Chapter 1 - Part 2

Question 1

Scientific Method

Answer 1

an approach to testing beliefs that involves;

1. ) choosing a question.
2. ) formulating a hypothesis.
3. ) testing the hypothesis.
4. ) drawing a conclusion.

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

testable predictions of a phenomenon.

Question 3

Reliability

Answer 3

the degree to which independent measures of behaviours are consistent.

Question 4

Interrater Reliability

Answer 4

the amount of agreement between researchers who witness the same behaviour.

Question 5

Validity

Answer 5

the degree to which a test measures what it is intended to measure.

Question 6

External validity

Answer 6

the degree to which results can be generalized beyond the particulars of the research.

Question 7

Structured interviews

Answer 7

a research procedure in which all participants are asked to answer the same questions.

Question 8

Questionnaires

Answer 8

a method that allows researchers to gather information from a large number of participants simultaneously by presenting them with a uniform set of questions.

Question 9

Clinical interview

Answer 9

a procedure in which questions are adjusted in accord with the answers the interviewee provides.

Question 10

Naturalistic observation

Answer 10

a subject is observed in its natural habitat without any manipulation by the observer.

Question 11

Structured observation

Answer 11

a method that involves presenting an identical situation to each participant.

Question 12

Correlational designs

Answer 12

studies intended to indicate how two variables are related to each other.

Question 13

Variables

Answer 13

attributes that vary across individuals and situations, such as age, sex, and popularity.

Question 14

Correlation

Answer 14

the association between two variables.

Question 15

Correlation coefficient

Answer 15

• can range from -1.0 to +1.0.
• positive = two variables changing in same direction.
• negative = two variables change in different directions.

Question 16

Direction of causation problem

Answer 16

the concept that a correlation between two variables does not indicate if either variable is the cause of the other.

Question 17

Third variable problem

Answer 17

the concept that a correlation between two variables may stem from both being influenced by some third variable.

Question 18

3 conditions for casual inferences:

Answer 18

1. ) cause had to precede effect.
2. ) cause and effect should correlate.
3. ) all other explanations of the cause-effect relationship must be ruled out.

Question 19

How to rule out other explanations

Answer 19

comparison of at least two situations;

• with the cause present.
• with the cause absent (control condition).

Question 20

Experimental research methods are used in

Answer 20

• psychological experiments
• randomized controlled trials
• randomized clinical trials
• intervention research

Question 21

Experimental designs

Answer 21

allows inferences about causes and effects to be drawn.

Question 22

Random assignment

Answer 22

when each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to each group within an experiment.

Question 23

Experimental control

Answer 23

a procedure that removes unwanted differences, by equalizing variables other than the IV, between groups.

Question 24

Experimental group

Answer 24

group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested.

Question 25

Control group

Answer 25

group of participants in an experiment design who are not presented with the IV.

Question 26

Independent variable

Answer 26

variable being manipulated/changed.

Question 27

Dependent variable

Answer 27

variable being measured.

Question 28

Random sample

Answer 28

subset of a larger population in which every member of the population has an equal change of being selected.

Question 29

Cross-sectional design

Answer 29

a research method in which participants of different ages are compared on a given behaviour over a short period.

Question 30

Interpreting findings

Answer 30

• once data has been collected, a statistical analysis is conducted.
• results are significant or non-significant.

Question 31

Peer-reviewing

Answer 31

study is reviewed by researchers in the field, who provide feedback regarding the quality before it is accepted of publication.

Question 32

Longitudinal design

Answer 32

a method of study in which the same participants are studied twice or more over a substantial length of time.

Question 33

Longitudinal designs are used to

Answer 33

reveal stability and change overtime.

Question 34

Prospective cohort design

Answer 34

way to learn about risk factors or protective factors for various conditions.

Question 35

Microgenetic design

Answer 35

a method of study in which the same participants are studied repeatedly over a short period.

Question 36

Counting-on strategy

Answer 36

research reveals that preschoolers’ first use of a new strategy is often accompanied by insight and excitement.

Question 37

Tri-Council Policy Statement

Answer 37

policy statement lays out a code of ethical conduct for investigators to follow.

Question 38

Informed consent includes

Answer 38

• potential risks involved.
• implications of the research.
• notification that participation is voluntary.
• notification that any data will be kept confidential.
• should be ongoing.