Chapter 2 Flashcards
What are the three assumptions of science?
- Empiricism: Generates predictions based on
theories and hypotheses, gathering of data, and
using data to test predictions - Determination: Behavior is orderly and
systematic - Discoverability: Behavior can be experienced,
examined, and discovered
What is an independent variable?
Research Variables
Independent
variable
* Anything
systematically
manipulated or
an antecedent
to other
variables
* Predictor,
precursor, or
antecedent
What is a dependent variable?
Dependent
variable
* What an
experiment is
designed to
assess
* Criteria,
outcome, or
consequence
What is an extraneous variable?
Any other
variable that
can
contaminate
results
* Alternative to
causal
explanation
(confounding variable)
What is science
a process or method for generating a body of knowledge
what is the goal of science?
description, explanation, prediction & control of phenomenon
what is a theory?
a set of interrelated constructions, definition, and propositions that presents a systematic view of a phenomenon by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomenon
What makes a good theory?
*parsimonious - explain a lot as simply as possible.
*precision - specific and accurate in its wording
*testability
*useful - predicting important phenomenon
*generativity - stimulate research that attempts to support or refute its propositions
what is induction?
starts with data
deduction?
starts with a theory
benefit of the cyclical inductive - deductive model of research
help you understand the ways in which the scientific process is best applied
causal inference
a conclusion, drawn from research data about the likelihood of causal relationship between two variables
control variables
variables that we can hold constant
internal validity
the extend to which we can draw causal inferences about our variables
external validity
the extent to which the results obtained in an experiment generalize to other people, settings, and times
