{"id":38,"date":"2020-07-13T18:18:09","date_gmt":"2020-07-13T18:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/abnormalpsych\/chapter\/reading-the-scientific-process-replace-content\/"},"modified":"2022-07-26T20:05:10","modified_gmt":"2022-07-26T20:05:10","slug":"reading-the-scientific-process-replace-content","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-abnormalpsych\/chapter\/reading-the-scientific-process-replace-content\/","title":{"raw":"The Scientific Process","rendered":"The Scientific Process"},"content":{"raw":"<section>\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explain how scientific research and the scientific method are used to address questions about behavior<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><section>\r\n<figure id=\"CNX_Psych_02_01_trephining\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nThe goal of all scientists is to better understand the world around them. Psychologists focus their attention on understanding behavior, as well as the cognitive (mental) and physiological (body) processes that underlie behavior. In contrast to other methods that people use to understand the behavior of others, such as intuition and personal experience, the hallmark of scientific research is that there is evidence to support a claim. Scientific knowledge is <strong><span class=\"no-emphasis\">empirical<\/span><\/strong>: It is grounded in objective, tangible evidence that can be observed time and time again, regardless of who is observing.\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp12552816\">While behavior is observable, the mind is not. If someone is crying, we can see the behavior. However, the reason for the behavior is more difficult to determine. Is the person crying due to being sad, in pain, or happy?\u00a0Or are they suffering from depression?\u00a0Sometimes we can learn the reason for someone\u2019s behavior by simply asking a question like, \u201cWhy are you crying?\u201d However, there are situations in which an individual is either uncomfortable or unwilling to answer the question honestly, or is incapable of answering. For example, a depression rating scale may be used to assign a score to a person's behavior where that score can determine whether that person should be evaluated more thoroughly for a\u00a0depressive disorder. In some circumstances, the psychologist may have to be creative in finding ways to better understand behavior. This module\u00a0explores how scientific knowledge is generated, and how important that knowledge is in forming decisions in our personal lives and in the public domain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\r\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/b0b76825-0a56-462e-8bf4-bd68805a6e84\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Process of Scientific Research<\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1831\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"341\"]<img class=\"wp-image-1831\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2016\/10\/13033743\/scimethod.png\" alt=\"Flowchart of the scientific method with eight stages. It begins with make an observation, then ask a question, form a hypothesis that answers the question, make a prediction based on the hypothesis, do an experiment to test the prediction, analyze the results, prove the hypothesis correct or incorrect, then report the results. If the Hypothesis is incorrect, you return to stage three (form a hypothesis that answers the question) and repeat process from there.\" width=\"341\" height=\"580\" \/> <strong>Figure 2<\/strong>. The scientific method is a process for gathering data and processing information. It provides well-defined steps to standardize how scientific knowledge is gathered through a logical, rational, problem-solving method.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nScientific knowledge is advanced through a process known as the scientific method. Basically, ideas (in the form of theories and hypotheses) are tested against the real world (in the form of empirical observations), and those empirical observations lead to more ideas that are tested against the real world, and so on.\r\n\r\nThe basic steps in the scientific method are outlined below:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Observe a natural phenomenon and define a question about it.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Make a hypothesis, or potential solution to the question.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Test the hypothesis.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If the hypothesis is true, find more evidence or find counter-evidence.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If the hypothesis is false, create a new hypothesis or try again.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Draw conclusions and repeat\u2014the scientific method is never-ending and no result is ever considered perfect.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIn order to ask an important question that may improve our understanding of the world, a researcher must first observe natural phenomena. By making observations, a researcher can define a useful question. After finding a question to answer, the researcher can then make a prediction (a hypothesis) about what they think the answer will be. The hypothesis is usually a statement about the relationship between two or more variables. After making a hypothesis, the researcher will then design an experiment to test their hypothesis and evaluate the data gathered. This data will either support or refute the hypothesis. Based on the conclusions drawn from the data, the researcher will then find more evidence to support the hypothesis, look for counter-evidence to further strengthen the hypothesis, revise the hypothesis and create a new experiment, or continue to incorporate the information gathered to answer the research question.\r\n<h2>Basic Principles of the Scientific Method<\/h2>\r\nTwo key concepts\u00a0in the scientific approach are theory\u00a0and hypothesis. A <strong>theory<\/strong> is a well-developed set of ideas that proposes an explanation for observed phenomena that\u00a0can be used to make predictions about future observations. A <strong>hypothesis<\/strong> is a testable prediction that is arrived at logically from a theory. It is often worded as an if-then statement (e.g., if I study all night, then I will get a passing grade on the test). The hypothesis is extremely important because it bridges the gap between the realm of ideas and the real world. As specific hypotheses are tested, theories are modified and refined to reflect and incorporate the result of these tests.\r\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\r\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/9486f3ab-60ac-4127-b407-5bff240db3c4\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"431\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224503\/CNX_Psych_02_01_Method.jpg\" alt=\"Four stage repeating cycle: Theory, Hypothesis, Research, and Observation. You use the theory to form a hypothesis. Then you design a study to test the hypothesis. This leads to the research stage. Then you perform the research which yields an observation. You then use that observation to create or modify the theory. This takes you back to the theory stage, and the process repeats.\" width=\"431\" height=\"370\" \/> <strong>Figure 3<\/strong>. The scientific method of research includes proposing hypotheses, conducting research, and creating or modifying theories based on results.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOther key components in following the scientific method include verifiability, predictability, falsifiability, and fairness. <strong>Verifiability<\/strong> means that an experiment must be replicable by another researcher. To achieve verifiability, researchers must make sure to document their methods and clearly explain how their experiment is structured and why it produces certain results.\r\n\r\n<strong>Predictability<\/strong> in a scientific theory implies that the theory should enable us to make predictions about future events. The precision of these predictions is a measure of the strength of the theory.\r\n\r\n<strong>Falsifiability<\/strong> refers to whether a hypothesis can be disproved. For a hypothesis to be falsifiable, it must be logically possible to make an observation or do a physical experiment that would show that there is no support for the hypothesis. Even when a hypothesis cannot be shown to be false, that does not necessarily mean it is not valid. Future testing may disprove the hypothesis. This does not mean that a hypothesis <em>has <\/em>to be shown to be false, just that it can be tested.\r\n\r\nTo determine whether a hypothesis is supported or not supported, psychological researchers must conduct hypothesis testing using statistics. Hypothesis testing is a type of statistics that determines the probability of a hypothesis being true or false. If hypothesis testing reveals that results were statistically significant, this means\u00a0that there was support for the hypothesis and that the researchers can be reasonably confident that their result was not due to random chance. If the results are not statistically significant, this means that the researchers' hypothesis was not supported.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fairness<\/strong> implies that all data must be considered when evaluating a hypothesis. A researcher cannot pick and choose what data to keep and what to discard or focus specifically on data that support or do not support a particular hypothesis. All data must be accounted for, even if they invalidate the hypothesis.\r\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\r\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/e0cacc33-215d-4c18-b0e4-054b98e2ebb0\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/ab18c076-d03b-4e11-9965-330dc19f9d0e\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/9f91c264-d36d-419f-93e4-54368f358d8d\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\r\n<h3>Link to Learning<\/h3>\r\nWant to participate in a study? Visit <a href=\"http:\/\/psych.hanover.edu\/Research\/exponnet.html#Relationships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this Psychological Research on the Net website<\/a> and click on a link that sounds interesting to you in order to participate in online research.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Why the Scientific Method Is Important for Psychology<\/h2>\r\nThe use of the scientific method is one of the main features that separates modern psychology from earlier philosophical inquiries about the mind. Compared to chemistry, physics, and other natural sciences, psychology has long been considered one of the social sciences because of the subjective nature of the things it seeks to study.\u00a0Behavioral\u00a0and social\u00a0science research\u00a0helps predict, prevent, and manage mental illness\u2014in individuals and in whole populations. This\u00a0research\u00a0also helps people change their behaviors, understand, and adhere to treatments.\u00a0Psychologists and other scientists use the\u00a0<i>scientific method<\/i>\u00a0to advance the description, explanation, prediction, and control of abnormal behavior.\r\n\r\nMany of the constructs that psychologists are interested in\u2014such as depression and anxiety\u2014are subjective and cannot be directly measured.\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">Major mental disorders like depression and anxiety affect\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">about one in four American adults in a given year. Research into the causes and effective treatments are essential.\u00a0In the course of treating a patient, a psychologist will take records of problems, insights, and techniques that were important in the patient's treatment, and they\u00a0<\/span>often rely on behavioral observations and self-reported data, which are considered by some to be illegitimate or lacking in methodological rigor. Applying the scientific method to psychology therefore helps to standardize the approach to investigating complex human behaviors, thus allowing psychologists to create evidence-based strategies that solve problems and improve lives.\r\n\r\nThe scientific method allows psychological data to be\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">to collected and used to interpret in order to better understand and solve some of society\u2019s most challenging problems. <\/span>Research<span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">\u00a0data can be\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem; text-align: initial;\">replicated and confirmed in many instances, under different circumstances, and by a variety of researchers. Through replication of experiments, new generations of psychologists can reduce errors and broaden the applicability of theories. It also allows theories to be tested and validated instead of simply being conjectures that could never be verified or falsified. Following the scientific method allows psychologists to gain a stronger understanding of how the human mind works.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/section>\r\n<div><section>\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Glossary<\/h3>\r\n<strong>empirical:\u00a0<\/strong>grounded in objective, tangible evidence that can be observed time and time again, regardless of who is observing\r\n\r\n<strong>fairness:<\/strong> implies that all data must be considered when evaluating a hypothesis\r\n\r\n<strong>falsifiable:\u00a0<\/strong>able to be disproven by experimental results\r\n\r\n<strong>hypothesis:\u00a0<\/strong>(plural: hypotheses) tentative and testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables\r\n\r\n<strong>predictability:<\/strong>\u00a0implies that a\u00a0theory should enable us to make predictions about future events\r\n\r\n<strong>theory:\u00a0<\/strong>well-developed set of ideas that proposes an explanation for observed phenomena\r\n\r\n<strong>verifiability:<\/strong>\u00a0an experiment must be replicable by another researcher\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>","rendered":"<section>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explain how scientific research and the scientific method are used to address questions about behavior<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<figure id=\"CNX_Psych_02_01_trephining\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The goal of all scientists is to better understand the world around them. Psychologists focus their attention on understanding behavior, as well as the cognitive (mental) and physiological (body) processes that underlie behavior. In contrast to other methods that people use to understand the behavior of others, such as intuition and personal experience, the hallmark of scientific research is that there is evidence to support a claim. Scientific knowledge is <strong><span class=\"no-emphasis\">empirical<\/span><\/strong>: It is grounded in objective, tangible evidence that can be observed time and time again, regardless of who is observing.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idp12552816\">While behavior is observable, the mind is not. If someone is crying, we can see the behavior. However, the reason for the behavior is more difficult to determine. Is the person crying due to being sad, in pain, or happy?\u00a0Or are they suffering from depression?\u00a0Sometimes we can learn the reason for someone\u2019s behavior by simply asking a question like, \u201cWhy are you crying?\u201d However, there are situations in which an individual is either uncomfortable or unwilling to answer the question honestly, or is incapable of answering. For example, a depression rating scale may be used to assign a score to a person&#8217;s behavior where that score can determine whether that person should be evaluated more thoroughly for a\u00a0depressive disorder. In some circumstances, the psychologist may have to be creative in finding ways to better understand behavior. This module\u00a0explores how scientific knowledge is generated, and how important that knowledge is in forming decisions in our personal lives and in the public domain.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_b0b76825-0a56-462e-8bf4-bd68805a6e84\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/b0b76825-0a56-462e-8bf4-bd68805a6e84?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_b0b76825-0a56-462e-8bf4-bd68805a6e84\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Process of Scientific Research<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_1831\" style=\"width: 351px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1831\" class=\"wp-image-1831\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2016\/10\/13033743\/scimethod.png\" alt=\"Flowchart of the scientific method with eight stages. It begins with make an observation, then ask a question, form a hypothesis that answers the question, make a prediction based on the hypothesis, do an experiment to test the prediction, analyze the results, prove the hypothesis correct or incorrect, then report the results. If the Hypothesis is incorrect, you return to stage three (form a hypothesis that answers the question) and repeat process from there.\" width=\"341\" height=\"580\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-1831\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 2<\/strong>. The scientific method is a process for gathering data and processing information. It provides well-defined steps to standardize how scientific knowledge is gathered through a logical, rational, problem-solving method.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Scientific knowledge is advanced through a process known as the scientific method. Basically, ideas (in the form of theories and hypotheses) are tested against the real world (in the form of empirical observations), and those empirical observations lead to more ideas that are tested against the real world, and so on.<\/p>\n<p>The basic steps in the scientific method are outlined below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Observe a natural phenomenon and define a question about it.<\/li>\n<li>Make a hypothesis, or potential solution to the question.<\/li>\n<li>Test the hypothesis.<\/li>\n<li>If the hypothesis is true, find more evidence or find counter-evidence.<\/li>\n<li>If the hypothesis is false, create a new hypothesis or try again.<\/li>\n<li>Draw conclusions and repeat\u2014the scientific method is never-ending and no result is ever considered perfect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In order to ask an important question that may improve our understanding of the world, a researcher must first observe natural phenomena. By making observations, a researcher can define a useful question. After finding a question to answer, the researcher can then make a prediction (a hypothesis) about what they think the answer will be. The hypothesis is usually a statement about the relationship between two or more variables. After making a hypothesis, the researcher will then design an experiment to test their hypothesis and evaluate the data gathered. This data will either support or refute the hypothesis. Based on the conclusions drawn from the data, the researcher will then find more evidence to support the hypothesis, look for counter-evidence to further strengthen the hypothesis, revise the hypothesis and create a new experiment, or continue to incorporate the information gathered to answer the research question.<\/p>\n<h2>Basic Principles of the Scientific Method<\/h2>\n<p>Two key concepts\u00a0in the scientific approach are theory\u00a0and hypothesis. A <strong>theory<\/strong> is a well-developed set of ideas that proposes an explanation for observed phenomena that\u00a0can be used to make predictions about future observations. A <strong>hypothesis<\/strong> is a testable prediction that is arrived at logically from a theory. It is often worded as an if-then statement (e.g., if I study all night, then I will get a passing grade on the test). The hypothesis is extremely important because it bridges the gap between the realm of ideas and the real world. As specific hypotheses are tested, theories are modified and refined to reflect and incorporate the result of these tests.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_9486f3ab-60ac-4127-b407-5bff240db3c4\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/9486f3ab-60ac-4127-b407-5bff240db3c4?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_9486f3ab-60ac-4127-b407-5bff240db3c4\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 441px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224503\/CNX_Psych_02_01_Method.jpg\" alt=\"Four stage repeating cycle: Theory, Hypothesis, Research, and Observation. You use the theory to form a hypothesis. Then you design a study to test the hypothesis. This leads to the research stage. Then you perform the research which yields an observation. You then use that observation to create or modify the theory. This takes you back to the theory stage, and the process repeats.\" width=\"431\" height=\"370\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 3<\/strong>. The scientific method of research includes proposing hypotheses, conducting research, and creating or modifying theories based on results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Other key components in following the scientific method include verifiability, predictability, falsifiability, and fairness. <strong>Verifiability<\/strong> means that an experiment must be replicable by another researcher. To achieve verifiability, researchers must make sure to document their methods and clearly explain how their experiment is structured and why it produces certain results.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Predictability<\/strong> in a scientific theory implies that the theory should enable us to make predictions about future events. The precision of these predictions is a measure of the strength of the theory.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Falsifiability<\/strong> refers to whether a hypothesis can be disproved. For a hypothesis to be falsifiable, it must be logically possible to make an observation or do a physical experiment that would show that there is no support for the hypothesis. Even when a hypothesis cannot be shown to be false, that does not necessarily mean it is not valid. Future testing may disprove the hypothesis. This does not mean that a hypothesis <em>has <\/em>to be shown to be false, just that it can be tested.<\/p>\n<p>To determine whether a hypothesis is supported or not supported, psychological researchers must conduct hypothesis testing using statistics. Hypothesis testing is a type of statistics that determines the probability of a hypothesis being true or false. If hypothesis testing reveals that results were statistically significant, this means\u00a0that there was support for the hypothesis and that the researchers can be reasonably confident that their result was not due to random chance. If the results are not statistically significant, this means that the researchers&#8217; hypothesis was not supported.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fairness<\/strong> implies that all data must be considered when evaluating a hypothesis. A researcher cannot pick and choose what data to keep and what to discard or focus specifically on data that support or do not support a particular hypothesis. All data must be accounted for, even if they invalidate the hypothesis.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_e0cacc33-215d-4c18-b0e4-054b98e2ebb0\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/e0cacc33-215d-4c18-b0e4-054b98e2ebb0?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_e0cacc33-215d-4c18-b0e4-054b98e2ebb0\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_ab18c076-d03b-4e11-9965-330dc19f9d0e\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/ab18c076-d03b-4e11-9965-330dc19f9d0e?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_ab18c076-d03b-4e11-9965-330dc19f9d0e\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_9f91c264-d36d-419f-93e4-54368f358d8d\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/9f91c264-d36d-419f-93e4-54368f358d8d?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_9f91c264-d36d-419f-93e4-54368f358d8d\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\n<h3>Link to Learning<\/h3>\n<p>Want to participate in a study? Visit <a href=\"http:\/\/psych.hanover.edu\/Research\/exponnet.html#Relationships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this Psychological Research on the Net website<\/a> and click on a link that sounds interesting to you in order to participate in online research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Why the Scientific Method Is Important for Psychology<\/h2>\n<p>The use of the scientific method is one of the main features that separates modern psychology from earlier philosophical inquiries about the mind. Compared to chemistry, physics, and other natural sciences, psychology has long been considered one of the social sciences because of the subjective nature of the things it seeks to study.\u00a0Behavioral\u00a0and social\u00a0science research\u00a0helps predict, prevent, and manage mental illness\u2014in individuals and in whole populations. This\u00a0research\u00a0also helps people change their behaviors, understand, and adhere to treatments.\u00a0Psychologists and other scientists use the\u00a0<i>scientific method<\/i>\u00a0to advance the description, explanation, prediction, and control of abnormal behavior.<\/p>\n<p>Many of the constructs that psychologists are interested in\u2014such as depression and anxiety\u2014are subjective and cannot be directly measured.\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">Major mental disorders like depression and anxiety affect\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">about one in four American adults in a given year. Research into the causes and effective treatments are essential.\u00a0In the course of treating a patient, a psychologist will take records of problems, insights, and techniques that were important in the patient&#8217;s treatment, and they\u00a0<\/span>often rely on behavioral observations and self-reported data, which are considered by some to be illegitimate or lacking in methodological rigor. Applying the scientific method to psychology therefore helps to standardize the approach to investigating complex human behaviors, thus allowing psychologists to create evidence-based strategies that solve problems and improve lives.<\/p>\n<p>The scientific method allows psychological data to be\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">to collected and used to interpret in order to better understand and solve some of society\u2019s most challenging problems. <\/span>Research<span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">\u00a0data can be\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem; text-align: initial;\">replicated and confirmed in many instances, under different circumstances, and by a variety of researchers. Through replication of experiments, new generations of psychologists can reduce errors and broaden the applicability of theories. It also allows theories to be tested and validated instead of simply being conjectures that could never be verified or falsified. Following the scientific method allows psychologists to gain a stronger understanding of how the human mind works.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Glossary<\/h3>\n<p><strong>empirical:\u00a0<\/strong>grounded in objective, tangible evidence that can be observed time and time again, regardless of who is observing<\/p>\n<p><strong>fairness:<\/strong> implies that all data must be considered when evaluating a hypothesis<\/p>\n<p><strong>falsifiable:\u00a0<\/strong>able to be disproven by experimental results<\/p>\n<p><strong>hypothesis:\u00a0<\/strong>(plural: hypotheses) tentative and testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables<\/p>\n<p><strong>predictability:<\/strong>\u00a0implies that a\u00a0theory should enable us to make predictions about future events<\/p>\n<p><strong>theory:\u00a0<\/strong>well-developed set of ideas that proposes an explanation for observed phenomena<\/p>\n<p><strong>verifiability:<\/strong>\u00a0an experiment must be replicable by another researcher<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-38\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Modification and adaptation. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Why is Research Important?. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: OpenStax College. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/Sr8Ev5Og@5.48:Hp5zMFYB@9\/Why-Is-Research-Important\">http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/Sr8Ev5Og@5.48:Hp5zMFYB@9\/Why-Is-Research-Important<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Download for free at http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/4abf04bf-93a0-45c3-9cbc-2cefd46e68cc@5.48<\/li><li>Psychology and the Scientific Method: From Theory to Conclusion, content on the scientific method principles. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Boundless. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" 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