Methods matter: A review of Scientific Method: How Science Works, Fails to Work, and Pretends to Work by John Staddon, Routledge Press, 2018. Issue 2 (29th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Newland, M. Christopher
• Is Part Of: Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior. Volume 114:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 266
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2020-07-29
• Subjects: methods -- dynamics -- policy -- quantitative models; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.724
• DOI: 10.1002/jeab.618
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5002

Abstract

Abstract : The short and engaging book, How Science Works by John Staddon, reviews ways in which social and behavioral sciences arrive at decisions and how those decisions can best influence public policy. It is a provocative book that takes on controversial topics, including a critique of null hypothesis statistical testing, classical economic theories of supply and demand, limitations of Prospect Theory and behavioral economics, and evidence behind the health effects of smoking. A key theme running throughout is the idea that the theories and quantitative models used in the social sciences capture behavior and attitudes as fixed in time and fail to address the important issue of how behavior arose and how pliable it might be. The book will be of interest to scientists of all types as well as advanced students of psychology and other behavioral scientists.