Chapter 1 - Part 2 Flashcards
Scientific Method
an approach to testing beliefs that involves;
- ) choosing a question.
- ) formulating a hypothesis.
- ) testing the hypothesis.
- ) drawing a conclusion.
Hypothesis
testable predictions of a phenomenon.
Reliability
the degree to which independent measures of behaviours are consistent.
Interrater Reliability
the amount of agreement between researchers who witness the same behaviour.
Validity
the degree to which a test measures what it is intended to measure.
External validity
the degree to which results can be generalized beyond the particulars of the research.
Structured interviews
a research procedure in which all participants are asked to answer the same questions.
Questionnaires
a method that allows researchers to gather information from a large number of participants simultaneously by presenting them with a uniform set of questions.
Clinical interview
a procedure in which questions are adjusted in accord with the answers the interviewee provides.
Naturalistic observation
a subject is observed in its natural habitat without any manipulation by the observer.
Structured observation
a method that involves presenting an identical situation to each participant.
Correlational designs
studies intended to indicate how two variables are related to each other.
Variables
attributes that vary across individuals and situations, such as age, sex, and popularity.
Correlation
the association between two variables.
Correlation coefficient
- can range from -1.0 to +1.0.
- positive = two variables changing in same direction.
- negative = two variables change in different directions.
Direction of causation problem
the concept that a correlation between two variables does not indicate if either variable is the cause of the other.
Third variable problem
the concept that a correlation between two variables may stem from both being influenced by some third variable.
3 conditions for casual inferences:
- ) cause had to precede effect.
- ) cause and effect should correlate.
- ) all other explanations of the cause-effect relationship must be ruled out.
How to rule out other explanations
comparison of at least two situations;
- with the cause present.
- with the cause absent (control condition).
Experimental research methods are used in
- psychological experiments
- randomized controlled trials
- randomized clinical trials
- intervention research
Experimental designs
allows inferences about causes and effects to be drawn.
Random assignment
when each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to each group within an experiment.
Experimental control
a procedure that removes unwanted differences, by equalizing variables other than the IV, between groups.
Experimental group
group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested.
Control group
group of participants in an experiment design who are not presented with the IV.
Independent variable
variable being manipulated/changed.
Dependent variable
variable being measured.
Random sample
subset of a larger population in which every member of the population has an equal change of being selected.
Cross-sectional design
a research method in which participants of different ages are compared on a given behaviour over a short period.
Interpreting findings
- once data has been collected, a statistical analysis is conducted.
- results are significant or non-significant.
Peer-reviewing
study is reviewed by researchers in the field, who provide feedback regarding the quality before it is accepted of publication.
Longitudinal design
a method of study in which the same participants are studied twice or more over a substantial length of time.
Longitudinal designs are used to
reveal stability and change overtime.
Prospective cohort design
way to learn about risk factors or protective factors for various conditions.
Microgenetic design
a method of study in which the same participants are studied repeatedly over a short period.
Counting-on strategy
research reveals that preschoolers’ first use of a new strategy is often accompanied by insight and excitement.
Tri-Council Policy Statement
policy statement lays out a code of ethical conduct for investigators to follow.
Informed consent includes
- potential risks involved.
- implications of the research.
- notification that participation is voluntary.
- notification that any data will be kept confidential.
- should be ongoing.
