MCQ #2 Scientific Research

Steps of the scientific method

1. Make an observation

2. Formulate hypo

3. Background research

4. Design/conduct study

5. Analyze the data

6. Conclusions

7. Communication

A process used by most scientist to test ideas about the world using specific steps

Science involves…

… it must combine logic w/ research + experimentation

It also must involve common sense + observation

Types of research

Qualitative: narrative descriptions, content analysis, interviews/focus groups

Quantitative: manipulations/measures, random assignment, control groups

Features of Empirical Reseach

1. Empirical questions: they can be answered by collecting data on given phenomenon

2. Operational definitions: the specific procedures for manipulating/measuring a conceptual variable

3. Converging operations: understanding increases as studies w/ different operational definitions “converge” on same result

Hypothesis

Formed based on empirical questions

Theories

Formed after hypothesis are made + tested

Pseudoscience + Science

Pseudoscience: refers to claims presented as scientific but lack several qualities of science

• advances no true knowledge

• Disregards facts that contradict their claims

• Offers vague or incomplete explanations

Validity

Measures what it’s intended to measure

Content validity

The extent to which a measure represents ALL aspects of a construct (anxiety example)

Criterion validity

Whether a test/measure can successfully predict future behavior (SAT predicting GPA example)

Convergent validity

Whether 2 or more measures that should be related ARE related

Discriminant validity

Whether 2 or more measures that theoretically should not be related ARE NOT related

Internal Validity

Whether or not we can be confident that changes in the IV will cause changes in the DV

External validity

Extent to which the results would also be found in other ppl, in other contexts, cultures, etc.. (generalizability)

Statistical Validity

Extent to which conclusions can be drawn from statistical tests are accurate/reliable

Type I Error

Rejecting the null when its true

Type II Error

Failing to reject the null when its false

importance of replication

Science has no value w/out replication

• the repetition of a study to confirm (or disconfirm) the results

• Checks to see if results are only by chance

• Science is cumulative: current knowledge builds on past knowledge