PSYC 300 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Longitudinal Study, Statistical Significance, Psychopathology
Document Summary
Theory: set of propositions meant to explain a class of observations, goal is usually to understand cause-effect relationships. Hypothesis: expectations about what should occur if a theory is true. Case study: detailed biographical information about one person, pro, source for hypothesis, can disprove theories, rich description, helpful for rare disorders, con, lacks control, can be biased, can"t be generalized, doesn"t show causality. Correlational method: measures strength & direction of relationship as the variables exist in nature. Measuring correlation: correlation coefficient (r value, strength: strong r value = strong relationship (r = 0 = no relationship) Statistical significance: shows that results aren"t due to change, large sample increase likelihood of significance, probability value < 0. 05 (alpha level) i. e. less than 5/100 is due to chance. Clinical significance: shows whether relationship is large enough to predict/treat disorders, treatment outcome studies: shows whether something is out of the norm. Cross-sectional design: subject of different ages are observed at a single point in time.
