Scientists cultivate an attitude of skepticism, which means pausing to consider alternatives and to search for evidence—especially systematically collected empirical evidence—when there is enough at stake to justify doing so. It does not mean being cynical, distrustful, or questioning every claim one comes across.

Scientific Skepticism

In psychological research, information and data that have been systematically collected through scientific research and direct observation are known as ____ evidence.

Empirical evidence refers to information and data that has been systematically collected through scientific research and direct observation. It is the objective evidence used to evaluate alternatives and validate claims.

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An empirical question is an inquiry that can be resolved by collecting and evaluating systematic, observable evidence. Because the scientific method relies on tangible data, its scope is strictly restricted to addressing only these types of objectively testable questions.

Empirical Question

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KPU Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition

Falsifiability is a defining characteristic of any scientific claim, meaning it must be expressed in a way that allows for potential observations that would count as evidence against it. As argued by philosopher Karl Popper, if a claim cannot be tested and potentially proven wrong by systematic observation, it does not address an empirical question and is therefore considered pseudoscientific rather than scientific.

Falsifiability

Despite its reliability, the scientific method has significant drawbacks. It is often highly demanding of time and resources, making it impractical for every inquiry. Furthermore, its application is strictly limited to addressing empirical questions, meaning it cannot resolve issues that lack observable or measurable evidence.

Limitations of the Scientific Method

Many profound and important questions cannot be addressed by the scientific method because they are not empirical. Inquiries that involve subjective value judgments—such as whether holding a stereotype is morally wrong or what behaviors ought to be deemed illegal—cannot be settled through scientific observation. Because they ask how the world ought to be rather than how it literally is, they remain definitively outside the scope of scientific testing.

Non-Empirical Questions

A scientific inquiry that can be resolved through active observation falls under this category. For instance, investigating if one gender speaks more frequently than another, or examining if there is an inherited biological factor in unlawful actions, are both scenarios that can be tested by collecting objective data.

Example of an Empirical Question

A foundational method for generating a research question is to identify a specific behavior or psychological characteristic, conceptualize it as a single measurable variable, and inquire about its frequency or intensity. If a literature review reveals that the behavior has not yet been scientifically evaluated in this manner, it presents a valuable opportunity for original empirical research.

Conceptualizing Single Variable Research Questions

Researchers typically generate more research questions than they can investigate, requiring a systematic way to evaluate and select which ones to pursue. The two primary criteria used to evaluate the quality of a research question are its interestingness to the broader scientific community and the feasibility of successfully answering it.

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