Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

Ch. 1: Behavioral Research and the Scientific Method

Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

Why Study Research Methods?

Enhance our understanding of the influence that science and technology has on our world.

Learn to differentiate between good science and pseudoscience.

Acquire useful information and skills.

Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

Why Study Research Methods?

Learn why scientific knowledge is relative and provisional.

Identify potential career opportunities.

Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

Peirce’s Methods of Fixing Belief

Method of tenacity Method of authority a priori method Scientific method

Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

Empirical Reasoning and the Scientific Method

What is empirical reasoning? Empirical means based on

observation or experience. Examples of early uses of empirical

reasoning. Galileo Wundt

Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

Francis Galton (1822-1911):Are Prayers Answered?

60

62

64

66

68

70

B ri ti sh R o y alF am i l i es

C l ergy L aw y ers & D rs.

Avg

. Age

Whe

n D

ied

Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

Applications in Behavioral Research

Ceci et al.’s “Sam Stone” study Asch’s study of conformity

Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

Rhetoric and Analogical Thinking

Like other methods, the scientific method has an accepted rhetoric. e.g., the use of various technical terms. e.g., a specified format for publishing

findings. Use of analogical rhetoric to help

visualize one thing in terms of another.

Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

The Context of Behavioral Science Behavior is what you do and how

you act. Behavioral science is an umbrella

term. Represents a wide range of scientific

disciplines. Behavioral scientists embrace:

Methodological pluralism Theoretical ecumenism.

Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

Three Lines of Empirical Research

Descriptive research “How things are”

Relational (or correlational) research “How things are in relation to other

things” Experimental research

“How things are and how they got to be that way”

Rosnow, Beginning Behavioral Research, 5/e. Copyright 2005 by Prentice Hall

Some Traits of Good Researchers

Enthusiasm Open-mindedness Common sense

Principle of the drunkard’s search

Role-taking ability Creativity and

inventiveness

Confidence in one’s one judgment

Ability to communicate

Care about details Integrity and

honest scholarship