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Introduction
Psychologists, like all scientists, use the
Scientific Method to produce valid
explanations of the world around them.
This method has both advantages and
disadvantages.
The Scientific Method
The Scientific process starts with observations of
phenomena in the world.
In the Inductive Model this then leads to the
developments of hypotheses.
Hypotheses are tested which may lead to new questions
and new hypotheses.
Eventually such data may be used to construct a theory.
The Deductive Model theory construction at the
beginning of the process, after making observations.
Example: the
spontaneous Life emerges
generation
Scientific method from non-
theory living matter
Make Theory
Observations Inductive D
process e
Mice emerge d
from dirty u c
Reject the socks t
i
theory v e
Hypothesis
No mice!!!! p
r o
c
e
Place dirty s s
socks in a
glass jar for
a few days Experiment
Scientific Method
Referring back to the definition of ‘Scientific’, any research
can be considered scientific as long as it collects data in an
objective, controlled manner.
The following research methods have been put in order of
how scientific they are considered to be.
Lab Experiments
Field Experiments
Natural Experiments
Interviews/Questionnaires
Observations
Advantages – The Scientific
Method is Empirical
The left picture is a burger from McDonalds.
Or it is at least what you are led to expect you will get.
What about reality?
You may think you know something but unless you test this
empirically you cannot know if it is true.
The right picture is the empirical evidence of what the burgers
are really like.
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