Lecture 2 - Science and Measurement

Question 1

Scientific method

Answer 1

The means by which scientists validate their opinions, hypotheses, theories etc.

Question 2

Procedure of Scientific method

Answer 2

1. Identify question of interest
2. Collect relevant information and formulate a testable hypothesis
3. Design a study where hypothesis can be tested
4. Analyze data; make tentative conclusions
5. Report findings

Question 3

Falsifiability

Answer 3

An experimental circumstance that can falsify your data; potential to disprove

Question 4

Deductive argument

Answer 4

An argument that relies on valid premises in order for an argument to be deduced (from those premises) –>

Question 5

Inductive argument

Answer 5

An argument based on past or present evidence is used to infer premises about the future –> estimating, generalizing

Question 6

Inductive reasoning

Answer 6

Used in science to produce theories, can never prove inductive conclusions

Question 7

Evidence

Answer 7

Something used to disprove scientific findings

Question 8

Fact

Answer 8

An observation about the world

Question 9

Hypothesis

Answer 9

A thought that is testable

Question 10

Theory

Answer 10

A collection of true hypotheses that are conclusive

Question 11

Law

Answer 11

A detailed description of how something happens (pure mechanics, no explanation)

Question 12

Dependent variable

Answer 12

Chosen variable that’s being studied

Question 13

Independent variable

Answer 13

Variable being changed

Question 14

Measurement

Answer 14

A description of the variable in terms of the operations used to establish or measure that variable

Question 15

Variable (extra)

Answer 15

An element that is subject to change; can be more than one measurement, represented by one description

Question 16

Histogram

Answer 16

A graph that can represent a variable with more than one data inputs

Question 17

Density plot

Answer 17

Shows where the most common data points are

Question 18

Probability distribution

Answer 18

A math equation that gives the probabilities of occurrence of different possible outcomes for an experiment

Question 19

Central tendency

Answer 19

The most typical value of a data set

Question 20

Mode

Answer 20

The value that occurs with the greatest frequency

Question 21

Median

Answer 21

The middle number in an ordered set

Question 22

Normal distribution

Answer 22

Values tend to focus on a central point, creating a bell curve

Question 23

Negative skew

Answer 23

Skewed left; long tail points left

Question 24

Positive skew

Answer 24

Skewed right; long tail points right

Question 25

Descriptive research

Answer 25

Describes only observational data; cannot determine causation

Question 26

Correlational research

Answer 26

Looks for relationships between variables; tries to make generalizations

Question 27

Experimental research

Answer 27

Manipulates variables in a controlled manner to isolate the cause of the phenomena

Question 28

Naturalistic observation

Answer 28

Recording real-world settings without manipulation

Question 29

External validity

Answer 29

The extent to which we can generalize findings to real-world settings

Question 30

Case studies

Answer 30

Research that examines one or a selected few individuals over an extended amount of time

Question 31

Random sampling

Answer 31

a procedure that ensures that everyone has an equal chance of being chosen to participate

Question 32

Validity

Answer 32

The extent to which a measure assesses what it claims to measure

Question 33

Correlational designs

Answer 33

Used to examine the relationship between variables

Question 34

Correlation coefficient

Answer 34

A measure of the degree to which two variables are related (denoted as “ r “). Has a value between - 1 and 1