The Application Of Scientific Method In Psychology Flashcards
Hypothesis testing
The scientific method processes by hypothesis testing. A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested with research
Empirical methods
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
Scientific method / hypothetico-deductive method
Observations > develop hypothesis > test hypothesis > analyse results > develop theory
Replicability
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
Why replicability is an important part of the scientific process
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
Objectivity
Research should be free of opinion or bias and be purely based on empirical evidence
Why objectivity is an important part of the scientific process
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.
Theory construction
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.
Application of the scientific method to psychology
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
Peer review
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.
Why is peer review important
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
Peers can judge whether …
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
Problems with peer review - Conservative
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
Problems with peer review - publication bias
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
Problems with peer review - time consuming and expensive
Can take months or even years if revisions are necessary, which may delay publication of important findings
Bias in peer review
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
Research report sections
Title Abstract Introduction Aims and hypothesis Method Results Discussion References Appendices
Research report - title
Should say what the study is about and include the iv and dv
Research report - abstract
To provide a brief summary of the study covering aims/hypotheses method/procedures results and conclusion
Research report - introduction
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
Research report - aims and hypotheses
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
Research report - method
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
Research report - results
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)
Research report - discussion
To discuss the findings. The researchers will offer explanations of the findings symmetrising them and relating them to the aims and hypothesis
Research report - references
Any books or studies you use must be referenced to inform the reader about the sources of information
Research report - appendices
These can be used for detailed information not in the report
