Dream Analysis and Non-Scientific Beliefs

• Effernate beliefs, like astrology and tarot, claim psychological basis but lack empirical evidence.
• They suggest celestial influences on personality traits and futures.

Research Methodology

The Scientific Method

• A step-by-step process to discover laws governing phenomena.
• Involves deductive, inductive, and hypothetico-deductive reasoning.
• Concludes with hypothesis testing through observation and experimentation.

Correlational Designs

• Purpose: Examine relationships between variables without manipulation.
• Cannot establish causation; only correlation between variables.
• Research question must be clear, specific, and researchable.

Experimental Designs

• Aim: Establish cause-and-effect relationships through manipulation of independent variables.
• Involves random assignment to experimental and control groups.
• Allows insights into whether one variable causes changes in another.

Data Collection Methods

• Self-reported questionnaires measuring behaviors (e.g., exercise habits) and outcomes (e.g., academic performance).
• Types: Open-ended vs. closed-ended, likert scales for responses.

Statistical Analysis

Correlation Coefficient

• Measures strength and direction of relationships between variables, ranging from -1 to 1.
• Positive (both variables increase) vs. negative correlation (one increases while the other decreases).

P-Values in Hypothesis Testing

• Quantify evidence against null hypothesis; significant p-values (usually <0.05) lead to rejecting the null hypothesis.
• Important in understanding statistical significance within research findings.

Research Ethics

• Researchers must protect participants' confidentiality and obtain informed consent.
• Participation must be voluntary, with debriefing provided post-study.