ch1 ways of knowing + ch2 hypotheses

empiricism

theory of knowledge which emphasizes aspects of scientific knowledge that are closely related to experience, especially formed through experiments. the scientific method requires that all hypotheses and theories must be tested against observations of the natural world rather than solely on prior reasoning, intuition, or revelation. considered methodologically empirical in nature

constructivism

a perspective in philosophy that views all our knowledge as constructed, so it does not necessarily reflect any external “transcendent” realities (relies on convention, human perception, and social experience)

pragmatism

considers practical consequences/real effects to be vital components of both meaning and truth. what ever works is real

causal relationship

needs temporal precedence (cause comes before effect), no alternative causes of the effect (no confounds), and a statistical relationship between IV and DV (happening greater than chance)

true experiment

has random assignment of Ps, manipulation of the treatment by the researcher, and systematic control of potential confounds

descriptive knowledge

describing B by defining, classifying, or measuring them, ie. a group of people reports that they are “socially anxious” and some get anxious at social gatherings while others get anxious when speaking to a group. you then hypothesize that there are two kinds of social anxiety, social behavior anxiety and public speaking anxiety

predictive knowledge

knowing how to use the amount/kind of one B to predict the amount/kind of another B, must first find patterns of relationship

understanding knowledge

knowing which B have a causal relationship and learning what the causal B is so you can change its value and produce a change in the effect of B, association does not ensure causality (ie. violent crimes and ice cream sales)

a research hypothesis must be ___ and ___

testable and falsifiable

attributive hypothesis

states that a B exists, can be measured, and can be distinguished from similar other B, need to demonstrate a technique that allows recording and scoring of B, corresponds with descriptive knowledge

associative hypothesis

states that a relationship exists between two B, bivariate, need to show there is a reliable statistical relationship between the two variables, corresponds with predictive knowledge

causal hypothesis

states that differences in the amount/kind of one B causes differences in amount/kind of other B, bivariate, needs temporal precedence, a statistical relationship, and elimination of alternative explanations, corresponds with understanding knowledge