This is an English summary of the Methodology 2 course at the VU Amsterdam (second year). It walks you through the content of the lectures. Please note I did not summarize using the book. Good luck studying!
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Chapter 2 & 3
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, Lecture 1: Approaches & Hypotheses
Why science? The purposes of science are:
1. To do research & generate knowledge
2. To create theories & thus organize knowledge
3. To apply and use the knowledge gathered
Goals of science Psychological science has 4 goals
1. To describe human behavior
- Define phenomena
- Differentiate between phenomena
- Record events
- Describe relationships between phenomena
2. To understand human behavior
- Why does it happen?
- Figure out causality
(3 criteria: Covariation, time precedence, no alternative explanation)
3. To predict human behavior (2 forms)
- Applied (e.g. predict success with job interview)
- Research (e.g. predict the outcome of hypotheses)
4. To control human behavior
- Should first question if we can and should control the behavior, but
sometimes this is needed (e.g. guiding traffic, socializing a child)
Values of science Science has 4 values
1. An empirical bias Science should be based on objective evidence
2. A sceptic outlook Evidence should be checked on how good it is
3. Tentativeness Have to keep in mind that knowledge will change
4. Publicly accessible Researchs needs to be available to check the quality
2 approaches to There are 2 approaches to science: (see table on the next page)
science 1. Logical positivism
2. Humanism
The approach will determine your theory, the kind of research, the kind of
methods you use & how you interpret the results
,Logical positivism & X
Humanism
H
Theory = A set of statements about relationships between variables
Components of 1. Assumptions
theories (from Often are : - Implicit = not tested directly, just from experience
abstract to concrete) - Paradigmatic = based in the paradigm in which you work
(not too general, but also not too domain specific)
2. Hypothetical constructs
Are abstract (e.g. empathy) & latent (not directly observable)
Types: - Uni-dimensional (dimension on one construct & scale)
- Multi-dimensional (2 or more independent dimensions)
- Multi-faceted (2 or more non-independent dimensions)
correlated higher position
¥-
→
,
On one will influence
the position on the other
, 3. Propositions
Relates the abstract hypothetical constructs (e.g. positive/negative)
I
Cannot be tested directly
4. Definitions
We create: - Narrative definitions (what is meant with the construct)
- Operational definitions (how are we going to measure it)
5. Variables
In the end, what we test are hypotheses about operational definitions and
these operational definitions are then variables. We have four types:
- Explanatory variable = Input/cause
- Response variable = Output/effect
- Mediating variable = both a response & explanatory variable with
another explanatory on the left & response variable on the right
- Moderating variable = Moderates the effect for a certain group
Propositions vs
hypotheses
So, propositions describe relationships among hypothetical, abstract constructs
Hypotheses describe relationships among operational definitions (variables)
Operationalization Going from propositions to hypotheses = operationalization
Validity How well this goes & if you are still measuring what you intended = validity
Characteristics of 1. Specificity —> Theories can be precise/explicit or vague/ambiguous
theories 2. Scope →
—> Theories can be narrow or wide in what part of behavior they cover
Criteria of theories Theories need to be:
-
I Logically consistent (not self-contradicting)
- Falsifiable
:- In agreement with the data & other theories
- Clear & parsimonious
-
- Useful (fertile) in the real world
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