PSYB01H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Milgram Experiment, Meteorology, Moral Imperative
Document Summary
Provides an objective set of rules for gathering, evaluating, and reporting information . More you know about scientific method, the more skeptical you will be of research results. Ideas must be evaluated based on careful logic and results from scientific investigations. Conclusions about the nature of the world based on collection and evaluation of data that is evaluated in a systemic way. Scientific method provides many rules for collection and evaluation of data. Inferences of cause and effect require: temporal precedence: causal variable should precede the effect. Covariation: when cause present, effect occurs; when cause not present, effect does not occur. Demonstrated in experiment when subjects in experimental condition show effect and those in control do not: elimination of plausible alternative explanations nothing other than causal variable could be responsible for observed effect. Explanation of behaviour: description, prediction, causality, and explanation all closely related. Explanation may be deemed inaccurate when new causes found: ambiguity in science.
