Theories, hypotheses, constructs and variables Flashcards
Define a fact
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
Define a theory
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
What is the purpose of a theory in psychology?
- Define
- Explain
- Organise
- Interrelate
Is this a theory or a fact?
Tiredness leads to poorer cognitive performance
Theory
Is this a theory or a fact?
Lecturing improves student knowledge
Theory
Is this a theory or a fact?
Schizophrenia is genetically determined
Theory
Define a hypothesis
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
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?
Hypothesis
The theory of evolution which states that natural selection modifies populations over generations
Is this a fact, hypothesis or theory?
Theory
Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world
Is this a fact, hypothesis or theory?
Fact
What are the 3 main differences between a theory and a hypothesis?
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
What is considered a hypothesis? List 5 items in the criteria for identifying a hypothesis
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?)
Tiredness leads to poorer cognitive performance
Is this a fact, theory or hypothesis?
Theory (cannot be proven otherwise, not specific, not clear on how to test it, explanation is not very simple)
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?
Hypothesis (can be proven otherwise, can be tested, specific with the number of hours of sleep, the explanation is clear)
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?
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)
Course engagement improves student knowledge
Is this a fact, theory or hypothesis?
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)
Explain the 5 steps of the hypothetico-deductive method (scientific study).
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
Define constructs
- 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
Define variables
- 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
What is the difference between constructs and variables?
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
Intelligence: The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge; the faculty of thought and reason
Is this a construct or variable?
Construct
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?
Variable
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
- Construct
- Variable
- Theory
- B
- C
- A
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
- Theory
- Variable
- Construct
- B
- A
- C
