Chapter 2: Tools of Psychological Research

Question 1

What are the four main steps in a scientific investigation?

Answer 1

(1) observe
(2) detect regularities
(3) generate a hypothesis
(4) test hypothesis

Question 2

What is an operational definition?

Answer 2

An operational definition is one that allows the investigator to define concepts in terms of the measurements of their experiment. For example, a psychologist studying when people show the most love to others needs an operational definition of loving behaviors.

Question 3

What are the three types of research?

Answer 3

(1) correlational
(2) descriptive
(3) experimental

Question 4

What is the main purpose of descriptive research?

Answer 4

to observe and describe behavior (note: NOT to explain causes)

Question 5

What is reactivity, and what role does it play in descriptive research?

Answer 5

Reactivity is when individuals change their behavior based on the fact that they are aware they are being observed. This can confound data in descriptive research.

Question 6

What is the difference between external and internal validity?

Answer 6

External validity represents how accurately the results of research apply to real-life situations. Internal validity relates to whether or not the experiment was conducted properly and without bias.

Question 7

What is naturalistic observation?

Answer 7

observation of individuals in their natural world

Question 8

What is a cast study, in terms of descriptive research?

Answer 8

A case study is a detailed report of an individual, a group, or a phenomenon. They are excellent for generating hypotheses.

Question 9

How can a researcher reduce reactivity?

Answer 9

by measuring behavior indirectly

Question 10

What are two potential problems with the information gathered during case studies?

Answer 10

(1) one individual is not necessarily representative of everyone else, so it may not have good external validity
(2) how do we know the individual is being truthful?

Question 11

Which term is used to describe the process of selecting individuals for a survey in such a way that each individual has an equal chance of being selected?

Answer 11

random sampling

Question 12

Correlational and experimental research both rely on _________.

Answer 12

statistics

Question 13

What statistical test is used to compare two samples to see if they come from the same population?

Answer 13

t-test

Question 14

Define the following statistical terms: variability, range, standard deviation.

Answer 14

variability: how much the scores in a set differ from one another
range: difference between the lowest score and highest score
standard deviation: how much individual scores vary from the mean

Question 15

Describe what a correlation tells us about two variables.

Answer 15

A correlation only tells us the relationship that two variables have. It does not give any information on causation and only allows us to predict behavior.

Question 16

What characteristic of experimental research allows the researcher to determine causality?

Answer 16

manipulation of experimental conditions. This is how it differs from observational or correlational research.

Question 17

Define independent and dependent variables in an experiment.

Answer 17

The independent variable is what we manipulate in an experiment. The dependent variable is what is measured or observed.

Question 18

What is a confounding variable?

Answer 18

any uncontrolled variable that change systematically with the independent variable

Question 19

Do confounding variables affect internal or external validity?

Answer 19

internal

An experiment has good internal validity when all confounding variables are controlled.

Question 20

What is expectancy?

Answer 20

Expectancy occurs when test subjects get an idea of what they think the researcher wants and change their responses accordingly.

Question 21

How can you reduce expectancy in an experiment?

Answer 21

(1) mislead individuals about the purpose of the study (informing them afterwards)
(2) match expectations for experimental and control (aka use placebo and test groups)

Question 22

How do internal and ecological (external) validity often relate to each other in the results of an experiment?

Answer 22

The more external validity an experiment has, the less internal validity is has.

Question 23

Explain the principle of informed consent.

Answer 23

Informed consent is the process of gaining permission and providing explanation of any risks or other factors that might affect decision to participate, as well as what procedures are involved.

Question 24

Discuss the roles of debriefing and

confidentiality in research.

Answer 24

Debriefing takes place after an experiment and informs the patient why the experiment was performed, what variables were being measured, any misinformation that was given and why the deception took place.