Why Science Matters Understanding the Methods of Psychological Research

by Proctor, Robert W.; Capaldi, E. J.

• ISBN13: 9781405130493
• ISBN10: 1405130490
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-10
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Why Science Matters: Understanding the Methods of Psychological Research rises above standard research methods texts by presenting an up-to-date view of contemporary psychological science as it is currently understood and practiced. Unlike available methodology texts, this book explores not only the procedural aspects of psychological research, but also delves into the issue of how to accomplish effective science. Intended as a supplement for undergraduate and graduate research methodology study, the text provides additional training on contemporary scientific methodology and its historical antecedents. Incorporating new investigatory procedures, current methodologists, conflicts, and issues, implications of the philosophy of science, and a lively prose style, Why Science Matters provides a picture of science that will engage students and expand their abilities as both scientists and psychologists.

Author Biography

Robert W. Proctor is Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychological Science at Purdue University at West Lafayette. He has been teaching and conducting research in the field of attention and human performance for nearly 30 years. His publications include Attention: Theory and Practice (with Addie Johnson, 2003) and Skill Acquisition and Human Performance (with Addie Johnson, 1995).

E. J. Capaldi is Distinguished Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychological Science at Purdue University. Dr. Capaldi is a leading researcher in the field of learning and memory. He is the co-author of numerous articles and contributor to books such as The Blackwell Handbook to Research Methods of Experimental Psychology.

Table of Contents

Preface for Instructors	viii
Preface for Students	x
Part 1: Major Methodological Changes in Science from Antiquity to the Present	1	(54)
Understanding Science: The Armchair versus Practice	3	(17)
Introduction	3	(1)
Justification of methodological practices	4	(4)
Precursors to contemporary science: an historical overview	8	(6)
Research paradigms, programs, and traditions	14	(2)
Naturalism: a brief introduction	16	(2)
Remainder of book	18	(1)
Chapter summary	19	(1)
Major Issues to Emerge in 20th Century Approaches to Science	20	(19)
Introduction	20	(1)
Logical positivism	21	(5)
Operationism	26	(1)
Popper's falsificationism	27	(6)
Kuhn's psychologism and historicism	33	(5)
Chapter summary	38	(1)
Methodology in the Postpositivist Era	39	(16)
Introduction	39	(2)
Naturalism in science	41	(2)
Lakatos's sophisticated falsificationism	43	(3)
Laudan's research traditions and normative naturalism	46	(3)
Giere's cognitive approach	49	(2)
The rise of relativism	51	(3)
Chapter summary	54	(1)
Part 2: Naturalism and Modern Science	55	(64)
Theory Testing	57	(22)
Introduction	57	(1)
Scientific theory	58	(2)
Types of theory	60	(3)
Hypothesis testing	63	(7)
Induction and deduction	70	(2)
Abduction and theory construction	72	(6)
Chapter summary	78	(1)
Inference to the Best Explanation	79	(17)
Introduction	79	(2)
Evaluating theories: a critical evaluation of criteria	81	(2)
Resolution of ambiguity over time	83	(2)
Natural selection	85	(4)
Brain function and cognitive neuroscience	89	(3)
Consilience	92	(3)
Chapter summary	95	(1)
The New Means of Understanding Science	96	(23)
Introduction	96	(1)
Empirical methods for better understanding science, scientific practice, and scientists	97	(21)
Chapter summary	118	(1)
Part 3: Applying Naturalism to Contemporary Methodological Issues in Psychology	119	(76)
Postmodernism and the Rejection of the Conventional Conception of Science	121	(21)
Introduction	121	(1)
Underdetermination and incommensurability	122	(4)
Postmodernism	126	(11)
Our critique	137	(4)
Chapter summary	141	(1)
Qualitative Research Methods	142	(22)
Introduction	142	(3)
Rationale for qualitative methods	145	(6)
Varieties of qualitative methods	151	(12)
Chapter summary	163	(1)
Critical Evaluation of Qualitative Inquiry's Approach to Qualitative Methods	164	(16)
Introduction	164	(3)
Justification of qualitative methods	167	(3)
Misunderstanding of positivism	170	(2)
Specific positions of qualitative researchers	172	(7)
Chapter summary	179	(1)
Internal and External Validity	180	(15)
Introduction	180	(3)
Applications of scientific psychology	183	(4)
Scientific psychology opposes pseudoscience	187	(4)
Chapter and book summary	191	(4)
References	195	(15)
Glossary of Terms	210	(7)
Glossary of Names	217	(4)
Author Index	221	(5)
Subject Index	226