Chapter 1 Psychology, Science And Research

Question 1

Findings

Answer 1

Outcomes of a study (eg means, results of statistical tests) before any interpretation is made of them in terms of background theory or expectation

Question 2

Conclusions

Answer 2

A summary of what findings might mean in terms of overall theory and/or proposed relationships between variables

Question 3

Hypothesis Testing

Answer 3

Research that analyses data for a predicted effect

Question 4

Scientific method

Answer 4

General method of investigation using induction and deduction

Question 5

Empirical method

Answer 5

Scientific method of gathering information and summarising it in the hope of identifying general patterns

Question 6

Hypothetico-deductive method

Answer 6

Method of recording observations, developing explanatory theories and testing predictions from those theories

Question 7

Data

Answer 7

Relatively uninterpreted information; gathered facts

Question 8

Induction

Answer 8

Process of moving from particular instances to a generalised pattern

Question 9

Theory

Answer 9

Researcher’s beliefs about how the world works, about how or why a particular phenomenon occurs

Question 10

Hypothesis

Answer 10

Precise statement of assumed relationship between variables

Question 11

Research question

Answer 11

The question a researcher is trying to answer in an investigation

Question 12

Research prediction

Answer 12

Prediction in precise terms about how variables should be related in the analysis of data if a hypothesis is to be supported

Question 13

Deduction

Answer 13

Logical argument using rules to derive a conclusion from premises

Question 14

Effect

Answer 14

A difference or correlation between samples leading to an assumed relationship between variables in the population

Question 15

Replication

Answer 15

Repeating a completed study

Question 16

Raw data

Answer 16

Unprocessed data as gathered in a study eg individual scores

Question 17

Peer review

Answer 17

Critical review by academics, who are experts in the field, of an article submitted for publication

Question 18

Falsifiability

Answer 18

Principle that theories must be defined in a way that makes it possible to show how they could be wrong

Question 19

Pilot study/trials; piloting

Answer 19

Preliminary study or trials often carried out to predict snags and assess features of a main study to follow

Question 20

Variable

Answer 20

Quantity that can change; usually used to refer to a measure of a phenomenon

Question 21

Population

Answer 21

Whole group or category of people from among whom samples are selected

Question 22

Field experiment/study

Answer 22

Research study where data are gathered from participants outside the research centre

Question 23

Participant

Answer 23

Person who takes part in a psychological investigation as a member of a sample or individual case

Question 24

Design

Answer 24

Structure and strategy of a piece of research

Question 25

Analysis

Answer 25

Investigation of data for patterns or evidence of an effect

Question 26

Quantitative data

Answer 26

Data in numerical form, the results of measurement or counting

Question 27

Qualitative data

Answer 27

Data left in their original forms of meaning (eg speech, text) and not quantified