intuition
an instinct unaccompanied by reasoning. For example, choosing a multiple choice question at random when the answer isn't known.
prediction
a specific idea concerning the outcome of a particular experiment
hypothesis
a statement about something that has the potential to reign true: it is a tentative idea about how two or more variables relate to each other. Evidence will support or refute it.
falsifiability
data is capable of showing that a hypothesis is false
theory
system of logical ideas proposed to explain particular phenomenon and its relationship to other phenomena
parsimony
principle dictating that the least complex theory is the most desirable because it is the easiest to falsify. (Ockham's Razor)
abstract
a summary of the research report running no more than 120 words
introduction
an outline of the problem that has been investigated: information on past research and relevant theories appear here
method
information about exactly how the study was conducted.
results
presentation of researcher's findings including a narrative description, statistics, and tables/graphs.
discussion
review of the research from various perspectives: explanation regarding whether the results support the hypothesis.
authority
individual with specialized knowledge capable of regulating and commanding
scientific skepticism
ideas are to be evaluated on the basis of careful logic and results from scientific investigations
empiricism
knowledge is founded by organized and systematic observations
replication
employed to ensure that other researchers obtain similar/the same results
peer review
process wherein scientists with expertise on a topic carefully evaluate research and recommend whether the research should be published.
pseudoscience
use of scientific terms to substantiate claims without providing scientific data.
covariation (of cause and effect)
presence of cause= presence of effect. Absence of cause= absence of effect.
temporal precedence
temporal order of events wherein the cause precedes the effect
alternative explanation
something other than a causal variable could be responsible for an observed effect
basic research
research attempting to answer fundamental questions about the nature of behaviour
applied research
research conducted to address practical problems and potential solutions
program evaluation
the evaluation of social reforms/innovations occurring in government, education, criminal justice, industry, health care, mental health
four principles (of scientific process)
replication, discovery, peer review, free exchange
free exchange
ideas are not limited or intended to challenge authority. They can instead be agreed or disagreed with.
phrenology
pseudoscientific claim that bumps on your head indicated characteristics about you
psycINFO
best resource for scholarly psychological information