Final answer:
The four key goals for psychologists conducting research are to describe, explain, predict, and (sometimes) change behaviors and cognitive processes. They aim to achieve measurable, empirical evidence through tested experiments and ethically report findings in peer-reviewed journals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Goals of Psychologists Conducting Research
When psychologists conduct research, they aim to achieve a set of core goals. These include the ability to describe behaviors and cognitive processes, to explain why these behaviors happen, to predict future behaviors or outcomes based on current knowledge, and ultimately, to apply this understanding to bring about changes that improve well-being or social conditions.
- Describing: This is the process of observing and noting the phenomenon to detail what is occurring.
- Explaining: Psychologists seek to understand the causes behind the observed behaviors.
- Predicting: Based on their understanding, they anticipate behaviors or outcomes.
- Changing: In applied research, the goal is to use the knowledge to solve practical problems and implement changes that can enhance human behavior and experience.
Furthermore, psychologists ensure that their research can be tested with experiments that generate measurable, empirical evidence. Research findings are expected to be reported through peer-reviewed journal articles to ensure validity and the potential for replication. Ethical considerations are paramount, particularly when human participants are involved in research.