Chapter 2 - Research Methods Flashcards
What is generalizability?
Measure of how useful the information/results of a study are to a large group of people/array of situations
What are the three goals of science?
Describe, predict, explain
What are the steps of the ‘empirical research process’?
5 steps; research is cyclical and cumulative.
- statement of problem 2. design of research study 3. measurement of variables 4. analysis of data 5. conclusions from research
What’s the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning?
Inductive = starting from specific premises to a general conclusion, deductive = starting from general premises to a specific conclusion
What’s the difference between internal and external validity?
Internal validity measures how well the study, design, conduct and analysis is done (sans bias), external validity measures how well findings can be applied/generalized to contexts outside of study
What does anecdotal evidence mean?
First and secondhand reports of personal experience
What is a laboratory experiement?
Studies/experiments taking place in a controlled environment
What is a quasi-experimental experiement?
Experiments used to determine causality between variables; typically used when random assignment is not possible
allows for more generalizability
quasi-independant variable - IV that occurs naturally/cannot be manipulated
What is a correlational experiement?
A research design that looks at the relationship between two or more variables
correlation ≠ causation
What are the IV and DV’s called for correlational experiements?
Why?
IV = predictor variable, DV = criterion/outcome variable
Because you measure variables without manipulation.
What is a between subject design?
Experiement that involves control group and experiemental group to allow testing on different conditions
What is a ‘within subject’ design?
Participants take part in all conditions of a design (no control group)
What is meta-analysis?
Study of past-studies that allow for a “bigger picture” on a topic - reviewing already published data to analyze results/look for trends
What is ethnography?
Research method that involves placing yourself within the environment you aim to study
(e.g., indigeneous communities)
What is test-retest reliability?
Consistency through time; administering the same test to the same group twice to measure reliability
