1. The Scientific Method in Psychology

2. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Observation
The Scientific Method in Psychology
Define
the Problem
Propose
a hypothesis
Gather
Evidence
Keep
Hypothesis
Reject
Hypothesis
Build a theory
Publish results

3. The Scientific Method in Psychology
These are Gummy Bears

4. The Scientific Method in Psychology

5. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Empirical
Knowledge based on direct observation
Theory
A systematic general principle or set of principles that explains how separate facts are related to one another
Enables researchers to fit many facts into a larger framework
Organizes facts, must predict new facts, permits a degree of control over phenomenon

6. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Hypotheses
Hypothesis: specific statement of expected outcome resulting from theory
States the relationship between two variables
NOT: An educated guess!!!!
Variable: can be any event, characteristic, condition, or behavior

7. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Aim
The aim is written before a study is run . It is a statement that tells people what the purpose of a study is. It does not predict the outcome of the study, but merely states what the study is about.

8. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Data
Qualitative: Deals with descriptions.
Data can be observed but not measured. Colours, textures, smells, tastes, appearance, beauty, etc.
Quantitative: Deals with numbers.
Data which can be measured. Length, height, area, volume, weight, speed, time, temperature, humidity, sound levels, cost, members, ages, etc.

9. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Data
Quantitative: Strengths
As the data are numerical, it allows easier comparison and statistical analysis to take place. (e.g. the average score of two different groups of participants can easily be compared).

10. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Data
Quantitative: Strengths
As the data are numerical, analysis is objective and scientific – there is only a minimal chance of researchers miscalculating the data and drawing invalid conclusions.

11. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Data
Quantitative: Weaknesses
As the data are numerical, they miss out on valuable information. If the answer is simply yes/no or on a rating scale we do not know why participants choose the answer that they did.

12. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Data
Quantitative: Weaknesses
This approach can be seen as reductionist as researchers are reducing complex ideas and behaviours to a number or percentage.

13. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Data
Qualitative: Strengths
The data collected are in-depth responses in the words of participants so they are rich in detail and represent what participants believe Therefore, it can be argued that this approach is not reductionist.

14. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Data
Qualitative: Strengths
As the data comes directly from participants we can understand why each participant thinks, feels or acts in a certain way.

15. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Data
Qualitative: Weaknesses
The interpretation of the data could be subjective as we are dealing with words rather than numbers – a researcher could misinterpret what the participant was meaning to say or be biased against some of the participant’s views.

16. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Data
Qualitative: Weaknesses
There may be researcher bias: the researcher might only select data that fits into the hypothesis or aim of the study. This cannot be done with quantitative data.

17. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Which is not a question answered by quantitative research?
How many?
What?
How?
When?

18. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Which of the following is not an attribute of qualitative research?
deals with smaller, more focused samples?
includes observational study?
involves numbers and data?
answers the question, why?

19. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Which type of research gathers measurable information?
Qualitative data
Quantitative data
Both answers are correct
Both answers are wrong

20. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Variables
Independent variable (predictor variable)
Factor(s) that change the outcome variable
How do we operationalize?
The variable we introduce
Operationalize: to define a concept or variable so that it can be measured or expressed quantitatively

21. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Variables
Dependent variable (outcome variable)
Dependent on the influence of other factor(s)
How do we operationalize?
In psychology this is usually a behavior or a mental process

22. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Operationalization
This is an important process that needs to be explained thoroughly.
I will give you a handout and we will read through this together!

23. The Scientific Method in Psychology NEXT LESSON
How do we collect our data?
Questionnaires
Interviews
Observation