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I.
The Scientific
Approach
A.
Science as a "way of knowing"
1)
Tenacity
Problems?
2)
Authority
Problems?
3) Reason/logic
Problem?
4)
Common sense
Problem?
5) Science
B.
Science and non-science – or what science can and cannot do…
C.
Physical vs. behavioral sciences
II.
The Scientific Method
A. Systematic
process....
1. State the problem/question (theory or practical problem)
2. Select participants and setting
3.
Conduct
experiment/study/observation (gather data)
4. Determine effect of one variable on other/relationship
between variables (Conduct statistical tests
) OR describe systematically
5.
Generalize/explain findings
B. Goals of Behavioral Science
1)
Describe
2)
Explain
3)
Predict
For
Discussion:
Consider
how you might study a behavior of interest using the scientific method.
For example, how would you determine the effects of extra sleep on
exam performance?
III.
Developing and Defining Research Questions and Hypotheses
A. Where
do research ideas come from?
1.
Interest
2.
Previous research
a)
a gap in knowledge
b) explaining
contradictory results
c)
explaining a finding or "fact"
B. The Role of Theory
1)
What theories are...and are not
2)
Theories and models
C. A good hypothesis:
1)
is testable
2)
is precise/simply stated
3) is
consistent with previous research
4)
is 'a priori' (vs. post-hoc)
5)
should (or can) be stated in a particular form (IF...THEN)
D. Inductive vs. deductive
logic:
1) inductive
logic = "I wonder what would happen if…"
2)
deductive logic =
"I expect this would happen if…."
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