Research methods in the Behavioral Sciences

Ch. 1 – Methods of Knowing and Acquiring Knowledge

I. 5 Non-scientific approaches to acquiring knowledge

a. The Method of Tenacity
i. Or can’t teach old dogs new tricks. Colloquial superstitions and nostalgia.
b. The Method of Intuition
i. Because it feels right, information si accepted on hunch
c. The Method of Authority(Method of Faith)
i. Seeks answers based on authority figures.
d. The Rational Method
i. Seeks answers with logical reasoning. Premise statements combined to
logically yield an argument.
ii. Commonly when people try to think out different solutions without trying
any of them.
iii. A way of establishing truths in the absence of evidence.
e. The Empirical Method
i. Uses observation and direct sensory experience to obtain knowledge.
ii. Influenced by prior experience, knowledge, expectations, feelings, &
beliefs.
II. The Scientific Method
a. Step 1- Observe Phenomena
i. Avoiding generalization or inductive reasoning.
1. All green apples are sour.
b. Step 2- Form a Hypothesis or Tentative Answer of Explanation
i. Usually begins with identifying factors or variables associated with your
observation.
ii. Variables are characteristics or conditions that change or have different
values for different individuals. Weather, economy, health, or personality,
intelligence, age, gender, self-esteem, weight, etc.
iii. The hypothesis is to be tested and critically evaluated.
c. Step 3- Use Your Hypothesis to Generate a Testable Prediction
i. Testing the prediction ( created by rational method)
ii. Induction uses specific examples to generate general conclusions or
hypotheses and deduction uses general statements to generate specific
predictions.
d. Step 4- Evaluate the Prediction by Making Systematic, Planned Observations
i. Evaluate the prediction using direct observation or the empirical method.
ii. Research or data collection phase.
iii. The research test is an empirical study or the research hypothesis.
e. Step 5- Use Observations to Support, Refute, Refine the Original Hypothesis
i. See results and then goes back to Step 2.
ii. Other factors are considered and other hypothesis tested.
 f. Notes about the Scientific Method
i. Not a linear process but circular or a spiral that moves higher with each
circle.
ii. The structure of the observations is determined by the procedures and
techniques that are used in the research study. Observations are structured
that refute or support the hypotheses.
III. 1.3 – The Research Process
a. Quotative and Qualitative Research
i. Not one is numerical and the other is not because quantitative research can
lead to qualitative measurement (democrat/republican).
b. Steps of the Research Process
i. Step 1- Find a research idea: Select a topic and search literature to find an
unanswered question.
a. Select general topic (social interaction)
b. Review published research
2. See future research at end of articles for ideas.
3. Questions to ask while reading research
a. Why was the study done a certain way? Participants chosen
or variables not considered.
ii. Step 2- Form a Hypothesis
1. If deals with the definitions of variables go to step 3, but if deals
with relationship of variaibles the next step is to form hypothese.
Ex: “A painful stimulus experienced while cursing will lead to
reduction in pain perception.”
iii. Step 3 – Determine How you Will Define and Measure Your Variables
1. How to distinguish between more pain and less pain or define and
measure pain intensity.
2. To transform hypothesis into empirically testable form.
iv. Step 4 – Identify the Participants (Humans) or Subjects(Non-human) for
the Study, Decide how they Will be Selected and Plan for their Ethical
Treatment.
1. How many and where and how to recruit them. And, restrictions
on characteristics of participants.
v. Step 5 – Select a Research Strategy
1. The approach to evaluate your research hypothesis. But, research
studies are determined by factors such as questions asked,
vi. Step 6 – Select Research Design
1. Based on the methods and procedures of the study. Do you
examine one individual closely or a group of people?
2. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 14 chapters discuss pros and cons.
vii. Step 7 – Conduct the Study
1. Laboratory or in field?
2.
viii. Step 8 – Evaluate the Data
 1. The use of statistical methods to evaluate data; drawing graphs,
computing means, or correlations to describe data and using
inferential statistics too see if data can be generalized. 15.
ix. Step 9 – report the Results
1. Written report of what was done and what was found.
x. Step 10- Refine or Reformulate Your Research Idea
1. Most studies generate more questions than they answer.
2. Tests the boundaries of results an refine original question.
c.