PSY 2174 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Scientific Method, Critical Thinking, Behaviorism
2 Feb 2019
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Research methods midterm 1: chapter 1 scientific thinking, introduction, apa its purpose is the advancement of psychology as a science. About how knowledge is acquired, and focus isn"t on the content of knowledge (about methods): ways of knowing, authority, source of knowledge from someone we judge to be an expert. Reason is great when joined with data, but alone it does not bring any answers, only more questions: reason and logic can be used to reach opposing conclusions. Any truths can be argued: a priori method: belief that develops as a result of logical arguments before a person has direct experience with the phenomenon at hand. Conclusions can be revised, and change is embraced by good scientists. A typical descriptive statistic is the mean (or median, or mode): it"s an important foundation for other research, prediction: behaviors follow laws which are regular and predictable relationships. It allows to foresee or know in advance the result of an event.
