Chapter 2 Psychology 175.102 Flashcards
Psychological Research Methods
- Experimental 2. Descriptive - case study - naturalistic observation - survey research 3. Correlational
Features shared by psychological research
- Theoretical framework 2. Standardised procedures 3. Generalisability 4. Objective measurement
Description
Being able to summarise data your research has produced to make the events and relationships easily understandable
Prediction
Using the outcome of research to identify what would happen given the same circumstances
Understanding
Identifying why that would happen
Evaluating a study
- Does the theoretical framework make sense? 2. Is the sample adequate and appropriate? 3. Are the measures and procedures adequate? 4. Are the data conclusive? 5. Are the broader conclusions warranted? 6. Does the study say anything meaningful? 7. Is the study ethical?
Theory
A systematic way of organising and explaining observations.
Hypothesis
A tentative belief about the relationship between two or more variables.
Variable
Phenomena that vary or change across individuals or circumstances
Independent variable
The variables be experimenter manipulates
Dependent variable
The participants responses
Conditions
Different possible variations of the independent variable presented to the participant
Measure
A concrete way of assessing a variable
Confounding variable
A variable that could produce effects that might be confused with the effects of the independent variable
Reliability
A measures ability to produce consistent results
Retest reliability
The tendency of a test to yield relative similar scores for the same individual over time.
Internal consistency
Several ways of asking the same question yield similar results.
Interrater reliability
If two different interviewers rate an individual both should give the person similar scores.
Validity
The measures ability to assess the variable it is supposed to assess.
Scientific approaches three goals
Description, Prediction and Understanding
Independent variable
Variables manipulated by the experimenter, which are outside the participants control.
Dependent variable
The response the experimenter measures to see whether the manipulation had an effect.
Code of ethics
- Informed consent 2. Ensure welfare of participants 3. No excessive cash rewards 4. Confidentiality 5. Inform participants afterward if deception was used 6. Minimise discomfort to animals 7. Ensure approval of appropriate body
Conditions
Different possible variations of the independent variable presented to the participant
Demand characteristics
The ways participants perceptions of the researchers goals influenced their responses
Continuous variable
A variable that can be placed on a continuum
Categorical variable
A variable comprised of groupings or categories
Standard procedures
Exposing participants in a study to as similar procedures as possible
Population
The larger group to whom findings should be applicable
Sample
A subgroup of the population
Representative
Conclusions drawn of the subgroup are likely to be true of the population. The sample accurately represents the population.
Generalisability
The applicability of the findings to the entire population of interest
Participants
Individuals who participate in the study
Sampling bias
Occurs when the sample is not representative of the population as a whole
Valid
To be valid the studying must meet two criteria. One. Convincingly test hypothesis. Two. Findings must be generalisable outside the laboratory.
Internal validity
Study must employ methods that convincingly test the hypothesis
External validity
The findings can be generalised to situations outside the laboratory
Validation
Demonstrating that a measure consistently relates to some objective criterion, or to other measures that have already demonstrated their validity
Error
Discrepancy between the phenomena is measured and the phenomena as it really is
Experimental research
Investigators manipulate some aspect of the situation and examine the impact on the way participants respond