PSYCH 1F03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Scientific Method, Confounding, List Of Fables Characters
Document Summary
The scientific method: construct a theory, generate a hypothesis, choose research method, collect data, analyze data, report the findings, revise existing theories. Theory: collect a general set of ideas about the way the world works. Hypothesis: form attestable statement guided by theories that make specific predications about the relationship btwn variables. Research method: determine the way in which the hypothesis will be tested. Analyze data: understand the data and discover trends or relationships btwn the variables. Revise theories: incorporate new info into our understanding of the world. The scientific method provides a standardized process for scientific research. This process minimizes biases, conflicts, and other problems in order to promote accurate results and scientific discourse. Anecdote: evidence gathered from others or self-experience. Anecdotal evidence is insufficient to draw scientific conclusions. Cannot be sure that the result is due to the energy drinks alone. Testing a hypothesis with an experiment allows for casual conclusions.
