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PSYC5003 > WK 1 Intro Research > Flashcards

WK 1 Intro Research Flashcards

1
Q

What is the base rate?

A

when deciding which outcome is more likely you should always consider outcome that is more common i.e., Christian vs. Satanist

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2
Q

what is operationalism?

A

• to quantify (empirically) what you mean; how exactly are you measuring things?
• Allows you to specify what you mean by something like ‘agression’ and how you measure this

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3
Q

what is description? what kind of studies happen in this method?

A

• observing in systematic manner
• Does X or Y actually exist?
• Case studies, natural observation, survey methods

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4
Q

Give example of common sense and why it is problematic

A

• Belief through collective wisdom, i.e., opposites attract, birds of a feather flock together
o Problem: common does not equal true, often opposing statements, not based on systemic collection or evaluation of evidence

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5
Q

give example of tenacity and why it is problematic

A

• Frequency i.e., heard so much you believe it’s true – only use 10% brain
o Problem: don’t know if evidence was ever accurate; some find it very difficult evaluate these beliefs or to change their opinions

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6
Q

if results support our hypothesis, what do we do?

A

test again! increase confidence by repeating cycle of scientific method&raquo_space;> generate theory

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7
Q

what is included in a measurable hypothesis

A

states direction of relationship between variables + how they should be measured, manipulated, and defined

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8
Q

what are some characteristics of a critical thinker

A

• The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a judgement.
• Rational
• Analytical
• Logical
• Skeptical
• Open minded

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9
Q

why is verifiability not enough all on it’s own?

A

• Finding supporting evidence does not “prove” a theory or hypothesis is true, it merely suggests that there is some evidence in favour of the theory/hypothesis

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10
Q

what are some characteristics of pseudoschience?

A

• Pseudoscience does not update or discard predictions in the face of refuting or lack of evidence
• Flawed or biased evidence
• Resistance to change or let go of failed ideas/hypotheses
- testimonial evidence
- placebo effects

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11
Q

what is falsification

A

• Falsification does not mean that you need to prove your claim false
• but that theories must be written in a manner that would allow for the possibility evidence to refute your scientific claim.
• A good theory or hypothesis is therefore both verifiable and falsifiable, and we should seek to falsify our theories

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12
Q

what is deduction

A

general theory&raquo_space;»»» testing in smaller specific

Developing a specific prediction based on a broader theory

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13
Q

difference between heuristics, bias, fallacy

A

heuristics - mental shortcut/rule of thumb
bias - systematic deviation from reality in particular direction
fallacy - faulty reasoning

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14
Q

what is an operational definition

A

• An Operational definition is a detailed description of the procedures or operations used to measure or manipulate the variables.

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15
Q

what are the three types of hypothesis and which type is best

A

general, directional, measurable

measurable is best

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16
Q

what is a theory

A

• A theory is an organised system of assumptions and principles that attempts to explain certain phenomena and how they are related.

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17
Q

what is the problem with testimonials?

A

biased sampling - you only see for the people it worked on

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18
Q

define heuristics

A

mental shortcut – general rule of thumb (helps to process overwhelming amounts of info)

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19
Q

what is empiricism about

A

Evidence

Claims must be supported by systematic, well collected evidence

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20
Q

we are not good at falsifying. how do we know this?

A

confirmation bias
echo chambers

21
Q

what example was given to discuss availability heuristic

A

words with letter K as third letter vs. first

22
Q

would a null result falsify the hypothesis?

A

Yes

23
Q

what is induction

A

few examples&raquo_space;»» general theory

Developing a general prediction based on observation of few examples

24
Q

Three things hypothesis should be

A
  1. Measurable
  2. Falsifiable
  3. Directional
25
Q

what is a fallacy? explain two types?

A

• Fallacy = use of invalid or faulty reasoning

hot hand fallacy - false belief that success predicts further success
gamblers fallacy - false belief that frequency of one thing > less likely on next go

26
Q

What are the four common sources of information from lectures

A

common sense
superstition/intuition
authority
tenacity

27
Q

what is parsimony

A

You should always choose the hypothesis/explanation that requires the fewest assumptions

28
Q

What is meant by testability

A

• You must be able to devise a way to test your theory or observe an event that is based on this claim.
• You must be able to provide evidence (empiricism) to support this claim.

29
Q

are operational definitions needed for IVs and DVs

A

yes

30
Q

what are the two major categories of testability

A

verification
falsification

31
Q

What are the characteristics of an IV

A

• Manipulated or controlled by researcher
• Variable of interest – to be isolated from others
• Has multiple levels/conditions i.e., drug vs. placebo
• Not influenced by DV
• True IVs are randomly assigned

32
Q

what does isolating the variable of interest allow us to do

A

explain our findings i.e., show causal relationship by ruling our alternative explanations and clearly showing that X causes Y

33
Q

What is determinism

A

• Scientific Determinism = There is some underlying systematic order to many phenomena in the universe

34
Q

What is explanation? what does it show?

A

• Ultimate goal of science
• Providing causal explanation between variables
• Does X cause Y?
• Requires research methods, experiment design, statistics to evaluate data
• Need to isolate variables to rule out alternatives

35
Q

main difference between science and pseudoscience

A

o Some pseudoscience uses scientific methodology and techniques, but they are not applied correctly

36
Q

what is verification

A

• the idea that you must be able to provide evidence that supports your claim.
• Is there enough evidence to verify claim is 100% true?
• Evidence must be able to be observed and confirmed by others

37
Q

give example of authority and why it is problematic

A

• Knowledge from teachers, parents, experts
o Problem: authority figures can also have biases; is there enough evidence to support claim? are they an expert in this area?

38
Q

what are the three goals of science

A

description
prediction
explanation

39
Q

if results do not support hypothesis, what do we do?

A

discard results (but probably repeat experiment for error first)

40
Q

what is prediction? what can prediction show?

A

• Make predictions from one variable to another
• Does X occur with Y? Does X change in relationship to Y?
• Correlation between two variables

41
Q

give example of authority and why it is problematic

A

• Knowledge from teachers, parents, experts
o Problem: authority figures can also have biases; is there enough evidence to support claim? are they an expert in this area?

42
Q

what are dependant variables?

A

• Measured variable. NOT manipulated.
• Used to measure effect of IV

43
Q

what are quasi-independent variables? what are the two types?

A

• IVs that can’t be randomly allocated
• Natural variables: sex, age, country
• Attribute variables: individual differences that fall on spectrum i.e., level of anxiety

44
Q

if you get a null result what should you do

A

do further studies to check
update hypothesis based on results

45
Q

What are steps of scientific method

A

observation&raquo_space; induction/deduction&raquo_space; hypothesis
test
analyse conclude
update discard
generate theory

46
Q

what is a hypothesis

A

very specific statement about predicted/expected relationship between variables

47
Q

define bias

A

systemic deviation from rationality in judgement
o Systematic in this context means a deviation in a specific direction

48
Q

three reasons homeopathy is a pseudoscience

A
  1. logically flawed
  2. not parsimonious
  3. no evidence (failed double blind studies)
49
Q

give example of superstitution/intuition and why it is problematic

A

• Based on subjective feelings i.e., gut feelings.
o Problem: not consciously aware of where the knowledge comes from so can’t evaluate source; interpreting random events as being causally related; caused by priming of attention

PSYC5003 (3 decks)

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