CT Key Definitions

Question 1

Statistical validity:

Answer 1

is the sample of participants too small or too heterogeneous? Is the statistical test used the most appropriate? (There are tests to assess the statistical validity of a study.) e.g, a good sample
= accurate and reliable? (representative (valid) and reliable (testable)

Question 2

Internal validity:

Answer 2

is the study developed in such a way that if an effect is found can be explained only by the experimental manipulation? Are there any confounding factors?

Question 3

Construct validity:

Answer 3

is the method used the most appropriate to measure what I want to study? Or is actually measuring something else?, e.g, depression scale used to measure general mood - poor method => unclearly defined groups or confusion

Question 4

External validity:

Answer 4

do the results generalise to other situations? (a result of statistical validity)

Question 5

steps when conducting quantitative research:

Answer 5

Research question
Hypothesis
method kind

Question 6

Research question:

Answer 6

what is the question you want to find an answer for?

e.g, are musicians and non musicians different when recognising emotion from speech intonation? (broad summary)

Question 7

Hypothesis:

Answer 7

when you have a question then it is time to make a specific prediction or assumption. Based on the findings of your study you should be able to support or refuse your assumption.
An opinion to prove/disprove, e.g, musicians will be more accurate in recognising emotions expressed by others than non musicians (very precise)

Question 8

method:

Answer 8

which type want to use and is most appropriate: research method/design, participants, material/stimuli/apparatus, procedure. so that only tested iv and dv can be isolated for causality

Question 9

Variable:

Answer 9

is what is measured in psychology research (e.g., how human behaviour varies in certain situations).

Question 10

Participant:

Answer 10

who is studied in psychology research (e.g., an animal or a human being).

Question 11

Sample:

Answer 11

a random selection of participants recruited in psychology research, which should be representative of the population of interest.

Question 12

Population:

Answer 12

the collection of people to whom the results (obtained from the sample) should be generalised.

Question 13

Qualitative vs Quantitative rm

Answer 13

Qualitative research uses methods such as interviews and group discussions and is often used to gather initial information and formulate theories and/or hypothesis

Quantitative research is used to objectively quantify behaviour, perception, thoughts etc…and support or not previously formed theories and hypothesis by analysing data and generalising the results from a sample to the population of interest.

Question 14

when is research scientific?

Answer 14

when it is:
Replicable
Falsifiable
Precise
Parsimonious

Question 15

Replicable/ reliability:

Answer 15

When research is published it needs to report all the information needed for other researchers to replicate the study and ‘optimally’ the findings.

Question 16

Falsifiable:

Answer 16

for Karl Popper a good theory is one that can be falsified. If a theory cannot be tested and possibly be disproven then is not scientific.

Question 17

Precise:

Answer 17

stating clearly the hypothesis under test allows other to test it as well. Using specific definitions not vague or too general.

Question 18

Parsimonious:

Answer 18

using simpler explanations rather than complex. (using the most obvious reading of results (no excessive interpretations)

Question 19

impact factor

Answer 19

index that reflects yearly average citations