Midterm 1 Flashcards
(225 cards)
explain the scientific method research process
1) ask a question
2) assume a natural cause for the phenomenon
3) consult past research
4) state a testable hypothesis
5) make a conclusion
6) submit report to peer-reviewed journal
explain the method for testing a hypothesis
1) design study to test hypothesis
2) seek ethical approval
3) collect data
4) analyze data
5) revise hypothesis
6) repeat 1-5 (usually a few times)
hypothesis
a possible answer (may be true or untrue) to the question asked
falsifiable hypothesis
- must be specific
- must take risks
- must be testable (genuine test tries to refute rather than confirm)
what is the purpose of the concept of falsifiability?
evaluates the scientific status of a theory
what theory talked about in class is falsifiable?
einstein’s relativity
- took risks
- opportunity to test
what theory talked about in class is not falsifiable?
freud’s psychoanalysis
- no way to revise cause confidence
a hypothesis that is consistent with every possible outcome is essentially useless (should be incompatible with some), what is an example of this and why?
predict that weather tomorrow can be sunny, cloudy, rainy, or snowy –> not specific, takes no risks, always correct
what is the scientific status of a theory based on?
- falsifiability
- refutability
- testability
hypothesis generate models of the world to help us:
1) predict phenomena
2) determine causes of phenomena
3) explain phenomena
4) control phenomena
NOT DESCRIBE
what is important about new data for a hypothesis?
must account for everything that old data does, and provide additional info
how long do hypotheses survive for?
until data which it can’t account for in uncovered
when is a hypothesis unfalsifiable?
- when no empirical evidence in obtainable
- when it’s predictions are irrefutable
- when additional assumptions are introduced after refuted by data
falsifiability in practice
some theories not immediately discarded after contrary evidence is obtained
- revised to improve experimental methods
- useful but not testable (hope that will be testable one day) –> ex: string theory
- can’t be as specific cause of lack of knowledge (ex: neuroscience more complex than physics)
operational definition
a specific description of how a concept will be measured
operationalization
links concepts to data collection
operational variables
quantities of interest that serve as substitutes for measuring concept of interest
- ex: number of smiles to show happiness
what is the purpose of operational definitions?
- allow us to consistently quantify and measure concepts
- communicate ideas to others
what makes a good operational definition?
- reliability
- validity
- absence of bias (ex: external factors)
- cost (ex: low cost)
- practicality (ex: easy to measure)
- objectivity (ex: physical measurement not subjective)
- high acceptance (ex: many others have used)
bias
difference between the measurement made and the “true” value of that variable
reliability and bias must be determined be over ___ measurements.
many
reliability
- reproducibility of repeated measurements
- must be based on concrete observable behaviours
- facilitates consistency across measurements
what is the same as bias
systematic error
what is the same as reliability
precision, consistency