Chapter 2

Question 1

What is a theory?

Answer 1

a theory explains how (mechanistic explanation) or why (functional explanations) something happens; or both how and why

Question 2

A good theory is one that consists of what?

Answer 2

• leads to a number of testable hypotheses
• a good theory is one that is falsifiable

Question 3

What are the steps in a scientific investigation?

Answer 3

1. pose a specific, testable research question
2. educate about what is already known in the theory
3. formulate a testable hypothesis
4. design a study and select a research method
5. conduct the study
6. analyze the data
7. report the findings
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Question 4

A hypothesis is always a tentative statement true or false? explain your reasoning ?

Answer 4

true.
because the data might or might not support it

Question 5

What are the different types of research methods? and what do they consist of?

Answer 5

1. Descriptive methods : describe what is occurring. Also consists of observational studies, self-reports, case-studies
2. Correlational methods: Test the relationship between factors
3. Experimental methods: investigate what causes an outcome, causal relation. If it is a percentage it is not experimental

Question 6

Does random error affect the average?

Answer 6

no it does not affect the average only the variability around the average

Question 7

Does systematic error affect the average?

Answer 7

yes. This is known as a bias

Question 8

what is the difference between reliability versus accuracy?

Answer 8

• a reliable thing produces the same results when its under identical conditions
• a accurate measure produces results that agree with the theoretical value
• a measuring instrument can be inaccurate but reliable

Question 9

what is construct validity?

Answer 9

Refers to the extent to which a measure of X truly measures X and not Y.

Question 10

What is internal validity ?

Answer 10

An experiment with high internal validity means that the change in the dependent variable is caused by the independent variable not other or confounding factors

Question 11

what is external validity?

Answer 11

can the study of the researcher apply to real life situations ?

Question 12

what are some examples of descriptive research?

Answer 12

• longitudinal
  -cross-sectional
  -correlational
  -case study

Question 13

what is correlational studies?

Answer 13

researches use to see how two variable or traits are related.
in the study the researcher does not control any of the variables

Question 14

the strength of the correlation is indicated by what?…

Answer 14

a coefficient called pearson’s (r)
- the value ranges between -1 to +1
- -1 means perfect negative correlation between X and Y
- +1 means perfect correlation between X and y
- 0 means no correlation between X and Y

Question 15

Negative correlation means?

Answer 15

one goes up and one goes down
this is known as a negative slope

Question 16

positive correlation means?

Answer 16

if one decreases both decreases

Question 17

What is the confounding variable?

Answer 17

variable that affects a dependent variable and unintentionally varies between experimental conditions of a study