PSY 102 Lecture 2: #2 research methods
Document Summary
Research is conducted because common sense is often contradictory and not always right. Provides answers that are objective, verifiable, repeatable, and falsifiable. Gives us a means to critically evaluate common sense and other obvious claims. We can separate fact from fiction and junk science from real science. Hypothesize: the belief that you want to investigate. Variables: anything that can potentially hold more than one value. Independent variable: the variable that is manipulated. Dependent variable: the variable that is measured. The effect caused by the independent variable. Must be specific so it can be testable. 2+ variables and statement of the relationship between them. Must be able to be operationalized, tested, and falsifiable. Theory: abstract or general idea about a phenomenon. Hypotheses can be tested in order to provide support for a theory. Theory: when people engage in abstract think they are able to manage their emotions better and see the bigger picture.
