Ch. 2 - Psychological Research Flashcards
scientific method def
approach used to systematically acquire knowledge and understanding about behavior
scientific method steps (formal)
- ID question
- formulate explanation
- carry out research designed to support/refute the explanation
- communicate findings
scientific method steps (informal)
- observe
- predict
- test
- interpret
- communicate findings
theories
broad explanations and predictions concerning observations of interest
what do theories provide?
a framework for understanding the relationships among a set of facts or principles
hypothesis
prediction stated in a way that allows it to be tested
-narrow
operational definition
translation of a hypothesis into specific, testable procedures that can be measured and observed in an experiment
research
systematic inquiry aimed at the discovery of new knowledge
what is the ‘central ingredient’ of the scientific method in psych
research
archival research
existing data are examined to test a hypothesis
different types of data for archival research
census docs, college records, online databases, newspaper articles
naturalistic observation
observing some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change
survey research
sample of ppl chosen to represent a larger group of interest
case study
in depth, intensive investigation of an individual or small group
correlational research
two sets of variables are examined to determine whether they are associated or correlated
experimental research
researcher investigates the relationship between two or more variables by deliberately changing one variable in a controlled situation
experimental manipulation
the change made in an experiment
treatment
the manipulation implemented by the experimenter
experimental group
group that receives treatment
control group
group that receives no treatment
independent variable
the condition that is manipulated by the experimenter
dependent variable
variable measured in a. study/experiement
latane and darley
ran the experiments on whether or not ppl will help depending on amount of ppl around
random assignment to condition
participants are assigned to different experimental groups, or CONDITIONS, on the basis of chance
ethics of research
INFORMED CONSENT
experimental bias
factors that distort the way the independent variable affects the dependent variable
what are the three main types of potential bias
- experimenter expectations
- participant expectations
- placebo effects
