Chapter 4: Research Methods Flashcards
Scientific method
The process of gathering and interpreting facts that generally consists of collecting initial observations, identifying a question, developing a hypothesis that might answer the question, collecting relevant data, developing a theory, and testing the theory
Data
Methodical observation, which include numerical measurements of phenomena
Replication
The process of repeating a study using the same data collection methods under identical or nearly identical conditions to obtain data that should have the same characteristics as those from the original study
Hypothesis
A preliminary idea that is proposed to answer a question about a set of observations
Theory
A principle or set of principles that explains a set of data
Predictions
Hypotheses that should be confirmed in a theory if correct
Experiments
Research studies in which investigators intentionally manipulate one variable at a time, and measure the consequences of such manipulation on one or more other variables
Independent variable
A variable that a researcher manipulates
Dependent variable
A variable that is measures and that may change its values as a result of manipulating the independent variable
Confounding vairbles
Factors that might inadvertently affect the variable of interest in an experiments
Control group
A group of participants in an experiment for which the independent variable is not manipulated, but which is otherwise treated identically to the experimental group
Bias
A tendency that distorts data
Random assignment
Assigning participants to each group in a study using a procedure that relies on chance
Sampling bias
The distortion that occurs when the participants in an experiment have not been drawn randomly from the relevant population under investigation
Population
The complete set of possible relevant participants
Sample
The small portion of a population that is examined in a study
Internal validity
A characteristic of a study that indicates that it measures what it purports to measure because it has controlled for confounds
External validity
A characteristic of a study that indicates that the results generalize from the sample to the population from which it was drawn and from the conditions used in the study to relevant conditions outside the study
Correlation
The relationship between the measurements of two variables in which a change in the value of one variable is associated with a change in the value of the other variable
Correlation coefficient
A number that quantifies that strength of the correlation between two variables; usually symbolized by r
Statistically significant
The condition in which the value of a statistical test is greater than what would be expected by chance alone
Epidemiology
The type of correlational research that investigates the rate of occurrence, the possible causes and risk factors, and the course of diseases or disorders
Longitudinal studies (in psychopathology)
Studies designed to determine whether a given variable is a risk factor by using data collected from the same participants at various points in time
Case studies (in psychopathology)
Research method that focuses in detail on one individual and the factors that underlie that person’s psychological disorder or disorders
Single-participant experiments
Experiments with a single participant. For real.
Meta-analysis
A research method that statistically combines the results of a number of studies that address the same question to determine the overall effect
Experimental design
Use of independent and dependent variables and random assignment allows researchers to infer cause and effect
Quasi-experiments
Used when it is possible to identify independent and dependent variables, but random assignment of participants to group is not possible; researchers can still infer cause and effect
Correlational research
Used when it is not possible to manipulate independent variables such as etiological factors; researchers can examine relationships between variables
Response bias
The tendency to respond in a particular way, regardless of what is being asked by the question
Social desirability
A bias toward answering questions in a way that respondents think makes them appear socially desirable, even if the responses are not true
Experimenter expectancy effect
The investigator’s intentionally or unintentionally treating participants in ways that encourage particular types of responses
Double-blind design
A research design in which neither the participant nor the investigator’s assistant knows the group to which specific participants have been assigned or the predicted results of the study
Reactivity
A behavior change that occurs when one becomes aware of being observed
Placebo effect
A positive effect of a medically inert substance or procedure
Attrition
The reduction in the number of participants during a research study
Common factors
Helpful aspects of therapy that are shared by virtually all types of psychotherapy
Specific factors
The characteristics of a particular treatment or technique that lead it to have unique benefits, above and beyond those conferred by common factors
Randomized clinical trial (RCT)
A research design that has at least two groups–a treatment group and a control group (usually a placebo control)–to which participants are randomly assigned
Allegiance effect
A pattern in which studies conducted by investigators who prefer a particular theoretical orientation tend to obtain data that supports that particular orientation
Dose-response relationship
The association between more treatment (a higher dose) and greater improvement (a better response)
