Learning Objectives

These are the concepts and the learning objectives for Chapter 2. Read them carefully as part of your preliminary survey of the chapter.

The Scientific Method

1. Describe the scientific method approach. (pp. 30-32)

2. Distinguish between theory and hypothesis and describe the role of each in scientific inquiry. (pp. 31-32)

Psychological Research

3. Define research and distinguish between archival, naturalistic observation, survey, and case study research methods. (pp. 33-36)

4. Describe how correlational research determines the relationship between two sets of variables. (pp. 36-37)

5. Define the key elements common to all experiments, including independent and dependent variables, experimental and control groups, random assignment of participants, and a hypothesis that links the variables. (pp. 37-40)

6. Discuss the importance of statistical techniques used to establish whether the outcome of an experiment is significant. (p. 41)

7. Discuss the importance of replicating experiments and testing the limits of theories and hypotheses for proving the existence of a causal relationship between variables in specific circumstances. (p. 42)

Research Challenges: Exploring the Process

8. Describe the ethical concerns involving the welfare of human and animal participants in scientific research. (pp. 43-46)

9. Identify the possible sources of experimental bias and discuss techniques used to safeguard against them. (p. 47)

10. Apply the knowledge of scientific methods to evaluate how well research supports particular findings. (pp. 47-48)