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Exam 1: Psychological Research: the Whys and Hows of the Scientific Method and Data

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Question 1

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The parsimony canon of the scientific method states that

A) the simplest explanation of a phenomenon is most likely to be correct.
B) observation is the best way of gaining new knowledge.
C) phenomena have observable causes.
D) explanations of phenomena should be able to be falsified if they are incorrect.

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Question 2

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What are the four canons of the scientific method? Explain how each canon is used in scientific research.

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Empiricism - observations are made to learn about behavior Determinism - observable phenomena are assumed to have observable causes - thus, determinism is used in psychological research to test causal explanations about behavior Parsimony - simpler explanations are tested before more complex explanations are pursued because simpler explanations are easier to test Testability - studies are designed in such a way to allow explanations to be falsified in order to avoid the positive test bias

Question 3

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The ____________ provides) a general "how to" guide for psychologists designing research studies, because they help us conduct good tests of our explanations of the causes of behaviors and further our understanding of why certain behaviors occur.

Explain why the scientific method is not used to determine if an afterlife exists after death.

One reason that Freud's theories of personality have not been more influential in the field of psychology is that

Who was an influential scientist who used observations to understand the world?

What helps scientists test their ideas more easily, because it is easier to develop a study that might falsify a simple explanation than to develop a study that might falsify a more complex explanation?

The method of gaining knowledge that is most likely to yield accurate information is

As you encounter descriptions of psychological research, you may find that not all research fits neatly into basic or applied categories.

There are six primary facets or canons i.e., rules or principles that guide a field of study) that define the scientific method.

External validity is typically more important for ________ research than for _________ research.

When we ask people to complete a survey we are using __________ to learn about behavior.

Research is the foundation of the field of psychology.

What is the difference between basic and applied research? In what ways do these types of research interact in the field of psychology?

The applications of basic research may not be obvious when it is initially conducted.

Relying on the works of Plato and Aristotle for knowledge about the world is an example of what way of knowing?

Early neuroscientists conducted _______ research studies to understand how neurons function.

Deciding it must be raining because you felt it would rain today is an example of which method of knowing?

Deciding it must be raining because you hear thunder is an example of which method of knowing?

A psychologist investigating the research question "Which neurotransmitters affect depressive behaviors?" is most likely conducting __________ research.