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7 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Scientific Method
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The scientific method provides guidelines for scientists in all fields, including psychology, to use in evaluating discrete claims (called "hypotheses") and broader theories.
It is almost impossible to "prove" with complete certainty that any individual claim or theory is true beyond a doubt. The scientific method allows us to declare... |
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Hypotheses
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A hypothesis is a "testable prediction" of what will occur under a stated set of conditions.
Hypotheses can be based on either: Observation (inductive) or Theory (deductive). |
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Observational Study Design
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Meausre how much time a sample of children watches violent television programs and compare that to how much violent behavior the children exhibit.
*Researcher does not interfere. |
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Experimental Study Design
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Assign one group of children to watch violent programs and another group to watch nonviolent programs, and then record the differences in amount of violent behavior between the two groups.
*Researcher actually interferes; more desirable. |
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Operational Definition
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Specifies a way to put a numerical value on an intangible idea.
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Replicability
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The standards in the scientific community demands that researchers report their methods in enough detail so that any other scientist could feasibly repeat the study to confirm or contradict the validity of the findings.
"Replicable results" are those that anyone can obtain, at least in approximately, by following the same procedures. Ex. non-replicable result = Mozart effect. |
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The Method of Meta-analysis
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Because we sometimes find predominance of small to medium effects in most studies particular phenomenon (such as sex differences in aggressive behavior) we may compile the results of a large number of studies and treat them for all intents and purposes as one very large research study.
A meta-analysis also provides us with more information about the circumstances that will increase or decrease the likelihood of the predicted effect occurring, called "moderators." A "moderator" affects relations between two other variables but does not cause either of the other two variables. A "mediator" serves as a causal link between two other variables. *Distilling the results of a big research study to one conclusion. |
