Chapter 3 Flashcards
Psychological Science & Research
basic research
answers fundamental questions about behaviour
applied research
investigates issues that have implications for everyday life and provides solutions to everyday problems
research design
specific method a researcher uses to collect, analyze, and interpret data
3 major types of research designs
- descriptive research
- correlational research
- experimental research
empiricism
based on systematic collection and analysis of data
scientific method
set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct research
objectivity
free from personal bias or emotions
replication
repeating, adding to, or modifying previous findings
laws
principles that are general to apply to all situations in a given domain of inquiry
theory
an integrated set of principles that explains and predicts many observed relationships within a given domain of inquiry
4 characteristics of good theories
- general - summarize many diff outcomes
- parsimonious - provide the simplest possible account of those outcomes
- inspiring - provide ideas for future research
- falsifiable - variables of interest can be measured and the relationships between the variables predicted by the theory can be shown thru research to be incorrect
research hypothesis
specific and falsifiable prediction about the relationship between or among variables
variable
any attribute that can assume diff values among diff ppl or across diff times or places
conceptual variables
abstract ideas that form the basis of research hypotheses, can be simple or complex
measured variables
variables consisting of numbers that represent the conceptual variables
Stanley Milgram
studied obedience to authority by administering electric shocks
deception
occurs whenever research participants are not completely fully informed about the nature of the project before participating in it
ethics
branch of philosophy that’s concerned with morality, refers to a set of principles and practices that provide moral guidance in a field
confederate
helper who pretends to be a participant
4 general moral principles of scientific research
- weighing risks against and benefits
- acting responsibly with integrity
- seeking justice
- respecting rights and dignity
some elements of respecting rights and dignity
- autonomy
- informed consent
- privacy
- confidentiality
- anonymity
Nuremberg Code
set of 10 principles written in 1947 in conjunction with the trials of Nazi physicians accused of cruel research on concentration camp prisoners, clarified importance of weighing risks and benefits and need for informed consent
Declaration of Helsinki
ethics code created by the World Medical Council in 1964, highlighted written protocols reviewed by a committee
Belmont report
set of US federal guidelines in 1978, recognized the principles of seeking justice, distributing risks and benefits fairly, recognizing respect for persons, and beneficence
Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects
applies to research conducted, supported, or regulated by the federal gov’t, involves an ethical review board responsible for reviewing protocols for problems
3 levels of risk
- exempt research (regulations don’t apply)
- minimal risk research (exposes particiapnts to risks that are no greater than those in daily life)
- at-risk research (poses greater than minimal risk)
APA Ethics Code
published in 1953 and includes 150 specific ethical standards that psychologists and students are expected to follow
debriefing
process of informing participants of the purpose of the study, revealing any deception, and correcting other misconceptions
pre-screening procedure
identifies and eliminates participants who are at high risk
descriptive research
provides a snapshot of current state