Psychology and the Scientific Theory

 

Psychology is the study of mental processes and behavior using the scientific method (Lauraete online education, 2016).  So, in order for psychology to qualify as a science, it should follow the scientific method of acquisition and creation of knowledge. Moreover, a method is considered scientific when it is contrasted with reality and explained with facts (On the method of psychology. an introduction to the comparative methodology of scientific research, 2014). Empirical science follows the hypothetic deductive method, where observations are used to generate hypotheses, which are then tested (Hyunjung & Ikseon, 2018).

In general, psychological research is either trying to describe or explain mental phenomena (Lauraete online education, 2016). Such research requires psychological questions to be approached either through quantitative, or qualitative, or both research methods (Lauraete online education, 2016). Qualitative research is usually descriptive in nature and is either used to formulate hypotheses or used for interpreting data and psychological phenomena (Denzin & Lincoln). Moreover, some qualitative data sources are: secondary data analysis, in depth interviews, and observations (Laureate online education, 2016). As for quantitative research, it’s numerical in nature, where information and findings can be expressed in numbers, and is used to test and explain hypotheses (Babbie, 2010). Some quantitative data sources are surveys, questionnaires, experiments, etc. (Laureate online education, 2016).

The following example will demonstrate the application of the hypothetic deductive method in psychological research:

A team of researchers observed that labor productivity in open office space environments was higher than similar companies that used cubicles and separated office space. (Kima, Candidoa, Thomas, & Deara, 2016)

Based on that observation a list of research questions was presented, which were:

a.       How strong is the correlation between non-territorial work environment and employee productivity? (correlational/quantitative)

b.      Why do open office spaces have a positive effect on productivity? (explanatory/qualitative)

In reference to the presented research questions, a literature review on the topic of productivity was conducted, and evidence of a strong causal relationship between productivity and low levels of anxiety was demonstrated (C.A., P., A., S.S., & L., 2014). Building on the observation and literature review, the following hypotheses are set to be tested and falsified:

H (a): Non-territorial office spaces are highly correlated to employee productivity.

H0 (a): Productivity level in non-territorial and closed office spaces is the same.

H (b) workers in open office spaces have lower levels of anxiety than those in closed office spaces.

H0 (b) workers in open and closed office spaces have similar levels of anxiety.

A series of experiments and surveys were devised to test the above hypotheses quantitatively.

In the above example we used two types of hypotheses, the hypothesis H (a) and H (b) and the null hypothesis H0 (a) and H0 (b). The directional hypothesis is the speculative statement which is being tested; the null hypothesis’s aim is to falsify the hypothesis (Gonzalez, 2018).

The findings of the above example should be presented in a scientific report, which includes:

·         Title of the research

·         Author’s name and affiliation

·         Abstract

·         Introduction

·         Research methods

·         Results

·         A critical analysis of the results, their limitations and suggestions

·         Reference and citations

The report is also reviewed by an editor, or peer reviewed, or both prior to publication (Laureate online education, 2016).

References

Babbie, E. R. (2010). Organizing your social sciences research paper: quantitative methods. Retrieved July 19, 2018, from UCS Library: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/quantitative

C.A., B., P., V., A., V. S., S.S., T., & L., H.-V. R. (2014). Health-related quality of life and productivity losses in patients with depression and anxiety disorders. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine., 56:420-424.

Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (n.d.). Organizing your social sciences research paper: qualitative methods. Retrieved 7 19, 2018, from UCS Libraries: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/qualitative

Gonzalez, K. (2018). What is a null hypothesis? - definition & examples. Retrieved 7 19, 2018, from Study: https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-null-hypothesis-definition-examples.html

Hyunjung, J., & Ikseon, C. (2018). The role of argumentation in hypothetico-deductive reasoning during problem-based learning in medical education: a conceptual framework. Interdisciplinary Journal Of Problem-Based Learning, 12.

Kima, J., Candidoa, C. a., Thomas, L., & Deara, R. d. (2016). Desk ownership in the workplace: The effect of non-territorial working on employee workplace satisfaction, perceived productivity and health. Building and Environment, 103:203-214.

Lauraete online education. (2016, December 20). Week 2: the scientific status of psychology. part 1 science hypotheses and theories. the scientific method. part 1. Mind, Brain and Behavior. Netherlands: Laureate Online Education B.V.

Laureate online education. (2016, December 20). Week 2: the scientific status of psychology. part 1 science hypotheses and theories. The scientific method. part 2. Mind, Brain and Behavior. Netherlands: Laureate Online Education B.V.

Laureate online education. (2016, November 10). Week 3: the scientific status of psychology. Part 2 quantitative and qualitative methods in psychology. Mind, Brain and Behavior. Netherlands: Laureate Online Education B.V.

Laureate online education. (2016, November 10). Week 4: The scientific status of psychology. Part 3 sources of data and evidence in psychology. Mind, Brain and Behavior. Netherlands: Laureate Online Education B.V.

Laureate online education. (2016, November 10). Week 4: the scientific status of psychology. part 3 the scientific report. Mind, Brain and Behavior. Netherlands: Laureate Online Education B.V.

On the method of psychology. an introduction to the comparative methodology of scientific research. (2014). Poznań studies in the philosophy of the sciences and the humanities, p. 61.