Research Methods CHPT 1

Basic Research

enhance general body of knowledge

applied research

conducted with a problem in mind

• real world context

evidence-based treatment

A psychotherapy technique whose effectiveness has been supported by empirical research.

empiricism

The use of verifiable evidence as the basis for conclusions; collecting data systematically and using it to develop, support, or challenge a theory

reflexivity

A process in which researchers reflect on how their own values, biases, and experiences might shape the topics they study and the interpretations they make.

theory

A statement or set of statements that describes general principles about how variables relate to one another.

hypothesis

A statement of the specific result the researcher expects to observe from a particular study, if the theory is accurate.

data

A set of observations representing the values of some variable, collected from one or more research studies.

preregistered

A term referring to a study in which, before collecting any data, the researcher has stated publicly what the study’s outcome is expected to be.

replication

The process of conducting a study again to test whether the result is consistent.

weight of evidence

A conclusion drawn from reviewing scientific literature and considering the proportion of studies that is consistent with a theory.

falsifiability

A feature of a scientific theory, in which it is possible to collect data that will indicate that the theory is wrong.

self-correcting

A process in which scientists make their research available for peer review, replication, and critique, with the goal of identifying and correcting errors in the research.

universalism

based on merit, not credentials

communality

scientific knowledge is created by a community for a community

disinterestedness

discover the truth, don’t be swayed by politics/profit

organized skepticism

scientists question everything, do not see things at face value

journal

contains peer-reviewed articles

• for other scientists

journalism

news/commentary articles for a general audience

• second hand