The scientific method Flashcards
Psychology
the scientific study of human mental states and behavior
features of scientific ideas
aim to objective, utilise and produce empirical evidence, use methods of science, use predictions, models and theories
features of non-scientific ideas
non-objective/subjective, unempirical, imprecise/vague, dogmatic and unverifiable
dogmatic
not open to questioning
what are non-scientific ideas formed from
anecdotes, opinion, intuition or hearsay
what is a scientific method
a procedure used to obtain knowledge that involves hypothesis formulation, tests, experimentation, observation, measurement and recorrding. Its a problem solving strategy
what does a scientific method start with
asking a question and generating a hypothesus and testing it to generate evidence that either supports or refuses it
a model
a representation of a concept, process or behaviour, often made to simplify or make something easier to understand
A theory
a proposition or set of principles that is used to explain something or make predictions bout cause and effect
main function of a model
explain and predict
main function of a theory
simplify and represent
aim
a statement outlining the purpose of the investigation which is written as a succinct, straightforward statement
what is hypothesis
a testable prediction about the outcome of an investigation
what does a hypothesis include
the independant and dependant variable, the population and direction (IPAD)
hypothesis formula
it is predicted that (participants/population) who/when (IV experimental condition), will have/show (direction of DV) compared to those who/when (IV control condition)
