Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the scientific approach?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the scientific approach?
Pseudoscience is based on scientific principles and methodologies.
Pseudoscience is based on scientific principles and methodologies.
False
Name one major problem with relying purely on intuition for understanding causes and effects.
Name one major problem with relying purely on intuition for understanding causes and effects.
Cognitive and motivational biases
_____ is a fundamental method of scientific inquiry based on observations.
_____ is a fundamental method of scientific inquiry based on observations.
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Match the following terms with their correct descriptions:
Match the following terms with their correct descriptions:
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Why is peer review important in scientific research?
Why is peer review important in scientific research?
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Empiricism encourages scientists to rely solely on anecdotal evidence.
Empiricism encourages scientists to rely solely on anecdotal evidence.
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What do conflicting evidence and confirmatory evidence represent in scientific research?
What do conflicting evidence and confirmatory evidence represent in scientific research?
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What is the primary goal of descriptive research?
What is the primary goal of descriptive research?
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Prediction in research focuses solely on determining the cause of behavior.
Prediction in research focuses solely on determining the cause of behavior.
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What are the three key elements required to infer causation?
What are the three key elements required to infer causation?
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The _________ order requires that the cause occurs before the effect.
The _________ order requires that the cause occurs before the effect.
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Match the research goal with its description.
Match the research goal with its description.
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Which of the following elements is NOT needed to infer causation?
Which of the following elements is NOT needed to infer causation?
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Covariation of cause and effect means that changes in one variable do not affect another.
Covariation of cause and effect means that changes in one variable do not affect another.
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What might a psychologist explore to explain anxiety in adolescents?
What might a psychologist explore to explain anxiety in adolescents?
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What type of research primarily focuses on expanding knowledge without immediate concern for practical applications?
What type of research primarily focuses on expanding knowledge without immediate concern for practical applications?
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Applied research is primarily concerned with solving specific, practical problems.
Applied research is primarily concerned with solving specific, practical problems.
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What must researchers eliminate to confidently infer causation in a study?
What must researchers eliminate to confidently infer causation in a study?
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In research, the __________ variable is thought to cause changes in another variable.
In research, the __________ variable is thought to cause changes in another variable.
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Match the following research types with their purposes:
Match the following research types with their purposes:
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Which of the following is a method used to ensure that other variables do not influence the outcome of a study?
Which of the following is a method used to ensure that other variables do not influence the outcome of a study?
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Basic research often leads to immediate practical applications.
Basic research often leads to immediate practical applications.
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What is the relationship between study time and exam performance according to the content?
What is the relationship between study time and exam performance according to the content?
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Which of the following accurately describes basic research?
Which of the following accurately describes basic research?
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Applied research seeks to expand knowledge without immediate applications.
Applied research seeks to expand knowledge without immediate applications.
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What is one advantage of having knowledge of research methods in society?
What is one advantage of having knowledge of research methods in society?
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Basic research is more about understanding and expanding __________.
Basic research is more about understanding and expanding __________.
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Why is scientific skepticism important in understanding behavior?
Why is scientific skepticism important in understanding behavior?
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Match the type of research with its primary focus:
Match the type of research with its primary focus:
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A knowledge of research methods fosters informed decision-making in various fields.
A knowledge of research methods fosters informed decision-making in various fields.
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What does applied research primarily aim to achieve?
What does applied research primarily aim to achieve?
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What is the primary goal of prediction in scientific research?
What is the primary goal of prediction in scientific research?
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The goal of explanation in scientific research involves detailing the characteristics of a behavior.
The goal of explanation in scientific research involves detailing the characteristics of a behavior.
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What do researchers aim to achieve through the determination of cause?
What do researchers aim to achieve through the determination of cause?
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The scientific method emphasizes __________ evidence and the testing of hypotheses.
The scientific method emphasizes __________ evidence and the testing of hypotheses.
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Match the research goal with its appropriate definition:
Match the research goal with its appropriate definition:
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Which of the following methods lacks the objectivity of scientific inquiry?
Which of the following methods lacks the objectivity of scientific inquiry?
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Anecdotal evidence is considered a reliable source for scientific conclusions.
Anecdotal evidence is considered a reliable source for scientific conclusions.
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Provide an example of the description goal in scientific research.
Provide an example of the description goal in scientific research.
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Which of the following is an element necessary for inferring causation?
Which of the following is an element necessary for inferring causation?
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Elimination of alternative explanations is important for establishing causation in research.
Elimination of alternative explanations is important for establishing causation in research.
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What does the covariation of cause and effect signify?
What does the covariation of cause and effect signify?
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Scientific inquiry relies on __________ evidence to support conclusions.
Scientific inquiry relies on __________ evidence to support conclusions.
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Which characteristic indicates that scientific hypotheses must be proven or disproven through experimentation?
Which characteristic indicates that scientific hypotheses must be proven or disproven through experimentation?
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Match the elements of causation with their definitions:
Match the elements of causation with their definitions:
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Reproducibility ensures that scientific results are not reliable.
Reproducibility ensures that scientific results are not reliable.
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Name one characteristic of scientific inquiry described by Goodstein.
Name one characteristic of scientific inquiry described by Goodstein.
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Study Notes
Scientific Understanding of Behavior
- Many occupations use research findings including health, business, and education
- Scientific research findings affect public policy decisions
- Research is sometimes the only way to answer certain questions about ourselves or the environment.
Ways of Knowing
- Intuition: Intuition can be flawed due to cognitive and motivational biases which affect perception and conclusions about cause and effect
- Authority: Some accept information from internet, media, books, celebrities, or religious figures without critical evaluation.
- Empiricism: Scientific knowledge is based on observations
- Scientific Approach: This approach uses data to verify or reject claims and shares this knowledge with the public. Science is also adversarial in nature meaning different ideas are tested and compared against one another. A further quality is falsifiability: a scientific claim must be testable and refutable. Peer review is essential to scientific literature to prevent invalid or flawed research from appearing.
Pseudoscience
- Pseudoscience uses scientific concepts to support ideas that have no basis in scientific research.
- Beware of untestable claims, vague language, anecdotes, testimonials, and evidence from experts without scientific evidence.
- References to scientific knowledge are presented without methods that allow independent verification.
Goals of Behavioral Science
- Description: Detailed account of behaviors (e.g., behaviors of children in a classroom, etc.)
- Prediction: Forecasting future behaviors based on observed patterns (e.g., students who study more will likely have higher test scores)
- Determination of Cause: Establishing causal relationships between variables (e.g., does a specific teaching method enhance student performance)
- Explanation: Understanding the underlying mechanisms of a behavior (e.g., factors contributing to anxiety in adolescents).
Determining the causes of behavior
- Temporal Precedence: The cause must come before the effect
- Covariation of Cause and Effect: When the cause is present, the effect should occur, and when the cause is absent, the effect should not occur.
- Elimination of Alternative Explanations: There should be no other plausible explanations for the relationship.
Explanation of Behavior
- Aim to understand why a certain behavior or a phenomenon occurs, such as violence and aggression related to TV violence.
- Psychological explanations could include imitation, desensitization or beliefs about aggression.
Basic vs. Applied Research
- Basic Research: Aims to answer fundamental questions about behavior and cognition, without immediate practical implications.
- Applied Research: Aims to solve practical problems and find potential solutions.
Review Questions
- Understanding research methods is crucial for evaluating validity and reliability in different fields, especially in psychology.
- The scientific approach emphasizes empirical methods (systematic observations, experiments) to gather data, draw conclusions and ensure that findings are replicable. The scientific approach contrasts with pseudoscience, in that it lacks rigorous methods, systematic observation, and empirical support for conclusions.
Defining and Giving Examples of the Four Goals of Scientific Research
- Description: Details, characteristics, and behaviours of a phenomenon (e.g., observing and documenting behaviors of children in a classroom)
- Prediction: Forecasting future behavior (e.g., If a study finds students that study more consistently have higher grades, researchers can predict higher grades from increased study time)
- Determination of Cause: Establishing a causal relationship between variables (e.g., a researcher might conduct an experiment to determine if a specific teaching method leads to improved student performance.)
- Explanation: Understanding the underlying mechanisms that explain behaviors (e.g., exploring underlying factors of anxiety in adolescents).
The Three Elements for Inferring Causation
- Temporal Precedence: The cause must occur before the effect.
- Covariation of Cause and Effect: There must be a consistent relationship between the cause and effect.
- Elimination of Alternative Explanations: Ruling out other plausible explanations.
Basic and Applied Research
- Basic Research: Explores fundamental principles and develops theories (e.g., exploring the effects of sleep on cognitive function.)
- Applied Research: Addresses practical needs and solves specific problems (e.g., developing new teaching methods to improve student performance.)
Review Questions
- Research methods are vital to evaluate the credibility of information.
- Research methods involve systematic data collection and analysis to find reliable and valid conclusions.
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Description
Explore the role of scientific research in shaping behavior and decision-making across various fields such as health, business, and education. This quiz examines different ways of knowing including intuition, authority, and empiricism while highlighting the importance of a scientific approach in evaluating claims.
