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Psychologists use the scientific method to generate, accumulate, and report scientific knowledge. Basic research, which answers questions about behavior, and applied research, which finds solutions to everyday problems, inform each other and work together to advance science.
- 7 Steps of The Scientific Method
- Step 1: Make An Observation
- Step 2: Ask A Question
- Step 3: Form A Hypothesis
- Step 4: Run An Experiment
- Step 5: Analyze The Data and Draw Conclusions
- Step 6: Share Your Results
- Step 7: Repeat The Scientific Method
Psychology uses an empirical approach
Empiricism (founded by John Locke) states that the only source of knowledge comes through our senses – e.g., sight, hearing, touch, etc. Empirical evidence does not rely on argument or belief. Thus, empiricism is the view that all knowledge is based on or may come from direct observation and experience. The empiricist approach of gaining knowledge through experience quickly became the scientific approach and greatly influenced the development of physics and chemistry in the 17th and 18th cent...
Every researcher starts at the very beginning. Before diving in and exploring something, one must first determine what they will study – it seems simple enough! By making observations, researchers can establish an area of interest. Once this topic of study has been chosen, a researcher should review existing literature to gain insight into what has...
Once a researcher has made observations and conducted background research, the next step is to ask a scientific question. A scientific question must be defined, testable, and measurable. A useful approach to develop a scientific question is: “What is the effect of…?” or “How does X affect Y?” To answer an experimental question, a researcher must id...
A hypothesis is an educated guess about the relationship between two or more variables. A hypothesisis an attempt to answer your research question based on prior observation and background research. Theories tend to be too complex to be tested all at once; instead, researchers create hypotheses to test specific aspects of a theory. For example, a r...
The next step in the scientific method is to test your hypothesis and collect data. A researcher will design an experimentto test the hypothesis and gather data that will either support or refute the hypothesis. The exact research methods used to examine a hypothesis depend on what is being studied. A psychologist might utilize two primary forms of...
Once a researcher has designed and done the investigation and collected sufficient data, it is time to inspect this gathered information and judge what has been found. Researchers can summarize the data, interpret the results, and draw conclusions based on this evidence using analyses and statistics. Upon completion of the experiment, you can colle...
One of the final stages of the research cycle involves the publication of the research. Once the report is written, the researcher(s) may submit the work for publication in an appropriate journal. Usually, this is done by writing up a study description and publishing the article in a professional or academic journal. The studies and conclusions of ...
Now, if one’s hypothesis turns out to be accurate, find more evidence or find counter-evidence. If one’s hypothesis is false, create a new hypothesis or try again. One may wish to revise their first hypothesis to make a more niche experiment to design or a different specific question to test. The amazingness of the scientific method is that it is a...
Psychologists use the scientific method to generate, accumulate, and report scientific knowledge. The goal of basic research is to extend our knowledge, while the goal of applied research is to find solutions to practical problems. Both types inform each other and work together to advance science.
- Sally Walters
- 2020
Feb 28, 2023 · Psychologists use the scientific method to investigate the mind and behavior. Learn more about each of the five steps of the scientific method and how they are used.
Jun 27, 2021 · Psychologists use the scientific method to generate, accumulate, and report scientific knowledge. Basic research, which answers questions about behavior, and applied research, which finds solutions to everyday problems, inform each other and work together to advance science.
Psychologists employ the scientific method — stating the question, offering a theory and then constructing rigorous laboratory or field experiments to test the hypothesis. Psychologists apply the understanding gleaned through research to create evidence-based strategies that solve problems and improve lives.
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In this section, you’ll see how psychologists use the scientific method to study and understand behavior. Scientific research is a critical tool for successfully navigating our complex world. Without it, we would be forced to rely solely on intuition, other people’s authority, and blind luck.
