PSYCH 241 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Binge Drinking, Multiple Dispatch, Microcephaly
13 Sep 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Psych 241 – Lecture 1
Think Like a Researcher
• Be skeptical
o Directionality – what causes what?
o Don’t be biased
o Even of claims based on published findings?
▪ Remember most claims are probabilistic
• Especially claims presented in the media
• Analogy to legal system?
o Both make decisions based on evidence
o Legal system
▪ Small amount of evidence leads to suspicion
▪ Large amount of evidence is needed to convict
• Science
o Both quantity and quality of evidence are important
• Evaluate the evidence
o Is evidence new or unexpected?
o Does it replicate and/or extend previous research?
o Do multiple studies provide consistent evidence?
o Does a multi-method approach provide converging evidence?
• Most importantly, perhaps
o How was the evidence gathered?
o How was the research conducted?
o How were the data analyzed?
Scientific Method
• An approach to gathering evidence
o Not a particular technique or method
o Ways in which scientists ask questions
o Theory driven, and cyclical in nature
• Two important aspects
o Empirical approach
▪ Gather data and make observations
o Skeptical attitude
Methods of Psychological and Brain Sciences
• Some of the most interesting questions there are
• For example:
o What environmental factors influence prenatal development?
o How do social interactions impact mood and emotion in adolescence?
o What impact does binge drinking have on the brains of young adults?
• Also some of the most challenging questions, very difficult to get clear answers
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
