Chapter 1

Why is the producer role in research important?

It prepares students for coursework, graduate school, working in labs, and industry careers.

Why is the consumer role in research important?

It enables evaluating news, applying evidence-based treatments, and navigating an AI-filled world.

Empiricism

Using evidence from the senses or instruments as the basis for conclusions.

Quantitative Methods

Research methods that convert empirical observations into numbers for analysis.

Qualitative Methods

Research methods that generate rich, descriptive data without simplifying observations into numbers.

Reflexivity in Research

A researcher's self-conscious reflection on how their background or privilege influences their work.

Theory

A statement or set of statements describing general principles about how variables relate.

Why can't a study 'prove' a theory?

New data may always emerge; single studies only support or fail to support theories.

Falsifiability

The feature of a theory where hypotheses could fail to support it if tested.

Scientific Norm: Universalism

Scientific claims are evaluated purely on merit, regardless of the researcher's identity or credentials.

Scientific Norm: Communality

Scientific knowledge is created by and belongs freely to the entire community.

Scientific Norm: Disinterestedness

Scientists seek objective truth without letting personal bias or gain influence findings.

Scientific Norm: Organized Skepticism

Scientists question all evidence and theories, including their own.

Applied Research

Research conducted to address directly practical, real-world problems.

Basic Research

Research conducted to expand general knowledge rather than solve a specific practical problem.

Scientific Journal

A peer-reviewed publication where scientists share research results with the scientific community.

Risks of Journalism Coverage of Research

Journalists may report non-peer-reviewed work or misrepresent research findings for sensationalism.

Translating a Research Question to a Hypothesis

Converting a general question into a specific, testable prediction about research outcomes.

Survey Experiment Design Example

Comparing trust scores between participants evaluating AI-attributed writing versus professor-attributed writing.

What does thinking like a psychologist entail?

Thinking like a scientist by evaluating the empirical basis for beliefs.

Primary goal of a research producer

To work in research laboratories and make new scientific discoveries.

Primary goal of a research consumer

To find, read, and evaluate research informing policies, therapies, and decisions.

How consumer-of-research skills aid daily decision-making

They enable evaluating evidence behind claims made by salespeople, journalists, or researchers.

Key mechanism of effective research consumption

Asking the right questions to critically assess the evidence supporting claims.

Theory-Data Cycle

The iterative process where researchers propose theories, make hypotheses, and collect data to test predictions.

Why do scientists avoid claiming a theory is 'proved'?

They state it is well supported because data confirmed it, but future evidence could always disconfirm it.

Purpose of the Peer-Review Process

Ensures expert evaluation before journal publication, leading to sharper thinking and clearer scientific communication.

Post-Publication Scientific Review

Even after publication, research continues to be evaluated, approved, or criticized by the scientific community.

Best Practice when Reading Science News Online

Think critically and consult the original peer-reviewed research directly, as journalists do not always get it right.