PSYC 2030 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Longitudinal Study, Dependent And Independent Variables, Behaviorism
Document Summary
Description researchers attempt to understand and map out patters and regularities in relevant phenomena. Prediction researchers attempt to work out hwat the precursors and consequences of a given phenomenon are. Explanation researchers seek to understand why particular phenomena occur. Application researchers attempt to use their knowledge to address relevant issues. Empirical method a procedure for obtaining information on the basis of observation. Theory a system of explanation used to make sense of and integrate a number of empirical findings. Hypothesis a statement about the causal relationship between particular phenomena. This is usually derived from a particular theory and designed to be tested in research. Can also be a statement of the expected results of a study. Causal relationships an association between two or more things, such that one causes the other. Induction the process of drawing conclusions and developing theories on the basis of accumulated observations.
