PSYB01H3 Lecture Notes - Pseudoscience, Nomological Network, Spurious Relationship
Document Summary
Origins of the scientific method is traced of philosophy known as empirism, which holds that knowledge is gained through experience, observation, and experiment. Empirical: denote information referred to as data because it can be measured and evaluated statistically. Empirical evidence differs from anecdotal evidence, which refers to impressions or opinions of just one person. The scientific method is crucial to research because it minimized bias by providing the rules by which observations are collected and results are evaluated. Bias: familiar term that often indicates unfair practices that wrongly discriminate against others. Observation: balance between focus and openness and serendipity effect. Questions that are researchable, some questions may deal with topics for which the scientific method is moot. A theory generates hypothesis, which are evaluated empirically with the scientific method. A testable hypothesis is framed as a statement, often in the form of a prediction that is made prior to the actual collection of data.
