PSYC 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Meta-Analysis, Social Desirability Bias, Descriptive Statistics
7 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Scientists share three sets of interrelated goals: measurement and description. Measurement of the phenomenon must be present in an investigation the first goal of psychology is to develop ways to measure data to be able to describe behavior: understanding and prediction. Scientists believe they understand something when they can explain why it occurs. Hypothesis: a statement about the relationship between two or more variables. Variables: a measureable condition, event, characteristic, or behavior that can be controlled and observed: application and control. Scientists hope that the data they collect can be used practically in society theory: a system of interrelated ideas used to explain a set of observations. Psychologists can go from having a description of behavior to actually understanding it theories must be testable. Confidence in a theory may grow or diminish if tests support or disagree with the theory. Systematic: to follow a pattern or a set of steps.
