Research and Statistics in Psychology
Psychology uses statistics and research to validate or disapprove theories. Research is used to find answers to questions. The scientific method is important because it provides researchers with the steps they must take to find the answer they are looking for in a study. Statistics used prove or disprove theories or questions by using the collection of data and mathematics. Many types of research could be used to make the world a better or even healthier place, and this is why statistics and research is important in fields of study.
Research is an important part in psychology. It is used to establish facts rather than opinions. Research is defined as an organized and systematic way to find answers to questions (Henrichsen, Smith, & Baker, 1997). There are four main goals of research in psychology, these goals are describe, predict, explain, and apply. Researchers use the scientific method to meet these goals. The scientific method is described as a process involving fives steps to conduct research. The first step is to determine a problem or make an observation. The second step is the development of the hypothesis. Testing the hypothesis is the third step. Recording the observations is the fourth step. The final step is to draw a conclusion(s) (Cowens, 2006). The scientific method is used in all fields of research.
Primary and secondary data is used in research to support a hypothesis. A research first focuses on secondary data. Secondary data is data collected from another resource. Researchers use this method to obtain information already known by other research before launching their own investigation on a subject. This method can save researchers money and time because they can use other data to prove or disprove their hypothesis. Primary data is data that has never been collected before. It is a good method because it allows researchers to gather data that suits the purpose of the study. The problem with primary data is; it can be very costly and the time and effort can become overwhelming. Both of these data methods have advantages and disadvantages of a research study (Indiana State University, 2009).
Statistics is a branch of mathematics used to organize, analyze, and interpret data collected from a study. There are two types of statistics, inferential and descriptive. Inferential statistics are used to depict conclusions about a large population on the basis of a study using just a sample of that population. Descriptive statistics provides a summary of the key elements of data collected from a sample of participants. The role statistics plays in the field of psychology and research is by validating the findings of a study with statistical analysis. This is a plagiarised paper from study mode dot comeStatistics are important to proving or disproving the hypothesis and theories involved in a research study (Goodwin, 2008).
There is research that could make the world a better or even a healthier place, stem cell research is an example of this. Stem cells can replace dead cells that can occur from any type of disease or injury, such as cancer. Stem cell research has supplied the knowledge that any dead cells from whatever part of the human body, the liver, brain, lungs, heart, etc. can be replaced with stem cells. There are three main sources stem cells can be obtained from, adult cells, cord cells, and embryonic cells. Adult cells can be obtained from bone marrow or the peripheral system. Obtaining cells from the peripheral system takes time and the patients do not always have time to wait for this process. Although obtaining these cells takes time, peripheral cells are better compared with cord cells and embryonic cells.