aim is the purpose of the study, the hypothesis is a prediction of what is actually going to be tested, which should include the iv and dv

Question 22

Research report - method

Answer 22

To describe how the study was done. This should include enough information for replication of the study, it will include - research method / experimental design/ controls/ participants/ apparatus/ procedure/ ethics

Question 23

Research report - results

Answer 23

To summarise what the researchers have found. It does not include raw data it includes descriptive statistics (graphs tables mean median mode) and inferential statistics (the use of statistical tests to determine how significant the result is)

Question 24

Research report - discussion

Answer 24

To discuss the findings. The researchers will offer explanations of the findings symmetrising them and relating them to the aims and hypothesis

Question 25

Research report - references

Answer 25

Any books or studies you use must be referenced to inform the reader about the sources of information

Question 26

Research report - appendices

Answer 26

These can be used for detailed information not in the report