PSYC 510
HOMEWORK: I C A INTRODUCTORY ONCEPTS SSIGNMENT NSTRUCTIONS
Answer the following short-answer questions using complete sentences. (10 pts)
1. Identify and briefly describe the three criteria that help to define science. (3 pts)
ANSWER: Science refers to the general way of comprehending the world. The three criteria that help to
define science are methodical or systematic empiricism, empirical questions which can be empirically solved,
and public knowledge that can be verified (Paul & Price, 2017).
2. State the five main sections of a journal article. Identify one section and describe why you would go
to that section when skimming an article (e.g., what would you expect to find in that section?) (3 pts)
ANSWER: The five main sections of a journal article are abstract, introduction, methodology, outcome, and
discussion. I would go to the abstract section of a journal auricle because it can give me a comprehensive
insight into the topic that has been explored. The abstract section captures important points regarding the
paper in a summarized way (BSCI 1510L literature and STATS GUIDE: 3.2 components of a scientific paper.
Research Guides, 2021).
Test the hypothesis presented in the follow problem: Each of the cards below has a number on one side
and a letter on the other side. Two of the cards have their letter side showing and two have their number side
showing. Here is a rule: “If a card has a vowel on one side, then it has an even number on the other side”.
Answer the problem and explain how it relates to hypothesis testing, proof, and disproof as discussed in the
text.
3. In order to check that the rule is true or false,
which card or cards below would you turn over? Turn
over only the card or cards that you to check to need
be sure. (2 pts)
ANSWER: I will turn over card with the letter ‘A’
because as per the rule a card with a vowel has an
even number on the other side. By choosing the
specific card I can be sure whether the rule if true or
false.
4. Explain how it relates to hypothesis testing, proof,
and disproof as discussed in the text. (2 pts)
ANSWER: The testing of the hypothesis that the
probability of the card with number 4 has a vowel on
the other side would imply that the card gives rise to
the probability of falsifying the guess that it has a
vowel on the other side.
The objective of testing a hypothesis is to disconfirm
it. So, by turning over card 4, it will be opposed to
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PSYC 510
what is behind the card A.
Answer the following questions related to its associated scenario. (Helpful hint: the “Interact:
Introductory Concepts – Practice Worksheet” for this module covers these topics!). 2 pts each = 20 pts
Scenario 1: In a study of the effects of nicotine on concentration, participants who smoke are compared to
those who do not on a measure of concentration. Identify the independent variable and dependent variable in
this study. Is the independent variable a manipulated variable or a participant variable?
5. What is the independent variable in this study? ANSWER: Nicotine is the independent
variable in this study
6. What is the dependent variable in this study? ANSWER: Concentration is the dependent
variable in this study
7. Is the independent variable manipulated or is it a
participant / subject variable?
