Chap 3 and 4 Flashcards
Define constant
(Not a variable)
A constant is something that could potentially vary but only has one level
Stays the same
What are the two types of variables?
Manipulated and measured
Define manipulated variable
Controlled levels by assigning participants to the different levels of that variable.
Define measured variable
They observe and record the levels of the variable
Can’t change it
Conceptual definition
When researchers are discussing their theories and when journalists write about research
Operational definitions
When they are testing heir hypothesis with empirical research
Define operationalization (of variables)
The process of turning a concept of interest into a measured or manipulated variable
What’s a claim
An argument someone is trying to make
What are the different kinds of claims?
Frequency- describe a particular rate or level of something (how frequent or common something is) they focus on one variable, always measured.
Anecdotal- they don’t report the results of a social science study; instead, they just tell us an illustrative story.
Association- Argues that one level of a variable is likely to be associated with a particular level of another variable. (Must involve two variables, variables are measured not manipulate and must correlate w each other
Causal- argues that one variable is responsible for changing the other. (cause, enhance, curb) one variable acts on the other, stronger statements. One variable manipulated other measured
What are the different types of association claims?
Positive association- high goes with high, low goes with low
Negative association- high goes with low, low goes with high
Zero association- no association between the variables
Curvilinear association- the level of one variable changes its patter as the other variable increases
How do you interrogate a frequency claim
Ask two of the big validities: construct validity and external validity
Define variable
Something that varies, must have at least two levels or values
What’s a construct validity? How do you interrogate it?
Construct validity concerns how accurately a researcher has operationalized each variable
Ask how well a study measured or manipulated variable
Are the operational variables used in the study a good approximation of the construct of interest
Define external validity
How well the results of the study generalize to, or represent people in context beside those in the study itself
The degree to which the results of the study generalize to some larger population as well as other situations
Find statistical validity
The extent to which those statistical conclusions are accurate and reasonable
How well a study minimizes the probability of two errors including that there is an effect when in fact there is none or concluding that there is no effect when in fact there is one
Define internal validity
In a relationship between one variable (A) and another (B), the degree to which we can say that A, rather than some other variable (such as C) is responsible for the effect on B
Should be able to re out alternative explanations for the association
When interrogating a claim what are the three rules for causation? (Between variable A and B)
Covariance- As A changes, B changes; for example, as A increases, B increases, and as A decreases, B decreases
Temporal precedence- A comes first in time, before B
internal validity- there are no possible alternative explanations for the change in B; A is the only thing that changed
What were the three kinds of ethical violations in the Tuskegee syphilis study?
- Harmed. They were not told about the treatment for the disease that could be cured
- Not treated respectfully. Subjected to painful and dangerous tests.
- Targeted a disadvantaged social group. Syphilis affected all ethnicities but only African Americans were chosen for the study.
What were the ethical questions in the milgram experiment?
- was it ethical of milgram to put unsuspecting volunteers through such a stressful experience?
- concerns the last effects of the study
What the the Belmont report?
In 1976 a commission of physicians, ethicists, philosophers, scientists, and other citizens gathered
-for an intensive discussion of basic ethical principles that researchers should follow as they conduct research with human participants
Guiding principles: respects for persons, beneficence, and justice
Consider ethical guidelines, local institutional policies, and federal laws
What is respect for persons?
Two provisions:
1) participants in research should be treated as autonomous agents: they should be free to make up their own minds about whether they wish to participate in the study. (Informed consent)
2) some people are entitled to special protection
Define and explain the principle of beneficence?
Researchers taking precaution to protect research participants from harm and ensure their well being
Define and explain the principle of justice
Calls for a fair balance between the people who participate in research and the people who benefit from it
Researchers might first ensure that the participants involved in a study are representatives of the type of people who would also benefit from its results
Why was the The APA ethical principle made?
Written by the American psychological association (APA)
The apa chose to develop its own ethical principles and standards so psychologists would have guidelines for their three separate roles: scientist, professor/educator, therapist (practitioner)
What are the guidelines for the Apa ethical principles?
1) beneficence- treat people in a way that benefits them. Do not cause suffering. Conduct research that will benefit society.
2) justice- strive to treat all groups of people fairly. Be aware of bias.
3) respect for persons- recognize that people are autonomous agents. Protects people’s rights, including right to privacy, right to consent to research, and have participation treated confidentially
4) integrity- strive to be accurate, truthful, and honest in ones role as researcher, teacher, or practitioner
5) fidelity- establish relationships of trust. Professional behavior
What’s the Institutional review board (IRB)
An IRB committee responsible for ensuring that research on humans is conducted ethically.
(Apa requires that psychologists comply with their local IRB)
IRBs are mandated by federal laws
Must include five people: at least one scientist, one with academic interests outside of the sciences, and a community member who has no ties to the institution
What’s informed consent?
As defined by the Apa is the researchers obligation to explain the study to potential participants in everyday language and to give them a chance to decide whether to participate
Informed consent is usually provided with a written document that outlines the procedures, risks, and benefits of the research- including a statement about any treatments that are experimental
Participants two copies one for them to take home and one for the researcher
When do you typically not need a consent form?
When the study is not likely to cause harm and if it takes place in an educational setting
When participants are answering an anonymous questionnaire
When the study involved naturalistic observations of participants in a low risk setting
(Institutions regulation determine the need for a consent form)
(Studies still have to be approved by the IRB)
Must still inform participants of their rights and of their participation in research study
What are some examples of unsuspecting things that could take away a person’s confidentiality
Handwriting
Birthday
Photographs
Define deception
Researchers withheld some details of the study from participants and in some cases actively lied to them
Define debriefing
When researchers have used deception they must spend time after the study is over debriefing each participant in a structured conversation
They explain the importance of their research and attempt to restore an honest relationship between the researcher and participants
In the Apa ethical list points what are legal protection for laboratory animals?
Must care for them humanely
Use as few animals as possible
Be sure their research is valuable enough to justify the use of animals
Must follow federal and local laws for animal care and protection
What’s he animal welfare Act
Outlines standards and guidelines for the treatment of animals
(AWA) mandates that each institution at which animal research takes place must have a local board called the institutional animal care and use committee and must approve animal research before it begins and comply federal guidelines
Committee must contain a vegetarian, a practicing scientist who is granular with the goals and procedures of animal research, and a member of the community at large who is unconnected with the institution
Must comply with federal guidelines and submit protocols precautions and justify research.
Monitor the care and treatment of animals
What are the animal care guidelines three R’s?
Replacement- researchers should find alternatives to animals in research when necessary
Refinement- researchers must modify experimental procedures and other aspects of animal care to minimize or eliminate animal distress
Reduction- researchers should adopt experimental designs and procedures that require the fewest animal subjects possible
What are the arguments for animal research?
- it has made both fundamental contributions to both basic and applied science, for both humans and animals
- animal research argues that researchers are sensitive to animal welfare
- researchers has successfully developed new procedures that do not require animal testing
What are the two forms of research misconduct?
1) data fabrication- occurs when instead of recording what really happened in a study researchers invent data that fits their hypothesis
2) data falsification- occurs when researchers influence the study’s results
Define plagiarism
Another form of research misconduct that is usually defined as representing the ideas or words of others as ones own
