“Theory-Testing in Psychology and Physics: A Methodological Paradox”, 1967-06 (; backlinks; similar):
Because physical theories typically predict numerical values, an improvement in experimental precision reduces the tolerance range and hence increases corroborability.
In most psychological research, improved power of a statistical design leads to a prior probability approaching ½ of finding a “statistically-significant” difference in the theoretically predicted direction. Hence the corroboration yielded by “success” is very weak, and becomes weaker with increased precision.
“Statistical-significance” plays a logical role in psychology precisely the reverse of its role in physics.
This problem is worsened by certain unhealthy tendencies prevalent among psychologists, such as a premium placed on experimental “cuteness” and a free reliance upon ad hoc explanations to avoid refutation.