What Is Research?
At its core, research is a systematic process of gathering information (data) to answer
questions and test ideas.
The key word is systematic.
Research is not:
● Guessing
● Personal opinions
● Random observations
● "I think this is true"
Research is:
● Planned
● Organized
● Evidence-based
● Replicable by other researchers
Think of research as being similar to a detective investigation.
A detective does not simply say:
"I think this person committed the crime."
Instead, they:
1. Form a suspicion (hypothesis)
2. Collect evidence
3. Analyze evidence
4. Draw conclusions
Researchers follow the same logic.
What Is a Hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested using evidence.
It is an educated prediction about a relationship between variables.
Example
, "Male and female psychology students differ in self-esteem."
This is a hypothesis because we can test it.
We can:
1. Measure self-esteem in males.
2. Measure self-esteem in females.
3. Compare the scores.
4. Determine whether a difference exists.
Because evidence can support or contradict it, this is a scientific hypothesis.
Why Must a Hypothesis Be Testable?
A hypothesis is only useful if there is a realistic way to collect data about it.
Scientists use the principle of falsifiability.
A statement is falsifiable if it could potentially be shown to be wrong through evidence.
Good Hypothesis
"There is a statistically significant difference in self-esteem scores between male
and female psychology students."
Why is this good?
Because:
● We know who to study (psychology students)
● We know what to measure (self-esteem)
● We can collect data
● We can analyze the results statistically
Everything is observable and measurable.
Poor Hypothesis
"Gender differences in self-esteem develop in the womb for some individuals."
, Why is this poor?
Because it is extremely difficult—or perhaps impossible—to directly test.
Questions arise:
● How do we measure self-esteem in a fetus?
● How do we observe psychological development in the womb?
● What data would prove the statement false?
If we cannot realistically collect evidence, the statement is not useful as a scientific
hypothesis.
The Importance of Falsifiability
One of the most important ideas in science is:
A scientific claim must be capable of being proven wrong.
This sounds strange at first.
Many people think science tries to prove things right.
Actually, science works by trying to see whether ideas survive repeated testing.
For example:
Hypothesis:
"Coffee improves memory."
Researchers test it.
Possible outcomes:
● Evidence supports it.
● Evidence does not support it.
Either outcome teaches us something.
Research Does Not "Prove" Things
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings students have.
At its core, research is a systematic process of gathering information (data) to answer
questions and test ideas.
The key word is systematic.
Research is not:
● Guessing
● Personal opinions
● Random observations
● "I think this is true"
Research is:
● Planned
● Organized
● Evidence-based
● Replicable by other researchers
Think of research as being similar to a detective investigation.
A detective does not simply say:
"I think this person committed the crime."
Instead, they:
1. Form a suspicion (hypothesis)
2. Collect evidence
3. Analyze evidence
4. Draw conclusions
Researchers follow the same logic.
What Is a Hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested using evidence.
It is an educated prediction about a relationship between variables.
Example
, "Male and female psychology students differ in self-esteem."
This is a hypothesis because we can test it.
We can:
1. Measure self-esteem in males.
2. Measure self-esteem in females.
3. Compare the scores.
4. Determine whether a difference exists.
Because evidence can support or contradict it, this is a scientific hypothesis.
Why Must a Hypothesis Be Testable?
A hypothesis is only useful if there is a realistic way to collect data about it.
Scientists use the principle of falsifiability.
A statement is falsifiable if it could potentially be shown to be wrong through evidence.
Good Hypothesis
"There is a statistically significant difference in self-esteem scores between male
and female psychology students."
Why is this good?
Because:
● We know who to study (psychology students)
● We know what to measure (self-esteem)
● We can collect data
● We can analyze the results statistically
Everything is observable and measurable.
Poor Hypothesis
"Gender differences in self-esteem develop in the womb for some individuals."
, Why is this poor?
Because it is extremely difficult—or perhaps impossible—to directly test.
Questions arise:
● How do we measure self-esteem in a fetus?
● How do we observe psychological development in the womb?
● What data would prove the statement false?
If we cannot realistically collect evidence, the statement is not useful as a scientific
hypothesis.
The Importance of Falsifiability
One of the most important ideas in science is:
A scientific claim must be capable of being proven wrong.
This sounds strange at first.
Many people think science tries to prove things right.
Actually, science works by trying to see whether ideas survive repeated testing.
For example:
Hypothesis:
"Coffee improves memory."
Researchers test it.
Possible outcomes:
● Evidence supports it.
● Evidence does not support it.
Either outcome teaches us something.
Research Does Not "Prove" Things
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings students have.
