• What is research and what- specifically- is behavioral research?
Research refers to a detailed and careful study that is conducted to investigate a specific issue, problem, or address a concern while using a given scientific method. The aim is to gain knowledge and insights on a given topic (Bordens " Abbot, 2013). Behavioral research refers to the study, which is conducted while being focused on the different variables, which impact the formation of a character. Thus, behavioral research applies the social and behavioral sciences as the means of studying the reactions or actions of a person or animals in response to internal or external stimuli.
• Why in psychology do we rely on research to explain behavior?
The attention of psychology is to understand the behavior, as well as the physiological and cognitive processes that influence behavior. Thus, research is used to gather evidence, which assists in supporting the different claims made on the experience and actions of a person. The situation occurs since behavior is observable. The research also helps in predicting the future behavior.
• What are the differences between scientific versus non scientific explanations?
The scientific explanations are provided after conducting a logical research in a stepwise manner for expanding, acquiring, or investigating knowledge. These explanations are consistent and can be reproduced by conducting the research again. On the other hand, the nonscientific explanations involve providing truths and knowledge, which is not backed by any research and scientific techniques. Thus, it is impossible to reproduce and have consistency on such explanations.
• What are the differences between quantitative and qualitative research?
Quantitative research involves the quantification of the problem via the process of numerical data generation and the transformation of such into statistics that are usable in society. Thus, it entails the quantification of behaviors, opinions, attitudes, and other variables that are defined (Creswell, 2012). On the other hand, qualitative research is exploratory and focuses on gaining understanding of the underlying motivations, opinions, and reasons. Hence, it offers insights to the problem and assists in the development of the hypotheses or ideas for possible quantitative research.
References
Bordens, K. S. " Abbot, B. B. (2013). Research design and methods: A process approach (9th
Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill Education.
Creswell, J.W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative
and qualitative research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
