Hypothesis Testing

Question 1

Scientific Method

Answer 1

Isn’t just a method. It’s a philosophy about how we might answer questions about the world. The goal is to make accurate predictions about whatever problem we’re examining.

-The purpose of the method is to prove something false not to prove it true

Question 2

Theory

Answer 2

An interrelated set of concepts that explain a series of observations used to generate a hypothesis

Question 3

Myth

Answer 3

Purpose of the scientific method is to prove hypothesis false

Question 4

False

Answer 4

The purpose of the scientific method is to prove something false not to prove something true.
-It’s about finding the black swan

Question 5

1. Hypothesis

Answer 5

A statement of what we expect to find.

EX. all swans are white.
-but one black swan disproves this hypothesis
-Our theory of the “coloration of birds feathers” is disproved so we have to start again
-Science is a graveyard of “huge ideas”
-Includes a lot of self-correction
-A hypothesis is a RISKY PREDICTION

Question 6

Gravity

Answer 6

A risky prediction (hypothesis)
-In a vacuum, a feather will fall just as fast as a 100-lb weight.
-It will bend light.

Question 7

Evolution

Answer 7

Our bodies are composed of “parts” inherited from our non-human ancestors.
-If there is a place cut off from the rest of the world, there will be creatures there
unlike anything else in the world.
-The Darwin moth and orchids

Question 8

2. Operationalize terms

Answer 8

An explicit set of procedures about how to recognize and measure the concept we’re interested in.
-confounds

Question 9

Independent Variable

Answer 9

The treatment or area of interest

EX. Prevan Gen increases memory
(ginkobeloba Independent) (math score to test memory dependent)

Question 10

Dependent Variable

Answer 10

The result of the treatment

EX. Prevan Gen increases memory
(ginkobeloba Independent) (math score to test memory dependent)

Question 11

3. Random Selection

Answer 11

Population- that group that we’re interested in generalizing about
Sample- a subset of the population
Random- Everybody in the population has an equal chance of being

Question 12

Population

Answer 12

that group that we’re interested in generalizing about

Question 13

Sample

Answer 13

A subset of the population

Question 14

Random

Answer 14

Everybody on the population has an equal chance of being selected for our study
-Something random happens by chance

Question 15

4. Random assignment into Experimental or Control groups

Answer 15

Experimental- Receives the treatment
Control- Is treated EXACTLY like the experimental group, but receives a
“placebo”
5. Do the experiment!
“Manipulate” the IV
Best way? Double Blind Studies:
Neither the experimenters or the participants know who is in the
experimental group or who is in the control group

Question 16

Experimental

Answer 16

Receives the experiment

Question 17

Control

Answer 17

Is treated EXACTLY like the experiment group, but receives, “placebo”

Question 18

Placebo

Answer 18

If you think you know the effect of the treatment you are more likely to feel those effects even without the treatment.

Question 19

Nocebo

Answer 19

When people anticipate a pills possible side effects, they can suffer the negative effects.

Question 20

Double Blind Studies

Answer 20

Neither the experimenters nor the participants know who is in the
experimental group or who is in the control group

Question 21

6. Correlations

Answer 21

Correlation: A relationship between two variables
Only three types: Positive, Negative, Zero
But, “Correlation does not mean cause and effect!”
Why?
Random variability- “I had a friend who…” is not a scientific
explanation, because there is too much variability in people no matter what you’re
measuring
Spurious correlations: Relationship b/w two variables is actually caused
by a third variable

Question 22

Correlation

Answer 22

relationship between two variables
Only three types: Positive, Negative, Zero
But “Correlation does not mean cause and effect!” because random variability and spurious correlations.

Question 23

Random variability

Answer 23

“I had a friend who…” is not scientific explanation, because there is too much variability in people no matter what you’re measuring

Question 24

Spurious correlations

Answer 24

Relationships between 2 variables in actually cause by a third variable

EX. positive correlations between drowning and ice cream eaten. The third variable would be the heat.

Question 25

Expectancy effects

Answer 25

Demand Characteristics: People think that they know what the experiment
is about, and this affects their behavior.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Experimenter manipulates steps in the method,
whether she knows it or not.

Question 26

Demand Characteristics

Answer 26

People think that they know what the experiment is about, and this affects their behavior.

Question 27

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Answer 27

Experimenter manipulates steps in the method, whether she knows it or not.