understanding and applying key concepts and methods in research, including the scientific method, sampling, validity and reliability, experimental design, and threats to validity.

Readings to use for these set of questions * use strictly the reading attached below*
Coolican Ch 1 Coolican Ch 2
Coolican Ch 4
1. Define the scientific method, and describe the relationship between it and the empirical method and the hypothetico-deductive method.
2. What does it mean for a theory to be falsifiable? Why is falsifiablity an important concept in science?
3. Why do we never “prove” things in science? What, instead, is the goal?
4. Define reliability and validity and describe the relationship between them.
5. Define sample, sampling bias, and representative sample.
6. Describe 4 probablity-based sampling methods and 3 non-probability based sampling methods.
7. What is a “threat” to validity? Name and describe 4 threats to validity in research.
Readings to use for this set of questions ( coolican chapter 3 and 5)
1. What is an independent variable? What makes it “independent? What does it mean for an independent variable to have levels?
2. What are control groups and placebo groups? Why would you use one vs. the other?
3. What are three strengths of experiments? What are three limitations of experiments?
4. Identify and describe three issues with independent samples designs.
5. Identify and describe three issues with repeated measures designs.
6. What are order effects? Describe three ways to deal with order effects.
7. What are quasi-experiments? What are the two main issues that prevent quasi-experiments from qualifying as a true experiment?
8. What are correlational studies and group difference studies? Why are they considered non-experiments?
* use strictly the reading attached below*