Methods Chapter 2 Flashcards
Define Empiricism
accurate knowledge can be acquired trough observation
Empirical Method
a set of rules and techniques for observation
Scientific Approach
events governed by lawful order
Theory
hypothetical explanation a natural phenomenon
Hypothesis
Falsfiable PREDICTION made by a theory
Operational Definition
description of x in concrete, measurable terms i.e. “piercing - 1 piercing/person NOT 500 gross
Instrument
can detect CONDITION from Op. Definition
Validity
goodness of an event defining a property i.e. - 1 pierce has validity// ie frequency of smiling valid to determine happiness
reliability
instrument produces same measurement when measuring same thing i.e.. smile detected same way for TUES/THURS
Power
instrument’s ability to detect small magnitudes of a property
Demand Characteristics
aspect of setting/enivronment - causes people to behave as THEY THINK others WANT THEM to BEHAVE
Naturalistic Observation
unobtrusive - in natural environment - ie Jane Goodall chimps ie Hawthorne effect: ANY manipulation increase productivity - felt special
Examples of Participation Observation
Abu Biruni (973-1048 bad example) - FESTINGER “When Prophecy Fails” with Cognitive Distance Theory
These are the goals of the scientific approach
- Description-Measurement 2. Understanding-Prediction 3. Application-Control
Name the constructs of measurement
- self report measures - reports by others - behavioural observations - physiological measures
Define Variable
Variable - any MEASURABLE condition, event, characteristic, behaviour THAT IS manipulated, controlled, observed
Steps of Scientific Investigation
HSCAR 1 Hypothesis 2 Select Method 3 Conduct Study 4 Analyze Data-Draw Conclusions 5 Report findings of Research
Advantages of Scientific Method
Clarity/Precision -error free
The 2 research methods
1 Experimental - 2 Correlational
Define Experiment
Experiment - a technique to Establish CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP between 2 variables
Define Manipulation
Changing a variable in order to determine its casual power
Independent Variable
vairable Manipulated in an experiment
Experimental Group
exposed to the manipulation vs. control group not exposed - in example of speech manipulation TAPPING WAS CONTROL
Extraneous Variables (standardized variables)
others than independent that MAY Influence dependent variable
Confounding
value of extraneous variable varies across conditions of an experiment AKA changes along with the independent vble
Random Assignment
all subjects equal chance of being assigned to any Group/condition in the study
Internal Validity
attribute of experiment allowing to Establish CASUAL RELATIONSHIPS
External Validity
variables defined in typical way - simulates real world
Population (PSYC)
complete collection of participants who might be measured
Sample
partial collection of people drawn from a population
Case Method
a procedure to gather scientific information - studying single individual
Random Sampling
technique to ensure every member of population has chance to be included in the sample
define Between-subjects design
participant is in control or treatment group - NOT both - new group for each treatment
Multiple IV design
- either between- or within-subjects variables - e.g., effects of gender and drug on memory
Variations on experimental design
multiple dependent variables eg. examine both accuracy and speed of performance of data entry
Quasi-Experiment
any experimental design that DOES NOT control the influence of all extraneous variables - often arise in situations where it is not possible to randomly assign subjects - ie how gender effects locus of control need a specific gender