Theories, Hypotheses, Constructs and Variables

• Fact= a statement about a direct observation of nature that is so consistently repeated that virtually no doubt exists as t its truth value, it's under no dispute whatsoever
• Theory= a collection of statements (propositions/hypothesis) that together attempt to explain a set of observed phenomena, broad encompassing framework, uses a series of facts to build a framework of observations to build theory
• Hypothesis= a clear but tentative explanation for an observed phenomenon, derived from theories, provides a prediction of relationship between variables
• Theories


  Integrated set of proposals that:

  • Define
  • Explain
  • Organise
  • Interrelate

  Proposals that provide a model of how the observed phenomena 'work'

  Makes general predictions upon which specific hypotheses can be based
• Hypotheses make specific predictions and must be:

  • Falsifiable- can it be disproven
  • Testable- can a test be designed to adequately test it
  • Precisely stated- are all terms clearly defined
  • Rational- is hypothesis consistent with known information
  • Parsimonious- Is the explanation the simplest possible, Occam's razor
• Constructs

  • Building blocks of theories- theoretical scaffolding
  • Theoretical concepts formulated to serve as casual or descriptive explanations
  • Don't directly indicate a means by which they can be measured
• Variables


  Any characteristic that can assume multiple values (can vary), an event or condition the researcher observes or measures, must be operational
• Constructs Vs Variables


  Constructs defined by theoretical definitions

  E.g. Psychosis: a mental state characterised by a 'loss of contact with reality'

  Variables defined by operational definitions

  E.g. contact with reality 'defined' by a score on a questionnaire