PSYB01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Ad Hoc Hypothesis, Pseudoscience, Confirmation Bias
Document Summary
Information = data: that can be measured and evaluated statistically, empirical evidence against which all scientific knowledge is tested, empiricism vs anecdotal evidence, anecdotal evidence. Impressions or opinions of just one person: not translated into quantifiable form, e. g. investigative journalism. What is a scientific question: philosophers distinguish between two types of questions a. Ideas for studies arise from psychological theories: use the scientific method to assess the quality of any psychological theory. Increase the likelihood of error and bias: forming hypothesis after examining data collection. Variables and measurement: variable defined as any characteristic that can take on different values or can vary across research participants, the scientific method requires objective measurement of identifiable and specifiable variables a. If something cannot be measured, it cannot be investigated scientifically. Leads to misleading results: generalizability is important, the extent to which findings that are derived from a sample can be applied to a wider population.