The scientific method

Question 1

scientific method

Answer 1

goals of science - understand, describe, explain, predict, correlational vs cause-effect

correlational study - heart rate and respiratory rate (if heart rate goes up what is the rate of respiration?)

cause-effect - measure reaction time, auditory stimulus or visual stimulus, how the 2 stimulus influence reaction time

empiricism - verification (observation)

• collect data, well developed hypothesis, prediction of how the variables will affect results

hypothesis testing - “a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation”

Question 2

variables

Answer 2

independent variable (IV) - variable(s) manipulated by the experimenter

• observe effects of independent variable(s) on dependent variable
  ex) movement cuing condition: visual vs auditory stimulus of young, old and very old adults (2 levels x 3 levels)

dependent variable (DV) - variable(s) measured

• change in dependent variable is assumed to be a result of change in independent variable(s)
  ex) reaction time