Ed Psych Exam 1 Flashcards
Why is educational psychology an important resource?
Scientific evidence helps teachers determine the best practices for effective teaching.
Three Elements of Research Studies
- Design
- Sample
- Measures
Design (element)
What was the purpose of the study? (to describe, show cause and effect)
Sample (element)
Who was being studied?
Measures (element)
How are constructs of interest measured? (surveys, observations)
Research Designs
A method for investigating how and whether the variables selected are related.
Obtaining Reputable Research
- Don’t use newspapers & magazine articles
- Find peer reviewed articles in scholarly journals
Types of Research Designs
- Descriptive
- Correlational
- Experimental
- Quasi-Experimental
Descriptive
- Factual information (just one number at a time)
- Least amount of information
Correlational
- Describe a relationship
- If we do this… this is what we can expect
Quasi-Experimental
- Infer a cause-effect relationship
- Most common in education
Experimental
- Establish a cause-effect relationship
Researchers Question for Descriptive
- What percentage?
- Does percentage differ between levels?
Researcher’s Questions for Correlational
- To what extent are x & y correlated?
- How are x & y correlated?
Researcher’s Questions for Quasi-Experimental
- How is x affected by y?
Researcher’s Questions for Experimental
- How is x affected by y?
Limitations of Descriptive
- Cannot show relationships between variables
Limitations of Correlational
- Shows connections but cannot prove one variable changes the other
Limitations of Quasi-Experimental
- Can’t control all the variables
Limitations of Experimental
- Requires random assignments and control groups
Samples (definition)
A smaller set of individuals from the population of interest
- Needs to be representative
- Best method : random sample (every person in population has a chance of being included)
Observations (definition)
Watching or viewing the behavior of individuals
- Less valid for measurements of internal state of mind
Interviews (definition)
- Questions presented to participants (structured or open-ended)
Tests and Surveys (definition)
- Typically paper and pencil measures that include a number of questions (can be done in a short amount of time)
Best Practices
Evidence based strategies determined by science to help inform decisions made in the classroom
- Fluid (constantly changing)
- “What works” for that age group
- Important to keep up with research
What does “diversity” mean?
- Different : any way that we are different
- Diversities : race, gender, learning abilities, personalities, etc (all students vary)
Intelligence (diversity)
- Binet develops first IQ test (1905)
- America begins testing students in a way not done before : placement and prediction
Race (diversity)
- People groups distinguished by unique physical characteristics
Culture (diversity)
- System of beliefs, behaviors, and ways of expression
Dr. Ruby Payne (Socioeconomic diversity)
- She has done lots of research on poverty
- A Framework for Understanding Poverty
Addressing Diversity
- Teachers should be aware of the diversity they will encounter in the classroom and how they feel
Diversity in the Classroom
- Teachers benefit from attempting to understand the causes behind group differences (environmental differences are most often the cause of group differences)
- Teachers are most effective when they recognize and accept diversity in the classroom (teachers should reduce prejudice feelings through non-biased research on issues of diversity)
Prejudice Feelings
- Rigid and irrational generalizations about a group or category of people
What is the role of educational psychology?
Using research to understand and improve teaching and learning