PS101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Stereotype, Test Of English As A Foreign Language, Longitudinal Study
Document Summary
What makes psychological research scientific: precision. Organized system of assumptions and principles that explain a specified set of phenomena. Attempts to predict or to account for a set of phenomena. Precise definition of a term in a hypothesis, specifies observing and measuring the process defined: skepticism. Treat things with caution, still must be open: reliance on empirical evidence, willingness to make risk prediction. Must state an idea that can be refuted. Scientific theory must make predictions that are specific enough to expose the theory to the possibility of disconfirmation, theory must predict not only what will happen, also what will not happen. Tendency to look for or pay attention only to information that confirms ones belief: opennesss. Scientists must be willing to tell other about their idea, so it can be challenged: peer review. Research community acts as jury, scrutinize and sift evidence. Descriptive studies: establishing the facts: representative sample.
