Requiring evidence-based experimental articles in psychological literature reviews serves to uphold the scientific rigor and empirical foundation of the discipline. As an academic field rooted in the scientific method, psychology places a strong emphasis on data-driven, replicable research conducted through controlled experiments. By focusing on articles that report original experiments conducted by the authors themselves, the requirement ensures that the findings and conclusions presented are derived from firsthand empirical evidence rather than relying solely on interpretations or theoretical conjectures.
From the perspective of psychology as a profession, this emphasis on evidence-based experimental research is crucial for maintaining credibility and advancing the field’s knowledge base. Practitioners and clinicians in various domains of psychology, such as counseling, therapy, and assessment, rely on empirically validated methods and interventions to provide effective services. Experimental studies contribute to the development and refinement of these evidence-based practices, ensuring that psychological interventions are grounded in scientific principles and proven through rigorous testing.
Additionally, experimental research plays a vital role in advancing psychological theory and understanding human behavior, cognition, and mental processes. By systematically manipulating variables and observing their effects, experimental studies allow researchers to establish causal relationships and test hypotheses, thereby contributing to the development and refinement of psychological theories and models.
While the requirement to focus on evidence-based experimental articles has significant merits, it is important to acknowledge potential limitations or trade-offs. Some aspects of human experience and behavior may be challenging to study through controlled experiments due to ethical considerations or practical constraints. In such cases, qualitative or observational studies can provide valuable insights, albeit with different levels of empirical rigor.
Moreover, the emphasis on experimental research may inadvertently lead to a narrow focus on quantifiable and measurable aspects of psychology, potentially overlooking the subjective or nuanced dimensions of human experience. Integrating diverse research methodologies, including both experimental and non-experimental approaches, can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of psychological phenomena.
In summary, the requirement to focus on evidence-based experimental articles in psychological literature reviews reflects the discipline’s commitment to scientific rigor, empirical validation, and the advancement of knowledge through controlled, replicable research. While this approach is essential for maintaining psychology’s credibility as a profession and academic field, it is also important to acknowledge the potential limitations and consider complementary research methodologies to gain a more holistic understanding of human behavior and mental processes.
References:
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Kazdin, A. E. (2021). Research design in clinical psychology (5th ed.). Pearson.
Lilienfeld, S. O., & Waldman, I. D. (Eds.). (2022). Psychological science under scrutiny: Recent challenges and proposed solutions. Wiley.
Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., & Zechmeister, J. S. (2021). Research methods in psychology (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Sternberg, R. J., & Sternberg, K. (2020). Cognitive psychology (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
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DQ: Focusing on evidence-based
experimental articles
DQ: Focusing on evidence-based experimental articles
This week we will discuss one of the requirements of the course Integrative Project Literature Review, that only evidence-based articles that report on experiments conducted by the article authors be used. This is a requirement of many an MA in Psych paper assignment. Why do you think that is the case? Think from the perspective of psychology as both a profession and an
academic discipline. What is gained by focusing on evidencebased experimental articles? What may be lost as a result of this
requirement?
Forum post response #1
Why do you think that is the case? Think from the perspective of psychology as both a profession and an academic discipline.
I think that it is important that only evidence-based articles that report on experiments conducted by the article authors is a requirement to use in our paper because it shows that the person
who is conducting the research can actually be a reliable source rather than just the author who is writing about it. In my annotated bibliography review, it was brought to my attention that results cannot find something, but a study can, which eventually made sense to me after I pondered on it for a few errors on my returned
document. My revisions needed for the paper opened my eyes,
