Concepts & Variables

Question 1

What is a construct?

Answer 1

Constructs are hypothetical attributes or mechanisms that help explain and predict behavior in a theory.

Question 2

What is a operational definition?

Answer 2

An operational definition is a procedure for measuring and defining a con- struct. An operational definition specifies a measurement procedure (a set of operations) for measuring an external, observable behavior, and uses the re- sulting measurements as a definition and a measurement of the hypothetical construct.

Question 3

What is a variable?

Answer 3

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Question 4

What is an independent variable?

Answer 4

The independent variable has two levels. These two levels often represent the presence and the absence of some treatment, respectively. The condition in which the treatment is present is commonly called the experimental condition; the condition in which the treat- ment is absent is called the control condition.

Question 5

What is a dependent variable?

Answer 5

The measures of behavior that are used to assess the effect (if any) of the independent variables are called dependent variables.

Question 6

What is a literature review?

Answer 6

Literature Review is a systematic study, survey and interpretation of material published on a particular topic. (Barbie, 2002)

Question 7

Literature Review can be broken down into a verb which includes _______ and _______

Answer 7

Researching and Reading

Question 8

Literature Review can be broken down into a noun which includes _______ and _______

Answer 8

The writing

Question 9

What is the first step of a literature review?

Answer 9

Step 1: Finding Relevant Articles

• Develop keywords/phrase
• Use appropriate research databases

Question 10

What is the second step of the literature review?

Answer 10

Step 2: Read and Analyze Article

Consider…

• Information on the topic of interest
• Suggestions for my own research?

Question 11

What is the third step of a literature review?

Answer 11

Step 3: Analyze the body of Literature

• Combine the articles together
• State your own opinion

Question 12

What is a research hypothesis?

Answer 12

A research hypothesis is a tentative explanation for a phenomenon; it is often stated in the form of a prediction together with an explanation for the predicted outcome.

Question 13

What are characteristics of research hypothesis?

Answer 13

• Based on theory
• Testable
• Specific
• Observable & measurable
• Refutable (Principle of Falsifisbility)
• Positive (It suggest a relationship exists)

Question 14

What is scientific observation\data?

Answer 14

Scientific observation is made under precisely defined conditions, in a system- atic and objective manner, and with careful record keeping.

Question 15

What is the definition of a theory?

Answer 15

A theory is a logically organized set of propositions that serves to define events, describe relationships among these events, and explain the occurrence of these events.

Question 16

What is deductive reasoning ?

Answer 16

This uses a general statement as the basis for reaching a conclusion about specific examples.

Question 17

What is inductive reasoning?

Answer 17

The process of generalization is an almost automatic human response. It involves using a relatively small set of specific observations as the basis for forming a general statement about a larger set of possible observations.

Question 18

List the characteristics of a theory

Answer 18

Scope: Theories differ in the breadth of events they seek to explain, from very specific phenomena (e.g., flashbulb memory) to complex phenomena (e.g., love).

Function: A theory organizes empirical knowledge from previous studies and guides future research by suggesting testable hypotheses.

Important Features: Intervening variables provide an explanatory link between variables.

Good theories are:
• Logical. They make sense and predictions can be logically deduced.
• Precise. Predictions about behavior are specific rather than general.
• Parsimonious. The simplest explanation for a phenomenon is best.

Question 19

Logical Argument Definition

Answer 19

Logical Argument

• It is a series of statements consisting of premises (assertions)

and a conclusion

Question 20

Content of Literature Review

Answer 20

• One logical argument OR set of linked logical arguments
• A series of premises + conclusion (hypothesis)

Question 21

Table - in notion