You want a mind open enough to accept radical new ideas, but not so open that your brains fall out The Scientific Attitude: A "Baloney Detection Kit“ Some things to watch for: His descriptive of our tendency to see patterns, especially illusory correlations His specific mention of confirmation bias as a source of error In point #3: the need for replication of research results In point #9: a description of the nature of scientific theories...and how they are different from what most of us casually refer to as "theories"
A review of the elements of conducting an experiment
This is the only form of research that can establish... Cause and Effect
What is a Hypothesis? This is a statement of what you think will happen given a set of circumstances. It must be able to be tested !
A hypothesis is usually brief and in this form: “ If... then...” Which variable is the “if” part of the hypothesis? –independent Which variable is the “then” part of the hypothesis? –dependent
Your hypothesis must specify exactly how you will observe and measure behaviors you are studying! What is this called? Operational Definitions
Define the population you will study What does that mean? “ Who does this apply to? ”
Select a sample from the population Why not use the entire population? How will you select the smaller sample? RANDOM = everyone has an equal chance of being selected
Divide the sample into two groups What are those two groups called? – Control Group – Experimental Group Which one gets exposed to the independent variable? Experimental Group
Compare the results of the two groups Evidence either SUPPORTS or DOES NOT SUPPORT the hypothesis What word do scientists avoid using? Proven
Confounding Variables 1. Observer effect – Changes in behavior due to an awareness of being watched 2. Observer bias – Experimenter focuses on results that support the hypothesis and ignores some data
Confounding Variables 3. E xperimenter effect –G–Giving preferential treatment to one group such that their behavior is influenced 4. C ourtesy b ias –S–Subjects giving answers they think the experimenter wants
Control Measures What can we do to make sure there are no extra variables that could potentially confuse the results? 1. Random selection of sample AND random assignment to control / experi mental group
Control Measures 2. Single Blind – Controls subjects’ awareness of group assignment 3. Double Blind – Controls subject and experimenter awareness of group assignment
Control Measures 4. Control of testing conditions and treatments
Ethical Guidelines in Research Informed Consent The right to be protected from harm and discomfort The right to confidentiality The right to debriefing
Understanding Research Play Video