The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

Theory
-- explains behaviors or events by organizing what we
observe to form a theory (i.e. What are the effects of
sleep on memory? We might theorize that sleep
improves memory). A good theory produces testable
predictions.
Hypothesis
Testable predictions; can be confirmed or refuted (i.e.
Sleep-deprived people will remember less than non
sleep-deprived people)
Operational Definition (Right handed, Left handed
Activity)
Replication (repeat) Why repeat?
The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
 The Scientific Method
A good theory is useful if it:
Effectively organizes a range of
self-reports and observations
Leads to clear hypotheses
(predictions) that anyone can use to
check the theory
Often stimulates research that
leads to a revised theory which
better predicts what we know
Description
 Description
The Case Study
Case Study (i.e. Ted Bundy)
Hope to reveal universal truths
Problems with atypical individuals
Cannot discern general truths
 Description
Naturalistic Observation
Naturalistic Observation
Describes behavior
Does not explain behavior
 Description
The Survey
Survey
Looks at many cases at once
Word effects words and phrases
can effect the outcome
Random sampling
Representative sample
Sampling bias
 Wording Effect
An example of a wording difference that had a significant
impact on responses comes from a January 2003 Pew
Research survey. When people were asked whether they
would: favor or oppose taking military action in
Iraq to end Saddam Husseins rule, 68% said they
favored military action while 25% said they opposed
military action. However, when asked whether they would
favor or oppose taking military action in Iraq to
end Saddam Husseins rule even if it meant that
U.S. forces might suffer thousands of casualties,
responses were dramatically different; only 43% said they
favored military action while 48% said they opposed it. The
introduction of U.S. casualties altered the context of the
question and influenced whether people favored or opposed
military action in Iraq.
 Description
The Survey
Sampling
Population
Random Sample
 HOMEWORK
Go to www.gallup.com and see pp. 42-43 in the textbook
Pick a recent survey (the site organizes it by category
and also has a Hot Topics section)
Answer the following questions:
What seems to be the purpose of this survey (what
are the questioners trying to assess)?
How might the wording of the question and/or
possible answers effect the survey results? (wording
effects)
Is there any apparent sampling bias? Does it appear
to be a random sample? Briefly explain.