The Scientific Method Steps in conducting scientific methods 1. Provide a rationale for the study 2. Conduct the study 3. Analyze the data 4. Communicate the research finding 5. Replicate the study INSTRUCTIONS Psychology is science. Demonstrate psychology is a science by explaining how psychology utilizes the scientific method. Explain the scientific method, including theory, hypothesis, methods, results and conclusions. Be sure to define independent and dependent variables, as well as confounding variables. Also describe the differences between a correlational study and experiment. The Scientific Method confirm, reject or revise Theories Example: Sleep boosts memory. Research & observation Example: Give study material to people before (a) an ample night's sleep, or (b) a shortened night's sleep, then test memory. lead to lead to Hypotheses Example: When sleep deprived, people remember less from the day before. Methods of Psychological Research Descriptive Research Naturalistic observation Case study Survey Correlational Research Experimentation Psychological Testing Standardization Norms Reliability Validity Correlational Research Correlation Refers to the relationship between variables Correlation coefficient Types of correlation Causation vs correlation DRY, HOT AND SUNNY SUMMER WEATHER causation causation ICE CREAM correlation SUNBURN Correlation & Causation Correlation Causation Depressed mood Sleep impairment Depressed mood Sleep impairment Depressed mood Sleep impairment Family conflict (Confounding variable) Statistical Analysis of Research Data . Correlational statistics Correlational coefficient Positive correlation Negative correlation Zero correlation Correlational Methods Positive correlation Indicates a direct relationship Perfect Positive High Positive Low Positive Correlation Correlation Correlation 1 0.8 0.3 Correlational Methods Negative correlation Indicates an indirect relationship Low High Perfect Negative Negative Negativ Correlation Correlation Correlati -0.3 -0.8 Correlational Methods No correlation Indicates no relationship Y No Correlation X 100 80 IQ 60 40 20 10 Shoe Size