T3 Slide W1

Question 1

Why do we need the Scientific Method? (5)

Answer 1

Human Judgement is not reliable. We rely heavily on techniques such as:

• Intuition
• Heuristics/Biases
• Perception vs Reality
• Human Observation
• Reliance on Authority

Question 2

How do Psychologists know things?

Answer 2

Use the Scientific Method to observe and measure reliably

Question 3

What are some non-science ways of knowing?

Answer 3

• Intuition
• Heuristics/Biases
• Perception vs Reality
• Human Observation
• Reliance on Authority

Question 4

Why do we not trust human Judgement?

Answer 4

Human Judgement is not reliable and humans are fallible.

Question 5

Non Science ways of knowing (5)

Answer 5

• Tenacity
• Intuition
• Authority
• Rationalism
• Empiricism

Question 6

Explain Psychology and Research

Answer 6

In order to study the mind scientifically we need to develop agreed upon methods for acquiring knowledge.

We use the Scientific Method to ensure this as best we can

Question 7

Brain in a Vat Scenario

Answer 7

• A scenario where a “mad Scientist” puts a brain in a jar and sustains it’s life force
• The brain is attached to a computer and is able to think and feel normally
• The brain believes it is real and alive. It does not know it is merely a simulation
• Do we even need a body? Is our body real?

Question 8

Tenacity

Answer 8

Acquiring Knowledge through superstition and or habit

Question 9

Intuition

Answer 9

Acquiring Knowledge that is not based on reason or logic

Question 10

Reliance on Authority

Answer 10

Accepting information because it is from a respected source or authority

Question 11

Rationalism

Answer 11

Acquisition of knowledge through reasoning

Question 12

Empiricism

Answer 12

Acquiring knowledge through experience

Question 13

What do we accept as evidence of truth?

Answer 13

• Science is based on evidence
• Evidence must be reproducible
• Objective evidence requires an objective process

Question 14

Goals of Science (4)

Answer 14

1. Describe
2. Predict
3. Determine Cause
4. Explain

Question 15

What is good scientific Research? (8)

Answer 15

• Based on the work of others
• can be replicated
• Is generalisable to other settings
• Is based on some logical rationale and tied to theory
• Is doable
• Generates new questions
• Is incremental
• Is an apolitical activity

Question 16

What does all Good Research have in common?

Answer 16

• The process taken to find the truth is based on the scientific method
• If the process is sound then the conclusion will be sound

Question 17

Hypothetic-Deductive Model of Scientific Research

Answer 17

• Karl Popper: The Logic of Scientific Discovery
• he said “there are no statements in science which cannot be tested”
• suggested falsification of theories could demonstrate them as untrue
• Theories in principle could not be proven only refuted

Question 18

Can we ever know the absolute truth?

Answer 18

• the Scientific method is the best method available for establishing the truth
• it is an objective way of observing, thinking about and solving problems.

Question 19

The Process of the Scientific Method (8)

Answer 19

1. Asking the Question
2. Identifying Important Factors
3. Formulating a Hypothesis
4. Collecting Relevant Information
5. Testing the hypothesis
6. Working with the Hypothesis
7. Reconsider the Theory
8. Asking a new Question

Question 20

The Scientific Process - Asking a Question

Answer 20

• Arise as a result of curiosity or need to find an answer
• Questions guide the direction a research field takes

Question 21

The Scientific Process - Identifying Important Factors

Answer 21

Factors should:

• Not have been investigated previously
• Contribute to understanding
• Available to investigate
• Hold interest personally and/or professionally
• Lead to other questions

Important factors could be:

Age, gender, experience, motivations for dangerous driving, campaign valence

Question 22

The Scientific Process - Formulating a hypothesis

Answer 22

• A Hypothesis is an educated guess; If, then, else
• are declarative
• posit an expected relationship
• reflect theory and literature
• brief and to the point
• are testable

Question 23

The Scientific Process - Collecting Relevant Information

Answer 23

• We set out to test hypotheses not to prove them
• We aim to reveal the truth (as much as possible) whether we like the result or not
• Being wrong isn’t bad it just leads to more questions
• Always ask another question

Question 24

The Scientific Process - Testing the Hypothesis

• How do you know if you have a difference or not?
• How do we know its not just random differences?

Answer 24

• Inferential Statistics allow us to assign probability level to our findings
• Allows us to figure out if the effect we are seeing is real or due to chance or something else.

Question 25

The Scientific Process - Working with the hypothesis

Answer 25

* Does your data support your hypothesis * Results provide a valuable outcome either way * Do the scientific community value null results?

Question 26

Inferential Statistics

Answer 26

* provide ways of testing the reliability of the findings of a study * Allows us to "infer" characteristics from a small sample population onto much larger the populations.

Question 27

Null Hypothesis

Answer 27

* The hypothesis that there is no significant difference between specified populations, any observed difference being due to sampling or experimental error

Question 28

The Scientific Process - Reconsider the Theory

Answer 28

* All theories are tentative - they evolve over time * Observations in science must be replicable * Science acknowledges it is fallible * Nothing is ever proved absolutely * Scientists remain alert to alternative explanations

Question 29

All Theories are Tentative - They evolve over time

Answer 29

* Observations in science must be replicable * Science acknowledges it is fallible * Nothing is ever proved absolutely * Scientists/researchers remain sceptical and alert to alternative explanations * Science and research are essentially a matter of attitude * a genuine desire to understand the way things are

Question 30

Observations in Science must be replicable

Question 31

Science acknowledges it is **fallible**

Question 32

Nothing is ever **Proved** absolutely

Question 33

Scientists/Researchers remain sceptical and alert to alternative explanations

Question 34

Science and research are essentially a matter of attitude - a genuine desire to understand the way things are

Question 35

Desrcibe Basic Research

Answer 35

* tries to answer **fundamental** questions about the nature of behaviour * often designe to address theoretical issues such as emotion, motivation or personality development * Doesn't seek to solve problems and no specific applications are looked at * High degrees of control and emphasises on refuting or supporting theories and explaining how the world works

Question 36

Describe Applied Research

Answer 36

* conducted to address issues in which there are practical problems and potential solutions * Takes place in the real world * is less controlled, strict research protocols may need to be relaxed.

Question 37

Compare Basic & Applied Research

Answer 37

* Both are important and neither is superior * progress in science is dependent on synergy between both styles * Applied research is often guided by basic research investigations

Question 38

What are two common types of research methods?

Answer 38

Basic and Applied Research

Question 39

What kinds of statistics should I use to figure out the probability that my hypothesis is false?

Answer 39

Inferential Statistics