PSYC 217 01c ways of knowing

Introduction to Research Methods

• Overview of the objectives for the class:

  • Understanding how knowledge about the world is acquired.

  • Discussing the cycle of science as a prominent method for knowledge acquisition.

  • Mentioning the advantages and disadvantages of various knowledge acquisition methods.

  • Engaging in research idea development and design tests.

Methods of Knowledge Acquisition

• Starting point: Critical thinking on how we know what we know.

• Discussion prompt questions for students:

  1. How do you know what you know about the world?

  2. Where specifically does your knowledge come from?

  3. Are there good or bad ways of learning about the world?

Example Discussion

• Real-world example from the instructor:

  • Observing smoke in Vancouver and questioning its source.

  • Researching the cause of smoke leading to the realization of nearby forest fires without personal visual confirmation.

  • Highlights the importance of assessing the sources of one's knowledge.

Group Discussions

• Encouragement for discussions on knowledge sources, with a focus on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Learning via TikTok

Advantages:

• Fast delivery of information.

• Intuitive presentation style that may enhance understanding.

• Accessibility of diverse voices beyond mainstream media.

Disadvantages:

• Potential for dramatization of information to gain attention.

• Presence of biases in content.

• Algorithms may limit exposure to a diverse range of perspectives, reinforcing existing biases.

• Difficulty in identifying creators' motivations and funding sources compared to traditional media.

Other Sources of Knowledge

• Discussion of using Google and AI-driven summaries for information gathering.

• Insights into the challenges and varying reliability of AI-generated information.

Issues with Information Sources

• Example of varying information received between two users querying the same topic on Google.

• Discussion on the reliability of automated summaries and the lack of scrutiny.

Intuition as a Source of Knowledge

Definition of Intuition:

• Intuition encompasses gut feelings based on personal experience, cultural wisdom, and emotional responses.

Advantages:

• Quicker and efficient way to make judgments about situations.

• Often feels inherently correct to individuals.

Disadvantages:

• Highly susceptible to bias and distortion.

• Tendency to selectively interpret evidence that confirms pre-existing beliefs.

The Scientific Method

Components of the Scientific Method:

1. Skepticism: Approach all claims with doubt until proven.

2. Empiricism: Utilize structured observation to verify claims.

Example of Applying the Scientific Method:

• To determine the source of smoke in Vancouver:

  • Initial skepticism about claims.

  • Verification through empirical methods (radar images and physical observation).

Trade-offs of Scientific Method:

• Time-consuming and resource-intensive verification processes.

Cycle of Science:

• Defined as: "All claims are subjected to tests against reality."

• Components of the cycle include:

  • Developing ideas based on previous research.

  • Designing tests to verify those ideas.

  • Collecting and transparently sharing data.

  • Revising theories based on observed data.

Importance of Theory Refinement

• Emphasis on the need to evolve theories as new data is obtained.

• Recognition that psychological theories are often incomplete and may need changes over time.

• Problems with attaching theories to specific individuals, noting human biases in their acceptance.

Class Activity

• Students are assigned to create a research project idea in small groups.

• Focus on understanding the relationship between two variables and designing a simple test.

• The importance of being able to identify how data could lead to refining or altering the original hypothesis.

Student Examples of Projects:

1. Subway Surfers Engagement Study:

   • Investigate how visual elements in videos affect audience attention and engagement rates.

   • Data collection via tracking eye movement or time taken to process related content.

2. Sleep vs. Exam Performance Study:

   • Examine whether longer sleep duration impacts exam scores using self-reported sleep duration and performance data.

   • Potential hypotheses include variations based on participants’ usual sleep patterns.

Personal Anecdote on Scientific Method Application

• Instructor's personal experience testing the learning ability of a dog through structured experiments.

• Contrast in predictions about dog's cognitive development based on repeated tasks.

• Outcome highlighting the potential for scientific inquiry in everyday life.

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Recap of the scientific method's significance in not only research but also personal inquiries.

• Transition to a brief break before wrapping up class discussions.