Abstract
The study of human behavior is severely hampered by logistical problems, ethical and legal constraints, and funding shortfalls. However, the biggest difficulty of conducting social and behavioral research is the extraordinary complexity of the study phenomena. In this article, we review the impact of complexity on research design, hypothesis testing, measurement, data analyses, reproducibility, and the communication of findings in psychological science. The systematic investigation of the world often requires different approaches because of the variability in complexity. Confirmatory testing, multi-factorial designs, survey methods, large samples, and modeling are frequently needed to study complex social and behavioral topics. Complexity impedes the measurement of general constructs, the reproducibility of results and scientific reporting, and the general rigor of research. Many of the benchmarks established by classic work in physical science are not attainable in studies of more complex phenomena. Consequently, the standards used to evaluate scientific research should be tethered to the complexity of the study topic.
Highlights
Researchers in the physical sciences have implored scientists in other fields to be like them
Social and behavioral scientists generally investigate more complex phenomena than natural scientists. They have learned that traditional scientific approaches are not always well suited for the examination of challenging topics, such as the dynamics of organizations and the machinations of the mind. Researchers in fields, such as psychology, anthropology, and sociology, have found it necessary to develop new methods and approaches to study phenomena that are lacking in regularity and predictability
We examine how the practice of science in psychology has been shaped by the complexity of the study phenomena
Summary
Reviewed by: Liliann Manning, Independent Researcher, Strasbourg, France Donald Sharpe, University of Regina, Canada Robert Lickliter, Florida International University, United States. The study of human behavior is severely hampered by logistical problems, ethical and legal constraints, and funding shortfalls. The biggest difficulty of conducting social and behavioral research is the extraordinary complexity of the study phenomena. We review the impact of complexity on research design, hypothesis testing, measurement, data analyses, reproducibility, and the communication of findings in psychological science. Confirmatory testing, multi-factorial designs, survey methods, large samples, and modeling are frequently needed to study complex social and behavioral topics. Complexity impedes the measurement of general constructs, the reproducibility of results and scientific reporting, and the general rigor of research. Many of the benchmarks established by classic work in physical science are not attainable in studies of more complex phenomena. The standards used to evaluate scientific research should be tethered to the complexity of the study topic
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
