Lecture 19 - Bringing it all together

Question 1

What can you not do to a theory?

Answer 1

Prove it - you either support it or disprove it. Falsification!

Question 2

Data can either support a theory, disprove it, or…?

Answer 2

Distinguish between two different theories.

Question 3

What is ‘exploratory research’?

Answer 3

Research where a theory is not available in advance.

Question 4

When is the most fruitful research often conducted?

Answer 4

When there are two competing theories - supporters of each try to disprove the other’s theory.

Question 5

What is the ideal environment in which to run an experiment?

Answer 5

When two theories can be compared by what they predict for the results - the data are hopefully interesting whichever way they go.

Question 6

What could cause negative data?

Answer 6

• inaccurate measurements - insufficient power - difference could be minute and could therefore require more pts to decrease variance - confounding/noise variables - there might not be a difference.

Question 7

Why can’t you look for significant similarities in data?

Answer 7

There’s no test for it, mainly because of the problem of how similar things would have to be - the measurement accuracy would be too critical.

Question 8

How is a statistical hypothesis formed?

Answer 8

Grand theory –> research hypothesis –> statistical hypothesis.

Question 9

What are 4 things you must do when describing data?

Answer 9

• show it in as much detail as is reasonable - always show variability - if it’s confusing, simplify it - include any data worth discussing (not in appendices!)

Question 10

What three things do you need to know before carrying out a statistical test?

Answer 10

1. Which test to run 2. What the test’s requirements are 3. How to perform the test in SPSS