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PSYCHOLOGY 243
SECOND SEMESTER
LECTURER: DR. Zuhayr Kafaar [zkafaar@sun.ac.za]
Research Design in Psychology
Chapter 1: Different methods of acquiring knowledge
Chapter 2: The Scientific method applied to social reality
Chapter 5: Types of research
Chapter 6: Research questions and variables
Chapter 10: Research planning and design
Chapter 11: Sampling
Chapter 13: Ensuring the quality of data
Chapter 16: Research findings and dissemination
1
,Chapter 1: D
ifferent methods of acquiring knowledge
Epistemology - the study of ways of knowing about the world
Non-scientific ways of acquiring knowledge:
● Method of Authority - When we rely on the knowledge of prominent & significant
people who are recognised as having a better grasp of their environment that
ordinary people. Eg. Lecturers vs students
● Mystical Method - Correctness of knowledge is assumed to reside in a supernatural
source like religion or religious beliefs. Eg. 17th century trust in the church vs
science
● Intuitive Method - Making judgements off of what “feels” right. This method relies
solely on the individual and their understanding of a particular subject. Conventional
wisdom is an alternative - “common sense” or understanding of the world.
● Rationalistic Method - Based on human reasoning; using the ability to think
logically and therefore discover laws through intellectual processes.
● Empirical Method - F
acts observed in nature perceived by our 5 senses. Opposite
to rationalistic method.
The Scientific Method & Its Properties:
Science assumes:
1. The existence of natural and social laws
2. Laws can be discovered by human beings
3. Natural phenomena have natural causes
4. New knowledge is accumulated gradually and sequentially
5. Knowledge and truth are founded on evidence
6. Scientific statements must be distinguished from common-sense statements
7. Scientific observation is objective
8. Scientific observation is systematic
Probabilistic explanations - Explanations that concede some uncertainty
2
, A Priori Knowledge - Knowledge we know from prior experience & independent from
experience
Quantitative research:
Step 1 - Know the description of the object, relationship or situation - empirical method
observation
Step 2 - an explanation of the relationship between the described facts should be
expressed - r ationalistic method
Step 3 - Prediction of future events in well-defined conditions should permit.
Step 4 - Correct explanations of events should have intelligent intervention to enable
changes which therefore improves a situation.
Qualitative research:
Researchers generally concentrate on the observation under a study therefore little is
known - no a priori explanation are given therefore no expectations or predictions can be
tested.
Some explanations can be found at the end as information and data is collected and
analysed - a Posterior explanation (post)
Properties of Scientific Research:
1. It is e
mpirical - each step based off of observation
2. It is s ystematic and logical - logical order must be followed
3. It is replicable and transmittable - anyone placed in exactly the same
circumstances can observe the same event and by reasoning, arrive at the same
explanation.
4. It is r eductive - by grasping main relationships between laws, reality can be
reduced.
5. Scientific claim, statement and theory must be f alsifiable - should be demonstrated in
such a way that it can be demonstrated to be false
Reductionism - only essential properties, variables or aspects of a problem, has to be used
with great care as it can lead to significant bias in the research process
Deduction - Using general principles to have a specific conclusion [quantitative research]
3
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