PSYC 217 Chapter 2

Hypothesis

statement about something that may be true. A tentative idea about how two or more variables relate to each other that is waiting for evidence to support or refute it.

prediction

more general hypothesis into this.

falsifiability

data can show that a hypothesis is false, if in fact it is false.

source of ideas

common assumptions, observation of the world around us, practical problem, theories and past research

theory

consist of a system of logical ideas proposed to explain a particular phenomenon and its relationship to other phenomena.

theories

organise and explain a variety of specific facts or descriptions of behaviour.

theories

generate new knowledge by focusing our thinking so that we notice new aspects of behaviour. Guides our observations of the world. More general and abstract than hypotheses.

theory

grounded in and helps to explain actual data from prior research and specifies numerous hypotheses that are consistent with the theory.

parsimony

the least complex theory is most desirable, because it is easiest to entirely falsify.

Hypothesis

statement about something that may be true. A tentative idea about how two or more variables relate to each other that is waiting for evidence to support or refute it.

prediction

more general hypothesis into this.

falsifiability

data can show that a hypothesis is false, if in fact it is false.

source of ideas

common assumptions, observation of the world around us, practical problem, theories and past research

theory

consist of a system of logical ideas proposed to explain a particular phenomenon and its relationship to other phenomena.

theories

organise and explain a variety of specific facts or descriptions of behaviour.

theories

generate new knowledge by focusing our thinking so that we notice new aspects of behaviour. Guides our observations of the world. More general and abstract than hypotheses.

theory

grounded in and helps to explain actual data from prior research and specifies numerous hypotheses that are consistent with the theory.

parsimony

the least complex theory is most desirable, because it is easiest to entirely falsify.