Research Methods - Chapter 1

Three important principles of the Scientific Method

- empirical, public, and objective

What are the characteristics of a good hypothesis?

1. Logical: the logical conclusion of a logical argument 2. Testable: all of the variables, events, and individuals can be defined and observed 3. Refutable: can be demonstrated to be false 4. Positive: must make a positive statement about the existence of something

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. observe behavior/other phenomena, 2. form a tentative answer/ explanation (hypothesis) 3. use your hypothesis to generate a testable prediction 4. evaluate the prediction by making systematic, planned observations. 5. use the observations to support, refute, or refine the original hypothesis.

Qualitative research

Based on making observations that are summarized and intrepreted in a narrative report.

Quantitative research

Based on measuring variables for individuals participants to obtain scores, usually numerical values, which are submitted to statistical analysis for summary and interpretation.

Variables

Characteristics that change or have different values for different individuals.

Replication

Repetition of observation, allows verification of the findings.

Rational method (rationalism)

Seeks answers by the use of logical reasoning. Ex. all three year old kids are afraid of the dark, amy is a three year old girl (premise statements), therefore amy is afraid of the dark (logical conclusion).

Pseduosciences

System of ideas often presented as science but actually lacking some of the key components that are essential to scientific research.

Methods of acquiring knowledge

Ways in which a person can know things or discover answers to questions.

Scientific Method

a method of acquiring knowledge that uses observations to develop a hypothesis, and then uses the hypothesis to make logical predictions that can be empirically tested by making additional, systematic observations. Typically, the new observations lead to a new hypothesis, andt the cycle continues.

What kind of reasoning uses a few specific observations to produce a general hypothesis? a. Inductive reasoning b. Deductive reasoning c. Scientific reasoning d. Predictive reasoning

a. Inductive reasoning

A restaurant chef tried replacing rice with pasta in one of her recipes to see what would happen. Which method of acquiring knowledge is she using? a. Method of empiricism b. Rational method c. Method of authority d. Scientific method

a. Method of empiricism

The first step in the research process is a. identifying a topic area and searching the literature to find a research question. b. forming a hypothesis. c. deciding which individuals should participate in the study. d. selecting a research strategy

a. identifying a topic area and searching the literature to find a research question.

Last year Tim and his friend Jack were both too short to ride the roller coaster. Jack went to the park this year and was tall enough to ride. Tim knows that he is taller than Jack, so he knows that he will be able to ride the roller coaster as well. Which method of knowing is Tim using? a. Method of empiricism b. Rational method c. Method of authority d. Scientific method

b. Rational method

Which method of knowing is used when you find the address and phone number of a restaurant by googling the name of the restaurant? a) Method of empiricism b) Rational method c) Method of authority d) Scientific Method

c) Method of authority

Which method of knowing is being used by a student who believes that his performance on tests is influenced by wearing a lucky hat? a) The method of empiricism b) The method of faith c) The method of tenacity d) The method of authority

c) The method of tenacity

Which of the following is the best description of the scientific method? a. A circular process that leads to a final answer b. A linear process that moves directly to a final answer c. A circular process that leads to a tentative answer d. A linear process that leads to a tentative answer

c. A circular process that leads to a tentative answer

What is meant by saying that "science is objective"? a. Scientific answers are based on direct observation. b. Scientific answers are based on logical reasoning. c. Scientific answers are obtained without influence by the researcher's biases or beliefs. d. Scientific answers are made available for evaluation by others.

c. Scientific answers are obtained without influence by the researcher's biases or beliefs

A hypothesis is a __________ statement and a prediction is a __________ statement. a. specific; general b. specific; specific c. general; specific d. general; general

c. general; specific

A researcher conducts a study in which 50 college students are assigned to different treatments and tested. In the study, the students are called a. research associates. b. research cohorts. c. research participants. d. research subjects.

c. research participants.

Which of the following is a distinction between science and pseudoscience? a. Pseudoscience tends to dismiss or refuse to accept negative results. b. Pseudoscience tends to rely on testimonials and selected results. c. Pseudoscience tends to treat criticism as a personal attack. d. All of the other options are differences between science and pseudoscience.

d. All of the other options are differences between science and pseudoscience.

Method of tenacity

information is accepted as true because it has always been believed or because superstition supports it - limitations: potential inaccuracies, no method for correcting erroneous ideas.

Method of faith

is a variant of the method of authority in which people have unquestioning trust in the authority figure and, therefore, accept information from the authority without doubt or challenge.

Subjects

nonhumans who take part in a research study

Argument

A set of premise statements that are logically combined to yield a conclusion.

Hypothesis

A statement that describes or explains a relationship between or among variables, it is not a final answer but rather a proposal to be tested and evaluated.

Premise statements

Describe facts or assumptions that are presumed to be true.

Participants

Individuals who take part in research studies, and are humans.

Method of intuition

Information is accepted on the basis of a hunch or "gut feeling" - limitation: no method for separating accurate from inaccurate knowledge.

Method of authority

a person relies on information or answers from an expert in the subject area. - quickest and easiest ways to obtain answers, - limitations: doesn't always provide accurate info, uses method of faith (accepting expert's statements as fact)

Which of the following is typical of quantitative research? a. It involves measuring variables for each individual. b. It usually involves numerical scores. c. It uses statistical analysis to summarize and interpret results. d. All of the above.

d. All of the above.

Deduction (deductive reasoning)

uses a general statement as the basis for reaching a conclusion about specific examples - all green apples are sour, therefore if i eat a green apple it will be sour.

Empirical method (empiricism)

uses observation or direct sensory experience to obtain knowledge - limitations: observations can be misinterpreted, sensory experience can be swayed by beliefs, time-consuming and dangerous.

Induction (inductive reasoning)

using a relatively small set of specific observations as the basis for forming a general statement about a larger set of possible observations. - Ex. I ate three green apples, and all were sour. Therefore all green apples are sour.