Chapter 2 study guide

Falsifiability

for any hypothesis/theory to be considered scientific, it must be inherently testable in a way that could be proven wrong.

Operational study

objective description of how a variable is going to be measured and observed in a particular study

Independent variable

what the researcher actively manipulates

Dependent variable

outcome the researchers measures

Surveys

involves collecting data from people using a standarized set of questions

strengths: quick and collects large amounts

limitation:biases

case studies

descriptive research that involves investigation of an individual/small group of subjects

-analyzes experiences in a persons life to identify patterns of behaviors

Correlational study

measures relationship between 2 variables without manipulating either of them

can prove 2 things are linked

correlation coefficient

number that tells researchers how strongly and in what direction 2 variables are related.

-strength : closer to 1.00 or -1.00

Third variable problem

explains why correlation does not equal causation.

occurs when 2 variables appear to be linked but are actually influenced by an outside function.