Wolgin: Exam 1 Review
✅✅
Explain 5 ways by which information about the world may be
obtained. Which one does the scientific method rely on? - --
Method of Tenacity(long held beliefs)
- Method of Authority(rely on experts)
- Reason(logic and rationality)
- Personal Experience(least most reliable source of information)
- Empiricism(based on your five senses)
- The scientific method relies on empiricism.
✅✅
What are the basic characteristics of the scientific method that
distinguish it from other ways of knowing? - -- The scientific
method is empirically based on systematic observations and it is
self-correcting; It is analytically based and can be broken down
then confirmed by synthesizing.
✅✅
Explain three basic procedures used in scientific inquiry. Which
one(s) permit(s) causal inferences to be made? - --
Description(what you want to study; based on observation)
- Prediction(established relationship; i.e. hurricane season)
- Explanation(conditions under which phenomenon occurs; the
how; manipulate variables thought to underlie the phenomenon)
- Explanations permit causal inferences because it involves the
interpretation of one variable causing another (independent and
dependent variable)
✅✅
Explain the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning.
- -- Inductive reasoning usually implies that you start off with
data then come up with a theory to explain what's going on.
- Deductive reasoning usually implies that you create a theory,
conduct an experiment, then see if the data is consistent with the
theory or not.
What are the major functions of a theory? - ✅✅ -- The major
functions of a theory are organizing data in a systematic, intelligent
way and generating predictions.
, ✅✅
Why can't a theory be considered "proven" when it is supported by
experimental data? - -- Confirmation from data does not
"prove " the theory because it is possible that other theories could
predict the same outcome. Only disconfirmation or falsifiablity is
the most useful.
✅✅
Explain three criteria for evaluating theories. - -- Parsimony (to
what extent can they explain the things you are looking to explain
with few statements)
- Precision (i.e. attaching numbers)
- Testability (i.e. generate hypothesis and experiment, must be able
to falsify theory)
✅✅
Explain the concept of "strong inference" in comparing different
theories. - -- A strong inference is defined as pitting one
theory against another.
- i.e. Theory A predicts Outcome 1
Theory B predicts Outcome 2
Results: Experiment gave us Outcome 1; therefore we can reject
Theory B.
What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory? - ✅✅ --
A hypothesis is a tentative statement about how the world operates
and how variables are related. A theory is a formal statement that
explains how and why variables or events are related.
What are the major threats to validity in (a) naturalistic
✅✅
observations (b) case studies and (c) surveys? How can they be
minimized? - -(a)- Lack of control over the research setting
and influencing behaviors.
- Can be minimized by unobtrusive observations (hidden video
camera; # of births 9 months after the blackout) or habituate
subjects to the presence of the observer.
(b)- Forgetting, repression, observer bias.
- Can be minimized by getting collaborative evidence, such as
information from family or friends.
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