CHAPTER 1: STATISTICS AND THE SCIENTIFIC

METHOD
I. Scientific Method
II. Types of Logic
III. Parameter Estimation
Theory A scientific theory explains
IV. Description
through an integrated set
V. Experimentation
of principles that
VI. Calculations
organizes and predicts
VII. Statistics
Sidayen, J. (2021). Statistics and the Scientific Method [18*]. BS
behavior or events
Psychology, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Hypothesis Identifying a testable
prediction based on the
Science theory
• Derived from Latin “to know” Testing • Doing the actual
• Way of asking and answering questions research by
• Seeking answers to questions about natural application of the
phenomena (we are therefore limited to what kinds hypothesis
of questions we ask) • Using statistics to infer
• Scientific thinking reduces emotional reactions characterizations
ALL THREE INTERCONNECTED
The Scientific Method • Separate, yet inform each other
• Relies on objective assessment for knowledge • Method moves in a circle
• Uses scientific experiments to gain knowledge
• Data forces scientist to reject or accept their own Types of Logic
theories Inductive Reasoning
• Derive generalizations based on specific
observations
Deductive Reasoning
• Specific predictions follow from general premise

Parameter Estimation
• Actual characteristics of a population are inferred
based on measuring a subset of that population
Population: Full group that a researcher is studying
Sample: Subset of that group that is actually studied
in a particular experiment
Subject: Individual from a particular sample

Figure 1.1

Inference
• Drawing conclusions about a larger group based
on data from a smaller subgroup
Calculations
Data: Measurements made on individual subjects
within a sample
Statistics: Number calculated on data which gives us
information about the sample
Parameter: Number calculated which gives us
information about a population

Statistics
• Describing a sample set of data by using
mathematical measures to characterize it
• Descriptive: Techniques used to accurately
Description describe a set of data
• Inferential: Techniques used to make inferences
Random Sample about a particular data set
• A sample that fairly represents a population
because each member has an equal chance of
inclusion

Experimentation
Experiment
• An investigator manipulates one or more factors
(independent variables) to observe their effect on
some behavior or mental process (dependent
variable)

Independent Variable
• The experimental factor that is manipulated
• The variable whose effect is being studied

Dependent Variable
• The experimental factor that may change in
response to manipulations of the independent
variable
• In Psychology, it is usually a behavior or mental
process