PSY 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Falsifiability, Syphilis, Social Desirability Bias
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Better equipped to examine assumptions, evaluate evidence, & assess conclusions. Science requires rigorous and systematic methods of study to ensure. Observe behavior or other phenomena -> formulate a research question -> Generate a testable prediction (hypothesis) -> collect and analyze data -> draw conclusions and use them to create/refine theories -> replicate. Comprehensive explanation of observable events and conditions. Evidence that can be used to confirm/contradict. By developing and testing hypotheses consistent with the theory. Need to report methods in enough detail that any other scientist could repeat the study. Findings from single study suggested classical music improved cognitive function. Use a small sample of the population. Generalize findings from observations of the sample and the population. Every individual in the sample has an equal chance of being selected. Pro: can be done quickly and inexpensively. Measures direction and strength of relationship between variables. Strength is not influenced by whether relationship is positive or negative.