chapter 2 Flashcards
inferential statistics
are used to interpret data and draw conclusions
statistical significance
is said to exist when the probability that the observed findings are due to chance is very low
replication
is the repetition of a study to see whether the earlier results are duplicated (they help science identify and purge erroneous findings)
a sample
is the collection of participants selected for observation in an empirical study
What does empirical research always involve?
it always involves making statistical inferences about a population based on a sample
placebo
is a substance that resembles a drug but has no actual pharmacological effect
placebo effect
occurs when participants expectations lead them to experience some change even though they receive empty, fake, or ineffectual treatment
social desirability bias
is a tendency to give socially approved answers to questions about oneself
halo effect
occurs when ones overall evaluation of a person, object, or institution spills over to influence more specific ratings
experimenter bias
occurs when a researchers expectations/preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained
What does research suggest about the experimenter bias?
that it may lead researchers to unintentionally influence the behaviour of their participants
problems associated with experimenter bias:
double blind procedure
double blind procedure
is a research strategy in which neither participants nor experimenters know which participants are in the experimental or control groups
what are the 3 independent dimensions Bateson suggests are ethically acceptable for animals studies?
- extent of anticipated animal suffering
- The importance of the research problem addressed
- The likelihood of beneficial discoveries
psychology is empirical, true or false
true
what does the empirical approach entail?
testing ideas
basing conclusions
relying on healthy brand of skepticism