Chapter 2, Exam #1

Question 1

Paradigm

Answer 1

in the scientific process, scientists operate with a set of assumptions about their field, and these underlying suppositions direct their thinking and guide their approach to investigations

Question 2

theories

Answer 2

a systematic explanation of phenomenon that is testable and stated in terms of cause and effect

Question 3

hypotheses

Answer 3

a prediction about what should happen in a given situation based on an informed guess or hutch. derived from a larger theory or observation of nature

Question 4

law/principle

Answer 4

a description of a set of observed cause and effect relationships that have been repeatedly and consistently demonstrated. these descriptions are derived from reliable deductions from testing theories or inductions from recurrent naturalistic observations

Question 5

independent variable

Answer 5

manipulated or controlled by the researcher and produced a change in other variables

Question 6

dependent variable

Answer 6

changes as a result of changes in other variables

Question 7

extraneous variable

Answer 7

interfere with confirming that an independent variable has had an effect on the dependent variable

Question 8

ABAB design

Answer 8

baseline, treatment, no treatment, treatment

Question 9

Operational definition

Answer 9

description of a term or observation that is expressed as the “operations” used in the definition

Question 10

measurement

Answer 10

the process of assigning numbers t our observations

Question 11

cumulative record

Answer 11

continuous recording of accumulated number of responses emitted over a period of time- a measure of the rate of responding

Question 12

baseline period

Answer 12

a measurement, calculation, or location used as a basis for comparison

Question 13

positive correlation

Answer 13

a relationship between two variables in which both variables move in the same direction

Question 14

negative correlation

Answer 14

a relationship between two variables in which one variable increases and the other decreases

Question 15

experimental group

Answer 15

group of participants who receive the drug or treatment being studied in a clinical experiment

Question 16

control group

Answer 16

in a quantitative scientific experiment, subjects are divided into two groups, the variable being tested is applied to one group, but not the other; the second group, which does not receive the treatment, is the control group.

Question 17

What are the pros and cons of the 5 basic research designs?

Answer 17

(1) anecdotal evidence: pros: reflect real life situations. Cons: subject to bias, not generalizable, difficult to repeat, cannot demonstrate cause
(2) case studies: pros: reflects real life situations, objective. Cons: difficult to generalize, difficult to repeat, cannot demonstrate cause and effect
(3) descriptive studies: pros: reflects real life situations, objective, general cons: difficult to repeat, cannot demonstrate cause and effect relationships
(4) Comparative/ correlational studies (are these things related): Explore more than one variable at a time. Naturalistic, objectivity, generality, repeatability
(5) Controlled experiment (the cause and effect): Naturalistic???, objectivity, generality, repeatability, causality

Question 18

what are the 4 ways of knowing?

Answer 18

scientific validity, external proof, empirical evidence, and rationality

Question 19

what are the 4 stages of the scientific method?

Answer 19

problem definition, study design, analysis, and publication

Question 20

What are the pros and cons to using animals as research subjects?

Answer 20

1. Helps researchers to find drugs and treatments. 2. Helps insure safety of drugs. 3. Alternative methods of testing do not stimulate humans in the same way. Cons are 1. Some substances tested may never be used for anything useful. 2. It is expensive. 3. Animals and humans are never exactly the same