... future events and propose hypotheses, to gain greater knowledge through hypothesis testing and finally, to give us a greater understanding of the world around us through understanding cause and effect. Scientific method is the means by which a scientist develops theories and collects data. A scientist proposes a theory based upon a collection of facts. These facts are the result of objective observation. A scientific theory can lead to generalisations being made about a certain object/occurrence etc. These facts generate expectations or hypotheses about other related phenomena. A scientist tests his hypothesis by setting up a controlled experiment where he manipulates an independent variable(IV) and observes changes in the dependent variable(DV). Results from these experiments are used either to support or refine a theory. Key concepts in scientific experiments are: objectivity, control, manipulation, replication and falsification. If social psychology is scientific then it must have similar goals to science and ...

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