Statistics and Quantitative Research Methods in Ps

• George Gunnesch-Luca presented Statistics and Quantitative Research Methods in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences on 5.03.2024
• Research Questions


  • Definition: A question that can be answered with evidence, which improves our understanding of the world
  • Key Characteristics: Answerability, Informative
• Theory


  • An explanation of why or how something happens
• Hypotheses


  • A specific, testable prediction derived from a theory
• Variables


  • Factors that can be changed or measured in a scientific study
• From Theory to Hypothesis

  1. Theory: An explanation of why or how something happens

  2. Hypothesis: A specific, testable prediction derived from a theory
• Theory to Hypothesis


  Hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction derived from a theory
• Why Start with a Research Question

  Avoids Data Mining, Improves Theory
• Sources of Research Questions

  • Curiosity
  • Theory
  • Observation
  • Opportunity
• How to Evaluate a Good Research Question

  Consider Potential Results, Consider Feasibility, Consider Scale, Consider Design, Keep It Simple
• Types of Research


  • Theoretical research
  • Applied research
  • Exploratory research
  • Historical research
  • Review research
• Empirical research involves collecting data through observation, experimentation, or other direct or indirect forms of measurement
• Empirical Research


  • Provides evidence-based knowledge about natural, social, or psychological phenomena
  • Aims to provide a scientific understanding of the world around us
• Types of Empirical Research

  • Experimental Research
  • Observational Research
  • Survey Research
• Observational Research involves observing and describing behavior or phenomena without manipulating any variables
• Survey Research involves collecting data from a sample of individuals through questionnaires, interviews, or other forms of direct communication
• Case Study Research involves in-depth analysis of a specific individual, group, or situation to gain insight into a particular phenomenon
• Speaker: 'George Gunnesch-Luca'
• Statistics and Quantitative Research Methods in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences

  5.03.2024
• Empirical research


  Involves a systematic process of data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Empirical research


  Researchers must carefully design their studies, collect data, and analyze it using appropriate statistical methods
• Empirical research


  The results must be presented in a clear and concise manner, with appropriate citations to support the findings
• Empirical Research vs. Everyday Data

  • Systematics and documentation of the procedure
  • Purpose
  • Terminology precision
  • Type of evaluation and interpretation of information
  • Verification of validity criteria
  • Dealing with theories
• Research procedure


  1. Exploration Phase - Develop the Question

  2. Theoretical Phase

  3. Planning Phase

  4. Investigation Phase

  5. Evaluation Phase

  6. Decision Phase
• Theories have the function of describing, explaining and predicting facts. At their core, social science theories consist of a network of proven hypotheses or recognized empirical “regularities”
• Theories as a Network of Hypotheses

  1. Hypotheses describe a presumed relationship or difference between characteristics or the change of characteristics

  2. Theories form a hypothesis network from the individual characteristics and hypotheses
• Theories and Laws


  1. Theory: Valid as long as it is not disproved

  2. Law: Always, everywhere
• Ethical Issues in Empirical Research
• Ethical Issues in Empirical Research

  • Weighing of benefits: scientific progress vs. human dignity
  • Personal responsibility
  • Duty to inform
  • Voluntary participation
  • Avoidance of psychological or physical harm
  • Anonymity of results
• Scientific Hypotheses: A scientific hypothesis is a testable, clear statement about what you think will happen in a science experiment that is based on your observations and prior knowledge
• A hypothesis must be testable and should be written before an experiment is conducted
• Criteria for a Scientific Hypothesis: Testable: A scientific hypothesis must be testable through empirical methods, such as experiments or observ
• Criteria for a Scientific Hypothesis

  • Testable
  • Falsifiable
  • Empirical
  • Specific
  • Parsimonious
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