Research, Statistics and Psychology

Research, Statistics and Psychology

Neil Armstrong once said “Research here is exploration and discovery. It’s investigating (something that) no one knows or understands. Research here is creating new knowledge.” (NASA, 2005). Although he was speaking about the space flight programs, his words are true for all types of research. Researchers use the scientific method to formulate his or her research. Then, researchers use statistics to help analyze some of the data collected. Data and statistics are used to help see the results of research as a whole.

The Scientific Method and Research

In the late nineteenth century, American researchers were introduced to the scientific method (Tang, Coffey, Elby,  & Levin, 2010). The scientific method is an approach to systematically acquire knowledge and data. Using this method, researchers typically follow a four step process (McGraw-Hill, 2011). First, a problem is identified and usually posed as a question. Next, an explanation is formed and a study is designed. The research is carried out, data is collected and analyzed. The data obtained can either support or refute the explanation formed. The researcher then communicates his or her findings.

The central component of the scientific method is research (McGraw-Hill, 2011). Research is the systematic inquiry used to discover new knowledge. There are two methods of research. The first is descriptive research, the collection of information about a person, group or pattern of behavior. Descriptive research is divided into five sub-methods. These include archival research, naturalistic research, survey research, case studies, and correlation research. The second main method of research is experimental research. This is the method where experiments are conducted and a variable is usually manipulated.

Primary and Secondary Data

Data, the factual information that is used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation, is the result of research (Merriam-Webster, 2012). Data can be primary or secondary. Primary data consists of facts and information collected first – hand for the intended investigation or study. Secondary data is facts and information collected by another person for another purpose. Primary data cannot be found in other places since the researcher is gathering it specifically for his or her current research project. Secondary data, however, can save the researcher time that would be spent conducting research but would not be collected for the current study only. Secondary data generally is found in published sources and is found to be useful in the current analysis. There are two main methods of gathering primary data (Rabianski, 2003). These methods are direct observation and questioning of individuals. There are more issues surrounding secondary data. These issues are accuracy, bias, validity, reliability and appropriateness. There are errors that can make some data unreliable. These errors are manipulation, contamination (by confusion, carelessness or by not showing proper judgment), and concept error. According to Rabianski (2003), concept error is error that arises because if there is a difference between the concept to be measured and the specific items used to measure the concept.

Statistics in Research

Researchers use statistics to organize, analyze and summarize the data they have collected (Baltimore County Public Schools, 2012). Statistics is the science of collecting, analyzing and making inferences from data. Statistics is also used as a way of pursuing the truth (Aron, Aron,  & Coups, 2009). There are two branches of statistics: descriptive and inferential. Statistics is helpful in research in many ways. One way is that statistics help the researcher understand and describe the hypothesis in his or her study. Another way statistics is helpful is that it helps the researcher reach reliable conclusions about the study. Statistical methods are used psychology. These methods are used to help them make sense of the numerical data obtained during research.  

Conclusion

The words of Mr. Armstrong are true. Research is exploration and discovery. Research is investigating something that no one knows or understands. Research is creating new knowledge. Through the systematic procedure known as the scientific method, research and experiments are carried out. Data is collected and then analyzed using various methods including statistics. Research in Psychology is an exploration and discovery of new knowledge.

References

Aron, A., Aron, E. N., & Coups, E. J. (2009). Statistics for psychology (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Baltimore County Public Schools. (2012). The Role of Statistics in Research. Retrieved from http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/researchcourse/statistics_role.html

McGraw-Hill (2011). Psychsmart. New York, NY: Author.

Merriam-Webster. (2012). Data. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/data

NASA. (2005, October 21). A long-overdue tribute. Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/X-Press/stories/2005/102105_Wings_prt.htm

Rabianski, J. S. (2003). Primary and Secondary Data: Concepts, Concerns, Errors and Issues. Appraisal Journal, 71(1), 43-55.

Tang, X., Coffey, J. E., Elby, A., & Levin, D. M. (2010). The Scientific Method and Scientific Inquiry: Tensions in teaching and learning. Science Education, 94(1), 29-47. doi:10.1002/sce.20366

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