Chapter 2 Flashcards
Empiricism
involves using evidence from the senses as the basis for conclusions
The Scientific Process (5 stages in order)
Identify, Form, Test, Analyze, Build
Hindsight Understanding
propose an explanation after view behaviour
Hypothesis testing
test possible explanations through scientific methods
What makes a good measurement?
Validity and Reliability
Self Report Measures
Reporting on their own knowledge and beliefs etc (questionnaire)
Observational measurement
requires an ‘operational definition’ and a ‘consistently code’
Descriptive (Naturalistic) Research
explain behavior in natural environments eg. case studies
Population
the entire set of individuals tested
Sample
a subset of individuals drawn from a population
A representative sample
a sample that reflects the important characteristics of the population
Random sampling
Every member of the population has an equal probability of being chosen
Unrepresentative Sample vs Representative Sample
Small rep is better than big unrep
Normal distribution (bell curve) graph description
Symmetrical, Central peak (mean), tails off to both ends
Variability
how much measurements differ on another
Range
Largest value - smallest value
Standard deviation σ (sigma)
Describes the average difference between the measurements in a frequency distribution and the mean of the distribution
Correlation Research
Looking for an association between two or more measured variables
Correlation does not cause -
Causation
Correlation coefficient (r)
describes the relationship between 2 variables, ranging from -1.0 to +1.0 (absolute value = strength)
Positive Correlations
an increase in one variable that relates to an increase in the other 0 < r </ +1.0
Negative Correlations
an increase in one variable relates to a decrease in the other -1.0 </ r < 0
Zero Correlations
There is no relation between the 2 variables r=0
Experimental Research
Manipulation of one variable and measuring changes in another variable while holding all other factors constant
