The four goals of research in psychology are
A)reliability,validity,experimentation,and theory construction.
B)description,correlation,experimentation,and theory construction.
C)description,prediction,explanation,and application.
D)observation,measurement,causal inference,and explanation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The four goals of research in psychology are commonly considered to be description (observing and recording behavior), prediction (identifying when and under what conditions certain behaviors are likely to occur), explanation (determining why certain behaviors occur), and application (using research findings to inform practical interventions and solutions). Option A is incorrect because experimentation is only one method of achieving the goals, while reliability and theory construction are important concepts but not overarching goals. Option B is incorrect because correlation is a method, not a goal, and not all research designs involve experimentation. Option D is incorrect because observation and measurement are again methods, not goals, and causal inference is a component of explanation.

The Four Goals of Research in Psychology Are