2: Overview of the Scientific Method Flashcards
Hypothetico-deductive/Hypothetico-inferential Model
A cyclical process of theory development, including four stages:
1. Hypothesis Derivation: an observed phenomenon causes the development or use of a theory to make a hypothesis of what should happen if that theory is correct
2. Hypothesis Testing: hypothesis is tested
3. Theory Evaluation: evaluate the theory in light of results
4. Theory Construction/Revision
Inductive Reasoning
Used to develop theories based on observations; helpful when there is no existing theory to inform a hypothesis.
- bottom/up reasoning– observation, pattern, tentative hypothesis, theory
Abductive
Explanatory Hypothesis
A tentative, testable, and falsifiable statement that explains a phenomenon.
-“immature theory”
Generalizing Hypothesis
A statement that describes (generalizes) an observed pattern.
- “immature law”
Hypothesis vs. Prediction
use syllogistic logic:
if a hypothesis is true and a method is used, then one can make a prediction (prediction follows hypothesis)
Theory
A coherent explanation or interpretation of one or more phenomena; system of abstract concepts (constructs) and the relationships among them (propositions).
- can be both tested and untested
Syllogism
A conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion (e.g., all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs ).
• IF theory/hypothesis is correct • AND we set up condition to test it • THEN we should see something that confirms it
Basic vs. Applied Science
Basic (description, prediction, explaination) is to understand; applied (intervention) is to use understanding.
Description
Systematically categorizing, defining, and identifying
Common Sources of Research Inspiration
- Informal Observation
- Practical Problems
- Previous Research
Empirical Research Reports
describe one or more new empirical studies conducted by the authors
Review Articles
summarize previously published research on a topic and usually present new ways to organize or explain the results
— can be theoretical (present theory) or a meta-analysis (provide statistical summary of previous results)
Theoretical Article
a review article devoted primarily to presenting a new theory
Meta-Analysis
a review article that provides a statistical summary of all of the previous results
Double-Blind Peer Review
reviewers of a research article do not know the identity of the researcher(s) and vice versa
Monograph
a coherent written presentation of a topic much like an extended review article written by a single author or a small group of authors
Interestingness
How interesting the question is to people generally or the scientific community. Three things need to be considered:
1. Is the answer in doubt?
2. Does it fill a gap in research literature?
3. Does it have important practical implications?
Feasibility
How likely is the research question going to be successfully answered depending on the amount of time, money, equipment and materials, technical knowledge and skill, and access to research participants there will be.
Qualities of a Good Hypothesis
- Testable using the methods of science
- Falsifiable: possibility of gathering evidence to disconfirm it
- Logical: informed by previous theories or observations and logical reasoning
- Positive: asserts the existence of a relationship or effect (as opposed to the absence of it)
Deductive Reasoning
Used to develop a specific hypothesis to predict an outcome based on an existing theory.
-top/down reasoning– theory, prediction, observation, conformation/rejection
Operational Definition
A definition of the variable in terms of precisely how it is to be measured.
ie. making an abstract concept such as depression something that can be directly observed and measured
Convenience Sampling
A common method of non-probability sampling in which the sample consists of individuals who happen to be easily available and willing to participate (such as introductory psychology students).
-might not be representative of the population, and therefore less appropriate to generalize
Extraneous Variable
Any variable other than the dependent and independent variable.
