Chapter 2

Question 1

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods?

Answer 1

Qualitative is interested more in the meaning of an experience whereas quantitative are designed to examine cause-and-effect relationships with defined variables.

Question 2

What are the 3 goals of the “scientific enterprise”?

Answer 2

1) Measurement and description - how will it be measured?
2) Understanding and prediction - Make a hypothesis to compare relationship between variables.
3) Application and control

Question 3

What is a “hypothesis”?

Answer 3

A tentative statement about the relationship of 2 or more variables.

Question 4

What are “variables”?

Answer 4

Any measurable conditions, events, characteristics or behaviours that are controlled or observed in the study.

Question 5

What are the 5 steps in a scientific investigation?

Answer 5

1) Formulate a testable hypothesis
2) Select the research method and design the study
3) Collect the data
4) Analyze the data and draw conclusions
5) Report the findings

Question 6

What is an “operational definition”?

Answer 6

Describes the actions or operations that will be used to measure or control a variable.

Question 7

What are “participants/subjects”?

Answer 7

The persons or animals whose behaviour is being systematically observed in the study.

Question 8

What was Dutton/Arons hypothesis?

Answer 8

That fear/anxiety increased sexual attraction.

Question 9

What is a “journal”?

Answer 9

A periodical that publishes technical and scholarly material, usually in a narrowly defined area of inquiry.

Question 10

What are the 2 major advantages of the scientific approach?

Answer 10

1) Its clarity and precision

2) Its relative intolerance of error

Question 11

What is an “experiment”?

Answer 11

A research method in which the investigator manipulates a variable under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether or not any changes occur in a second variable as a result.

Question 12

Can experiments determine cause-and-effect relationships?

Answer 12

Yes.

Question 13

What is the variable “X”?

Answer 13

The independent variable. A condition or event that is varied to see the impact on the dependent variable.

Question 14

What is the variable “Y”?

Answer 14

The dependent variable. Usually a measurement of some aspect of behaviour.

Question 15

What is the “experimental group”?

Answer 15

The subjects who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable.

Question 16

What is the “control group”?

Answer 16

Similar subjects as the experimental group, however do not receive the special treatment that they do.

Question 17

What are “extraneous variables”?

Answer 17

Any variables other than the independent variable that may seem likely to influence the dependent variable.

Question 18

What are “confounding variables”?

Answer 18

Occurs when 2 variables are linked together in a way that causes directionality issues amongst them. (does x cause y or vice versa?)

Question 19

What is it called when subjects also serve as their on control group?

Answer 19

Within-subjects design.

Question 20

What is a “between-subjects design” study?

Answer 20

Separate subjects for the experimental and control groups. Used more frequently than within-subjects.

Question 21

Is it possible to manipulate more than one independent variable in a single experiment?

Answer 21

Yes.

Question 22

What is the main problem with experimental design?

Answer 22

They’re most often artificial (the conditions are ‘forced’ onto subjects).

Question 23

What methods are included in descriptive/correlational research methods?

Answer 23

Naturalistic observations, case studies and surveys.

Question 24

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 24

Researcher engages in careful observation of behaviour without intervening directly with the subjects or participants. Allows for much less artificial observations to be made.

Question 25

What does it mean when “reactivity” occurs in a naturalistic observation?

Answer 25

The subjects behaviour becomes altered by the presence of the researcher/observer.

Question 26

What is a “case study”?

Answer 26

An in-depth investigation of an individual subject. Well suited for observing certain phenomena like psychological disorders.

Question 27

What was Milner able to show through her case study of patient H.M?

Answer 27

She was able to show that we possess multiple memory systems.

Question 28

What is the main problem with case studies?

Answer 28

They are highly subjective, it’s easy for investigators to see what they expect to see.

Question 29

What is a “survey”?

Answer 29

Questionnaires or interviews to gather information about specific aspects of participant’s behaviour.

Question 30

What is the main problem associated with surveys?

Answer 30

They rely on self-report data. Issues include intentional deception, wishful thinking and memory lapses.

Question 31

Can descriptive studies isolate cause and effect?

Answer 31

No.

Question 32

Can correlational studies prove 2 variables are causally related?

Answer 32

No.

Question 33

What are the 3 measures of central tendency?

Answer 33

Mean, median and mode.

Question 34

What is the issue of relying only on the mean?

Answer 34

It is sensitive to extreme scores that can make it misleading.