New Research Paradigm for Applied Experimental Psychology: a System Approach. Revision.
Abstract
To spotlight the crisis occurring in scientific psychology, warnings, complaints, and criticisms by prominent psychologists and non-psychologists are quoted. The traditional experimental method of the past hundred years does not produce the data needed to solve problems faced by a modern society. The results from many experiments cannot be combined into a modular, quantitative data base. The traditional experimental method, as it is applied in engineering psychology, is critically examined. Characteristic procedures and concepts are analyzed to show why they have been counterproductive to the ultimate experimental goals -- prediction of field performance and aggregation of data for future use. The two distinct approaches to data collection used by empirical psychologists, 'Experimental' and 'Correlational,' are defined and compared. Arguments are presented for merging the more productive features of each. However, contrary to similar suggestions in the past, the combined approach would emphasize the point of view of the Experimentalists. This means that the manipulative method would be retained but in a way that would enable the holistic philosophy of the Correlationists to dominate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA056984
Entities
People
- Charles W. Simon