Research, Statistics, and Psychology Paper
PSY 315
Week 1
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Psychology uses statistics and research to validate or invalidate 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 are used to 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 all fields of study.
Research is an important part in the field of 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 lots of 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 great method because it allows researchers to gather data that suits the purpose of the study. The problem with primary data is that is can be very costly and the time and effort can become overwhelming. Both of these data methods have advantages and disadvantages to 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. Statistics are important to proving or disproving the hypothesis and theories involved in a research study (Goodwin, 2008).
There is a lot of 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 theses cells takes time, peripheral cells are better compared with cord cells and embryonic cells. They are taken from the patient’s body so there is always an exact DNA match and the body never refuses them. Cord cells are the second best source. Umbilical cord cells are extracted during pregnancy, they are stored in a cryogenic cell banks, and can be used in the future for the father, mother, the newborn, or the siblings if necessary. The more distant the relationship though, the more likely the body will reject the cells because of the immune systems antibodies. But just like with human blood matches outside the immediate family is possible, this is why donation is encouraged. Embryonic cells extraction has its pros and cons. The extraction of embryo cells requires the process to be done before the embryo differentiates during a stage called blastocyst. There are 100 cells in a blastocyst, many of which are stem cells that can be kept indefinitely. The stem cells from the blastocyst can be grown in cultures, meaning they can double in numbers every two or three days. The disadvantage of embryonic cell research is that obtaining the cells during the blastocyst stage destroys the embryo. Thousands of lives have been saved with adult stem cell and umbilical cord cells, researchers have found that these stem cells have the ability to cure 72 different diseases. Embryonic stem cells are still under research, they have never been used to treat a human patient. Stem cell research has supplied the world with the possibilities for people to live longer and healthier lives without diseases (All About Popular Issues, 2011).
Research has the capability to provide the world with the knowledge to live better and healthier lives. The scientific method and the procedures that researchers use to do their study has allowed for advancement and provide the world with a large amount of information. Statistics allow for the data collected in a study to be measured, which allows research to validate or invalidate theories, questions, or even medical procedures, like stem cell research.