PSYB01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Field Experiment, Internal Validity, Dependent And Independent Variables
Document Summary
Hypothesis: tentative answer to the question; a) logical: based on theory/developed from past study results b) testable: can be observed and measured: falsifiable: must be able to falsify predictions d) positive: variables must be related at some point. Prediction: specific; what you expect to find in terms of outcomes. Variables: event, situation, behaviour, and characteristics that vary. Operational definition of a variable- set of methods used to measure/ manipulate variable. The task of developing an operational definition forces scientist to explain abstract concepts in concrete arms. Positive linear relationship - variable y increases as variable x increases. Negative linear relationship increase in x is accompanied with the decrease in y. Curvilinear relationship- increase in x is accompanied by systematic increase and decrease in y. Correlation coefficient- numerical index of the strength of relationship bet variables. Research is aimed at reducing random validity by identifying systematic relationships between variables.
