Key Terms
EMPIRICAL
Grounded in objective, observable evidence that can be verified repeatedly, by anyone.
DEDUCTIVE REASONING
Start with a general idea; test it against the real world. Theory down to specific prediction.
INDUCTIVE REASONING
Start with observations; build toward a general idea. Real world up to theory.
THEORY
A well-developed set of ideas explaining observed phenomena. Too complex to test all at once.
HYPOTHESIS
A testable, falsifiable prediction derived from a theory. Often worded as if-then.
FALSIFIABLE
The hypothesis can be proven wrong by evidence. If no possible result could disprove it, it's not a scientific hypothesi
Definition
Believing a relationship exists between two things when it actually doesn't.
Strength
Low cost; no participant interaction needed. Weakness: No control over what was originally collected; inconsistencies be
GENERALIZE
Applying findings from a sample to the broader population. Case studies are terrible at this.
ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY
The degree to which research results apply to real- world situations. Naturalistic observation maximizes this.
OBSERVER BIAS
Observers unconsciously skew their records to match expectations.
INTER-RATER RELIABILITY
Multiple observers independently classify the same event; if they agree, the data is more trustworthy.
STRUCTURED OBSERVATION
Subjects are observed during specific, predefined tasks. Less naturalistic but more controlled.
Weakness
Shallow depth; people lie, misremember, or answer to look good.
POPULATION
The full group you're interested in studying. SAMPLE: the subset you actually study.