Scientific Method Flashcards
What are the 4 Goals of Psychology?
- Describe
- Explain
- Predict
- Control
What are the Scientific Method Steps
- From testable hypothesis
- Design study/collect data
- Analyze data/draw conclusions
- Report findings
- Build theories
What is a Hypothesis?
A tentative statement that describes the relationship between 2 or more variables
-Can be empirically tested –> evidence that can be proven or verified through observation, measurement, and experimentation.
What are variables? What kinds are there?
- The parts of a hypothesis that can be changed
- Independent variables do not change
- Dependent variables change because of the experiment
What is the definition of Operational?
The specific terms of how a variable will be measured, manipulated, or changed
-important because many concepts can be measured in multiple ways
What are Descriptive Methods of Studying?
- Observing and describing behavior
- who, what, when, where the behavior occurs
What are Experimental Methods of Studying?
- one variable causes a change in a 2nd variable
- researcher deliberately changes on variable and then measures the change in the second variable
What are some Types of Data?
- Raw Observations
- Survey Information
- Records
What are Statistics Used For?
Used to analyze the data and draw conclusions about findings
-If something is statistically significant, the results likely didn’t occur by chance
What is Meta-Analysis?
Used in Psych to analyze results of research studies on a topic
-Results of several studies put into an analysis reveals trends not seen in individual studies
Reporting in Psychololgy
- Must give all details of study : why, who, how many, how variables were defined, methods of procedures, how the data was analyzed, what results suggest, etc.
- Describing the experiment means it can be replicated which gives validity to the study
- Findings can be reported through conference presentation, book, or journal article.
What does Building Theories do?
- Serves as a possible explanation for the relationships or commonalities found between different studies
- Different from a hypothesis in that a theory integrates completed research about a particular topic
- Used as tools for explaining behaviors and mental processes, not always statements of absolute fact
- Theories often generate new research
What is Naturalistic Observation?
Observation and recording of behaviors that occur in their natural setting, without the subject knowing about the experiment
What are Surveys?
Questionaries/Interviews designed to find the opinions, behaviors, or characteristics of a particular group
What is the Experiment Method of Studies?
Purposefully changing one factor thought to effect another factor
