PSY 510 PSY510 Scientific Skeptic Short Paper.docx – Snhu

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PSY 510 PSY510 Scientific Skeptic Short Paper.docx – Snhu

In recent years the use of different essential oils has grown in popularity. There have been several companies that exclusively sell essential oils in addition to in health stores. The oils are purported to help a spectrum of ailments from the common cold, arthritis, and more serious depression and anxiety (Axe, 2018). Some essential oil enthusiasts will claim that essential oils can or should replace traditional medicines (Stewart, 2018). I am very skeptical of the claim that essential oils, specifically lavender, can elevate mood and treat diagnosed depression. In order to apply the scientific method to this claim and make it a testable research question, it first needs to be put in the form of a research question.

PSY 510 PSY510 Scientific Skeptic Short Paper.docx – Snhu

Therefore, the hypothesis would be:H: If participants are exposed to lavender as an essential oil in a diffuser 3 times a day for 3 months, then they will report an improvement in their diagnosed depression at the end of the 3 months. The scientific method relies greatly on empirical reasoning which is made up of logic, organized observation, and measurement (Rosnow & Rosenthal 2013). When examining what is scientifically valid in psychology research, scientists must take into account many factors. In order to confirm the validity of psychological findings, experiments are required to confirm consistent, repeatable results. The necessary components in an experiment include theories, hypotheses, and exact procedures so the experiment can be replicated.

PSY 510 PSY510 Scientific Skeptic Short Paper.docx – Snhu

While researching a theory or hypothesis, psychological researchers need to consider the “pragmatic usefulness of an idea” (Shermer, 2011, para. 6). Astrology continues to fall into the realm of pseudoscience. According to Shermer (2011), astrology could not be considered a science because there is no “research that produces useful knowledge reflected in presentations, publications, and especially new lines of inquiry and research” (Shermer, 2011, para. 7). Psychological ClaimAstrology claims that the alignment of stars and planets affects every individual’s mood, personality, and environment, depending on when they were born.

PSY 510 PSY510 Scientific Skeptic Short Paper.docx – Snhu

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• PSY 216 – Psychology of Personality (1841 Documents),
• PSY 510 – Research Methods (1748 Documents),
• PSY 520 – Research Methods in Psychology II (1469 Documents),
• PSY 257 – Psychology (1451 Documents),
• PSY 310 – Criminal Psychology (1393 Documents),
• PSY 200 – FOUNDATIONS OF ADDICTIONS (1379 Documents),