0.2 scientific method

Theory

a broad, organized set of principles that explains and predicts behavior or mental processes

Hypothesis

a specific, testable prediction that comes from a theory

Falsifiability

Good hypotheses are falsifiable.

You can prove them true or not true.

Operational Definitions

Carefully worded statement of exact procedures.

Replication

Repeating a research study, with different participants in different situations, to see if the same findings can be reproduced.

How to test the hypothesis?

Non-Experimental Methods

• Case Studies

• Naturalistic Observation

• Meta Analysis

• Correlation

Experimental Methods

• Experiment

The Case Study

• Good for studying atypical (not normal) cases.

• Good for studying ______ in depth.

  • 1 individual

  • 1 friend group

  • 1 couple

  • 1 team

Problems: not always generalizable.

Generalizable

Results are considered generalizable if the findings can be applied to a population.

Naturalistic Observation

a research method where subjects are studied in their natural environments without interference

ex) - Watching a child play.

• Observing college students during welcome week.

Good for:

• Describing behavior

• Finding correlations