Transcript Chapter 1: Scientific Understanding of Behavior

Introduction to Research:
Scientific Understanding of
Behavior
RCS 6740
5/9/05
What is Research?

Main Entry: 1re·search
Pronunciation: ri-'s&rch, 'rE-"
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French recerche, from
recerchier to investigate thoroughly, from Old
French, from re- + cerchier to search -- Date:
1 : careful or diligent search
2 : studious inquiry or examination; especially :
investigation or experimentation aimed at the
discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of
accepted theories or laws in the light of new
facts, or practical application of such new or
revised theories or laws
3 : the collecting of information about a
particular subject
What is Scientific Research?

Kerlinger (1986),
“Scientific research is
systematic, controlled,
empirical, and critical
investigation of
natural phenomena
guided by theory and
hypotheses about the
presumed relations
among such
phenomena” (p. 10).

Or is it…?
“ committed to
understanding
social phenomena
from the actor’s
own perspective”
(Taylor & Bogdan,
1984, p. 1).
Pseudo-Research



Magazines: Cosmo Quizzes and
Studies
Newspapers: Gainesville Sun Polls,
CNN.com (Do you believe that a dog
could care for a baby?)
Internet: Keyword Cancer on Google
came up with 114,000,000 hits!!!
Why is Scientific Research
Important?
Helps us decide what is bull and
what is valid
 Provides us a means of addressing
and answering important questions
 Helps practitioners with treatment,
therapy, and medication choices
 Assists public policy decisions

Why is Scientific Research
Important Cont.
Influences judicial decisions (Study
by Clark & Clark, 1947, influenced
the landmark Brown vs. Board of
Education case)
 Determines whether or not programs
(public and private) are successfully
meeting their goals

The Scientific Approach vs.
Intuition

Intuition: Unquestionably accepting what
your own personal judgment or
experience tells you about the world.
Example: Since Dr. Saxon liked it, my
client will enjoy working at the chicken
factory.
Scientists understand that numerous
cognitive and motivational factors (that
affect our perceptions) lead to erroneous
conclusions.
The Scientific Approach vs.
Intuition Cont.
Illusionary Correlation: A cognitive
bias that occurs when we focus on
two events that stand out and occur
together.
 The scientific approach requires
much more evidence before any
conclusion can be drawn.

The Scientific Approach vs.
Authority
People too often accept information
from books, media, government
figures, and friends as being true.
 “Persuasion is achieved by the
speaker’s personal character when
the speech is so spoken as to make
him credible. We believe good men
(people) more fully and readily than
others.” (Aristotle)

The Scientific Approach vs.
Authority Cont.
The scientific approach rejects the
notion that one can accept on faith
the statements of any authority.
 Once again, more evidence is
needed!

Skepticism and Science
Scientists do recognize that intuition
and authority are sources of ideas
about behavior, but they never
blindly accept either without being
skeptical.
 How then, do scientists learn about
the world?

The Scientific Method and the
Empirical Approach


The fundamental characteristic of the
scientific method is empiricism (knowledge
based on observations).
Most importantly, the scientific method
embodies a number of rules for collecting,
evaluating, and reporting data
(observations put into measurable form).
These rules will be discussed in greater
detail as the course progresses.
The Scientific Method and the
Empirical Approach Cont.
Elements of Goodstein’s evolved
theory of science:
1. Observations accurately
reported to others
A. So that others can replicate the
study
B. So that others can see that the
data has not been fabricated.

The Scientific Method and the
Empirical Approach Cont.
2. Search for discovery and
verification of ideas:
A. Scientists search for observations
that will verify their ideas about the
world.
B. Scientists develop theories, argue
that existing data supports their
theories, and conduct research to
further support their theories.
The Scientific Method and the
Empirical Approach Cont.
3. Open exchange and competition
among ideas:
A. Research flourishes when there is
an open exchange of ideas.
B. Others should report findings not
supporting an ideas.
C. Even good ideas are not supported
by research. However, this leads to
new and more innovative ideas.
The Scientific Method and the
Empirical Approach Cont.
4. Peer Review of Research:
A. Ensures that only the best
research is published.
B. Ensures that research with major
flaws is not integrated into the
scientific community.
C. Allows others to build upon and
advance research.
Incorporating Intuition, Authority,
and Skepticism

1.
2.
3.
Acceptable use of beliefs or
opinions from a scientific
perspective:
They are presented as only opinions
or beliefs and not as fact
They are scientifically testable
There is scientific evidence that
supports the opinion or belief
Goals of Scientific Research
1.
2.
3.
4.
To Describe Behavior
To Predict Behavior
To Determine the Causes of
Behavior
To Understand or Explain Behavior
Describing Behavior


1.
2.
Researchers must first make careful
observations before they can
accurately describe behavior
Examples of Describing Behavior
Client can lift up to 10 pounds,
repeatedly, for one hour.
Mr. Smith becomes irritable when
discussing his previous employer.
Predicting Behavior


1.
2.
Once it has been observed (in a
scientific manner) that two events
are related to one another,
predictions can be generated.
Examples of predicting behavior:
The more attractive interviewee will
get the job.
Cats who eat Fancy Feast will
become extremely fat!
Determining the Causes of
Behavior
Predicting behavior does not mean
that a cause can be determined.
 In order to determine how to
change behavior, we must first
determine the cause of the behavior.
 Identification of the cause of
behavior requires three types of
evidence:

Determining the Causes of
Behavior Cont.
1.
2.
3.
Temporal Precedence: Temporal order of
events where the cause precedes the
effect
Covariation of the Cause and effect:
When the cause is present, the effect
occurs, when the cause is not present,
the effect does not occur
Alternative Explanations: There should
be no other plausible alternative
explanation for the relationship
Explanation of Behavior
Researchers seek to understand and
explain why behavior occurs
(Caregivers of people with stroke
may become depressed due to the
“burden of caregiving”).
 Causes and Explanations are closely
related but as new causes are
determined, new explanations are
necessary.

Basic and Applied Research

1.
2.
3.
Basic Research:
Answers fundamental questions about
the nature of behavior
Studies are often designed to address
theoretical issues such as cognition,
emotion, social behavior, and learning
Does not focus on immediate or practical
concerns as it seeks to gain knowledge
that may be of some value at a later
time
Basic and Applied Research Cont.

1.
2.
Applied Research:
Main focus is to address practical
problems and to find potential solutions
to such problems.
A major area of applied research is
called Program Evaluation where
research is used to evaluate social
reforms, government, the criminal
justice system, industry, schools, and
health care (FITE Program evaluation
example).
Basic vs. Applied Research
Neither one is superior to the other
 The progress of science depends on
the synergy between the two
 Both may cause the other to be
modified
 Both use the scientific method of
research
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