SPCE 611 Exam 1 ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Description The level of investigation that involves the collection of facts about observed
events that can be quantified, classified, and examined for possible relations with
other known facts, and often suggests hypotheses or questions for additional
research. P. 3
, Prediction The level of investigation that demonstrates correlation between events and is
based on repeated observations. P. 3
Control The level of investigation in which functional relations can be derived. P. 4
Overall Goal of Science To achieve a thorough understanding of the phenomenon under study. P. 3
Functional Relation Specific change in the dependent variable can reliably be produced by specific
manipulations in the independent variable, and the change in the dependent
variable was unlikely to be the result of confounding variables. P. 4
Determinism This is the assumption upon which science is predicated, the idea that the universe
is a lawful and orderly place in which all phenomena occur as the result of other
events. P. 5
Empiricism The practice of objective observation of the phenomena of interest; objective
observations are "independent of the individual prejudices, tastes, and private
opinions of the scientist... Results of empirical methods are objective in that they
are open to anyone's observation and do not depend on the subjective belief of
the individual scientist" P. 5
Experiment A carefully conducted comparison of some measure of the phenomenon of
interest (the dependent variable) under two or more different conditions in which
only one factor at a time (the independent variable) differs from one condition to
another. P. 6
Experimental analysis of behavior This is the branch of behavior analysis that focuses on basic research. P.11
Replication The repeating of experiments to determine the reliability and usefulness of
findings. Includes the repetition of independent variable conditions within
experiments. Method for which mistakes are discovered
P. 6
Parsimony This is the idea that simple, logical explanations must be ruled out, experimentally
or conceptually, before more complex or abstract explanations are considered.
P.6
Philosophic Doubt Requires the scientist to continually question the truthfulness of what is regarded
as fact. P. 6
Description The level of investigation that involves the collection of facts about observed
events that can be quantified, classified, and examined for possible relations with
other known facts, and often suggests hypotheses or questions for additional
research. P. 3
, Prediction The level of investigation that demonstrates correlation between events and is
based on repeated observations. P. 3
Control The level of investigation in which functional relations can be derived. P. 4
Overall Goal of Science To achieve a thorough understanding of the phenomenon under study. P. 3
Functional Relation Specific change in the dependent variable can reliably be produced by specific
manipulations in the independent variable, and the change in the dependent
variable was unlikely to be the result of confounding variables. P. 4
Determinism This is the assumption upon which science is predicated, the idea that the universe
is a lawful and orderly place in which all phenomena occur as the result of other
events. P. 5
Empiricism The practice of objective observation of the phenomena of interest; objective
observations are "independent of the individual prejudices, tastes, and private
opinions of the scientist... Results of empirical methods are objective in that they
are open to anyone's observation and do not depend on the subjective belief of
the individual scientist" P. 5
Experiment A carefully conducted comparison of some measure of the phenomenon of
interest (the dependent variable) under two or more different conditions in which
only one factor at a time (the independent variable) differs from one condition to
another. P. 6
Experimental analysis of behavior This is the branch of behavior analysis that focuses on basic research. P.11
Replication The repeating of experiments to determine the reliability and usefulness of
findings. Includes the repetition of independent variable conditions within
experiments. Method for which mistakes are discovered
P. 6
Parsimony This is the idea that simple, logical explanations must be ruled out, experimentally
or conceptually, before more complex or abstract explanations are considered.
P.6
Philosophic Doubt Requires the scientist to continually question the truthfulness of what is regarded
as fact. P. 6
