POL222H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Null Hypothesis, Normal Science, Paradigm Shift
Document Summary
Theory: tentative conjecture about the causes of some phenomenon of interest. Hypothesis: theory-based statement about a relationship expected to observe. For every hypothesis, there is a corresponding null hypothesis: theory-based statement about what is to be observed if there were no relationship between an independent variable and the dependent variable. Hypothesis testing: process where scientists evaluate systematically collected evidence to judge whether the evidence favors their hypothesis or the null. Causal theory hypothesis empirical test evaluation of hypothesis evaluation of causal theory scientific knowledge. When the hypothesis has an 80-20 edge over the null, most scientists favor the null. Worried about the possibility of falsely rejecting the null and making wrong claims. After bcoming part of a scientific knowledge in a field of study. Researches build upon foundation by accumulating knowledge and assuptions, thus forming a paradigm. Once widely accepted, state of research under paradigm called normal science.
