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Building Testable Theory: Concepts and Observations in Research

Learn about the fundamental elements of theory construction, testability, and hypothesis development in research. Explore how constructs and observations play crucial roles in scientific experimentation, while understanding confounding variables. Discover key concepts like selection bias and interaction effects in research methodology.

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Building Testable Theory: Concepts and Observations in Research

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  1. THEORY OBSERVATION

  2. Three Basic Elements of Theory Construction Testability HYPOTHESIS: intuitive rigorous Literature, Art, Practical Affairs Science Operational Specificity CONSTRUCTS: Explicit empirical referents with surplus meaning OBSERVATIONS: everyday ambiguous experimental

  3. EXPERIMENT • EXPERIMENT: that portion of research in which variables are manipulated • and their effects upon other variables observed.

  4. CONFOUNDING (or EXTRANEOUS) VARIABLES • History: Events occurring between measurement 1 and 2 • Maturation: e.g., growing older, hungrier, more tired • Testing: Effects of test 1 on test 2 • Instrumentation: Effects due to changes in instruments, observers or scorers

  5. CONFOUNDING (or EXTRANEOUS) VARIABLES • Selection Bias: Differential selection of respondents for the comparison groups • Interaction Effects: Selection biases and the experimental variable

  6. Hypothetical Distribution of Scores from a Study of Sex Difference in Spatial Skills boys girls Number of Subjects 70 10 20 30 40 50 60 Mean: Girls 45 Boys 55 Range: Girls 7- 69 Boys 10-75

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