3-0: Psychological Science and Research

Question 1

What is the main purpose of psychological research?

Answer 1

To help us understand people and to improve the quality of human lives.

Question 2

What are the two overall categories of research?

Answer 2

Basic research and applied research

Question 3

Define

Basic research

Answer 3

Answers fundamental questions about behaviour

Question 4

Define

Applied research

Answer 4

Investigates issues that have implications for everyday life and provides solutions to everyday problems.

Question 5

Define

Research design

Answer 5

The specific method researchers use to collect, analyze, and interpret data.

Question 6

What are the three types of research design?

Answer 6

1. Descriptive
2. Correlational
3. Experimental

Question 7

Define

Descriptive research design

Answer 7

Research designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of affairs.

Question 8

Define

Correlational research design

Answer 8

Research designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.

Question 9

Define

Experimental research design

Answer 9

Research conducted with a scientific approach, where a set of variables are manipulated while the other set of variables are being measured.