PSYCH 270 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Confounding, Molecular Genetics, Scientific Method
Document Summary
Science is the systematic pursuit of knowledge via observation, and the scientific method requires disproving theories. It also involves testing hypotheses to formulate theories. 4. 2 advantage and disadvantages of case studies correlational designs and experimental designs. Advantage: focuses on single person w/ very rich description, can disprove and generate hypothesis. Disadvantage: lack of control and objectivity thus lacking validity. Good theories must be subjected to disproof. Case studies lack validity and objectivity, but it provides a rich description of a single person and can contradict a presumed hypothesis. It can also be used to generate hypothesis. Correlational methods examine relationships between 2 variables. It is measured by r. it cannot determine causality. It is used to study epidemiology and behavioral and molecular genetics. It measures whether 2 variables co-relate: family method studies genetic predisposition among members of a family. Starting point is index cases: twin method studies influences of nature vs. nurture.
