Key Concepts Flashcards
Descriptive hypotheses
When a behavior will occur and how it will be measured. Predict when it will occur
Causal hypotheses
Identifies a cause of behavior
Good hypotheses criteria
Verifiable Falsifiable Precise Rational Parsimonious
Assumptions of science
Reality exists and can be found through observation
Nature/behavior is lawful and ordered
Determinism- behavior is due to natural events and causes
Behavior/nature is understandable through laws discovered by the scientific method
The scientific attitude
Openminded skepticism
Population
Entire group we are studying
Sample
A portion of the group we are studying
Randomization
Every one has an equal and independent chance of being selected
Random sampling
Randomly sample from the population
Random assignment
Randomly assign to conditions
Operational definition
Specific, concrete ways the researcher uses to create or measure the variable
Hypothetical construct
Abstract concept
Direction of relationships
Positive or negative
Strength of relationships
Closeness of X Y relationship and the errors
Correlation between size of r and accuracy of prediction in regression
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Descriptive stats
Organize and summarize data in a sample
Inferential stats
Infer population characteristics
Experimental research (techniques and advantages)
Makes statements of cause and effect. Less external validity but more internal
Descriptive research (techniques and advantages)
Correlational designs. Has external validity, gives useful descriptions, may be more feasible or ethical, and is a good starting point for other research
IV
Manipulated by experimenters
DV
Changed by IV
EV
Things that affect the DV other than the IV
Reliability
Consistency
Validity
Accuracy
Internal validity
No confounding or EVs
External validity
Can you generalize this to other types of people and situations
Normal distribution
Symmetrical and theoretically asymptotic and mean=median=mode
Skew
Not symmetrical
Mean
Average
Median
Middle score
Mode
Most common score
Standard deviation
How much scores deviate from each other and the mean. the square root of the sum of the scores minus the mean squared over N
Power
The ability to see what is really there, like a microscope
Empirical
Knowledge gained by observation and direct experience
Test-retest reliability
Consistency of scores of time
Internal reliability
Constancy of response to items within a test
Content validity
It it accurate and representative reflection of the variable/behavior
Construct validity
How accurate is the DV. How well does the HC line up with the OD
