PS268 Study Guide - Random Assignment, Internal Validity, Operational Definition
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Lecture 1 theory refinement: devise a theory and design a study to test it empirical (based on observation) Correlational and cause three possible causal interpretations causation x-> y reverse causation y-> x third variable z= x and y. Dependent variable: measured by the researchers to see if changes depends on the level of the independent variable. 2 key roles in experimental method control random assignment. P value (probability level) : tells us how likely it is that the results come from chance alone and not because of the i. v. External validity (the extent to which this can apply to other people or other groups. Generalize across situations, people, cultures) basic dilemma of social psychologist a validity trade-off (you either get high internal validity and low external validity or vice versa) operational definition: the precise specification of how a variable is measured. Ethics code permits it if the use of it is justified.
