L2 - Theories, Hypothesis & Variables Flashcards
Define a Theory
- Formal statement of relations among observable phenomena
- Contains hypothetical and measurable stuff e.g schiz cant be measured
- Gives order to a body scientific data
- Descriptive & Predictive (testably in unknown situations)
What is a complementary theory?
- Same phenomenon at different levels.
- Both are correct
- Predictions are consistent
What is a conflicting theory?
- Same levels but different ways
- Different predictions in the same situation
Define Hypothesis
- Organising data and relationships within a specific portion of a larger theory
- Generated from theory
- Relationship between two measurable properties
- Can be falsifiable
What is the null hypothesis
- What must be true, if hypothesis is not; A list of everything that is not included in the hypothesis
Define variable
- Something that can vary
- Must have at least 2 values
- Must be observable/recordable
- Must be operationalised (define variable and give measurement)
What can you do to stop ceiling/floor effects
- Increase sample of difficulty of test
Define Valid
Measures what it is supposed to. A scale not absolute.
Define Face Validity
Does it sound like its doing the right thing?
Define Content Validity
How well does a test cover relevant parts of the topic?
Define Construct Validity
Does it measure all of what you are trying to measure e.g ADHD: hyperactivity AND distraction or one factor only.
Define Concurrent Validity
Comparing an established test to a new one
Define Predictive Validity
Among time. Bit like temporal
Define Reliability
Are measurements consistent in the same situation
How to test reliability
External: test-retest, how they differ
Internally: How does each question correlate with the rest of the questionnaire
