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MasterWorld8694
Scientific problem solving has four components: Forming hypotheses…
Scientific problem solving has four components:
Forming hypotheses – We develop tentative predictions about the causes of behavior; hypotheses represent an attempt to resolve a discrepancy in our formal knowledge about the causes of behavior.
Defining variables operationally – We define research components in terms of operations in order to promote objectivity in observation and precision in measurement.
Conducting systematic or controlled investigations – We strive to reduce cause-effect explanations to their simplest possible forms. We often emphasize experimental comparisons as a preferred method for developing the sturdiest and most truthful cause-effect explanations. We carefully use control procedures to eliminate alternative explanations for any obtained results.
Interpreting results statistically – We use statistical analysis to help determine whether we have isolated the most important variables.
The following two badly designed experiments and the questions that follow will help you recognize research concepts and sharpen your ability to detect flaws in the experimental design.
Arlene wanted to increase the productivity of the clerical staff in her plant. She thought painting their cubicles blue (her favorite color) would increase their rate of work completion but that painting the cubicles yellow (a color she thought was harsh) would have no effect or might even slow down the clerical staff’s rate of completion. To test the idea she had the work cubicles in the Sales Department painted blue and those in the Public Relations Department painted yellow. Then she kept track of how many projects each department completed in the next three months. For the two-month period following the painting, the sales clerical staff dramatically outperformed the public relations staff in the number of projects completed.
What is the focal behavior of the study and how is it defined operationally?
What is the hypothesis?
What is the independent variable?
How is the dependant variable measured?
What measures are controlled?
Did the research measure what Arlene thought she measured?
John is intrigued by the relationship between frustration and aggression. He proposes to study whether socioeconomic status is a factor in how drivers express aggression when they are frustrated. John decides to employ a high-status car (a shiny new Mercedes) and a low-status car (a dented, rusted 1983 Volkswagon) as the stimuli in a “field” experiment on the roads near his home during a sunny April afternoon. He plans to drive the high-status car from 1 to 3 P.M. and the low-status car from 3 to 5 P.M. During these periods, he will linger when he has to stop for red lights and will move forward only when the car behind him honks. His research assistant, riding in the passenger seat, will time how long it takes the driver of the car behind the experimental car to honk. John believes drivers will take longer to honk when they are behind the Mercedes than when they are behind the Volkswagon. He thinks frustrated people will suppress their frustration and aggression when the person causing the frustration is of high socioeconomic status.
What is the focal behavior and how is it defined operationally?
What is the hypothesis?
What is the independent variable?
How is the dependent variable measured?
What variables are controlled?
What variables are not controlled?
How can the experiment be improved?
