Fundamentals of Research Methodology
Fundamentals of Research Methodology
Melody Ann Lovelace
University of Phoenix
Research Methodology
Psych 540
Rachel Rosenblatt, PsyD
April 13, 2009
Fundamentals of Research Methodology
Being in what is known as an information age, research has taken new strides and development. Several electronic databases are full of an array of journals and many search engines exist to allow individuals to active investigate and study the diverse pages of written materials for any specific topic at the click of a button. Despite these expanding capabilities to maneuver around the diverse data, the scientific method is a crucial tool in the study of psychology. This discussion will include an overview of the science of psychology, explain the scientific method, give an explanation to distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data, and explain the process of scientific theory construction and testing (Psych540 Syllabus).
Science of Psychology and Scientific Method
The word psychology begins in ancient Greece that derives from two Greek word, psyche and logos. With the latter meaning “the study of” and the first meaning “mind” (Abra, 1998). Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes; truly born with the first psychology lab of Wilhelm Wundt (Van Wagner, 2009). A psychologist will adopt similar techniques or approach as other scientists in other science disciplines. For example, the nuclear physicists study the structure of the atoms but cannot directly study the proton directly; the psychologist sees human behavior directly and uses this as clues to the unseen working of the brain (BBC, 2009).
Although psychology had emerged as a separate discipline, psychology lies as an intercept for several other sciences like philosophy, sociology, physics, and biology to name a few, (BBC, 2009). The psychologist uses the scientific methods to help process and uncover new developments about mental health, processes and
Melody Ann Lovelace
University of Phoenix
Research Methodology
Psych 540
Rachel Rosenblatt, PsyD
April 13, 2009
Fundamentals of Research Methodology
Being in what is known as an information age, research has taken new strides and development. Several electronic databases are full of an array of journals and many search engines exist to allow individuals to active investigate and study the diverse pages of written materials for any specific topic at the click of a button. Despite these expanding capabilities to maneuver around the diverse data, the scientific method is a crucial tool in the study of psychology. This discussion will include an overview of the science of psychology, explain the scientific method, give an explanation to distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data, and explain the process of scientific theory construction and testing (Psych540 Syllabus).
Science of Psychology and Scientific Method
The word psychology begins in ancient Greece that derives from two Greek word, psyche and logos. With the latter meaning “the study of” and the first meaning “mind” (Abra, 1998). Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes; truly born with the first psychology lab of Wilhelm Wundt (Van Wagner, 2009). A psychologist will adopt similar techniques or approach as other scientists in other science disciplines. For example, the nuclear physicists study the structure of the atoms but cannot directly study the proton directly; the psychologist sees human behavior directly and uses this as clues to the unseen working of the brain (BBC, 2009).
Although psychology had emerged as a separate discipline, psychology lies as an intercept for several other sciences like philosophy, sociology, physics, and biology to name a few, (BBC, 2009). The psychologist uses the scientific methods to help process and uncover new developments about mental health, processes and
References: (2009). What is psychology. Retrieved April 12, 2009, from BBC Web site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/psychology/what_is_psychology.shtml Abra, J. (1998). Should psychology be a science?. Greenwood Publishing Group. Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., & Zechmeister, J. S. (2005). Research methodology in psychology, seventh edition. New York : McGraw Hill Companies. Van Wagner, K. (2009). What is psychology. Retrieved April 12, 2009, from About.com Web site: http://psychology.about.com/od/psychology101/f/psychfaq.htm