Chapter 2 Flashcards
Objectivity
Facts about the world that can be agreed upon by independent observers
Subjectivity
Influenced by one’s beliefs, expectations, experiences
Requirements of quality scientific research
- Is based on measurements that are objective, valid, and reliable
- Is generalizable
- Uses techniques to reduce bias
- Is made public
- Can be replicated
Hawthorn effect
Change in behaviour that occurs as a result of being observed
Single blind study
Participants do not know the true purpose of study, or which treatment/condition they belong to
Double blind study
Neither the participants nor the experimenter knows the exact treatment/conditions
Qualitative research
Examines an issue or behaviour without performing numerical measurements
Quantitative research
Examine an issue or behaviour using numerical measurements and or statistics
Case studies
An in-depth report about the details of a specific case
Naturalistic observation
Unobtrusively observing and recording behaviour as it occurs in a natural environment
Correlational research
Measures the degree of association between two or more variables
Direction:
positive = up up/ down down
Negative = up down
Magnitude: range from -1(strong negative) to +1 (strong positive)
0 = no association
Third variable problem
Variables are not alike, but a third variable relates them. 
Spurious correlation
Random correlations that are similar by coincidence
Experimental research
Dividing samples into groups were subjects are equally as likely to be placed in any condition of the experiment
(Control or experimental group)
Quasi-experimental research designs
Groups being compared are selected based on predetermined characteristics
(no random assignment)
