PSYCH 100B Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Document Summary
Description of the broad topic of study. Used to identify and describe the topic being investigated. A good research question identifies the topic of inquiry specifically enough so that hypotheses and predictions can be made. Also a question it makes a statement about something that may be true. Directly testable, research questions may not be. Tentative idea or question that is waiting for evidence to support or refute it. Deliberate guess at the answer to the hypothesis. Guess at the outcome of a hypothesis. If prediction is confirmed by results support hypothesis not proven. Things we all believe to be true: observation of the world around us, theories. Theory: systematic body of ideas about a particular topic or phenomenon. Organize and explain a variety of facts or descriptions of behavior. A scientific theory is grounded in actual data from prior research & numerous hypotheses that are consistent with the theory: past research, practical problems.
