What does it mean to reason empirically?
To base one's conclusions on systematic observations
4 scientific cycles
1. Theory-data cycle
2. basic-applied research
3. peer-reviewed
4. the journal-to-journal cycle
Theory-data cycle
Theory sets up the questions you ask about the hypothesis and collect data to answer the predictions you made through the questions
-most important cycle
contact-comfort theory
Harry Harlow proposed it
States that the mother and child attachment is formed because of the comfort mothers provide to children
cupboard theory
states the mother is only a source of food, therefore represents pleasure to children
theory
a statement or a set of statements that describes general principles of how variables relate to one another
data
a set of observations
empiricism
the approach of collecting data and using it to develop, support, or challenge a theory
3 components of a good theory
1. supported by data
2. are falsifiable
3. are parsimonious
basic-applied research
is composed of basic, applied, and translational research
basic research
not intended to address specific problems
applied research
done with a practical problem in mind; researchers are hoping findings will directly apply to solution of problems
translational reseach
researchers conduct studies in which they are intentionally using lessons from basic research to develop and test applications to health care, psychotherapy, etc.
peer-review cycle
process when a psychologist writes a paper about research and submits it to a scientific journal and experts criticize it
journal-to-journal cycle
people find scientific journals promising and will either conduct more research on it, new research in a different subject, or publish the research in non-technical terms in magazines or blogs
what happens to a theory when the data do not support the theory's applications?
it is revised
What is the difference between basic and applied research?
Basic research is for the sake of general knowledge, applied research is for a specific problem. These are connected through translational research
Distortion of publicized science?
-accuracy of stories
-statistics in data
-peer-reviewed deficiencies