The Scientific Method

To conduct empirical studies, researchers use the scientific method—a stepwise process for evaluating ideas and answering questions.

During the first step, she could make an observation: when students are triggered by something annoying, they behave differently. Some are calm, breathing slowly, and interacting with generosity, whereas others react with anger—their hearts are beating rapidly as they redirect their rage.

Such observations prompt her to ask questions, like could the distressed individuals alter their responses and replace negative emotions with more composed reactions?

After formulating questions, she can then form hypotheses—potential explanations for the observations that lead to specific testable predictions.

In this case, one hypothesis is that meditation training promotes compassion, which prompts the prediction that students who meditate will show fewer aggressive outbursts after being triggered by a stressor relative to those who do not meditate.

Often, hypotheses fit within the context of a theory—a set of principles that attempts to explain how several observations are related. In this example, the current assumption could be grounded in Polyvagal theory, which suggests an evolutionary framework for how the autonomic nervous system supports emotional experiences that relate to prosocial behaviors.

In the next phase, experimentation, she can test the ideas through a series of experiments that are designed to eliminate hypotheses.

As part of an experimental design, the researcher must operationalize—define—variables. One, the independent variable, is the variable being intentionally manipulated or changed in an experiment, for instance, meditation training. The other, the dependent variable, describes the measurement used to determine the outcome, such as the number of aggressive outbursts.

In addition, the subjects must be divided into groups—experimental and control. The control group is exposed to the same features as the experimental group, except for the hypothesized manipulation of meditation guidance; that is, they are instructed to quietly sit still with their eyes closed.

Following data collection and analysis, the researcher can form conclusions and communicate their results to others. With scientific curiosity, new questions are continuously asked, and the cycle repeats.