Chapter 2 Research Methods Flashcards
Scientific Skepticism
Willingness to keep an open mind to all claims.
What is scientific skepticism characterized by?
Critical thinking (a set of skills).
Scientific thinking principles
- Rule out rival hypotheses
- Correlation isn’t causation
- Falsifiability
- Replicability
- Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence
- Occam’s razor
Falsifiability
Can this claim be disproven?
Occam’s razor
Does a simpler explanation fit the data just as well?
Replicability
Can the results be duplicated in other studies?
System 1 or intuitive thinking
Quick, reflexive, almost automatic. Relies on heuristics.
System 2 or analytical thinking
Slow, reflexive, effortful.
The scientific method toolbox
Allows us to test specific hypotheses derived from broader theories of how things work.
The scientific method. Four main steps:
Observe, detect regularities, generate a hypothesis, and observe
Beliefs
Beliefs guide your actions because they’re based on your history.
Describing behavior
Descriptive data is collected through systematic observations.
Predicting behavior
Once data has been collected, statistical techniques can be applied to predict when the behavior will take place again.
Explaining behavior
To determine cause-effect, it is necessary to conduct experimental research.
Validity
The extent to which a measure assesses what it claims to measure.
Internal
To what extent is your study addressing the issues that it is supposed to address.
External
To what extent do your observations represent real life?
Naturalistic observation
record naturally occurring behavior in a real-life situation.
Structured observation
Observations conducted under highly controlled conditions.
Participant observations
Research blends into the group.
Reliability
Consistency of measurement.
Negative correlation
The two variables move together but in opposite directions.
Zero correlation
Value of one measure does not predict value of the other measure.
Variable
A characteristic that can vary.
Independent variable
The treatment or intervention that the experimenter “manipulates” or varies.
Dependent variable
Variable that an experimenter measures to see whether the manipulation has an effect.
Random assignment
The experimenter randomly sorts participants into two groups.
Confounding variable
Any variable that differs between the experimental and control groups other than the independent variable.
Nocebo effect
Harm resulting from the mere expectation of harm.
