Lecture 2 Science, Double-Blind Procedure, and Correlational Study

Complete

science

empiricism + logic 

(observation is not enough)

experiment

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Scientific method used when seeking causal inference

independent variable

 random assignment of participants to levels

dependent variable

measures participant score, choice, outcome

Double blind procedure

 one in which neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment. When testing a new medicine or therapy, you must use a double blind procedure to test. 

Blind procedure

 a procedure in which participants are unaware of the experimental conditions under which they are operating. 

Franz Anton Mesme

claims that illnesses are due to an imbalance of animal magnetism (energy transference occurring between all animated and inanimate objects). He claims that he can treat patients by restoring the balance of animal magnetism surrounding the patients without touching the patients.

Limitation of Experiments

1. **Assumption of liberty IV -> DC**

Reciprocal effects: relation between academic self-concept and academic achievement


2. Quantification: putting numbers to human characteristics

 study only what can be measured


3. Limit on the number of IV’s a. Small number of IV’s, but humans are complex  b. Test only IV’s that can be manipulated

Core feature of correlational study

1. quantifying relationships among variables

   2.used when cannot manipulate variables, such as

a. sociodemographics

b. physical health

c. mental health

d. personality

Correlation coefficient

indicate direction of relationship, positive or negative. 

Perfect negative

\-1.00

No relationship

0\.00

Perfect positive

\+1.00

Limitations of Correlational Study

1. social desirability effects
2. faulty memory
3. wording of questions
4. options for answers
5. Order effects
6. direction of causality
7. Confounds

Best practice corcorrelational study

1\.Random sample

2\. Large,sample

3\. Neutral wording of questions

4\. Exhaustive options for answers

5\. Detailed prompting of memory

6\. Social desirability scale

7\. Counterbalanced measures

8\. Assess potential confounds

Should research be inclusive?

Yes