What term describes the approach where psychological scientists base their conclusions on collected evidence?

The term that best describes the approach where psychological scientists base their conclusions on collected evidence is empiricism. Empiricism emphasizes the importance of observation and evidence from the real world in forming knowledge and making conclusions. In the context of psychological science, this means that researchers gather data through methods such as experiments, surveys, and observations to understand behavior and mental processes. This evidence-based approach allows scientists to draw conclusions that are grounded in actual findings rather than speculation or theory alone.

In psychology, empiricism is foundational because it ensures that claims about human behavior and cognition are supported by measurable and observable data, providing a reliable basis for scientific inquiry.