PSY 2174 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Inductive Reasoning, Deductive Reasoning, Pseudoscience
14 Sep 2017
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Chapter 1: introduction, acquiring knowledge & the scientific method. Scientific method: scientists used this in finding answers to certain questions; it is basic standard practice in world of science & students in behavioural sciences (ex. It is because professional in behavioural sciences rely on methods of science to gather & interpret info. For example a psychologist wanted to determine whether children raised by gay couples develop characteristics different than children raised by heterosexual couples. To answer this they will observe & compare children from families of both kinds. Also what characteristics to observe - example self-esteem, relationship w/ friends. Psychologists would need to record objective measurements of these characteristics rather than rely on subjective interpretations or potentially biased reports of friends/neighbours. Other reasons for taking research methods course: conducting a study. Useful for undergraduate students to understand more about their profession & for graduate students doing honors thesis classes: reading & evaluating other people"s studies.
