LCT3: Scientific Method Flashcards
What is the scientific method?
a method of inquiry based on Systematic gathering of Observable, Measurable evidence - also known as an empirical method
All research is based on…
find one (important) way of trying to know/learn about things
Explain the cyclical theory (4 steps)
1) start with big ideas/theories
2) make hypotheses or predictions about those things
3) Test hypotheses thru research/collection of data
4) evaluate the results and re-evaluate the theory based on those results
Whats something that has to take place during the scientific method?
Replication - steps must be repeatable… one study by itself means nothing in the science world (publication and peer review is a necessity)
Operational Definition
Measurable definition of a construct
Measure
a way of making observations, or measuring the construct
Population
the group the researcher wants to know about
Sample
a partial collection of a population - researchers try to generalize findings from sample to population
What are three types of samples researchers can take?
1) representative
2) convenience
3) random
What is a representative sample?
matches population on important characterisitics that might influence results
What is a convenience sample?
from an available population (usually skewed)
What is a random sample?
everyone has equal chance of being selected
