PSYC 330 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient, Theoretical Definition, Scientific Method
17 Mar 2014
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I"ll close this and keep it for the final. Learning objectives: explain what behavioral research is and why it is conducted. The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules and procedures that scientists use to conduct research. It is used by scientists because it results in the accumulation of scientific knowledge: differentiate facts and values and explain how the values of scientists influence their own research. Values are personal statements (for example, abortion is wrong), whereas facts are objective statements determined to be accurate through empirical study. That being said, the values of scientists may influence why they do their research, how they study it, whom they use as participants and how they interpret their data. Additionally, the introduction and discussion section of a research report are relatively subjective and involve values because they discuss the importance of the study and what should be interpreted from it.
