PSYC 1010 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Operational Definition, Psychological Testing

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1010
• Professor: Mongrain

Document Summary

Hypothesis: a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. Variables: any measurable conditions, events, characteristics, or behaviours that are controlled or observed in a study: application and control. Theory: a system of interrelated ideas used to explain a set of observations. Translate a theory or an intuitive idea into a testable hypothesis. Scientific hypotheses must be formulated precisely, and the variables under study must be clearly defined. Researchers achieve these clear formulations by providing operational definitions of the relevant variables. Operational definition: describes the actions or operations that will be used to measure or control a variable. Step 2: select the research method and design the study. Figure out how to put the hypothesis to an empirical test. Researcher must ponder the procs and cons and then select the strategy that appears to be the most appropriate and practical. Participants/subjects: the persons or animals whose behaviour is systematically observed in a study.