Part of the intersection of beliefs and reality
Knowledge
Assesses thoughts, concepts, and experiences subjectively
Qualitative studies
Step 1
Observe and describe something
At heart, a sensory experience
Observe and define
If A, then B
Logical analysis
Are mutable and can change
Beliefs
Measure and analyze differences
Quantitative studies
Step 2
Formulate a hypothesis
Must be testable and falsifiable
Hypothesis
Test this because you cannot prove every instance of something
For Plato, a subset of what we believe and what is true
Knowledge
Manipulate an independent variable to see its effect on the dependent variable
Experimental study
Step 3
Test the null hypothesis
The 'something' you are studying
Dependent variable
Can be imprecise and dysfunctional
Senses and measuring tools
One way of accumulating knowledge
Science
Observes group differences
Correlational studies
Steps 4 and 5
Analyze and share results
95% of cases fall between these
Plus or minus 2 standard deviations from the mean
Gain knowledge vs. control phenomena
Goals of basic vs. applied research
Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed
Types of studies
Uses both quantitative and qualitative methods
Mixed method studies
Step 6
Replicate findings
Logic, mathematics, and statistics
Formal Sciences
Natural sciences
Physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and earth sciences