Research

Research

1. Empiricism

   • Answer psychological questions with direct, formal observations.
   • Systmatically observe
   • Test theories
   • Revise theories based on research
   • Plan further tests
   • Make work public
   • Used in both applied and basic research
   • Uses evidence from the senses or instruments that measure the senses
   • Must be independantly verifiable

2. Consumer of research

   • Ask the right questions
   • Evaluate the study
   • Investigate the efficacy
     • Always need empirical evidence to test efficacy
   • Skilled consumerism can inform you of other programmes that might work

3. Good scientific theory

   • Supported by data
     • Most important feature
     • Multiple studies with a variety of methods to address different aspects
     • Large quantity and variety of evidence is beneficial
   • Falsifiable
     • Must be prepared to accept data indicating theor theory may not be true
   • Parsimonious
     • Find the simplest explaination
   • Can not be said to 'prove' something

4. Basic research leads to

   • Translational research which leads to
     • Applied research
       • Practical problem in mind
       • Real world context
     • Uses lessons from basic research to develop application to treatment / intervention.
   • Enhance general body of knowledge

5. Publication

   • Peer-reviewed
     • Reviewers kept annonymous
     • Say how interesting, how novel, how well researched, how clear results are
     • Process continues even after study is published