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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 Matter provides a picture of science that will engage students and expand their abilities as both scientists and psychologists.
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 Matter provides a picture of science that will engage students and expand their abilities as both scientists and psychologists.
Preface for Instructors viii
Preface for Students x
Part 1: Major Methodological Changes in Science from Antiquity to the Present 1
Chapter 1: Understanding Science: The Armchair versus Practice 3
Introduction 3
Justification of methodological practices 4
Precursors to contemporary science: an historical overview 8
Research paradigms, programs, and traditions 14
Naturalism: a brief introduction 16
Remainder of book 18
Chapter summary 19
Chapter 2: Major Issues to Emerge in 20th Century Approaches to Science 20
Introduction 20
Logical positivism 21
Operationism 26
Popper’s falsificationism 27
Kuhn’s psychologism and historicism 33
Chapter summary 38
Chapter 3: Methodology in the Postpositivist Era 39
Introduction 39
Naturalism in science 41
Lakatos’s sophisticated falsificationism 43
Laudan’s research traditions and normative naturalism 46
Giere’s cognitive approach 49
The rise of relativism 51
Chapter summary 54
Part 2: Naturalism and Modern Science 55
Chapter 4: Theory Testing 57
Introduction 57
Scientific theory 58
Types of theory 60
Hypothesis testing 63
Induction and deduction 70
Abduction and theory construction 72
Chapter summary 78
Chapter 5: Inference to the Best Explanation 79
Introduction 79
Evaluating theories: a critical evaluation of criteria 81
Resolution of ambiguity over time 83
Natural selection 85
Brain function and cognitive neuroscience 89
Consilience 92
Chapter summary 95
Chapter 6: The New Means of Understanding Science 96
Introduction 96
Empirical methods for better understanding science, scientific practice, and scientists 97
Chapter summary 118
Part 3: Applying Naturalism to Contemporary Methodological Issues in Psychology 119
Chapter 7: Postmodernism and the Rejection of the Conventional Conception of Science 121
Introduction 121
Underdetermination and incommensurability 122
Postmodernism 126
Our critique 137
Chapter summary 141
Chapter 8: Qualitative Research Methods 142
Introduction 142
Rationale for qualitative methods 145
Varieties of qualitative methods 151
Chapter summary 163
Chapter 9: Critical Evaluation of Qualitative Inquiry’s Approach to Qualitative Methods 164
Introduction 164
Justification of qualitative methods 167
Misunderstanding of positivism 170
Specific positions of qualitative researchers 172
Chapter summary 179
Chapter 10: Internal and External Validity 180
Introduction 180
Applications of scientific psychology 183
Scientific psychology opposes pseudoscience 187
Chapter and book summary 191
References 195
Glossary of Terms 210
Glossary of Names 217
Author Index 221
Subject Index 226
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.
"This book is an excellent exposition of historical and
contemporary issues in the philosophy of science, and is
particularly useful for psychologists and other behavioral
scientists. Its core ideas will be useful to students,
practitioners, and researchers alike."
--Craig A. Anderson, Iowa State University
"This book provides a comprehensive, fascinating, and up-to date
account of what underlies the process of science. While there are
many books on the nature of science written by philosophers,
sociologists, historians and psychologists, this is the first
volume that provides a sweeping vista of all these different
approaches. Proctor and Capaldi have written a book that is a
must-have for anyone who wants to understand the enterprise that we
call science."
--Kevin Niall Dunbar, Dartmouth College"This is a sophisticated,
important, readable, and timely treatment of both the philosophy of
science and the science of psychology. It would be a valuable
addition to any advanced seminar on research methods in the
behavioral sciences."
--David Klahr, Carnegie Mellon University
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