PSY 222 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Analysis Of Variance, Statistical Significance, 5,6,7,8
Document Summary
Hypothesis-testing approach (dominant approach for psychological research: experiments, correlational studies. Theory general statement about relationship between constructs (abstract/ ideas) Hypothesis formal prediction about relationship between variables derived from theory (concrete) Verifiability: is the theory based on empirical observation, and does it clearly specify how it can be confirmed and refuted, most important criteria of social science, if the theory is not verifiable = useless. Experimental variables: independent variable, cause , manipulated, dependent variable, effect , measured, participant variable. Inherent in participant (e. g. , age, sex: controlled for statistically, cannot be manipulated. Random assignment: equal chance of being in either, experimental group (receives iv, control group (does not receive iv) Can be used on large samples of participants. Allows predictive rather than causal statements to be made i. e. , government gathers data on accidents which causes them to increase insurance rates. Limitations no causal statements can be made: third variable could account for the relationship between two things.
