The Scientific Method

Question 1

Define naïve realism

Answer 1

The belief that we see the world precisely as it is

Question 2

Steps of the Scientific Method

Answer 2

1. identify the question of interest
2. gather relevant information and formulate a testable hypothesis
3. design a study that can test the hypothesis
4. analyze the data and draw tentative conclusions
5. report the findings and ask further questions

Question 3

Define falsifiability

Answer 3

A hypothesis is falsifiable if it is capable of being disproved

Question 4

Deductive argument

Answer 4

Relies on a general statement or hypothesis (premise) believed to be true
ie. if A=B and B=C, then A=C
-Used to create theorems

Question 5

Inductive argument

Answer 5

An argument in which it is improbable (unlikely) that the conclusion is false given that the premises are true
ie. multiple premises believed to be true are combined to form a specific conclusion
-Used to create theories; can never be proved by science

Question 6

Fact, Theory, Hypothesis, Law

Answer 6

Fact: observations about the world around us, usually with explanations
Hypothesis: proposed explanation for phenomenon; starting point for further investigation
Theory: sustained explanation acquired through scientific method and repeatedly tested/confirmed through observation and explanation
Law: statement based on repeated experimental observations that describes some phenomenon of nature (usually mathematical)

Question 7

Dependent Variable

Answer 7

The variable by which the outcome of the experiment is measured; it is “affected/caused” and depends on the independent variable

Question 8

Independent Variable

Answer 8

The variable that is expected to affect the dependent variable; in experiments, this is the variable that is manipulated

Question 9

Operational Definition

Answer 9

Description of a variable in terms of the operations used to establish or measure that variable (should be precise/practical/quantitative)

Question 10

Continuous and Discrete data

Answer 10

Continuous: data that can be measured over an infinite number of values
Discrete: data that can be counted and is a finite value

Question 11

Probability Distribution

Answer 11

Math equation that describes the probability of obtaining certain values of a variable

Question 12

The Mode

Answer 12

The value that occurs with the greatest frequency

pros:
- works well with nominal frequency data (ie. non numerical values) and can produce sensible values

cons:
- dependent on how data is grouped/binned
- lowest sampling stability (fluctuates from sample to sample)
- many not exist for some data

Question 13

The Median

Answer 13

The middle number in an ordered set of data

pros:
- robust to extreme values

cons:
- does not work well with common statistical methods
- 2nd lowest sampling stability

Question 14

The Mean

Answer 14

Average of a set of numbers

pros:
- best sampling stability
- works well with many statistical methods

cons:
- value may not exist in the real world
- assumes data is on an interval measurement scale
- not robust to extreme values

Question 15

Standard Deviation

Answer 15

A measure of spread around the mean

Question 16

Skewness

Answer 16

Negative scew
- tail extends left
- mean<median<mode

Symmetrical
- tails are balanced

Positive scew
- tail extends right mode<median<mean