Research Methods Exam 1 (CH 1)

Scientific Method

uses observations to develop a hypothesis, then uses the hypothesis to make logical predictions that can be empirically tested by making additional, systematic observations.

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Observe behavior or other phenomena 2. Form a tentative answer or explanation (a hypothesis) 3. Use your hypothesis to generate a testable prediction 4. Evaluate the prediction by making systematic, planned observations 5. Use the observations to support, refute, or refine the original hypothesis

In the context of science, a statement that describes or explains a relationship between or among variables is called:

A hypothesis

Method of Tenacity

A method of acquiring knowledge in which information is accepted as true because it has always been believed or because superstition supports it.

Rational method

A method of acquiring knowledge that involves seeking answers by the use of logical reasoning. Ex: Is amy afraid of dogs?

Method of Empiricism

A method of acquiring knowledge that uses observation or direct sensory experience to obtain knowledge. Ex: Based on the philosophy that all knowledge is acquired through the senses.

Pseudoscience

A set of ideas based on nonscientific theory, faith and belief. Lacks some of the key components essential to scientific research Ex: aromatherapy, astrology, and intelligent design.

Hypothesis

A statement that provides a tentative description or explanation for the relationship between variables. A statement that describes or explains a relationship between variables; "best guess". Ex: Swearing reduces the experience of pain.

Deeply religious individuals may defer to their religious leaders for all types of decisions, including those that seem unrelated to religion. This method of acquiring knowledge, called the method of faith, is a variant of which method?

Authority

Nina is about to start chemotherapy for cancer. She is aware that chemotherapy can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and therefore reasons that she, too, will experience vomiting and diarrhea. Which of the following best describes Nina's reasoning?

Deduction

Limitations of method of authority

Does not always provide accurate information. Often accepts expert's statements as fact (method of faith). Not all "experts" are experts.

Which method of acquiring knowledge can be time consuming and sometimes even dangerous?

Empiricism

Tim watches a well-known "reality" competition for fashion designers and, based on his observations of the contestants, concludes that fashion designers are prone to artificially coloring their hair and wearing long, flowing tops. Tim is engaging in:

Induction

Jan decides to play the lottery because she just feels like it is her day to win. She picks the numbers based on those that feel right. Jan is relying on which of the following for her decisions?

Intuition

Limitations to the Rational Method

Limitations: Logical conclusions are only valid if the premise statements are true. The rational method "assumes" the premise statements are true. People are not very good at logical reasoning. Sometimes the argument does not logically support the conclusion.

5 Nonscientific approaches (Methods of acquiring knowledge)

Method of tenacity Method of intuition Method of authority (method of faith( Rational method Method of empiricism

The primary distinction between quantitative and qualitative research is that quantitative research typically:

Produces numerical scores

Angela likes to try to reason things out and often creates lists of pros and cons to aid her in making decisions. Angela is using the method of:

Rationalism

Quantitative

Research produces numerical scores; Submitted to statistical analysis for summary and interpretation. Ex: researcher would develop a test to measure depression for each participant and then compute an average score to describe the amount of depression for different subgroups.

Upon hearing that one of her favorite actors has died, Natasha worries out loud about who the other two deaths will involve, as she is certain that deaths come in threes. Natasha's assertion that deaths come in threes is based on which of the following?

Tenacity

When the scientific method is being used, which of the following describes the characteristics or conditions that change or have different values for different individuals?

Variables

Argument

a set of premise statements that are logically combined to yield a conclusion Ex: Having a frightening experience with a dog causes fear of dogs in the future. Amy has a fear of dogs. Therefore, Amy had a frightening experience with a dog in her past.

Method of Faith

a variant of the method of authority in which people have unquestioning trust in the authority figure and, therefore, accept information from the authority without doubt or challenge Ex: religion

Russell is shopping for a new car, and when he walks into the showroom, he notices huge monitors playing endorsements by famous athletes. He recognizes that reliance on the method of __________ is a common advertising ploy.

authority

Qualitative

based on making observations; careful observation of participants (often including interaction with participants), usually accompanied by extensive note taking. Ex: researcher studying depression would talk with participants, asking questions and listening to answers, and then prepare a written narrative describing the behaviors and attitudes that have been observed

Participants

humans who take part in a research study

Limitation of method of faith

it allows no mechanism to test the accuracy of the information.

Limitations of method of intution

no method for separating accurate from inaccurate knowledge.

Subjects

nonhumans who take part in a research study

In logical reasoning, _________ statements describe facts or assumptions that are presumed to be true.

premise

Induction (inductive reasoning)

the use of a relatively small set of specific observations as the basis for forming a general statement about a larger set of possible observations. ex: Suppose that you taste a green apple and discover that it is sour. A second green apple is also sour and so is the third. Soon, you reach the general conclusion that all green apples are sour.

Methods of acquiring knowledge

the variety of ways in which a person can know things or discover answers to questions

A drawback of the method of tenacity is that it:

Does not allow for the correction of erroneous ideas

In a recent debate about a sometimes-controversial scientific theory, Debater A was able to list observations that would cause her to modify the theory Debater B supported, while Debater B said nothing would cause him to change his views. This suggests that Debater B is:

Engaging in pseudoscience

Limitation of Method of Tenacity

Potential inaccuracies; no method for correcting erroneous ideas.

Variables

characteristics or conditions that change or have different values for different individuals.

Method of authority

A method of acquiring knowledge in which a person relies on information or answers from an expert in the subject area. Quickest way to obtain answers**

Public

Observations are available for the evaluation by others. Replication, or repetition of obsevation, allows verification of the findings.

Peggy is fascinated by the patterns between diet and behavior in children. She is surprised to learn that, when several researchers tried to repeat a small study of the impact of a gluten- and casein-free diet on the behavior of children with autism, they found the diet failed to produce statistically significant behavioral changes. This process of repeating experiments is known as:

Replication

premise statements

Sentences used in logical reasoning that describe facts or assumptions. Ex: Having a frightening experience with a dog causes fear of dogs in the future. Amy has a fear of dogs.

Deduction

The use of a general statement as the basis for reaching a conclusion about the specific examples. Deduction: decrease

Method of Intuition

a method of acquiring knowledge in which information is accepted on the basis of a hunch or "gut feeling"

Empirical

Answers are obtained by making structured or systematic observations Results will provide clear support for the hypothesis or will clearly refute the hypothesis

Jared relies on looking out the window to decide what the day's weather will be like. Jared is relying on which method?

Empiricism

Objective

outcome is not skewed by bias.

Research strategy

the choice of a research strategy is usually determined by one of two factors 1. The type of question being asked 2. Ethics and other constraints.

Limitation to method of empiricism

Observations can be misinterpreted. Sensory experience can be swayed by beliefs. Time-consuming and sometimes dangerous. If I wanted to determine whether some mushrooms are poisonous, I would rather ask an expert than try the empirical method.

ara relies on news from a network known to have an extremely liberal slant, and Constance relies on news from a network known to have an extremely conservative slant. No matter what has occurred, it seems as though their takes are diametrically opposed and completely irreconcilable. Both Sara and Constance are relying on the method of

Authority

Finding an unanswered research question is often the result of:

Critical reading