"The scientific method is an empirical method for acquiring knowledge that has characterized the development of science since at least the 17th century."
A process of inquiry that is used to test hypotheses through the formulation and testing of empirical predictions involving reliable and valid data.
Hypothesis Testing: This is a critical aspect of the scientific method wherein a researcher poses a testable hypothesis and then examines data to determine whether the hypothesis is correct or not.
Variables: Variables are any factors that may affect the results of an experiment, such as independent, dependent, and control variables.
Control Groups: A control group is a group that is used in an experiment to establish a baseline for comparison with the experimental group.
Experimental Design: This is the plan or blueprint for an experiment that outlines how the study will be conducted and what the researcher hopes to accomplish.
Statistical Analysis: This is the process by which data is analyzed to determine the significance of the results and whether or not the hypothesis has been supported.
Literature Reviews: Literature reviews are critical analyses of previous research on a topic, which help researchers to identify knowledge gaps and design more effective experiments.
Ethics: Ethics are the moral principles and values that guide the behavior of researchers to ensure that the rights and welfare of participants are protected.
Quantitative and Qualitative Research: Experimental psychology involves both quantitative and qualitative research methods, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses.
Sampling Techniques: Sampling techniques are methods used to select participants for a study, such as random and stratified sampling.
Instrumentation: Instrumentation refers to the tools, measures, or equipment used to collect data in a study, such as surveys, questionnaires, and physiological measurement devices.
Correlational studies: This involves researching the relationship between two variables. For example, researchers might examine whether people who watch more television tend to have lower grades in school.
Observational studies: Researchers observe people in their natural environment without manipulating any variables. For example, researchers may observe children playing on the playground to determine how they interact socially.
Laboratory experiments: Researchers manipulate variables in a controlled environment to determine cause-and-effect relationships. For example, researchers may test whether a new medication reduces symptoms of depression by randomly assigning some participants to receive the medication and others to receive a placebo.
Quasi-experiments: These are similar to experiments, but the researcher is unable to randomly assign participants to groups. For example, a researcher may compare the grades of students who attended different schools.
Case studies: Researchers investigate a single individual or group in depth. For example, a researcher may study a patient with a particular neurological condition to determine how it affects their behavior.
Meta-analyses: Researchers analyze data from multiple studies to draw a conclusion. For example, a meta-analysis may be conducted to determine the effectiveness of different treatments for a specific condition.
Longitudinal studies: Researchers study participants over an extended period, allowing them to observe changes over time. For example, a researcher may study how cognitive abilities change in individuals as they age.
"since at least the 17th century (with notable practitioners in previous centuries; see the article history of scientific method for additional detail.)"
"It involves careful observation, applying rigorous skepticism about what is observed, given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation."
"It involves formulating hypotheses, via induction, based on such observations; the testability of hypotheses, experimental and the measurement-based statistical testing of deductions drawn from the hypotheses."
"refinement (or elimination) of the hypotheses based on the experimental findings."
"Although procedures vary from one field of inquiry to another, the underlying process is frequently the same from one field to another."
"The process in the scientific method involves making conjectures (hypothetical explanations), deriving predictions from the hypotheses as logical consequences, and then carrying out experiments or empirical observations based on those predictions."
"A scientific hypothesis must be falsifiable, implying that it is possible to identify a possible outcome of an experiment or observation that conflicts with predictions deduced from the hypothesis; otherwise, the hypothesis cannot be meaningfully tested."
"The purpose of an experiment is to determine whether observations agree with or conflict with the expectations deduced from a hypothesis."
"Experiments can take place anywhere from a garage to a remote mountaintop to CERN's Large Hadron Collider."
"Though the scientific method is often presented as a fixed sequence of steps, it represents rather a set of general principles."
"Not all steps take place in every scientific inquiry (nor to the same degree)."
"They are not always in the same order."
"A hypothesis is a conjecture, based on knowledge obtained while seeking answers to the question."
"Scientists then test hypotheses by conducting experiments or studies."
"applying rigorous skepticism about what is observed, given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation."
"given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation."
"given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation."
"the testability of hypotheses, experimental and the measurement-based statistical testing of deductions drawn from the hypotheses."
"...the development of science since at least the 17th century... acquiring knowledge."