Chapter 1 Flashcards
(47 cards)
Statistical notation
Code for communicating statistical results and for simplifying statistical formulas
Scientific method
A set of rules consisting of certain assumptions, attitudes, goals, and procedures for creating and answering questions about nature
Lawful
Every event can be understood as a predictable sequence of natural causes and effects
Determinism
Behavior is solely influenced by natural causes and does not depend on an individual’s choice or “free will”
What must behavior be assumed to be in order to be studied scientifically?
Lawful, determined, and understandable
Opne-minded
Leaving biases and preconceptions behind
Research ethics
Neither researchers nor their research should cause harm to others
What traits should scientists have?
Uncertain, open-minded, skeptical, cautious, and ethical
Design
Specific manner in which the study is set up and conducted
Subjects/Participants
Specific people or animals to study
Empirical
Learned by observation
Objectivity
The researcher’s biases, attitudes, or subjective impressions do not influence the observations or conclusions
Systematic
Observations are obtained in a methodical, step-by-step fashion
Control
Eliminating factors that might influence the behavior being observed
Acceptable scientific evidence is obtained through what?
Empirical, objective, and controlled research.
Pseudo-explanation
Giving as the reason for an event another name for that event
To completely understand a behavior, researchers strive to do what?
Describe it, explain its causes, and predict and control its occurrence
Applied research
Solving an existing, real-life problem
Basic research
Research conducted simply for the knowledge it produces
What is the purpose of basic research?
To obtain knowledge
What is the purpose of applied research?
To solve an existing problem
What is one specific study in light of a behavior?
A “snapshot” or small portion, representing a very limited and simplified view and contributing minutely to the goals of understanding a behavior
Hypothesis
A formally stated expectation about how a behavior operates
Casual hypothesis
Tentatively identifies a particular cause for, or influence on, a behavior