1A Introduction to research Flashcards
Definition of Psychology
The scientific study of human mental states and behavior
Definition of science
A field and practice that obtains knowledge through observation and experiment (objective, methods of science, explainable, testable)
Definition of non-science
Ideas formed without empirical evidence or the use of scientific methods or principles (non-objective, imprecise, unverifiable)
Definition of Anecdote
Stories based on personal experience
Definition of opinion
The view or perspective of somebody not necessarily based on evidence
Definition of Intuition
Something that one feels instinctively as opposed to arrives at through considered reasoning
Definition of hearsay
Rumor or information from others which cannot be supported with evidence
Definition of Pseudoscience
Beliefs, theories and practices that are mistakenly regarded as or claim to be scientific but are not because they do not use the methods of science
Definition of empirical evidence
Information obtained through direct and systematic observation or experimentation
Definition of the scientific method
A procedure used to obtain knowledge that involves hypothesis forming, testing and retesting through processes of experimentation, observation, measurement and recording
Definition of Theory
Proposition or set of principles that is used to explain something or make predictions about relationship between concepts
Function means…
Explain and predict
Informed by refers to…
Scientific theories and ideas
Definition of model
Representation of a concept, process or behavior often make to simplify or make something easier to understand
Definition of aim
Straightforward sentence that narrows down parameters of the investigation
Definition of hypothesis
Testable predication about the outcome of an investigation that is either supported or rejected
Three things a hypothesis includes…
Population, Variables (IV, DV), direction of results
Population
Group of people who are the focus of the research and from which the sample is drawn
Why is it good to be specific when referring to population?
It helps narrow the scope of research and improves quality
Definition of a variable
Conditions or components of an experiment that can be measured or manipulated
3 different types of variables
Controlled, independent, dependent
Definition of a controlled variable
Variables other than the DV that a researcher holds constant (controls) in an investigation to ensure that changes in the DV are solely due to changes in the IV
Definition of an independent variable
In which quantities are manipulated (controlled, selected, changed) by the researcher and the variable that is assume to have direct effect on the dependent variable
Definition of a dependent variable
The researcher measures in an experiment for changes it may experience due to the effect of the independent variable
