Discuss why you suppose some researchers deliberately choose to fudge their research results. What are the pressing reasons for doing so? How is falsification of the research results, along with deliberately shaping the outcomes or interpretations of the data to fit a particular point of view harmful to the profession?

DISCUSSION 7

Critical Thinking in Practice

Once you have determined what claim, (be it theory, opinion, or psychological school of thinking) you are analyzing, be sure to examine the argument, evidence, and conclusions with a critical eye. Consider, does the researcher/theorist make assumptions about the human condition? If so, what? Are there flaws in their thinking, both explicit and implicit? Even if the research, position, or claim appears sound, accurate, or valid, do the conclusions match with the premises made and the evidence presented?

For this discussion, use what you learned in the readings from your Critical Thinking: A Concise Guide text to analyze your chosen theory, opinion, or psychological school of thinking.

Choose ONE to respond to for the discussion this week.

• Discuss one theory, opinion, or school of psychological thought and its claim. Is the theory, opinion, or school of psychological thought valid, accurate, or true?  If so, why or why not?  What evidence is there to support it?
• What do you find about a psychological theory, opinion, or school of psychological of thought that is exciting, interesting, and reasonable?  How have you come to that conclusion? Is the theory, opinion, or school of thought valid, reasonable, and supported with evidence?
• What outside resource (image, video, article, research study, self-recording) can you find a claim made in psychology or the social sciences that is shaped by a fallacy of logic? Share the link within your post. Why did you pick this item to share?
• What about this week’s content did you find to be of most interest to your professional development and/or academic journey?

DISCUSSION 8

Ethics in Your Profession

Academic honesty is broader than just avoiding plagiarism. To understand the concept better, it is often useful to think of learners or researchers as falling into three groups:

• Group 1: People who look for an angle and actively seek ways to cheat the system.
• Group 2: People who learn and follow the rules to avoid accusations of academic dishonesty.
• Group 3: People who aspire to best practices and who are an active part of the academic community, seeking the highest standards of scholarship and integrity.

Consider how you would you deal with a secondary citation. Someone in the first category might claim that it is a primary citation and say that he read the original source. Someone in the second group might list it as a secondary citation, which meets the minimum standards for ethical disclosure. But someone in the third group would actually access the primary source to make sure the secondary source had represented it fairly and accurately.

Choose ONE to respond to for the discussion this week.

• Discuss why you suppose some researchers deliberately choose to fudge their research results. What are the pressing reasons for doing so? How is falsification of the research results, along with deliberately shaping the outcomes or interpretations of the data to fit a particular point of view harmful to the profession?
• What do you find troubling about the falsification of research? Can you find and describe one example in the psychological literature and the effect it had on a profession?
• What outside resource (image, video, article, research study, self-recording) can you find that addresses harmful psychological research? Share the link within your post. Why did you pick this item to share?
• What about this week’s content did you find to be of most interest to your professional development and/or academic journey?

DISCUSSION 9

Choose ONE to respond to for the discussion this week.

• You might discuss what you perceive will be changes to your identity that will take place once you have completed your doctorate. How do suppose others will react to your academic achievement? Where do you want to be at the end of your doctoral journey? Do you have any special goals for your doctorate?
• What do you find most interesting about your adventure to earning your doctorate?  What are you passionate about learning and exploring in your specialization that helps you reach your academic and professional goals?
• What outside resource (image, video, article, research study, self-recording) can you find that addresses your identity development as a psychology doctoral learner? Share the link within your post. Why did you pick this item to share?
• What about this week’s content did you find to be of most interest to your professional development and/or academic journey?

DISCUSSION 10

Choose ONE to respond to for the discussion this week.

• What are the three most important concepts or skills you learned? Were any comments by other learners particularly helpful or insightful? How, if at all, have your perspectives changed concerning your academic or professional aspirations as a result of this course?
• What do you see as the greatest challenges that lie ahead for you? How will you deal with those challenges? What most excites you academically or professionally?
• What outside resource (image, video, article, research study, self-recording) can you find that addresses your learning experience in the course? Share the link within your post. Why did you pick this item to share?
• What about this week’s content did you find to be of most interest to your professional development and/or academic journey?