Basics of Psychological Research

Question 1

What is a variable?

Answer 1

Any characteristic that can vary

Question 2

What is the Operational Definition?

Answer 2

Defines a variable in terms of specific procedures used to produce or measure it

Question 3

3 Goals in Psych Research

Answer 3

1. Measurement and Description
2. Understanding and Prediction
3. Application and Control

Question 4

What makes a good theory?

Answer 4

Consistent with prior observation, specific, measurable, falsifiable (something testable), causality (randomized)

Question 5

What is direct observation?

Answer 5

Watch and record behaviour as objectively and precisely as possible

Question 6

What is a psychological test?

Answer 6

A standard measure to obtain a sample of subjects’ behaviour

Question 7

What are the 3 types of research?

Answer 7

Descriptive research, correlational research, and experimental research

Question 8

What are the descriptive methods?

Answer 8

Naturalistic observation, participant observation, case studies, and surveys

Question 9

What is naturalistic observation?

Answer 9

Observe behaviour without manipulation or control over behaviour - real-world

Question 9

What is a case study?

Answer 9

A report of a single person, group, or situation to collect a lot of detail - not an experiment

Question 9

What is participant observation?

Answer 9

Researcher interacts with the population which allows for research insights from participants’ perspective

Question 9

What is descriptive statistics?

Answer 9

Organizing and summarizing data in a useful way

Question 10

What is inferential statistics?

Answer 10

Interpreting data and drawing conclusions

Question 11

What is correlational research?

Answer 11

Measure and describe some phenomenon, looking at the relationship between two or more measured variables

Question 12

What do positive correlations mean?

Answer 12

An increase in one variable relates to an increase in the other (i.e. the more wood I have, the more I can build)

Question 13

What do negative correlations mean?

Answer 13

An increase in one variable relates to a decrease in the other (i.e. the more work I have, the less fun I have)

Question 14

What are the 3 advantages of correlational research?

Answer 14

1. Show the strength of present relationships
2. Can be used to make predictions about variables
3. Identifies “real-world” associations

Question 15

What are the 3 disadvantages of correlational research?

Answer 15

1. Can’t manipulate measured variable
2. Can’t assume cause-effect relationship exists
3. Shows an association, not a cause

Question 17

What is experimental research?

Answer 17

Involves manipulation of one variable under controlled conditions so that resulting changes in another variable can be observed; testing theories through controlled experiments

Question 17

What is stratified random sampling?

Answer 17

When a sample is divided into subgroups and representative samples

Question 17

What is a null hypothesis?

Answer 17

There is no relationship between the variables of interest in the population

Question 18

What is an alternative hypothesis?

Answer 18

There is a relationship between the variables of interest in the population

Question 19

What is statistical significance?

Answer 19

When the probability of obtaining the result we got is very low if the assumptions of our null hypothesis are true

Question 20

What is a Type 1 error?

Answer 20

When there is a causal relationship between two variables

Question 21

What is a Type 2 error?

Answer 21

When there is not a causal relationship between two variables

Question 22

What does internal validity mean within experimental research?

Answer 22

The degree to which results can be attributed to the independent variable and not other explanations

Question 23

What does external validity mean within experimental research?

Answer 23

The degree to which results can be generalized to other people, across settings, and across time

Question 24

What is meant by “ethics” in psychological research?

Answer 24

Ethics is a set of general principles of how people should be educated, treated, and respected when participating in any study

Question 25

What does the principle of respect for persons entail?

Answer 25

That individuals should be treated as autonomous agents - free to make their own decisions. This involves informed consent, providing information about the research and potential risks and benefits.

Question 26

What does the principle of beneficence entail?

Answer 26

That researchers must take precautions to protect participants from harm and ensure their well-being

Question 27

What does the principle of justice entail?

Answer 27

That there must be a fair balance between those who participate in the research and those who benefit from it. Researchers need to ensure the participants are representing the group that will benefit.