This document discusses how contradictory results early in a scientific study are normal and should not cause despair. It likens the process of gathering evidence to slowly bringing a slide into focus with a projector - initial data may be blurry but focusing more over time can lead to a clear identification. It notes that contradictions occur in mature sciences as well due to limited understanding or methodological differences, and that the technique of meta-analysis statistically combines multiple studies to dampen disputes and arrive at stable conclusions, though these conclusions are not always positive.

2.  We should not despair if initial results of
studies on a problem appear to be
contradictory.

3.  Example
The process of evidence
Amalgamation in science is
Like a projector, slowly
Bringing an unknown slide into focus.

4.  At first; Blur on the screen
 Then slide is focused a bit more,
 After ruling out the alternative hypothesis ,
identification can be made with great
confidence.

5.  Early stages of EAP --------- Focusing process of
projector
 Ambiguous blur ----------- contradictory data
or data that support many alternative
hypotheses.

6. Obtaining the contradictory
data at the beginning of an
investigation;
Is Not a Unique
Situation in
psychology!!

7. Contradictions
are the results of;
Our current inadequate
understandings of the
problem
OR
Due to sudden
methodological differences
between experiments.

8. Contradictions and uncertainty also occurs in
many mature sciences e.g medical science.
Psychology Is not alone!

9. In psychology and many other sciences , the
combining of evidence from disparate studies
to form a conclusion is now being done more
formally by the use of statistical technique
termed;
Meta
Analysis

10.  In this technique the results of several studies
that address the same research hypotheses are
combined statistically. The effects obtained
when one experimental group is compared
with another expressed in a common statistical
metric that allows comparison of effects across
studies.

11.  The findings are then statistically
amalgamated in some standard ways and a
conclusion about differential effects is reached.

12.  Stable and useful findings.
 A way of dampening the contentious disputes
about conflicting studies in behavioral sciences.

13.  Outcome of meta analysis is not always
positive, as it often tells us that when we
combine the results from a large number of
varying studies--------NOTHING IS THERE!!
 Sometimes Meta Analysis yield negative
conclusions.

15. Any singlestudy represents just a small
part of a much larger endeavor. And
when we worry that progress is slowin
some area of psychology, we should
remember that this ’low yield’’ is
characteristic of medicine and many
other scientific researchareas.

16. MERCI