Ch2pwrpnt Flashcards
List 5 characteristics that make the ideal scientist.
- Precision2.Skepticism3. Reliance on empirical knowledge4. Willingness to make ‘risky’ predictions5. Openness
What are 4 components that must be developed when being precise?
Theories, Hypothesis, Operational definitions, and Collecting empirical evidence
Define Theory
Organized systems of assumptions that explain phenomenon and their inter-relationshipbetween those behaviours.
Define Hypothesis
An attempt to predict or account for a set of phenomenon. Specify the relationships between variables and are empirically tested. They have operational definitions.
Define Operational Definition
An attempt to define the terms in the hypothesis in a attempt to be clear about what is actually being measured.
Describe skepticism
Scientist not accepting ideas based on faith or authority. Treating conclusions (old and new) with caution. Having a balance between caution and openness to new ideas.
Describe reliance on empirical evidence
Determining if a hypothesis is true with only empirical evidence gathered through the use of various research methods
Describe the confirmation bias
Tendency to seek and accept evidence that supports our theories & ignore evidence that contradicts beliefs
Describe Principle of Falsifiability
A scientific theory must make predictions that are specific enough to disconfirm the theoryPredicts not only what will happen but also what will not happen
Describe Openness
Scientist’s willingness to explain the source of their ideas, how they tested them, and what the results were. Enough so replication is possible.
What does the peer review process ensure?
Scientific standards and provides system of checks & balances.
What are the 4 descriptive methods?
- Case Studies2. Observational Studies3. Psychological tests4. Surveys
What is a representative sample?
A subset of the population that accurately represents members of the entire population. It must represent the population that you are actually studying.
What is a case study?
A detailed description of a particular individual being studied or treated
What can a case study be used to formulate?
broader research hypotheses
Who are case studies most commonly used by?
Clinicians and occasionally researchers in the preliminary stages of inquiry
What is an observational study?
A method where researchers systematically observe & record behaviour without interference.
What are the 2 types of observations used in an observational study?
Naturalistic observations and Laboratory observations
What is a naturalistic observation?
Observations in normal social environment
What is a laboratory observation?
Observations in a more controlled lab setting
What is an example of a naturalistic observation?
Observing children in their classrooms
What is an example of a laboratory observation?
‘Strange situation’ research done with children
What are psychological tests?
Procedures used to measure and evaluate personality traits, emotional states, aptitudes, interests, abilities, and values
What types are psychological tests are there?
Objective and projective tests
What are 3 characteristics of a good psychological test?
Standardization, reliability, and validity
What makes a test standardized?
A test is standardized when uniform procedures for giving & scoring test exist
In order to standardize a test what must one do?
Proper scoring refers to norms or established standards of performance
How are norms for standardized tests obtained?
Norms obtained by mass testing on intended populations to determine different score ranges (e.g., low, average, high)
What is reliability?
Is the consistency of scores derived from a test from one time and place to the next or across scorers
What are the 2 types of reliability?
Test-retest reliability and alternate forms reliability
What is test-retest reliability?
Do scores on the test remain similar from one test to the next?
What is alternate-forms reliability?
Are scores similar on different versions of the test?
Describe Validity.
The ability of a test to measure what it was designed to measure
What are the 3 types of validity?
Face validity, content validity, and criterion validity
What is face validity?
The overall validity. Does it measure what it is supposed to?
What is content validity?
Do the items on the test broadly represent the trait in question?