THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The Scientific Method
Definition: The process by which scientists, collectively and over time, endeavor to construct an accurate (that is, reliable, consistent and non-arbitrary) representation of the world.
The scientific method has five steps:
- Observation
- Hypothesis
- Prediction
- Experimentation
- Accept/Reject/Revise
Hypothesis
Definition: A limited statement regarding the cause and effect of an observed phenomenon; it also refers to our state of knowledge before experimental work has been performed.
Prediction
Definition: Based on the hypothesis, one would expect (predict) a certain result.
Two types of logical reasoning:
- Inductive
- Deductive
Experimentation
Definition: The process of testing a hypothesis.
Research Methods:
- Laboratory experiments
- Survey Research
- Field Experiments
- Panel Studies (longitudinal studies, surveys over time, same people)
Variables
Definition: The things that we measure, control, or manipulate in research.
Reliability
Definition: The degree to which we can say that, if the same observational methods were applied to the same research site again, they would yield the same results.
Validity
Definition: The degree to which we can say that the thing we are measuring actually represents the concept we wish to discuss.
Generalizability
Definition: The degree to which we can transpose the observations made in a specific research setting on to a wider social context.
Error in Experiments
- Random Error
- Systematic Error
Theory
Definition: A set of concepts used to define or explain some phenomenon.
Advantages of the experimental method
Limitations of the experimental method