Research Methods (Ch 2)

Research Methods (Ch 2)

1. Scientific Method

   • The approach used by psychologists to systematically acquire knowledge and understanding about behavior and other phenomena of interest
   • The 4 Main Steps of the Scientific Method
     • 1) Identifying Questions of Interst
       • 2) Formulating an Explination
         • 3) Carrying Out Research Designed to Refund or Refute the explanation
           • devise an opperational definition of the hypothesis
           • 4) Communicating to Findings
             • -behavior, phenomenon requiring explanation, prior research findings, curiosity/creativity insight
             • communicate findings.....then the cycle repeats itself
         • specify a theory- develop a hypothesis

2. From THEORIES we form HYPOTHESIS

   • To test HYPOTHESIS' we need OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
     • Types of Research Designs