Research and Statistics

Research and Statistics

The role of research and statistics using the scientific method is essential to prove any hypothesis in psychology. Research consists of gathering either primary or secondary data or both to determine truth in any field of science. Statistics provide a method of refining evidence to remove margins of error in any kind of research. This paper will explain the scientific method along with research and statistics and their role in psychology.

The Scientific Method

According to Charles G. Morris and Albert A. Maisto (2005, p.9, Psychology as Science, para.1) psychologists use the scientific method to answer questions. The scientific method is to collect data and develop a theory, develop hypotheses from that theory, and further test those hypotheses using the empirical method. The scientific method is a way to describe, understand, predict and gain some control over an area of study.

Research

Everyone understands the word research in terms of a way to learn about something. However, in psychology research that is well done has certain characteristics. Morris and Maisto (2005) explain psychological research has four essential characteristics. First, observations must have a theoretical framework (a method to organize and explain observations) that brings forth a hypothesis from a question or a theory. Second, the research must have a procedure in use, which treats the subjects in the same way (an exception is a variation for testing a hypothesis). Third, a sample of the population must provide a general truth about that population. Fourth, reliability is important through consistent results from measures that are valid. (p. 32, figure 2.2)

The Collection of Data

The data for research comes from primary and secondary sources. Primary data comes from the efforts of the researcher through many methods such as questionnaires or interviews. Secondary data is from information that is already available such as information from other research projects, books or any data collected using proper research methods. Data from either primary or secondary sources are problematic.

Dana L. Driscoll (2006, Common Pitfalls of Primary Research, para. 1-7) explains several common issues plaguing researchers in the use of primary data as follows:

• · Assumptions - Researchers may assume the results of primary data apply to all people in a population group. This over-generalization may be inaccurate because people and situations change over time.
• · Bias- Surveys or questionnaires if not carefully thought through might contain bias towards certain people or groups.
• · Correlation- Some results may have some relation, however, assuming this means one causes the other might be inaccurate.
• · Limitation of Factors- Each research topic must include enough of the factors affecting results to achieve a reliable result.
• · Validity- Results may contain information coming from individuals who are not serious about answering questions, therefore, careful examination is necessary.
• · Truth- When questions are about behavior people may be inaccurate in their answers to avoid a negative impression.

John Culbert (2004, p. 1, Limitations of Secondary Data) points out secondary data came from research with a different aim, the meaning of statistics may be vague, and data may have become obsolete.

Statistics in Research

Arthur Aron, Elaine N. Aron and Elliot Coups (2006) sum up the role of statistics in research with this quote, "Statistics is a method of pursuing truth" (p. 2, para. 1). Aron et al. (2006, p. 2, para. 3-4) go on to explain psychologists collect data in numbers. Statistics give meaning to those numbers. Psychologists use statistics in many ways but the two main methods are descriptive and inferential. Descriptive statistics describe the numbers from research to give them understanding. Inferential statistics help psychologists determine the implication of numbers, make a conclusion, and form hypotheses that might be over and above the numbers.

Statistics in research are a way of making sense from data that has too many factors to be clearly observable. Having only one factor makes the results of a study easily understandable, however, the more factors or variables the more difficult the study becomes. For example, a study of how many golden Easter eggs made in Wisconsin would most likely involve few numbers and the result would be accurate. However, a study of the habits of all inhabitants of the United States would be quite intricate and statistics would be the only way to make sense of such a study.

Conclusion

In all areas of science, the scientific method is in use to do empirical research. Data, the result of all research, comes from the efforts of the researcher or from previous efforts of others. The results from primary and secondary sources must go through careful examination to ensure accuracy. However, regardless of where the results are from, the way to make them understandable is using statistics. People are the main base of all psychological research and because people are dynamic, changing, and evolving entities statistics are the only way to determine truth in their study.

References

Aron, A., Aron, E., & Coups, E. (2006). Statistics for psychology (4th Ed.) Upper Saddle River,

NJ: Pearson/Allyn Bacon

Culbert, J. (2004). Sources and uses of secondary data, RMS (research methods server),

Glasgow Caledonian University, Retrieved December 16, 2007 from

http://oassis.gcal.ac.uk/rms/irm/sd.html

Driscoll, D.L. (2006). The owl at purdue, Common pitfalls of primary research,

Retrieved December 16, 2007 from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/559/03/

Morris, C.G., Maisto, A.A. (2005). Psychology: an introduction, 12th Ed.,

[Electronic Edition], Prentice-Hall