How Do Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions

How Do Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions

by Jonathan Day

​The Scientific Method

​Theories - a potential explanation of behaviors or events by offering ideas that organize what we have observed

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​Use facts as a guiding tool with theories to see if they stand or if they don't

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​A good theory will have testable predictions - Hypotheses

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Multiple Choice

a potential explanation of behaviors or events by offering ideas that organize what we have observed is a what?

• Hypotheses

• Theory

• Rubric

• Thesis

​Working on Bias

​Our theories can bias our observation

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​Operational definitions - a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in research study.

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​Replication - repeat the procedure step by step

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​Good Theory will have the following

​Good Theory

​- Effectively organizes a range of self reports and observations

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​- Leads to clear predictions that anyone can use to check the theory

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​-often stimulates research that leads to a revised theory which better organizes and predicts what we know. OR

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​- Research can be replicated AND supported by similar findings

Multiple Choice

a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in research study

• Replication

• Observational definitions

• Subjective definitions

• Theory definitions

Open Ended

List out the different ways that define a Good Theory. (Remember do not hit the Enter key until you are finished with your response

​Testing it

​Testing our hypothesis and refining our theories can be done through the following process

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​-Descriptive methods describe behaviors, often by using (as we will see) case studies, naturalistic observations, or surveys

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​-Correlational methods associate different factors (anything that contributes to a result)

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​- Experimental methods manipulate, or vary, factors to discover their effects

Open Ended

List and explain why it is important for us to test our hypotheses and refine our theories. (Make sure to NOT hit enter until you have completely answered the question)