Week 2: Measuring the Mind Flashcards
(19 cards)
Empiricism
Theories must be tested through:
O____________________
Experiments must use:
v_____, r_______ measurement tools
Theories must be tested through:
Observation
Experiments must use:
valid, reliable measurement tools
Ensuring empiricism:
w________ d_________ studies
t___________ hypotheses
c_________ d_________ of variables
u____ or d__________ of measures
appropriate s___________ s________
well designed studies
testable hypotheses
clear definitions of variables
use or development of measures
appropriate sample sizes
Research Process:
CF
PR
CD
AD
PR
Conceptual Framework
Planning Research
Collecting Data
Analysing Data
Publishing Research
Scientific Theory must:
1. A________ d_________ o_______.
2. M_______ d__________ p________.
- Accurately describe observations.
- Make definitive predictions.
Theories must be:
F
V
Falsifiable:
could be proven false
Verifiable:
can be verified/replicated/analysed by others
Types of Data Collection
Quantitative: numerical
Qualitative: textual
Mixed: both
Types of Variables
Independent/Predictor
Dependent/Outcome/Criterion
Covariate/Control
Independent or Predictor Variables
Variables that are believed to cause change in other variables
Dependent/Outcome/Criterion Variables
Variables that are believed to change in response to other variables
Covariate/Control Variables
Other variables that may also impact on the dependent/outcome variable
Confounding Variables
A variable that is actually a more reasonable explanation than the tested independent variable.
Scales of Measurement
NOIR
Nominal/Categorical
Ordinal
Interval
Ratio
Nominal/Categorical Measures
Fixed measures
eg.
gender, eye colour, nationality, race/ethnicity, political preference
Ordinal Measures
Ordered measures, without magnitude or specific measure between each.
eg.
mild, medium, hot sauces
1st, 2nd, 3rd in the race
low, medium, heavy drinker
Interval Measures
Ordered measures with equal intervals between each, no true zero.
eg.
temperature, time
Ratio Measures
Ordered measures with equal intervals and a true zero.
eg.
exam scores, height, weight.
Discrete and Continuous Data
Discrete:
no interval values between data points
eg. nominal and ordinal
Continuous:
interval values between data points
eg. common in interval and ratio
Reliability and Validity
Reliability=
Consistency of Measuring: are we getting the same results each time?
Validity=
Measures correspond to reality, are we measuring what we intend to measure?
Mean, Median, Mode Averages
Mean=
sum of values, divided by number of values in data set
Median=
midpoint value of data set
Mode=
most common value in data set
