1. Overview Intro: fact and fiction What is science? What Science is not
Stereotypes
Myths
Assumptions of science
Empricism
Determinism
parsimony
Methods of Science
Objectivity
control
Operational definition

2. FACT AND FICTION?

3. How about a little more credibility!

4. ???

5. Better?

6. TRUTH AT LAST?

7. SCIENCE!..in the pursuit of truth!
Credibility is good but…
It does not insure “truth.”
SCIENCE!..in the pursuit of truth!

8. Does Science Equal Truth?
Jose Delgado

9. A screening Process may be important!

10. How do most Humans make their decisions about truth?
Tenacity
Authority
Intuition
Logic and rationalism

11. Most of us have difficulties seeing errors in our thinking
“THE AXIOMS OF HUMAN BELIEF”

12. Humans believe
Humans believe their belief is correct

13. AXIOMS
When Challenged?

14. How gullible are we? Did Clinton Inhale?
Does nicotine cause addiction?

15. AXIOMS
Humans jump to conclusions.

16. Axioms
Simplify complex situations

17. Axioms
Resist deep consideration

18. Axioms
Vulnerable to perceptual and social illusion

19. Axioms
Infinite capacity to be….

20. Axioms Difficulty identifying our own misconceptions.
So What can we do?

21. Recognize the problems
We will not be able to approach truth without recognition of our limitations
Devise mechanisms that help reduce these problems.

22. SCIENCE
What is Science?
Science is NOT….

23. STEREOTYPES OF SCIENCE?

26. Nerds?

28. So what is Science? METHOD!
A set of principles of observation, measurement and control that seek to uncover objective reality.
“Self-correcting”

29. Assumptions of science
Truth will be revealed over time with the Scientific Method
Empiricism-consensual validation
Determinism
parsimony

30. Overview of the Methods of Science
Objectivity
control
Operational definition
Probabilistic thinking
Amorality

31. Goals of Science
Practicality
Describe
Predict
Understand
Control

32. Characteristics of a Good Scientist?

33. THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE Ideas Problem Formation Goal or Hypothesis
Design
Conduct/Collect
Analysis
Interpretation
Report
FEEDBACK

34. IDEAS
Common observation
Logic
Practical problems
Intuition
Theory

35. IDEAS cont’ Theory Explains Simplifies Unifies interesting
Testable/falsifiable

36. Theory vs Observational approaches
Deductive vs inductive reasoning
Not truly separable
Popular emphasis on deduction
But….
Descriptive vs Inferential (experimental) Research

37. Descriptive vs Experimental Research
Describing vs identifying causes
Consider reactivity and “control.”

38. Descriptive Research Poor or Less rigorous approaches:
Anecdotal observation
Case study
Systematic exploration

39. Better approaches Archival research
Where could we find meaningful records?

40. Naturalistic observation
Naturalistic means unobtrusive
Technology
Distance observation
Concealment
Acclimatization/fade

41. Naturalistic observation with Intervention
A standardized “naturalistic” event

42. Naturalistic Observation-participant observer

43. THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE Ideas Problem Formation Goal or Hypothesis
Design
Conduct/Collect
Analysis
Interpretation
Report
FEEDBACK

44. Which technique would you choose to study…say
Human sexual intimacy?

45. Psychological Phenomena that are:
Private
Sensitive
Rare
internal

46. SELF-REPORT approaches…….SURVEYS
What do we want to know
Construction
Questions
responses
Who do we want to know about
-Administration
sampling