PSYC 375 Final Exam
z-score - ANS-Provides information about a single score
• Translates a score into standardized language
• Useful for comparisons
Compared to the sample/population
How many standard deviations from the mean a score is located
descriptive methods - ANS-observe what occurs
Observational method:
Positives: Flexibility, Exploration, Ecological validity
Negatives: No control, Subjectivity
Case study:
Positives: Explore rare cases
Negatives: No generalization, Subjectivity
Survey (can also be predictive):
Positives: Large samples, Easy & efficient
Negatives: Question wording, Response bias
causal determinism - ANS-phenomena are causally determined by preceding events or
natural laws
Scientific Method - ANS-The process of observing a phenomenon, asking a question;
determining what is already known about that question, constructing a hypothesis,
collecting data, analyzing data, interpreting data and reporting results, revising a theory
and circling back to ask a new question or create a new hypothesis
rationalism - ANS-logical reasoning
Empiricism - ANS-measurable evidence through the senses
provisionality - ANS-always open to revision, theories must be adjusted in light of new
evidence
, systematic empiricism - ANS-making observations in a systematic manner (stages of
research process) to test hypotheses and refute or develop a theory through
measurable evidence through the senses
Publically Verifiable Knowledge - ANS-Peer review process: public presentation,
feedback, & criticism
Importance of replication
Empirically solvable problems (falsifiability) - ANS-Falsifiability: disconfirmation must be
possible
What would the data look like if the hypothesis is unsupported?
Basic vs. Applied Research - ANS-Basic research: Seek knowledge for the sake of
knowledge Seek initial evidence for unexplored questions
Often lab studies &experiments
Typically university setting research
Applied research: Seek knowledge that has practical significance
Apply initial evidence from basic research to solve "real world" problems
E.g., business, education, medicine, law
pseudoscience - ANS-Non-scientific claims that may sound scientific but fail to meet key
criteria of scientific research
theory - ANS-A related group of empirical findings that help explain a specific
phenomenon
variable - ANS-A condition or characteristic that is subject to change (i.e., capable of
taking on different levels, categories, or values)
operational definition - ANS-how variables are defined in terms of manipulation or
measurement/ definition of what you are studying in terms of how you will assess it in a
study
rationale - ANS-justification of the study; who benefits?
hypothesis - ANS-a specific, testable prediction
research design - ANS-how variables are measured/manipulated in your study
z-score - ANS-Provides information about a single score
• Translates a score into standardized language
• Useful for comparisons
Compared to the sample/population
How many standard deviations from the mean a score is located
descriptive methods - ANS-observe what occurs
Observational method:
Positives: Flexibility, Exploration, Ecological validity
Negatives: No control, Subjectivity
Case study:
Positives: Explore rare cases
Negatives: No generalization, Subjectivity
Survey (can also be predictive):
Positives: Large samples, Easy & efficient
Negatives: Question wording, Response bias
causal determinism - ANS-phenomena are causally determined by preceding events or
natural laws
Scientific Method - ANS-The process of observing a phenomenon, asking a question;
determining what is already known about that question, constructing a hypothesis,
collecting data, analyzing data, interpreting data and reporting results, revising a theory
and circling back to ask a new question or create a new hypothesis
rationalism - ANS-logical reasoning
Empiricism - ANS-measurable evidence through the senses
provisionality - ANS-always open to revision, theories must be adjusted in light of new
evidence
, systematic empiricism - ANS-making observations in a systematic manner (stages of
research process) to test hypotheses and refute or develop a theory through
measurable evidence through the senses
Publically Verifiable Knowledge - ANS-Peer review process: public presentation,
feedback, & criticism
Importance of replication
Empirically solvable problems (falsifiability) - ANS-Falsifiability: disconfirmation must be
possible
What would the data look like if the hypothesis is unsupported?
Basic vs. Applied Research - ANS-Basic research: Seek knowledge for the sake of
knowledge Seek initial evidence for unexplored questions
Often lab studies &experiments
Typically university setting research
Applied research: Seek knowledge that has practical significance
Apply initial evidence from basic research to solve "real world" problems
E.g., business, education, medicine, law
pseudoscience - ANS-Non-scientific claims that may sound scientific but fail to meet key
criteria of scientific research
theory - ANS-A related group of empirical findings that help explain a specific
phenomenon
variable - ANS-A condition or characteristic that is subject to change (i.e., capable of
taking on different levels, categories, or values)
operational definition - ANS-how variables are defined in terms of manipulation or
measurement/ definition of what you are studying in terms of how you will assess it in a
study
rationale - ANS-justification of the study; who benefits?
hypothesis - ANS-a specific, testable prediction
research design - ANS-how variables are measured/manipulated in your study
