Research Basics Flashcards

1
Q

What is Tenacity?

A

Information is accepted because it has always been believed to
be true. Based on habit, and superstition but we have not systematically evaluated our beliefs.

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2
Q

What is Intuition?

A

Information is accepted based on a hunch or feeling or instinct that something is correct. Partly based on subtle cues we perceive subconsciously. Intuition may indicate expertise.

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3
Q

What is Authority? And its problems?

A

Information accepted because it was stated by an expert or
respected source
* Accepting something to be true, without detailed vetting
* Accepting authority because of complete trust in an authority figure.
Problems
* It is not always accurate
* Bias, subjective, personal opinions
* Generalization of experts’ knowledge

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4
Q

What is Rationalism? Its problems?

A

Information is accepted based on the use of reasoning or logic
* Draw a conclusion based on logical reasoning/valuable if the premise is absolutely true.
Problems:
* Assumes that all premise arguments are true
* Any inaccuracies will lead to false conclusions

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5
Q

What is Empirism? Problem?

A

Information accepted by direct observation of the world around
you
* Information accepted by personal experience
* Knowledge is based on the collection of data.
Problem
* Variables are not operationally defined?
* Misinterpret what we see

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6
Q

Scientific Method Research steps:

A
  1. Identify a research area
  2. Formulate a hypothesis and prediction
  3. Determine how to define and measure variables
  4. Identify subjects for the study
  5. Select a research strategy
  6. Select a research design
  7. Conduct the study
  8. Evaluate data
  9. Report results
    10.Refine research idea
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7
Q

What is applied research?

A

Research directly aimed at solving problems.

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8
Q

What is basic research?

A

Research that answers theoretical questions.

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9
Q

What should a Hypothesis consist of?

A

1) Statement describing the relationship between variables.
2) Logical – based on knowledge from literature
3) Testable – variables, events, and subjects can be observed and
defined
4) Directional – predict the direction of the relationship
5) Specific – prediction is focused
6) Refutable – an opportunity for results to contradict the hypothesis.

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10
Q

What is prediction?

A

Predict a small set of possible outcomes based on your observations or from the hypothesis by deductive reasoning.

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11
Q

Types of variables?

A

Independent, dependent, control, manipulated.

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12
Q

What is an independent variable?

A

Manipulated variable
* Determined by the experimental design/researcher
* Known in advance
* Determined by the treatment conditions

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13
Q

What is a dependent variable?

A

Responding variable
* Measured in each of the treatment conditions
* Determined during the course of the experiment

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14
Q

What axis are the variables on?

A

x-axis: independent
y-axis: dependent

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15
Q

What is validity?

A

You are measuring what you claim to measure

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16
Q

What is accuracy?

A

The degree to which the result of a measurement, calculation, or specification conforms to the correct value or a standard.

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17
Q

What is reliability?

A

Measurements are consistent and produce nearly identical results
when used repeatedly
* Relates to replicability

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18
Q

What is a factor?

A
  • Differentiates between a set of groups being compared in an experiment
  • Independent variables of an experiment
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19
Q

What is a condition?

A

“How is the group treated in an experiment?”

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20
Q

What is a level?

A

Different values of the independent variable are selected to create the treatment condition

21
Q

What are the characteristics of a variable?

A
  • Observable
  • Replicable
     In order for the above to be true, must be specific and unambiguous
  • Must have at least 2 levels/values
22
Q

What are Operational definitions?

A

Converts an abstract construct into a concrete variable that can
be directly observed and measured

23
Q

What are Situational variables?

A
  • Describes characteristics of a situation or environment (What aspect of the environment changes for the subjects)
24
Q

What are Response variables?

A

Responses or behaviors of subjects/
participants
* Typically the variable you measure after manipulating the situational variable

25
Q

What are Participant variables?

A

Differences between individuals
* Constant within individuals, variable between individuals

26
Q

What are Mediating variables?

A

Help explain how and why a relationship exists between two other variables
* Independent variable causes a mediating variable that then causes a dependent variable

27
Q

What is a qualitative variable?

A

Described in words.

28
Q

What is a quantitative variable?

A

Described in numbers.

29
Q

What is a discrete variable?

A

Measured in categories and Obtained by counting

30
Q

What is a Continuous variable?

A

Measured on a continuum, Whole unit or fraction, Obtained by measuring (only quantitative)

31
Q

What is nominal scale?

A

Qualitative differences in levels of a variable
* Used for categorization
(only discrete)

32
Q

What is an ordinal scale?

A

Statistical data type where variables are in order or rank but without a degree of difference between categories
(only discrete quantitative)

33
Q

What is an Interval scale?

A

Similar to the ordinal scale, but intervals between adjacent values
are constant (only continuous)

34
Q

What is a Ratio scale?

A

Similar to the interval scale but has a zero
(only continuous)

35
Q

What is a control variable?

A

Control variable = potential independent variables that are held
constant during an experiment.

36
Q

What is a Confounding variable?

A

A confounder is a variable that influences both the dependent variable and independent variable

37
Q

What are the sources of error?

A

Experimenter
* Environmental
* Participant
* Instrument

38
Q

Experimenter Error?

A
  • Ensure the experimenter behaves similarly with each subject.
39
Q

Environmental error?

A

Choose the best conditions for testing.

40
Q

Participant error?

A

Inclusion/exclusion criteria decided before starting the study.

41
Q

Instrument error?

A

Error of a measuring instrument.
Using the same instruments, calibration, etc.

42
Q

What is face validity?

A

Measurement appears to measure what you claim
to measure; based on subjective judgement.

43
Q

What is Concurrent validity?

A

Scores obtained using a new measure correlates with a previously established measure of the same construct.

44
Q

What is Predictive validity?

A

Scores from a new measure accurately predict future behavior.

45
Q

What is Convergent validity?

A

Two measurements produce strongly related scores and converge on the same construct.

46
Q

What is Divergent validity?

A

The same method is used to measure two different constructs to discriminate between the constructs.

47
Q

What is Test-Retest Reliability?

A

Determine the correlation between scores from measurements taken at two-time points.

48
Q

What is Inter-Rater reliability?

A

Determine the correlation between scores from two independent scorers.