Ch. 2 - Psychological Research

Question 1

scientific method def

Answer 1

approach used to systematically acquire knowledge and understanding about behavior

Question 2

scientific method steps (formal)

Answer 2

1. ID question
2. formulate explanation
3. carry out research designed to support/refute the explanation
4. communicate findings

Question 3

scientific method steps (informal)

Answer 3

1. observe
2. predict
3. test
4. interpret
5. communicate findings

Question 4

theories

Answer 4

broad explanations and predictions concerning observations of interest

Question 5

what do theories provide?

Answer 5

a framework for understanding the relationships among a set of facts or principles

Question 6

hypothesis

Answer 6

prediction stated in a way that allows it to be tested

-narrow

Question 7

operational definition

Answer 7

translation of a hypothesis into specific, testable procedures that can be measured and observed in an experiment

Question 8

research

Answer 8

systematic inquiry aimed at the discovery of new knowledge

Question 9

what is the ‘central ingredient’ of the scientific method in psych

Answer 9

research

Question 10

archival research

Answer 10

existing data are examined to test a hypothesis

Question 11

different types of data for archival research

Answer 11

census docs, college records, online databases, newspaper articles

Question 12

naturalistic observation

Answer 12

observing some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change

Question 13

survey research

Answer 13

sample of ppl chosen to represent a larger group of interest

Question 14

case study

Answer 14

in depth, intensive investigation of an individual or small group

Question 15

correlational research

Answer 15

two sets of variables are examined to determine whether they are associated or correlated

Question 16

experimental research

Answer 16

researcher investigates the relationship between two or more variables by deliberately changing one variable in a controlled situation

Question 17

experimental manipulation

Answer 17

the change made in an experiment

Question 18

treatment

Answer 18

the manipulation implemented by the experimenter

Question 19

experimental group

Answer 19

group that receives treatment

Question 20

control group

Answer 20

group that receives no treatment

Question 21

independent variable

Answer 21

the condition that is manipulated by the experimenter

Question 22

dependent variable

Answer 22

variable measured in a. study/experiement

Question 23

latane and darley

Answer 23

ran the experiments on whether or not ppl will help depending on amount of ppl around

Question 24

random assignment to condition

Answer 24

participants are assigned to different experimental groups, or CONDITIONS, on the basis of chance

Question 25

ethics of research

Answer 25

INFORMED CONSENT

Question 26

experimental bias

Answer 26

factors that distort the way the independent variable affects the dependent variable

Question 27

what are the three main types of potential bias

Answer 27

1. experimenter expectations
2. participant expectations
3. placebo effects