scientific method Flashcards
scientific methods 4 steps
- hypothesis
- observation
- results
- conclusion
hypotheses that is
testable is proposed
observations
objective
results are analyzed in
unbiased manner
conclusions proposed based on
results of study and previous knowledge
research
systematic
investigating subject
science
systematic
objective study
empirical phenomenon see, hear, feel, touch, results in a body of knowledge
scientific theory
- comprehensive explanation of things (empirical) you saw
- uses deductive reason always tries to predict laws and relationships using cause and effect
theory building
looking for patterns, compare your results to others, create body of language
theory
set of interrelated constucts, definitions, propositions that present systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with purpose of explaining or predicting phenomena
characteristics of a theory (7)
- technical vocabulary
- can be explained by a theory
- tentative set of beliefs that can be verified by scientific method
- theories can help predict events and simulate situations in laboratory
- theory allows researcher to interpret results and form conclusion
- theory generates knowledge and leads to development of further theory
- theory can be completely/ partially true or completey/ partially false
concepts
symbolic representation of something
constructs
abstract or mental representation inferred from situation that you don’t directly experience (see or feel)
ex: taking a shower we all do it differently or self care
relationship
connections between 2 concepts, 2 constructs, concept and construct
ex: child learns relationship between spoon and eating
proposition
see pattern in a bunch of relationship
theory
taking a lot of propositions and putting them together to (coherent) explain a whole phenomenon that is being studied
hypothesis
proposition that you want to test
research methodology
test hypotheses using a variety of research methods
data
collect objective, subjective, empirical data
law
if hypotheses is proven you can make it into a law
naturalistic inquiry
develop theory from observations
natural world, no experiment, no control, no manipulation, letting things happen and studying as is (natural)
observations> concepts> constructs> development>
hypothesis generation> observation> refinement of constructs> theory formation
dissonance
understanding of world, but you see something that you can’t explain, observe the world honestly
objectivity
need to be self aware and understand your biases and put it aside
perseverance
key, persistent because many times things will not go your way
intellectual curiosity
curious about world around you, critique or laugh and if you make a mistake you have to accept it
self criticism
accept criticism and change
need to be able to critique yourself
creativity
open and creative with coming up with explanation
integrity
honest to data, self, subject, methodology and process
replication
whatever you do, anyone should be able to replicate your work, you are completely transparent
good critical thinker
- aware of your biases and look at things objectively
- detail oriented
- open minded
- communicate clearly
- active listener
- think outside the box interpret things from other perspectives
methods for research
- quantitative
- qualitative
quantitative
- systematic ways of collecting objective numerical data
- considerable control
- example experiment in lab all materials are controlled
- analysis of data statistical procedures
quantitative characteristics
- relatively small concepts or constructs
- preconceived ideas of what relationship is (that’s why you have a hypotheses)
- structured procedures and methods
- formal instruments to collect data
qualitative
- systematic analyzing subjective narrative material
- procedures has minimum researcher or no control (naturalisically)
- difficult to replicate
- analyzing 1 and compare the rest, look for patterns and constructs (not getting anything new, getting same data you can stop)
- story doesn’t have to be verbal, written, pictures
- no formal instruments
philosophical bases for research
- ontology
- epistemology
- experimental/quantitative
ontology
what is reality?
way of looking at world and saying what is reality
qualitative believe in multiple reality
epistemology
how do we come to know it?
- observe
- authority
- research
- occupational scientist
- clinicians experience, present and share knowledge
logical positivism
single reality
understood through collection and analysis of sense data
deductive research designs
experimental continua of designs
based on degree of control, structure and purpose
experimental/ quantitative
- logical positivism
- experimental continua of designs
naturalistic/ qualitative
- postmodernism
- naturalistic continua of designs
postmodernism
multiple realities
human experience is complex & cannot be understood by its parts
holistic views
naturalistic continua of designs
based on purpose, degree of investigator involvement and investigator imposed
structure and control
integrated research
mixing methods based on philosophy of pragmatism
selection of research strategy is based on
- your preferred way of knowing
- level of knowledge development in topic
- your research purpose
