COMM 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Ice Cream
12 Jun 2018
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Research Methods
● Important terms:
○ Theory
○ Hypothesis
○ Variable
■ Independent
■ Dependent
THEORY & HYPOTHESIS
● Theory→
○ Systematic explanations & predictions of phenomena
○ A set of generalizations that explain observable phenomena by posing some
relationships among variables
○ Some eome named theories EX: Social learning theory) that we
● Hypothesis→
○ Statement/proposal that can be tested by means of gathering empirical evidence
○ Prediction about what we think will happen if our theory is true
● EXAMPLE:
○ Theory→ People imitate what they see other people do
○ Hypothesis 1→ Children who watch Superman cartoons will hit other
kids more often than those who watch Sesame St
○ Hypothesis 2→ Adults who watch action-adventure programs are more
likely to commit crimes involving violence than those who watch
sitcoms
● Theory vs. Hypothesis
○ General vs. specific
○ One is derived from the other
■ Single theory→ Multiple hypotheses (EX: example above ^)
○ Hypothesis is either accepted or rejected→ Helps further define
the theory
■ EX: If only the children were more violent, we would have to redefine theory to
sustitute hildren in or people, et.
● Induction vs. Deduction
○ DEDUCTIVE→ Starts ”ENERAL, get specific hypothesis
■ EX: Theory: Social connection promotes health
● Hypothesis 1: People who have more FB friends are healthier
○ INDUCTIVE→ Starts SPECI“IC, get general theory
■ EX: You notice that people who have more FB friends tend to be healthier
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
A set of generalizations that explain observable phenomena by posing some relationships among variables. Some (cid:282)e(cid:283)ome (cid:1849)named theories(cid:1850) (cid:1827)ex: social learning theory) that we. Statement/proposal that can be tested by means of gathering empirical evidence. Prediction about what we think will happen if our theory is true. Theory people imitate what they see other people do. Hypothesis 1 children who watch superman cartoons will hit other kids more often than those who watch sesame st. Hypothesis 2 adults who watch action-adventure programs are more likely to commit crimes involving violence than those who watch sitcoms. Single theory multiple hypotheses (ex: example above ^) Hypothesis is either accepted or rejected helps further define the theory. Ex: if only the children were more violent, we would have to redefine theory to su(cid:282)stitute (cid:1849)(cid:283)hildren(cid:1850) in (cid:321)or (cid:1849)people(cid:1850), et(cid:283). Hypothesis 1: people who have more fb friends are healthier. Ex: you notice that people who have more fb friends tend to be healthier.
