Evaluating Theories in Scientific Research
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary source of knowledge in the scientific method?

  • Faith
  • Experience (correct)
  • Authority
  • Tenacity

    • What is the main function of a theory in psychology?

  • Both a and b (correct)
  • To generate predictions for unknown situations
  • To provide a framework for data analysis
  • To reconcile conflicting opinions

    • What is the cornerstone of the scientific method?

  • A priori knowledge
  • Authority
  • Empirical observations (correct)
  • Determinism

    • What is the main advantage of the scientific method over other methods?

    <p>It is a repeatable, self-correcting undertaking</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a hypothesis in scientific research?

    <p>To test a specific prediction derived from a theory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key difference between a hypothesis and a generalization?

    <p>A hypothesis is a specific testable statement, while a generalization is a broader statement that cannot be tested directly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is determinism in the context of science?

    <p>The belief that observable causes determine events</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main criterion for evaluating the goodness of a theory, according to parsimony?

    <p>The theory has the fewest statements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a hypothesis and a theory?

    <p>A hypothesis is a prediction, while a theory is an explanation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable?

    <p>Independent variables are manipulated, while dependent variables are observed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a dependent variable in an experiment?

    <p>The frequency of accidents involving left turns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of evaluating a theory using criteria such as parsimony, precision, and testability?

    <p>To decide which theory is best for now</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of intervening variables in a scientific study?

    <p>They are abstract concepts that link independent variables to dependent variables</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of empirical observation in the scientific method?

    <p>To make science a self-correcting endeavor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of data analysis in science?

    <p>To organize concepts and facts into a coherent pattern</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following approaches involves reasoning from a general theory to particular data?

    <p>Deduction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary criterion for accepting a theory, according to testability?

    <p>The theory can be tested and disproven</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of fitting a theory to data?

    <p>To determine if the theory is useful for explaining the data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of data in scientific research?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable?

    <p>The dependent variable is caused by the independent variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using statistical analysis in scientific research?

    <p>To determine if a hypothesis is correct or incorrect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between a hypothesis and a generalization?

    <p>A hypothesis is a specific prediction, while a generalization is a broad statement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between a theory and a hypothesis?

    <p>A theory is a broad statement, while a hypothesis is a specific prediction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary criterion for evaluating the precision of a theory?

    <p>The theory involves mathematical equations or computer simulations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Evaluating Theories

    • A good theory should be parsimonious, meaning it should have fewer statements.
    • Theories with mathematical equations or computer problems are generally more precise and better than those with loose verbal statements.
    • A theory should be testable, as a theory that cannot be tested can never be disproved.
    • A theory must fit the data it explains, although goodness of fit is not a sufficient criterion for accepting a theory.

    Independent, Dependent, and Intervening Variables

    • Independent variables are manipulated by the experimenter, such as hours of deprivation.
    • Dependent variables are observed by the experimenter, such as the rate of bar pressing.
    • Intervening variables are abstract concepts that link independent variables to dependent variables, such as thirst.

    Theories and Hypotheses

    • Theories cannot be tested directly, but scientists perform experiments to test hypotheses derived from a theory.
    • A hypothesis is a specific, testable statement that can be evaluated from observable data, such as the frequency of accidents involving left turns.
    • A generalization is a broader statement that cannot be tested directly, such as "older drivers are unsafe at any speed".

    The Scientific Method

    • The scientific method is based on the assumption that events have causes and that we can discover those causes through controlled observation.
    • Science is a repeatable, self-correcting undertaking that seeks to understand phenomena on the basis of empirical observation.
    • The scientific method has several advantages, including being empirical and self-correcting.

    Empirical and Self-Correcting

    • Empirical means that experience rather than faith is the source of knowledge.
    • Empirical observations make science a self-correcting endeavor, as they offer procedures for establishing the superiority of one belief over another.

    Theories in Psychology

    • A theory can be defined as a set of related statements that explains a variety of occurrences.
    • Theories in psychology perform two major functions: providing a framework for organizing data and generating predictions for situations in which no data have been obtained.
    • Theories are devised to organize concepts and facts into a coherent pattern and to predict additional observations.

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    Related Documents

    PSYCH 204 Experimental Psychology PDF

    Description

    This quiz assesses your understanding of the key principles for evaluating theories in scientific research, including parsimony, precision, testability, and fit with data. Learn how to critically analyze and compare theories in various fields of study.

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