SCIENTIFIC METHOD Flashcards
scientific method summarized in four steps
- hypothesis that is testable is proposed
- objective observations are collected
- 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 that you saw
- usually deductive
- always tries to predict laws and relationships using cause and effect
theory building
- looking for patterns
- compare your results to others
- create body of knowledge
independent
effect
dependent
cause
theory set of
- interrelated constructs
- definitions
- propostions that present systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables
- purpose of explaining or predicting phenomena
theory is characterized by 7 assumptions
- technical vocab
- can be explained by a theory
- tentative set of beliefs that can be verified by scientific method
- can help predict events and simulate situation in lab
- allows researcher to interpret results and to form conclusions
- generates knowledge and leads to development of further theory
- can be completely/partially true or completely/partially false
concepts
symbolic representation of something
ex way child views spoon
constructs
abstract or mental representation inferred from situation that you don’t directly experience (see/feel)
(ex we all take a shower differently)
relationship
connections between 2 concepts, 2 constructs, concept and construct
(ex child learns relationship between spoon and eating)
proposition
see a pattern/connection in a bunch of relationship
hypotheses
proposition that you want to test
research methodology
test hypothesis using a variety of research method
data
- objective
- subjective
- empirical data
law
if hypothesis is proven you can make it into a law
naturalistic inquiry
- develop theory from observations
- natural world
- no experiment/control/manipulation
- letting things happen and studying as is
observations>concepts>constructs>development>
hypothesis generation> observation>refinement of constructs>theory formation
theory
taking a lot of propositions and putting them together, explain whole phenomenon that is being studied
dissonance
- understanding of world, but you see something that you can’t explain
- oberve the world honestly
objectivity
- can’t let biases affect judgement
- need to be self aware and undersand 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
- process
replication
- whatever you do, anyone should be able to replicate your work
- you are completely transparent
in order to be a good critical thinker you need to
- know who you are
- aware of your biases and look at things objectively
- detail oriented
- open minded
- communicate clearly
- active listener
- intersceptive
- think outside the box
- interpret things from other perspectives
methods for research
- quantitative
- qualitative
quantitative
- systematic ways of collecting objective numerical data
- considerable control
- analysis of data statistical procedures
quantitative characteristics
- relatively small concepts or constructs
- preconceived ideas of what relationship is
- structured procedures and methods
- formal instruments to collect data
qualitative
- systematic analyzing subjective narrative material
- procedures has minimum researcher impose control
- difficult to replicate
- analyzing 1 and compare to rest, look for patterns and constructs (continue until data repeats itself)
- story doesn’t have to be verbal, can be written/pictures
- no formal instruments
ontology
- what is reality?
- way of looking at the world and saying what is reality
epistemology
how do we come to know it?
- observe
- authority
- experience
- tradition
- research
- occupational scientist
- clinicians experience, present and share knowledge
experimental/quantitative
- 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
naturalistic/qualitative
- postmodernism (multiple realities)
- himan experience is complex and 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 (practical/useful)
selection of research strategy is based on
- your preferred way of knowing
- level of knoeledge development in topic
- your research purpose (why are you doing it)
