Theory & Variables

Question 1

What is a theory?

Answer 1

a body of interrelated principles that explain or predict

Question 2

What are the 2 requirements of theory?

Answer 2

• falsifiable- capable of being disproved
• tentative- partial and incomplete (can be added to)

Question 3

What functions can theory serve?

Answer 3

• Description
• explanation
• prediction
• control

Question 4

What is a variable?

Answer 4

the concepts that have the ability to take on more than one value

Question 5

What is the difference between IV’s and DV’s?

Answer 5

• IV- predicts the outcome of the DV (cause)
• DV- the variable being measured (effect)

Question 6

What is the difference between a conceptual and operation definition of a variable?

Answer 6

• Conceptual- dictionary definition
• Operational- how we measure the variable