Nature of Science Flashcards
Science
pursuit of objective knowledge obtained from observation
Science
- term refers to? (2)
1) Goal - involves search for relationships among variables
2) Method - systematically acquiring & evaluating
Scientific Process is..?
steps (4)
Systematic
- Developing problem
- Formulating hypothesis
- Gathering data
- Analyzing & interpreting results
How do theories become integral part of research process?
Theories used to develop research Q’s
Research helps develop theory, which can be used in practical setting (applied research)
Applied Research
- answers..?
- subjects?
- settings?
- disadvantage?
- results?
- answers immediate problem
- human subjects
- real-world settings
- lacks control
- results directly useful
Basic Research
- deals with?
- subjects?
- setting?
- advantage?
- disadvantage?
(5)
- deals with theoretical issues
- not necessarily human subjects
- laboratories
- carefully controlled
- results lack application
Uses of Scientific Knowledge (4)
1) Description
2) Prediction & Explanation
3) Sense of Understanding
4) Control
1) Description
* (2) approaches to ___
2 approaches to classification
- Typology
- Taxonomy
Typology
Dimensions represent concepts rather than empirical cases
- Based on notion of ideal type, (mental construct that deliberately accentuates certain characteristics)
- Mutually exclusive & exhaustive
- Internal homogeneity & external heterogeneity
Taxonomy
Classify items on basis of empirically observable & measurable characteristics
- Darwin
2) Prediction & Explanation
Statements of relationships are a basis for logical deduction
- used to make predictions about future
3) Sense of Understanding
Identifying Causal mechanisms
Probabilistic Causation (↑ probability of B if A occurs)
4) Control
knowledge used to control events
Theory
- *System of Ideas** that:
- contains hypotheses about how concept are related
- specifies links between concepts & observable behaviors, measurable thoughts, physiology etc.
A Theory works if it… (6)
- explains
- helps/aids in (5)
- Explains behavior
- helps predict future behavior
- Helps plan research
- Helps measure concepts
- Aids in practical planning
- Transtheoretical model
- Aids in evaluation of success/failure
A Theory is practical for health-related interventions if it… (6)
- focus?
- describes?
- has..? (4)
- Focuses on processes susceptible to social change
- Adequately describes relationship b/w key sets of variables so they can be targets of change
- Has associated set of assessments to accurately measure change
- Has substantive research base
- Has clear conceptual to operational definitions
- Has basis for detecting why intervention failed to produce change
Approaches to Theory Testing
(Issues to be aware of?)
1) Theory Comparison
2) Theory Compatibility
3) Parsimony
1) Theory Comparison
each has pros/cons
- discard model/theory that is less accurate/influential
2) Theory Compatibility
- some theories may be complementary/have overlap
- compared on similarities & potentially merged together
3) Parsimony
testable theories cant measure everything
adoption of simplest assumption
