How Do Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions?

How Do
Psychologists
Ask and Answer

Questions?

I. The Scientific Method

Theory: explains through principles that organize
observations, predicts behaviors...
Hypothesis: testable predictions

Gives direction for research
Can be confirmed or refuted
Operational Definition: report by psychologists of their
procedures
This allows others to replicate (repeat) observations

A good theory is useful if it:
Effectively organizes a range of self-
reports and observations
Implies clear predictions that anyone
can use to check the theory

We can test hypothesis through
descriptive methods...

II. Description

Three Descriptive Methods...
Case Study: observing one person, in depth, in
hopes of revealing things true of all of us.

Suggest further study
Cannot recognize general truths (must use other
research methods)

Survey:
Looks at many cases at once; not in depth
People report behavior/opinions

Word effects: order, wording of Qs can affect responses
Random sampling

Use representative samples for an accurate picture of
a whole population’s attitudes and experiences

Sampling:
Population: the whole group
to be studied and described
Random Sample: everyone
has equal chance of being
involved

Naturalistic Observation: Occurs in natural environments
Describes behavior... observes and records
Does not explain behavior

All three methods DESCRIBE, DO NOT EXPLAIN