Theories, hypotheses, constructs and variables

Question 1

Define a fact

Answer 1

A statement about a direct observation of nature that is so consistently repeated that virtually no doubt exists as to its truth value

Simply = every time we observe this phenomenon, it occurs again and again

e.g. Cats are mammals because we constantly see them give birth, not lay eggs

Question 2

Define a theory

Answer 2

A collection of statements (propositions, hypotheses) that together attempt to explain a set of observed phenomena

Simply = Theories are just a series of facts that one refers to when attempting to create a unifying framework to explain reasons for observation

e.g. The theory of evolution which states that natural selection modifies populations over generations

Question 3

What is the purpose of a theory in psychology?

Answer 3

• Define
• Explain
• Organise
• Interrelate

Question 4

Is this a theory or a fact?

Tiredness leads to poorer cognitive performance

Answer 4

Theory

Question 5

Is this a theory or a fact?

Lecturing improves student knowledge

Answer 5

Theory

Question 6

Is this a theory or a fact?

Schizophrenia is genetically determined

Answer 6

Theory

Question 7

Define a hypothesis

Answer 7

A clear but tentative explanation for an observed phenomenon. It makes a specific prediction on the possible relationship between variables (can also provide cause and effect relationship)

e.g. people who drink coffee before
an experiment will perform faster in a
colour discrimination task than those
who do not have coffee

Question 8

People who drink coffee before
an experiment will perform faster in a
colour discrimination task than those
who do not have coffee

Is this a fact, hypothesis or theory?

Answer 8

Hypothesis

Question 9

The theory of evolution which states that natural selection modifies populations over generations

Is this a fact, hypothesis or theory?

Answer 9

Theory

Question 10

Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world

Is this a fact, hypothesis or theory?

Answer 10

Fact

Question 11

What are the 3 main differences between a theory and a hypothesis?

Answer 11

Hypothesis:
- Testable statement; can be either supported or refuted
- Specific; direct researchers on what to measure
- Tells us what kind of difference we can expect

Theory
- Not very testable (too general)
- Not specific; does not tell us what we should measure
- You can sometimes test for or against it but it generally doesn’t tell you anything

Question 12

What is considered a hypothesis? List 5 items in the criteria for identifying a hypothesis

Answer 12

1) Must be Falsifiable

2) Must be Testable

3) Must be Precisely Stated

4) Must be Rational: (is it consistent with known information?)

5) Must be Parsimonious: (is the explanation as simple as it can be?)

Question 13

Tiredness leads to poorer cognitive performance

Is this a fact, theory or hypothesis?

Answer 13

Theory (cannot be proven otherwise, not specific, not clear on how to test it, explanation is not very simple)

Question 14

Students who have had less than 8 hours of sleep the night before an exam perform worse than those who have had 8 or more hours of sleep the previous night

Is this a fact, theory or hypothesis?

Answer 14

Hypothesis (can be proven otherwise, can be tested, specific with the number of hours of sleep, the explanation is clear)

Question 15

Students who frequently engage with course
materials on Blackboard will get higher marks on the Research Methods & Statistics exam

Is this a fact, theory or hypothesis?

Answer 15

Hypothesis (can be proven otherwise, can be tested based on the scores on the RM&S exams, specific on how to measure learning, explanation is simple and clear)

Question 16

Course engagement improves student knowledge

Is this a fact, theory or hypothesis?

Answer 16

Theory (cannot be proven otherwise, cannot be tested, not clear on what should be measured and how it should be measured, explanation is not very simple)

Question 17

Explain the 5 steps of the hypothetico-deductive method (scientific study).

Answer 17

1) You make an observation of phenomena + you gather findings from previous studies

2) You create a theory

3) You create a hypothesis, based on the theory and use the criteria to check if your hypothesis is valid

4) You test your hypothesis through empirical testing

5) You collect your result and propose a conclusion:

    a. If results support hypothesis = hypothesis is undefeated
    b. If results do not support hypothesis = hypothesis and theory must be redefined or abandoned

Question 18

Define constructs

Answer 18

• Building blocks of theories
• Theoretical concepts formulated to serve
  as causal or descriptive explanations

e.g. Psychosis: a mental state
characterised by a “loss of contact
with reality” (DSM IV)

• Don’t directly indicate a means by which
  they can be measured

Simply = A definition of a behaviour/event/phenomena

Question 19

Define variables

Answer 19

• Any characteristic that can assume multiple
  values (i.e. can vary)

e.g. age, gender, body weight, alcohol
consumption, occupation, test score etc

• Variables must be operational (explicitly stated)

Simply = An event or condition the researcher
observes or measures

Question 20

What is the difference between constructs and variables?

Answer 20

Constructs:
- defined by theoretical definitions (indirectly measured)
- e.g. Psychosis: a mental state
characterised by a “loss of contact
with reality”

Variables:
- defined by operational definitions (explicitly stated; directly measured)
- e.g. knowledge on a certain topic is measured by end-of-topic test scores

Question 21

Intelligence: The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge; the faculty of thought and reason

Is this a construct or variable?

Answer 21

Construct

Question 22

To measure intelligence, we will use the score on a standardised test of intelligence such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale

Is this a construct or variable?

Answer 22

Variable

Question 23

Match the examples with the correct term

a. Schizophrenia is genetically determined

b. Disintegration of personality is expressed as the disorder of feeling, thought and conduct

c. A score of 30 or lower on MMPI personality scale with identified disorientation of thought and speech processes

1. Construct
2. Variable
3. Theory

Answer 23

1. B
2. C
3. A

Question 24

Match the examples with the correct term

a. Retention of course material as assessed by an exam

b. Course engagement improves student knowledge

c. Retention of course material: Acquaintance with or understanding of course material

1. Theory
2. Variable
3. Construct

Answer 24

1. B
2. A
3. C

Question 25

Match the items.

a. Hypothesis
b. Construct
c. Theory
d. Variable

1. People who have high ratings of introversion on a personality test will get higher scores on a scale of depression
2. Moderate to severe depression can be reflected as a score of 6 or more on the PHQ-9 scale
3. Depression is related to introversion
4. Depression is a mood disorder characterised by persistent feelings of sadness and disinterest

Answer 25

a. (1)
b. (4)
c. (3)
d. (2)

Question 26

A set of proposals that define, explain, organise and interrelate can be referred to as…

a.	A construct

b.	A variable

c.	A theory

d.	A hypothesis

Answer 26

C

Question 27

When we say that variables must be operational, what do we mean?

a. That they are defined explicitly so that they can be measured and expressed quantitatively or qualitatively

b. That the data are useful for future research

c. That the data collected are free from potential sources of bias

d. All of the above

Answer 27

A

Question 28

This word describes theoretical concepts which are constructed to express ideas or provide definitions for a phenomena…

a.	Fact

b.	Construct

c.	Theory

d.	Variable

Answer 28

B

Question 29

Which of the following words best fits this definition?

A clear but tentative explanation for an observed phenomenon.

a.	Theory

b.	Construct

c.	Hypothesis

d.	Variable

Answer 29

C