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Psychology 100 > Chapter 2: Research Methods > Flashcards

Chapter 2: Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

What does the scientific method entail?

A

The scientific method involves systematic observation, measurement, experimentation, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

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2
Q

Define theory.

A

A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world.

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3
Q

Define hypothesis.

A

A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.

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4
Q

Define data.

A

Data refers to the facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis.

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5
Q

Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.

A

A theory is a broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence, while a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction.

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6
Q

What is a replication study?

A

A replication study is a research study that attempts to duplicate the results of a previous study to verify its findings.

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7
Q

Why is a replication study important?

A

Replication studies are important for validating the reliability and generalizability of research findings.

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8
Q

What is the open science movement?

A

The open science movement advocates for making scientific research, data, and dissemination accessible to all levels of society.

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9
Q

What is the ultimate goal of the open science movement?

A

The ultimate goal is to enhance transparency, reproducibility, and collaboration in scientific research.

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10
Q

Define meta-analysis.

A

Meta-analysis is a statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to identify patterns or overall effects.

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11
Q

What does it mean for a paper to be peer-reviewed?

A

A peer-reviewed paper has been evaluated and critiqued by experts in the field before publication.

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12
Q

Define variable.

A

A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types.

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13
Q

Distinguish between measured and manipulated variables.

A

Measured variables are observed and recorded, while manipulated variables are intentionally changed to observe effects.

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14
Q

What is an operational definition?

A

An operational definition specifies the procedures used to measure or manipulate a variable.

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15
Q

What is a self-report measure?

A

A self-report measure is a method where participants provide subjective data about their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

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16
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-report measures?

A

Advantages include ease of data collection; disadvantages include potential bias and inaccuracies in responses.

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17
Q

Define social desirability bias.

A

Social desirability bias is the tendency of respondents to answer questions in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others.

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18
Q

What is behavioral observation?

A

Behavioral observation involves watching and recording the behaviors of individuals in a systematic way.

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19
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of behavioral observation?

A

Advantages include direct data collection; disadvantages include observer bias and the potential for reactivity.

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20
Q

Define reactivity.

A

Reactivity occurs when individuals alter their behavior due to the awareness of being observed.

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21
Q

What are indirect measures?

A

Indirect measures assess variables through proxies rather than direct observation.

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22
Q

Give an example of an indirect measure.

A

An example of an indirect measure is using questionnaires to assess attitudes.

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23
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of indirect measures?

A

Advantages include reduced reactivity; disadvantages include potential inaccuracies in interpretation.

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24
Q

Distinguish between the population of interest and a sample.

A

The population of interest is the entire group being studied, while a sample is a subset of that population.

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25
Q

What is a random sample?

A

A random sample is a subset of individuals chosen from a larger population where each individual has an equal chance of being selected.

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26
Q

Why is random sampling important?

A

Random sampling is important because it helps ensure that the sample is representative of the population.

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27
Q

When is non-random sampling particularly likely to be misleading?

A

Non-random sampling is particularly likely to be misleading when the sample does not accurately reflect the population.

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28
Q

What is descriptive research?

A

Descriptive research is a method used to describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon.

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29
Q

What is a case study?

A

A case study is an in-depth analysis of a single individual, group, or event.

30
Q

What is correlational research?

A

Correlational research examines the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them.

31
Q

How can you interpret the strength and directionality of a relationship from a scatterplot?

A

The strength is indicated by how closely the points cluster around a line, while directionality is indicated by the slope of the line.

32
Q

How can you interpret the strength and directionality of a relationship from the correlation coefficient?

A

The correlation coefficient ranges from -1 to 1, indicating the strength and direction of the relationship.

33
Q

Why do correlations not prove causation?

A

Correlations do not prove causation because they do not account for other variables that may influence the relationship.

34
Q

What are the three criteria that must be met to establish causation?

A

The three criteria are correlation, temporal precedence, and ruling out alternative explanations.

35
Q

Why can experiments establish causation while correlational designs cannot?

A

Experiments can establish causation by manipulating variables and controlling for confounding factors.

36
Q

Distinguish between an independent variable and dependent variable.

A

An independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect on a dependent variable, which is measured.

37
Q

Define random assignment.

A

Random assignment is the process of assigning participants to different groups in a study by chance.

38
Q

Why is random assignment important?

A

Random assignment is important because it helps ensure that groups are equivalent at the start of the experiment.

39
Q

What is a control group?

A

A control group is a group that does not receive the experimental treatment and is used for comparison.

40
Q

Why is a control group important?

A

A control group is important because it helps isolate the effect of the independent variable.

41
Q

Distinguish between a mediator and a moderator.

A

A mediator explains the relationship between two variables, while a moderator affects the strength or direction of that relationship.

42
Q

Describe the three types of validity.

A

The three types of validity are internal validity, external validity, and construct validity.

43
Q

Compare measurement validity and reliability.

A

Measurement validity refers to how well a test measures what it claims to measure, while reliability refers to the consistency of the measurement.

44
Q

What is a confound?

A

A confound is an extraneous variable that correlates with both the independent and dependent variables, potentially leading to erroneous conclusions.

45
Q

What is a placebo effect?

A

The placebo effect occurs when participants experience changes due to their expectations rather than the treatment itself.

46
Q

What are double-blind procedures in the context of an experiment?

A

Double-blind procedures involve both participants and researchers being unaware of which participants are in the experimental or control group.

47
Q

Why may double-blind procedures be used?

A

Double-blind procedures are used to minimize bias and ensure that the results are not influenced by expectations.

48
Q

Identify factors that threaten internal validity.

A

Factors include selection bias, history effects, maturation, testing effects, and instrumentation.

49
Q

What is differential attrition?

A

Differential attrition occurs when participants drop out of a study at different rates across groups, potentially skewing results.

50
Q

Define external validity.

A

External validity refers to the extent to which study findings can be generalized to settings, people, and times beyond the study.

51
Q

Distinguish between internal validity and external validity.

A

Internal validity focuses on the accuracy of the study’s conclusions, while external validity focuses on the generalizability of those conclusions.

52
Q

What is an effect size?

A

An effect size is a quantitative measure of the magnitude of a phenomenon.

53
Q

What is the logic of null hypothesis testing?

A

The logic involves testing whether the observed data can be explained by chance alone, leading to a decision about the null hypothesis.

54
Q

What does it mean for a finding to be statistically significant?

A

A finding is statistically significant if the observed effect is unlikely to have occurred by chance, typically indicated by a p-value less than 0.05.

55
Q

What is a p-value?

A

A p-value is the probability of obtaining results at least as extreme as the observed results, assuming the null hypothesis is true.

56
Q

Identify factors affecting the size of the p-value.

A

Factors include sample size, effect size, and variability in the data.

57
Q

Identify and describe the three measures of central tendency.

A

The three measures are mean (average), median (middle value), and mode (most frequent value).

58
Q

Distinguish between a data set’s average score and its variability.

A

The average score indicates the central point of the data, while variability indicates how spread out the data points are.

59
Q

What is meant by descriptive statistics?

A

Descriptive statistics summarize and organize data to provide a clear overview.

60
Q

Define frequency distribution.

A

A frequency distribution is a summary of how often each value occurs in a dataset.

61
Q

Define mean.

A

The mean is the sum of all values divided by the number of values.

62
Q

Define median.

A

The median is the middle value when a dataset is ordered from least to greatest.

63
Q

Define mode.

A

The mode is the value that appears most frequently in a dataset.

64
Q

Define standard deviation.

A

Standard deviation is a measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values.

65
Q

What is the function of an Institutional Review Board?

A

An Institutional Review Board reviews research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met.

66
Q

Identify the three ethical principles guiding evaluation of research proposals.

A

The three principles are respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

67
Q

Define informed consent.

A

Informed consent is the process of providing potential research participants with adequate information to make an informed decision about participation.

68
Q

Why is informed consent important?

A

Informed consent is important to ensure participants understand the risks and benefits of the research.

69
Q

Why is deception a potential violation of the autonomy principle?

A

Deception can undermine a participant’s ability to make an informed choice about their involvement in research.

70
Q

What can be done to minimize the negative impact of deception?

A

Debriefing participants after the study can help mitigate the effects of deception.

71
Q

What factors do IRBs consider in their evaluation of research proposals?

A

IRBs consider risks to participants, potential benefits, and the importance of the knowledge gained.

72
Q

What are the three guiding principles for conducting research with non-human animal subjects?

A

The three principles are replacement, reduction, and refinement.

Psychology 100 (5 decks)

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