PS101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Statistical Significance, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Standard Deviation
Document Summary
Theory: organized system of assumptions & principles that attempts to explain phenomena and how they are related, as close to absolutely certain as possible. Hypothesis: statement that attempts to predict for a set of phenomena, empirically tested, used when uncertain. Operational definition: define terms in hypotheses by specifying the operation for observing & measuring the process or phenomenon, theories generate hypothesis test hypothesis data facts theory, sceptism. Scientists do not accept ideas on faith/ authority. Caution balanced with openness to new ideas & evidence: reliance on empirical evidence (scientific) Gathered through various research methods: willingness to make risky predictions . Principle of falsifiability: a scientific theory must make predictions that are specific enough to disconfirm the theory science is falsifiable, predicts what will and won"t happen. Confirmation bias: tendency to seek & accept evidence that supports our theories & ignore, openness contradicting evidence.
