Concepts & Variables Flashcards
What is a construct?
Constructs are hypothetical attributes or mechanisms that help explain and predict behavior in a theory.
What is a operational definition?
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.
What is a variable?
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What is an independent variable?
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.
What is a dependent variable?
The measures of behavior that are used to assess the effect (if any) of the independent variables are called dependent variables.
What is a literature review?
Literature Review is a systematic study, survey and interpretation of material published on a particular topic. (Barbie, 2002)
Literature Review can be broken down into a verb which includes _______ and _______
Researching and Reading
Literature Review can be broken down into a noun which includes _______ and _______
The writing
What is the first step of a literature review?
Step 1: Finding Relevant Articles
- Develop keywords/phrase
- Use appropriate research databases
What is the second step of the literature review?
Step 2: Read and Analyze Article
Consider…
- Information on the topic of interest
- Suggestions for my own research?
What is the third step of a literature review?
Step 3: Analyze the body of Literature
- Combine the articles together
- State your own opinion
What is a research hypothesis?
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.
What are characteristics of research hypothesis?
- Based on theory
- Testable
- Specific
- Observable & measurable
- Refutable (Principle of Falsifisbility)
- Positive (It suggest a relationship exists)
What is scientific observation\data?
Scientific observation is made under precisely defined conditions, in a system- atic and objective manner, and with careful record keeping.
What is the definition of a theory?
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.
What is deductive reasoning ?
This uses a general statement as the basis for reaching a conclusion about specific examples.
What is inductive reasoning?
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.
List the characteristics of a theory
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.
Logical Argument Definition
Logical Argument
- It is a series of statements consisting of premises (assertions)
and a conclusion
Content of Literature Review
- One logical argument OR set of linked logical arguments
- A series of premises + conclusion (hypothesis)
Table - in notion
