The Scientific Method
Research
► Psychologists study human and animal behavior to improve human lives.
► Research focuses on problems like learning, memory, homelessness, and
psychological disorders.
► Psychological research falls into two categories:
► basic research is research that answers fundamental questions about behavior.
applied research is research that investigates issues that have implications for
everyday life and provides solutions to everyday problems
The Scientific Method
► Definition: A set of assumptions, rules, and procedures used to conduct
research.
• Key Points: Empirical: Based on observation and experience.
• Objective: Free from personal bias or emotions.
• Replication: Repeating or modifying previous research findings.
• Contribution: Accumulation of scientific knowledge.
Laws and Theories in Psychological
Science
► Laws:
► Apply universally within a given domain (e.g., the law of gravity and there are some
universally accepted laws in psychology, such as the law of effect and Weber’s law.).
► Theories:
► Integrated principles that explain and predict observed relationships.
► Good theories are
► general-Summarize outcomes across many situations
► Parsimonious - Simplify complex phenomena.
► provide future research ideas, and are
► Falsifiable - Can be tested and disproven.
The Research Hypothesis
► Definition: A specific and falsifiable prediction about the relationship
between variables.
► Conceptual variables (abstract, like anxiety, learning) are transformed into
measured variables.
► Measured Variables: Numerical representations of conceptual variables (e.g.,
number of psychotherapy sessions).
► Example: “Using marijuana reduces learning.”
Conducting Ethical Research
► Trust and rapport between researcher and participant.
► Respect for participants' rights and well-being.
► Informed consent: Participants' understanding and voluntary agreement.
► Privacy: Anonymity and confidentiality.
Informed Consent and Anonymity
► Informed consent is provided before research starts, explaining procedures
and participants' rights.
► Anonymity is ensured by not collecting identifying information or using unique
codes.
Debriefing and Free Choice
► Participants must have free choice in participating without coercion.
► After the study, participants are debriefed, informed about the hypothesis,
and given a chance to ask questions.
