Scientific Method

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The scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to explore observations and answer questions. It allows psychological data to be replicated and confirmed in many instances, under different circumstances, and by a variety of researchers. (Lumen Learning). Scientists have different versions of the Scientific Method, here are the typical six parts: Purpose- What do you want to learn? Research- Find out as much as you can. Hypothesis- Try to predict the answer to the problem. Experiment- The fun part! Design a test or procedure to confirm or disprove your hypothesis. Analysis- Record what happened during the experiment. Also known as ‘data’. Conclusion- Review the data and check to see if your hypothesis was correct. (https://sciencebob.com/what-are-the-steps-to-the-scientific-method/) …show more content…

Dependent variable (the one that alters because of what we do), in this case reaction time. The dependent variable is usually the one we measure or record. The problem is always remembering which is which, simply to think of the dependent variable as the one that depends on what the researcher does! In this case reaction time (DV) depends on whether or not the participant has had a cup of coffee. Crucially an experiment allows researchers to establish a causal link between the IV and the DV. Following an experimental procedure, scientists should be certain that the alteration they have made in the IV has caused the change in the DV. Internal (or experimental) Validity Are the effects that have been caused due to the independent variable? For example, if researchers found that coffee (the I.V.) does increase speed of reaction (the D.V.), can researchers be certain that this increase is due to the coffee or could it be due to a confounding variable such as the time of day or just faster reactions of the second group. Common confounding variables include, the intelligence of participants, personality, gender, time of day, weather or the temperature. Because of these confounding variables in an experiment the researcher can take steps to minimise these, for example they could ensure that the procedure is carried out at the same time of day, in the same room, with similar temperature