Methods of research

Abstract

Psychology is the scientific investigation of human behaviour. In science, facts are not incontrovertible truths. An experimental result or a famous theory are mere interpretations of events. Like the detective at the scene of a crime the scientist can never be sure of the ‘facts’ since all there is to go on is the evidence that has been uncovered so far. But once sufficient data has been found the detective and the scientist may form a theory that brings together the ‘facts’ into a tentative explanation of events. Therefore psychology does not give definitive answers to offer the ultimate explanation of human behaviour. Rather it offers the best possible explanations of how human beings act, think and feel given the state of knowledge as it exists at the time.