767 Midterm Notes (Imported) Flashcards
How does science differ from common sense?
- Not reality - best approximation of reality 2. Test hypotheses/theories 3. Control variables/causes 4. Pursue relations 5. Focus on testable not metaphysical
Charls Sanders Peirce’s 4 methods of knowing/fixing belief (+ 1)
- Method of tenacity 2. Method of authority 3. Priori method / method of intuition 4. Method of science 5. one’s own direct experiences
method of tenacity (method of knowing)
people hold firmly to the truth because they’ve always believed it to be the truth
method of authority (method of knowing)
believing in “established beliefs”, i.e. from others, particular authority; superior method to tenacity because there can be slow progress through findings
priori method/method of intuition (method of knowing)
propositions that “agree with reason” and not necessarily with experience; people have natural inclinations toward truth. Difficulty lies in—whose reason is right?
method of science (method of knowing)
beliefs not determined by anything human, whereby the method can yield conclusions that are the same for every man. Includes the characteristic of self-correction/build-in checks along the way to be unbiased
2 broad views of science
- static view 2. dynamic view/heuristic view
static view of science
science as an activity that contributes systematized information to the world (common to laypeople); emphasis on the present state of knowledge and adding to it
dynamic/heurisitic view of science
science as an activity that scientists perform, emphasis on theory and approaches that are fruitful for further research; discovery
2 views on function of science
1) science as a discipline or activity aimed at improving things/making progress
2) science is to establish general laws/theories that explain phenomena to create predictability
Sampson’s 2 opposing views of science
1) conventional/traditional perspective
2) nontraditional/sociohistorical perspective
Conventional/traditional perspective in Sampson’s view of science
science as a mirror of nature that presents nature without bias; goal is to describe with accuracy what the world is like
Nontraditional/sociohistorical perspective in Sampson’s view of science
scientists as storytellers and not neutral arbitrators
What is purpose of science?
Theory
What is theory?
- A set of interrelated concepts that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena
- good theory is one that can’t fit all phenomena, should be able to find an occurrence that would contradict it; modest, limited, and specific research aims are good
- simple explanation is preferred (Occam’s Razor)
Scientific approach
special systematized form of reflective thinking and inquiry based on Dewey’s analysis
Scientific problem
is a statement that asks “what relationship exists between 2+ variables?
Criteria of good scientific problem
- Problem should express a relationship between 2+ variables
- Should be stated clearly and unambiguously in question form
- Statement should imply possibilities of empirical testing to be scientific
Hypothesis
conjectural statement of the relationship between 2+ variables
Criteria for good hypothesis
1) Hypothesis as statement about the relations between variables
2) Hypothesis carry clear implications for testing the stated relations
3 reasons why hypotheses are important tools of scientific research
1) They are working instruments of theory
2) Can be tested and shown to be probably true or false (predictive)
3) They are tools for advancement of knowledge b/c it allows non-bias of thinkers
What are errors of a hypothesis/problem?
1) They are not ethical questions/value questions (no should, better than, ought)
2) Problems that are too general/vague cannot be tested
3) Problems that are too specific are not generalizable
4) Probs/hyps need to reflect multivariable nature of reality
2 levels on which scientists operate
- theory-hypothesis-construct 2. observations
What is a concept?
expresses an abstraction formed by generalization from particulars, i.e. weight
What is a construct?
concepts that are consciously invented for scientific purpose
Constitutive definition of construct
defines a construct using other constructs
Operational definition
assigns meaning to constructs by specifying the activities/operations necessary to measure it, and evaluate the measurement
2 types of operational definitions
- Measured 2. Experimental
Measured type of operational definition
describes how variable will be measured
Experimental type of operational definition
states details (operations) of the experimenter’s manipulation of a variable, i.e. reinforcement can be operationally defined by giving details of how subjects will be rewarded
Variables
symbols to which numerals/values are assigned
Dichotomous/binary variables
only 2 values, i.e. 1 or 0, yes or no
Polytomous variable
more than 2 values
Continuous variable
taking on an ordered set of values within a certain range
Categorical variable
grouped by either having or not having the characteristic of subset
Independent variable
presumed cause of the dependent variable (antecedent)
Dependent variable
the presumed effect (consequent)
Manipulated variable/active variable/stimulus variable
any variable that is manipulated in experiment
Measured variable/attribute variable/response variable
variables that can’t be manipulated are attribute/subject characteristic variables/organismic variables/individual differences
Latent variable
unobserved, presumed to underlie observed measured variable, i.e. intervening or construct variable
Characteristics of the scientific revolution of the 17th century
1) using observations to correct apparent errors rather than using to support theories
2) active observations, experiments
3) controlling for intervening variables, such as by random assignment or adding control groups
Inus condition
a condition that is insufficient but non-redundant part of a unnecessary but sufficient condition; i.e. doesn’t need it for something to happen, but with it event will happen – a match leading to forest fire – most causes are more accurately called inus conditions
Effect
the difference between what did happen and what would have happened; this follows the counterfactual model (Hume), something that is contract to fact; hence, what would have happened if the cause variable was not there? How are results different under that condition
John Stuart Mill: causal relationship exists if
1) The cause preceded the effect
2) The cause was related to the effect
3) We can find no plausible alternative explanation for the effect other than the cause
Correlation
does not prove causation; does not indicate which variable came first
Causal description
describing the consequences attributable to deliberately varying a treatment; this is what experiments do better at than causal explanation; line is not clear
Moderator variable
explains the conditions under which the effect holds
Mediator variables
explains the causal effect
Randomized experiment
Sir Ronald Fisher; various treatments being contrasted are assigned to experimental units by chance
Quasi-experiment
lacks random assignment; uses self-selection or administrator selection
Natural experiment
naturally occurring contrast between a treatment and comparison condition
Nonexperimental designs/correlational design/passive observational design
situations in which a presumed cause and effect are identified and measured, but other structural features of experiments are missing; i.e. no random assignment, no design elements such as pretests and control groups
How is strength of experimentation defined?
ability to illuminate causal inferences
2 kinds of generalizations
- Construct validity generalizations 2. External validity generalizations
Construct validity generalizations
inferences about the constructs that research operations represent (representation)
External validity generalizations
inferences about whether the causal relationship will remain with variations in persons, settings, etc (extrapolation)
Grounded theory of causal generalization (scientists make causal generalizations by using 5 closely related principles):
1) Surface Similarity
2) Ruling out irrelevancies
3) Making discriminations
4) Interpolation and extrapolation
5) Causal explanation
Surface Similarity
They assess the similarities between study operations and of the target
Ruling out irrelevancies
identify those things that do not change a generalization
Making discriminations
Clarify key discriminations that limit generalization
Interpolation and extrapolation
construct data of unsampled values within the range of the sampled instances and extrapolate beyond the sampled range
Causal explanation
develop and test explanatory theories about pattern of effects
The Kuhnian critique about the scientific revolution
consisted of many different and incomparable paradigms; theory-free observation is impossible
According to Ellis 1991b, aim of science
- what (observe and describe) 2. why (explain and predict)
Main points of Ellis 1991b
- Supervision models not tested empirically; poorly organized
- Supervisors must be critical consumers of research and pursue scientifically rigorous research
- Primary aim of science is theory
Rules of science according to Ellis 1991b
1) need to be explicit about propositions and list one’s biases
2) acknowledge the theory influence guiding research
3) focus on scientific rigor rather than type of research for critique
4) focus on empirically validation and foster rival explanations
paradigm (Ponterotto 2005)
set of interrelated assumptions about the social world which provides a philosophical and conceptual framework for the organized study of that world
positivism (Ponterotto 2005)
form of philosophical realism, belief in tightly controlled experimental study, theory verification
postpositivism- (Ponterotto 2005)
updated positivism, belief in an imperfectly apprehendable objective reality, theory falsification
constructivism-interpretivism (Ponterotto 2005)
relativist, assumes multiple equally valid and apprehendable realities constructed in mind of each individual, brought to light via intense researcher-participant interaction
critical-ideological (Ponterotto 2005)
disrupt and challenges status quo – no one theory, but sees criticalist as central tool who uses his work for social criticism; focus on power relations
ontology/nature of reality and being (Ponterotto 2005)
1) positivists: there is 1 reality (naïve realism)
2) postpositivists: there is 1 reality but it is imperfectly understood
3) constructionism: multiple constructed realities, subjective
4) critical-ideological: reality is shaped by environment and power relations
- epistemology/relationship between knower (participant) and would-be-knower (researcher) (Ponterotto 2005)
1) positivists: emphasize objectivism, everything assumed to be independent, no bias
2) postpos: acknowledges researcher may have bias, but objectivity is a guideline
3) const-int: subjective, reality is socially constructed, interaction between researcher and participant is central to describing the “lived experience” of the participant
4) crit-ide: work collaboratively through interactions toward empowerment
- axiology/role of researcher in scientific process (Ponterotto 2005)
1) positivists and postpose: no place for values in research process
2) const-int: researcher’s values need to acknowledge own values but not eliminate
3) crit-ide: hope and expect value biases to influence the research process/outcome
realist’s view of science (Heppner et al. 1992)
1) Knowledge is a social and historical product and cannot be obtained only by studying individual in isolation
2) Experiences of an individual, observable or not, are appropriate topics of study
3) Focus of research should not be on events and relationships among events, but on underlying causal properties of structures
what is the importance of being trained in and incorporating scientific thinking in practice? (Heppner et al. 1992)
hypothesize about client, collect data, test, develop model, and predict (Pepinsky)
Philosophy of science (Corso, 1967)
makes explicit and systematize basic assumptions about the world
Guidelines for scientific method (Corso, 1967)
- distinguish between observations and inferences
- selection of a problem, which is simplified to a specific question
- come up with a hypothesis
- design a controlled testing situation (that’s appropriate for the question)
- analyze and interpret the data
- evaluate findings and generalize findings
science (Corso, 1967)
continuous, cumulative and self-correcting, therefore students need to develop questioning attitudes
determinism is associated with (Corso, 1967)…
the notion of control (e.g., in conducting experiments) and prediction
Understanding consists of (Corso, 1967)
description (classification, ordering, correlational) and explanation.
Assumptions that scientists make (Corso, 1967)
orderly universe, space, time, and matter
main point of Chamberlin 1897 article
multiple working hypotheses
two modes of thinking (Chamberlin, 1897)
(a) imitative, repetitive (b) creative and independent - can look at old subject matter but critically and through a new lens
3 phases in the history of mental evolution (Chamberlin, 1897)
(a) ruling theory (b) working hypothesis (c) multiple working hypotheses
ruling theory (Chamberlin, 1897)
(a) the need to provide an explanation even before evidence is found
(b) attachment to a given theory - biases that limit different views, increased tendency to fit data to theory
(c) how a theory becomes a ruling theory: premature explanation -> tentative theory -> adopted theory-> ruling theory
working hypothesis (Chamberlin, 1897)
(a) used as a means to determine facts rather than to establish a proposition
(b) is a mode rather than an end (which acc to Chamberlin, is what the ruing theory was)
(c) as likely to gain attachment to a working hypothesis - can become the controlling idea
multiple working hypotheses (Chamberlin, 1897)
(a) to overcome the notion of controlling idea, use multiple working hypotheses
(b) allows complexity, avoids notion of singular cause
According to Platt (1967), * certain fields advance at a greater speed because
of an accepted method of doing things that is taught systematically and is accumulative
According to Platt (1967), * need to teach how to
sharpen inductive inferences
According to Platt (1967), shouldn’t be _______, rather _______.
method-oriented, problem-oriented
According to Platt (1967), science only advances with
disconfirming evidence
According to Platt (1967), Chamberlin’s proposal of multiple hypotheses
is right on! cure to being too narrow in view. Forces one to look at alternative hypotheses
According to Platt (1967), statistics
- are tools, but need to be flexible in using them. 2. Don’t be overreliant on statistics and methodology
What are the main points of Serlin (1987)?
addresses inappropriate sampling procedures, hypothesis-testing procedures, and the notion of atheoretical research
According to Serlin (1987), Sampling
(a) difficulty of true random sampling in psychology, and the tendency to use samples of convenience
(b) notion of representative sample: and what demographics are important is determined by the questions asked (race, gender, SES etc.) “good enough” sampling
(c) theory must guide the selection of sampling procedure, and in what ways it must be representative
(d) random sample allows generalizability to sampled population, and a non-random sample allows generalizations to a hypothetical population
According to Serlin (1987), Philosophy of Science and Statistics (7 points)
(a) cannot prove theories but can certainly disprove them
(b) critiques the role of statistics when it is used as a replacement for really thinking about the results
(c) use theory as a basis for the interpretation of statistics
(d) statistical results can be used to inform theories
(e) need to use tests and confidence interval procedures that help determine the size of the observed effect
(f) any theoretical development results in differentiating between relevant and less relevant variables - these theories need to be tested
(g) stats and theory inform each other
What are the main points of Skinner (1956)?
- empirical analysis is better than a formal one 2. graduate school doesn’t really teach its students to become scientists because most programs explicitly focus on model building and theory construction in stats - which is only a method of science (distinction between scientific research and stats) 3. * difficulties of a practicing scientist as work habits haven’t been formalized 4.
According to Skinner (1956), case studies may illustrate…
(a) Shift gears upon unexpected findings
(b) flexibility in research design;
(c) different types of measurements can be informative
(d) never felt the need to use explicit formal hypotheses
(e) larger samples and greater number of apparatuses, lower the flexibility (modifications become more cumbersome)
(f) recognize that common suggestions such as increasing n to get significance may not be as practically useful as exploring the existing research design and looking at the variables - explore the why behind discrepancy between data and the theory
According to Skinner (1956), * purpose of experimental analysis of behavior is to
devise techniques that reduce effects of idiosyncrasies unless that is what is being observed
According to Skinner (1956), stats can be useful but
it is problematic when used blindly
According to Kerlinger and Lee, data is defined as
the research results from which inferences are drawn (usually numerical).
According to Kerlinger and Lee, research data is defined as
the result of systematic observation and analysis used to make inferences and arrive at conclusions
According to Kerlinger and Lee, analysis is defined as
the categorizing, ordering, manipulating, and summarizing of data to obtain answers to research questions
According to Kerlinger and Lee, the purpose of analysis is
to reduce data to intelligible and interpretable form so relationships of research problems can be studied and tested.
According to Kerlinger and Lee, the purpose of statistics is
manipulate and summarize numerical data and to compare the obtained results to chance expectations.
According to Kerlinger and Lee, interpretation functions to
takes the results of analysis, makes inferences pertinent to the research relations studied, and draws conclusions about these relations
According to Kerlinger and Lee, 2 methods of interpretation
- The relations within the research study and its data are interpreted. 2. The broader meaning of research data is sought.
According to Kerlinger and Lee: Quantitative data come in 2 general forms
frequencies and continuous measures
According to Kerlinger and Lee: continuous measures are
associated with continuous variables
According to Kerlinger and Lee: • Frequencies are
the numbers of objects in sets and subsets
According to Kerlinger and Lee: • The first step in any analysis is
Categorization
According to Kerlinger and Lee: Five rules for categorization
- Categories are set up according to the research problem and purpose. 2. The categories are exhaustive. 3. The categories are mutually exclusive and independent. 4. Each category is derived from one classification principle. 5. Any categorization scheme must be on one level of discourse (conceptual clarity).
According to Kerlinger and Lee: Frequency Distributions
- Primarily used for descriptive purposes 2. Can be used for other research purposes (compare test score distributions) 3. used for descriptive purposes
According to Kerlinger and Lee: • Graphs and Graphing
- Powerful tool of analysis. 2. A two dimensional representation of a relation or relations. 3. Displays relations and their nature (strength, direction, linearity/non-linearity)
According to Kerlinger and Lee: • Measures of Relations
- Product-moment coefficient of correlation, correlation ratio, etc. 2. Express the extent to which the pairs of sets or ordered pairs vary concomitantly. 3. Show magnitude and (usually) the direction of the relation.
According to Kerlinger and Lee: • Analysis of Variance and Related Methods
method of identifying, breaking down, and testing for statistical significance variances that come from the different sources of variation