PSY 2811 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-5: Theoretical Definition, Face Validity, External Validity
17 Sep 2018
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Section#1 psychology as a way of thinking (mor. As scientists, psychologists are empiricists; they base their conclusions on systematic, unbiased observations of the world: using the theory-data cycle, researchers propose theories, make hypotheses (predictions), and collect data. A theory is a set of statements that describes general principles about how variables relate to one another. A hypothesis, or prediction, is the specific outcome the researcher expects to observe in a study if the theory is accurate. Falsifiable (must lead to hypotheses that, when tested, could actually fail to support the theory) Applied research is done with a practical problem in mind; the researchers conduct their work in a particular real-world context. Basic research, in contrast, is not intended to address a specific, practical problem; the goal is to enhance the general body of knowledge. However, the knowledge generated may later be applied to real-world issues.
