Ch2 (b) Scientific Method Flashcards
Historians of science describe which three attitudes as the basis of the scientific viewpoint?
curiosity, skepticism, humility
Which two questions exemplify the scientific attitude?
What do you mean? How do you know?
Who believes you? What are their qualifications?
How common is this answer? How many people agree?
Is this an established truth? How long has it been considered fact?
Which truths does this agree with? Which truths does it
contradict?
What do you mean? How do you know?
A questioning attitude regarding psychologists’ assumptions and hidden values best illustrates
critical thinking
When you question whether anecdotal evidence can be generalized to all people, you are applying
critical thinking
Critical thinkers can best be described as
questioning.
To examine assumptions, discern hidden values, evaluate evidence, and assess conclusions is to engage in
generating hypotheses
Examining correlational evidence to determine what further research would be needed to establish a causal relationship is an example of ________ thinking?
critical
The news media reported that a new pesticide was not harmful to humans. Which of the following statements best exemplifies critical thinking in response to this report?
“I think I will try this pesticide on my own garden to kill pests.”
“I don’t like to use pesticides, but this one is safe.”
“I think I’ll use this product, but I think I’ll wear gloves.”
“I wonder who funded this study?”
“I don’t believe this study because I got a rash after using this poison on my garden.”
“I wonder who funded this study?”
According to Professor Fayad, we like people who like us because their affection for us boosts our own self-esteem. His idea is an example of
a theory
What do scientists call an explanation that organizes observations and predicts future behaviors or events?
theory
Professor Shalet contends that parents and children have similar levels of intelligence largely because they share common genes. His idea is best described as a(n)
theory
hypothesis
testable prediction that gives direction to research
Hypotheses are best described as
predictions
Professor Delano suggests that because people are especially attracted to those who are good-looking, handsome men will be more successful than average-looking men in getting a job. The professor’s prediction regarding employment success is an example of
hypotheses
Dr. Roberts hypothesized that students in a classroom seating 30 would get higher course grades than students seated in an auditorium seating 300. In this example,
classroom size has been operationally defined
A specification of how a researcher measures a research variable is known as a(n)
operational definition
An experiment was designed to study the potential impact of alcohol consumption on emotional stability. A specification of the procedures used to measure emotional stability illustrates
an operational definition
The process of replication is most likely to be facilitated by
operational definitions
replication involves
repeating an earlier research study.
Which technique involves repeating the essence of an earlier research study with different participants and in different circumstances?
replication
The explanatory power of a scientific theory is most closely linked to its capacity to generate testable
predictions
Professor Ambra was skeptical about the accuracy of recently reported research on sleep deprivation. Which process would best enable her to assess the reliability of these findings?
replication
Why is replication important to science?
Repeated research with similar results increases confidence in the reliability of the original findings.
