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Summary The scientific method

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Psychology revision notes on 'Psychological Research and the Scientific Method'. The notes are tailored to suit the Psychology AQA A-level Specification A syllabus. The essay plans are colour coded to make revision slightly more interesting.

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  • March 19, 2016
  • 4
  • 2014/2015
  • Summary

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SCIENCE
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Scientific knowledge aims to be based on:
EMPIRICAL METHODS –

 Information is gained through direct observation/experiment rather
than by reasoned argument/unfounded beliefs.
 Scientific research aims to collect facts.
→ this is important because people can make claims about anything,
but the only way we know such things are true is through direct
testing (empirical evidence).
OBJECTIVITY –

 Empirical data should be objective (not affected by the expectations
of the researcher).
 Systematic collection of measurable data is important to the
scientific method.
 To be objective, conditions in which the research is conducted must
be carefully controlled (e.g. in a laboratory).
 Experiments allow cause + effect relationships to be investigated.
→ one factor is varied (the IV) + its effect on the DV is observed.
 So, the lab experiment is the best means of conducting scientific
research.
REPLICABILITY –

 To demonstrate the validity of any observation/experiment, it can be
repeated.
 If the outcome is the same this confirms the truth of the original
results (especially if the observations have been made by a different
person).
 In order for research to be replicated, researchers should record
their procedures carefully so someone else can repeat them exactly
+ verify the original results.
THEORY CONSTRUCTION –

 Facts alone are meaningless.
 Explanations/theories must be constructed to make sense of the
facts.
 THEORY = a collection of general principles that explain
observations + facts.
 Theories can help us understand + predict natural phenomena’s.
HYPOTHESIS TESTING –

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