USING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD IN

PSYCHOLOGY
Chapter Five
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
1
This multimedia and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public
performance or displays, including transmission of any image over a network, preparation of any derivative work,
including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images, any rental, lease, or lending of the program.
The S&ie#ti2& Metho$ i#
P"y&ho)ogy
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
2

S&ie#&e

The 3ey e)e4e#t" o5 the "&ie#ti2& approa&h are6

O78e&tive 4ea"%re4e#t" o5 the phe#o4e#o# %#$er

&o#"i$eratio#

The a7i)ity to veri5y or &o#2r4 the 4ea"%re4e#t" 4a$e

7y other i#$ivi$%a)"

Se)59&orre&tio# o5 error" a#$ 5a%)ty rea"o#i#g

E:er&i"i#g &o#tro) to r%)e o%t the i#;%e#&e o5 %#<a#te$

5a&tor"
Co4po#e#t" o5 the S&ie#ti2& Metho$
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
3

O78e&tivity

1 goo$ re"ear&her "trive" to 7e a" o78e&tive a"

po""i7)e(

P"y&ho)ogi"t" "e)e&t re"ear&h parti&ipa#t" i# "%&h a

4a##er a" to avoi$ 7ia"i#g 5a&tor" ="%&h a" age or "e:>(

*e"ear&her" 5re?%e#t)y 4a3e their 4ea"%re4e#t" <ith

i#"tr%4e#t" i# or$er to 7e a" o78e&tive a" po""i7)e( @e
$e"&ri7e "%&h 4ea"%re4e#t" a" 7ei#g empirical
7e&a%"e they are 7a"e$ o# o78e&tive)y ?%a#ti2a7)e
o7"ervatio#"(
Co4po#e#t" o5 the S&ie#ti2& Metho$
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
4

Co#2r4atio# o5 Fi#$i#g"

Ae&a%"e the pro&e$%re" a#$ 4ea"%re4e#t" are o78e&tive'

<e "ho%)$ 7e a7)e to repeat the4 a#$ confrm the origi#a)
re"%)t"( Co#2r4atio# o5 2#$i#g" i" i4porta#t 5or
e"ta7)i"hi#g the va)i$ity o5 re"ear&h(

P"y&ho)ogi"t" %"e the ter4 replication to re5er to a

re"ear&h "t%$y that i" &o#$%&te$ i# e:a&t)y the "a4e
4a##er a" a previo%" "t%$y( 1 replication with extension
ge#erate" #e< i#5or4atio# at the "a4e ti4e it &o#2r4"
previo%" 2#$i#g"(
Co4po#e#t" o5 the S&ie#ti2& Metho$
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
5

Se)59&orre&tio#

Error" a#$ 5a%)ty rea"o#i#g that 7e&o4e appare#t

"ho%)$ )ea$ to a &ha#ge i# the &o#&)%"io#" <e rea&h(

I5 e:peri4e#ta) evi$e#&e 5ai)" to "%pport the pre$i&te$

re)atio#" 7et<ee# o%r i#$epe#$e#t a#$ $epe#$e#t
varia7)e"' <e &ha#ge o%r vie< a7o%t ho< #at%re
operate"(
Co4po#e#t" o5 the S&ie#ti2& Metho$
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
6

Co#tro)

Dire&t 4a#ip%)atio# o5 5a&tor" o5 4a8or i#tere"t(

1# experiment i" a# i4p)e4e#tatio# o5 &o#tro) 7y

4a#ip%)ati#g the 5a&tor="> that i" the &e#tra) 5o&%" o5
re"ear&h(

Co#tro) o5 %#<a#te$ 5a&tor"

Pote#tia))y i#;%e#tia) a#$ %#$e"ira7)e 5a&tor" =other tha#

the 5a&tor o5 4a8or i#tere"t> are #ot a))o<e$ to &ha#ge(
The P"y&ho)ogi&a)
E:peri4e#t
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
7

E:peri4e#t

1# atte4pt to $eter4i#e the &a%"e9a#$9eBe&t re)atio#"

that e:i"t i# #at%re(

*e"ear&her" are i#tere"te$ i# $eter4i#i#g tho"e 5a&tor" that

re"%)t i# or &a%"e pre$i&ta7)e eve#t"(

I# it" 4o"t 7a"i& 5or4 the p"y&ho)ogi&a) e:peri4e#t

&o#"i"t" o5 three re)ate$ 5a&tor"6

The independent variable

The dependent variable

Extraneous variables
The P"y&ho)ogi&a)
E:peri4e#t
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
8

I#$epe#$e#t Caria7)e =IC>

The 5a&tor that i" the 4a8or 5o&%" o5 the re"ear&h a#$
that the re"ear&her $ire&t)y 4a#ip%)ate"(

Ma#ip%)atio# o5 the IC &orre"po#$" to o#e %"e o5 the

ter4 &o#tro)(
The P"y&ho)ogi&a)
E:peri4e#t
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
9

The IC i"6

I#$epe#$e#t

Ca# 7e $ire&t)y 4a#ip%)ate$ 7y the i#ve"tigator(

Caria7)e

I" a7)e to a""%4e t<o or 4ore va)%e" =)eve)">(

The &a%"a) part o5 the re)atio# <e "ee3 to e"ta7)i"h(

The P"y&ho)ogi&a)
E:peri4e#t
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
10

Depe#$e#t Caria7)e =DC>

Co#"i"t" o5 the re&or$e$ i#5or4atio# or re"%)t" o5 the

e:peri4e#t(

I" the eBe&t ha)5 o5 the &a%"e9a#$9eBe&t re)atio# <e are

e:a4i#i#g(

Cha#ge" i# DC "&ore" <i)) depend o# the 4a#ip%)atio# o5

the IC(
The P"y&ho)ogi&a)
E:peri4e#t
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
11

E:tra#eo%" Caria7)e"

1re there 5a&tor"' other tha# the i#$epe#$e#t varia7)e'

that &a# i#;%e#&e the $epe#$e#t varia7)e a#$ &ha#ge
the re"%)t" o5 yo%r e:peri4e#tD

@he# a# e:tra#eo%" varia7)e i" pre"e#t' <e have #o <ay o5

3#o<i#g <hether the e:tra#eo%" varia7)e or the IC &a%"e$
the eBe&t <e o7"erve(

1tte#tio# to e:tra#eo%" varia7)e" repre"e#t" a#other %"e o5

the ter4 &o#tro)(
E"ta7)i"hi#g Ca%"e9a#$9EBe&t *e)atio#"
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
12
O#)y <he# <e
4a#ip%)ate a#
i#$epe#$e#t
varia7)e a#$ &o#tro)
pote#tia) e:tra#eo%"
varia7)e" are <e
a7)e to i#5er a
&a%"e9a#$9eBe&t
re)atio#(
O#)y <he# <e
4a#ip%)ate a#
i#$epe#$e#t
varia7)e a#$ &o#tro)
pote#tia) e:tra#eo%"
varia7)e" are <e
a7)e to i#5er a
&a%"e9a#$9eBe&t
re)atio#(
For4%)ati#g the *e"ear&h Hypothe"i"
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
13

1 re"ear&h hypothe"i" i" "i4p)y a 5or4a) "tate4e#t o5

yo%r re"ear&h ?%e"tio#' ta3i#g i#to a&&o%#t <hat yo%
)ear#e$ 5ro4 "ear&hi#g the )iterat%re(

The research or experimental hypothesis i" o%r

prediction a7o%t the re)atio# that e:i"t" 7et<ee# the
i#$epe#$e#t varia7)e that <e are goi#g to 4a#ip%)ate
a#$ the $epe#$e#t varia7)e that <e <i)) re&or$(
Chara&teri"ti&" o5 the *e"ear&h
Hypothe"i"
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
14

Type" o5 State4e#t"

Sy#theti& State4e#t"

1re tho"e "tate4e#t" that &a# 7e either true o5 false =e(g(

E17%"e$ &hi)$re# have )o<er "e)59e"tee4F>(

1#a)yti& State4e#t"

1re tho"e "tate4e#t" that are always true =e(g( I a4

4a3i#g a# E1F or I a4 #ot 4a3i#g a# E1F>(

Co#tra$i&tory State4e#t"

1re tho"e "tate4e#t" that are always false =e(g( I a4

4a3i#g a# E1F and I a4 #ot 4a3i#g a# E1F>(
Chara&teri"ti&" o5 the *e"ear&h
Hypothe"i"
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
15

Ge#era) I4p)i&atio# For4

yo% 4%"t 7e a7)e to "tate =or re"tate> the re"ear&h

hypothe"i" i# eneral implication =Ei5Gthe#F> !orm(

The Ei5F portio# o5 "%&h "tate4e#t" re5er" to the

i#$epe#$e#t varia7)e 4a#ip%)atio#="> that <e are goi#g to
4a3e' <herea" the Ethe#F portio# o5 the "tate4e#t re5er"
to the $epe#$e#t varia7)e &ha#ge" <e e:pe&t to o7"erve(

Pri#&ip)e o5 5a)"i2a7i)ity

@he# a# e:peri4e#ta) hypothe"i" i" "tate$ i# ge#era)

i4p)i&atio# 5or4' it i" po""i7)e that a re"%)t i" tr%e ="%pporte$
7y the re"%)t" o5 the "t%$y> or 5a)"e =#ot "%pporte$ 7y the
re"%)t" o5 the "t%$y>(
Chara&teri"ti&" o5 the *e"ear&h
Hypothe"i"
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
16

Type" o5 *ea"o#i#g

I#$%&tive Logi&

I#vo)ve" rea"o#i#g 5ro4 "pe&i2& &a"e" to ge#era) pri#&ip)e"(

"nductive loic i" the pro&e"" that i" i#vo)ve$ i# the
&o#"tr%&tio# o5 theorie"(

De$%&tive Logi&

I#vo)ve" rea"o#i#g 5ro4 ge#era) pri#&ip)e" to "pe&i2&

&o#&)%"io#" or pre$i&tio#"(
Source: Wann, D. . ! Dolan, T. ". #$%%&'. (Spectator)s
evaluations of rival and fellow fans.* The +sychological ,ecord,
&&,
-.$/-.0.
Chara&teri"ti&" o5 the *e"ear&h
Hypothe"i"
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
17

Dire&tio#a) ver"%" No#$ire&tio#a) *e"ear&h

Hypothe"e"

Dire&tio#a) Hypothe"e"

Spe&i5y the $ire&tio#a) o%t&o4e o5 the e:peri4e#t(

No#$ire&tio#a) Hypothe"e"

Do #ot pre$i&t the e:a&t o%t&o4e o5 a# e:peri4e#t' 7%t o#)y

that the gro%p" <e are te"ti#g <i)) $iBer(
Chara&teri"ti&" o5 the *e"ear&h
Hypothe"i"
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
18

Dire&tio#a) ver"%" No#$ire&tio#a) *e"ear&h

Hypothe"e"

@hi&h type o5 hypothe"i" "ho%)$ yo% &hoo"eD

I5 the theory yo% are te"ti#g &a))" 5or it' a#$ yo% are
relatively certain o5 yo%r pre$i&tio#' a $ire&tio#a)
hypothe"i" i#&rea"e" the &ha#&e" o5 2#$i#g a "tati"ti&a))y
"ig#i2&a#t re"%)t(

1 4ore &o#"ervative approa&h %"i#g a #o#$ire&tio#a)

hypothe"i" 4ay 4a3e it ")ight)y 4ore $iH&%)t to a&hieve
"tati"ti&a) "ig#i2&a#&e' but pre"e#t" )e"" pote#tia) 5or
$i"appoi#t4e#t <ith the o%t&o4e o5 a re"ear&h pro8e&t(
Chara&teri"ti&" o5 the *e"ear&h
Hypothe"i"
Copyright 20! Pear"o# E$%&atio#' I#&(' Upper Sa$$)e *iver' N+ 0,-./( 1)) right"
re"erve$(
19

1 Ne< Cie< o5 Hypothe"i" Te"ti#g

Pro&tor a#$ Capa)$i =200> &o#te#$ that hypothe"i" te"ti#g

i" #ot a "i4p)e aBairI the i4porta#&e o5 the re"ear&h
pro7)e4 or pro4i"e o5 the re"ear&h progra4 4ay $i&tate
<hether re"ear&her <i)) "tay <ith a pro7)e4 eve# i5
hypothe"e" i#itia))y $i"&o#2r4e$(

Hypothe"i" te"ti#g i#vo)vi#g a theory &a# 7e har45%) i5 $o#e

too "oo# i# it" $eve)op4e#t <he# re)eva#t varia7)e" #ot
3#o<# a#$ it 4ay 7e ea"y to $i"&o#2r4 a hypothe"i"(

1rg%e that re"ear&her" #ever a7)e to o7tai# a &)ear9&%t te"t

o5 a hypothe"i" a#y<ay(

S%gge"t that re"ear&her" %"e 4ore i#$%&tive )ogi& <he# a

theory i" #e< a#$ )et the $ata 7e their g%i$e(