#1 Step 1 & 2: Introduction

Question 1

Why is RM1 important?

Answer 1

1. We need to understand human psychology better because we cannot trust our human intuition.
2. The knowledge about research methods is useful to understand and evaluate research

Question 2

3 Types of Biases

Answer 2

1. Confirmation Bias: tendency to look for evidence that confirms our ideas, while ignoring evidence that proves the contrary
2. Belief Perseverance: the tendency to cling to conceptions/beliefs despite proof of the contrary
3. Identifiable Victim Effect: being more moved that the plight of a single person rather than the abstract aggregate of individuals

Question 3

Definition of science & characteristics

Answer 3

The use of systematic observation in order to acquire knowledge

1. Empirical (observing and measuring)
2. Falsifiable (testable and refutable)

Question 4

What is Step 1 of RM?

Answer 4

Think of a research question.

• Interest
• Feasibility

Question 5

What is Step 2 of RM? What are the characteristics we need to take note of?

Answer 5

Forming a good hypothesis (which is a tentative answer/prediction to the research question)

1. Logical (founded upon established theories or developed from past research)
2. Testable (must be able to observe and measure all variables)
3. Refutable (possible to obtain results that are contrary to hypothesis)
4. Positive (must have a relationship, no non[ositive statements)