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Intro to SRM -!!

The document discusses the nature of knowledge and science, emphasizing the scientific method as a systematic approach to acquiring knowledge through observation, replication, and addressing empirically solvable problems. It outlines the features of the scientific method, challenges in behavioral sciences, and the importance of experimentation and statistics in psychological research. Key concepts include systematic empiricism, publicly verifiable knowledge, and the role of advanced statistical techniques in understanding human behavior.

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Pragyan
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2 views20 pages

Intro to SRM -!!

The document discusses the nature of knowledge and science, emphasizing the scientific method as a systematic approach to acquiring knowledge through observation, replication, and addressing empirically solvable problems. It outlines the features of the scientific method, challenges in behavioral sciences, and the importance of experimentation and statistics in psychological research. Key concepts include systematic empiricism, publicly verifiable knowledge, and the role of advanced statistical techniques in understanding human behavior.

Uploaded by

Pragyan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is

Knowledge?

What, Then,
Is Science?
Introduction to Knowledge and Scientific
Method

Methods of Acquiring Knowledge


• Intuition: Relying on gut feelings or instincts.

• Authority: Accepting information from experts or


authoritative figures.

• Experience: Learning through observation and personal


encounters.

• Reasoning: Using logic and rationality to arrive at


conclusions.

• Scientific Method: A systematic, objective approach to


gaining knowledge.
What Science Is Not

• Any aspect of the universe, including human behavior,


can be studied scientifically.
• Historical struggle: Attempts to exclude humans from
scientific inquiry have failed.
Science isn’t about test tubes, computers, or white coats.
These are mere symbols.

Science is a way of thinking.


Defining Science
1.Systematic empiricism: Structured observation guided
by theory.
2.Publicly verifiable knowledge: Knowledge open to
replication and peer review.
3.Empirically solvable problems: Focusing on questions
that can be tested.
Systematic Empiricism
• Empiricism = Relying on observation.
• Systematic Empiricism: Observations are theory-driven
to reveal the universe's underlying nature.
• Example: Galileo and his telescope.
• Imagine Galileo’s time. What argument would you make to
persuade skeptics to look through the telescope?
• Critics rejected empirical observations in favor of tradition and
authority.
• Lesson: Empirical methods were not always obvious.
Publicly Verifiable Knowledge

• Replication: Others must be able to repeat the


findings.
• Peer review: Scientific claims undergo scrutiny by
other experts.
• Ensures objectivity and cumulative growth of
knowledge.
• Example: Failure to publish findings in peer-reviewed
journals often signals pseudoscience.
Empirically Solvable Problems

Science tackles questions answerable through empirical


methods.
• Testable theories are key.
• Example: "Does language stimulation in daycare
improve early reading?" is testable.
• "What is the meaning of life?" is not.
• Mysteries (unsolvable) → Problems (solvable).
Turning Mysteries into Problems

• Science evolves as tools and theories advance.


• Example:
• Centuries of philosophical speculation (e.g., memory, language
acquisition).
• Transition to empirical research created psychology as a
science.
• Steven Pinker’s insight: Science upgrades mysteries to
problems.
Features of the Scientific Method
1. Objectivity:
• Definition: Minimize biases and rely on measurable facts.
• Example: Instead of relying on personal impressions of students’ performance, the psychologist uses
standardized test scores.

2. Replication:
• Definition: The study should produce the same results when repeated under similar conditions.
• Example: Another researcher replicates the sleep study with a different group of students and obtains
similar results, confirming the findings.

3. Systematic Observation:
• Definition: Use planned and structured methods to observe behavior.
• Example: The psychologist systematically records each student’s sleep duration and test performance
rather than relying on casual observation.

4. Control:
• Definition: Isolate and manage variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
• Example: The psychologist controls for confounding variables (e.g., stress levels, study habits) by
randomizing participants into groups.
Common Challenges in Applying the
Scientific Method in Behavioral Sciences

1. Variability in Human Behavior:


• Human behavior is influenced by numerous internal and external factors, making it
difficult to control all variables.
• Example: In the sleep study, some students may naturally perform better regardless
of sleep due to innate abilities.
2. Observer Bias:
• Researchers may unintentionally interpret results to align with their expectations.
• Example: A researcher might unconsciously favor data supporting their hypothesis.
3. Ethical Considerations:
• Ethical guidelines may limit the type of experiments that can be conducted.
• Example: Studying the effects of severe sleep deprivation over multiple days may
harm participants’ health.
Thinking Together
Prompt:
“What steps can researchers take to address the challenges
of variability, observer bias, and ethical limitations in
psychological research?”
Key Question:

• How do we uncover meaningful patterns in human


behavior through data?
• data collection → analysis → insights → decisions.
Relevance of Advanced Statistics in Psychology
• Psychological research often involves complex datasets (e.g.,
behavioral, cognitive, or neuroimaging data).
• Advanced techniques allow for better predictions,
classifications, and hypothesis testing.
• Employers and graduate schools value hands-on proficiency in
statistical tools.
• Examples of Applications:
• Identifying predictors of mental health disorders.
• Understanding personality through factor analysis.
• Evaluating treatment outcomes in clinical trials.
What Will You Learn?

• Topics Covered:
• Regression techniques (multiple, logistic, hierarchical).
• Factor analysis (exploratory and confirmatory).
• Non-parametric alternatives for complex data.
• Statistical programming (e.g., SPSS, R, Python).

• Key Question:
Which statistical technique do you find most
challenging or interesting?
Why Experimentation Matters

• Experimentation as a cornerstone of science.


• Experiments generate data that require statistical analysis.

• Key question:
• How do we know that one factor causes a change in another?
Defining Experiments
A scientific method to test hypotheses by manipulating
variables and observing their effects.
• Key Features:
• Independent Variable (IV): The manipulated factor.
• Dependent Variable (DV): The measured outcome.
• Control Group: Baseline for comparison.
• Randomization: Ensures unbiased results.
Why Experimentation?
• Strengths of Experimental Methods

Causal Inference:
1.Allows researchers to determine cause-and-effect
relationships.
Control Over Variables:
2.Isolates the impact of specific factors.
Replicability:
3.Experiments can be repeated to verify findings.
Experiments in Psychology

Classical Experiments:
• Pavlov's conditioning experiments.
• Milgram’s obedience study.
• Bobo doll experiment on aggression.

• Contemporary Examples: ?
Role of Statistics in Experiments
• Why Statistics?
• To analyze experimental data and determine whether observed
effects are significant.
• To quantify variability and control for biases.
• Key Statistical Techniques:
• T-tests (comparing two groups).
• ANOVA (testing multiple groups).
• Regression analysis (exploring relationships).
"Data Collection → Statistical Analysis → Results
Interpretation."
Challenges in Experimentation

1.Confounding Variables: Hidden influences that affect


results.
2.Sample Bias: Non-representative participant
selection.
3.Experimenter Bias: Unintended influence on results.
4.Statistical Misinterpretation: Misusing data analysis
methods.

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