Exam 1 Flashcards
Basic Research
- Designed to address theoretical issues concerning a phenomenon
- tries to answer fundamental questions about nature of behavior
Applied Research
• conducted to address issues in which there are practical problems and potential solutions
Examples of research questions:
- Is extraversion related to sensation seeking?
- Do video games such as grand theft auto increase aggression among children and young adults?
- How do neurons generate neurotransmitters?
- Does memory process visual images and sound simultaneously?
- How can a city increase recycling by residents?
- Which strategies are best for coping with natural disasters?
Basic=1,3,4
Applied=2,5,6
Empiricism
- fundamental characteristic of the scientific method
- the idea that knowledge is based on observations
- data are collected that form the basis of conclusions about the sure of the world
Scientific skepticism
• means hat ideas must be evaluated on the basis of careful logic and results from scientific investigations
Pseudoscience
• “fake” science in which seemingly scientific terms and demonstrations are used to substantiate claims that have no basis in scientific research
Facilitated communication
- example of pseudoscience
* ex. Facilitator holds child’s hand while the child presses keys to type messages on keyboard
Temporal precedence
• there is a temporal order of events in which the cause precedes the effect
Covariation of cause and effect
• when the cause is present, the effect occurs; when the cause is not present, the effect does not occur
Elimination of Alternative explanations
• nothing other than a causal variable should be responsible for the observed effect
Falsifiability
- can either be supported or be falsified by data
- if an idea is falsified when it is tested, science is thereby advanced because this result will spur the development of new no better idea
Science is adversarial
• science is a way of honking in which ideas do battle with other ideas in order to move closer to the truth
Science is peer reviewed
Before a study is published in a top quality journal, other scientists who have he expertise to carefully evaluate the research review it
Hypothesis
• tentative idea or question that is waiting for evidence to support or refute it
Example: do males and females differ in there use of cell phones while driving?
Prediction
- a guess at the outcome of a hypothesis
- if a prediction is confirmed by the results of the study, the hypothesis is supported
- if a prediction is not confirmed, the researcher will either reject the hypothesis or conduct further research using different methods to study the hypothesis
Example: females are more likely to use a cell phone while driving.
Research question
A description of the broad topic of study
Example: are there differences among groups in terms of cell phone use while driving?
Theory
- consists of a systematic body of ideas about a particular topic of phenomenon
- organize and explain a variety of specific facts or descriptions of behavior
PSYCHinfo
- cognitive development
- communication
- behavior
- personality
- social psychology
ERIC
- humanities
- social science
- education
Abstract
- Brief summary of the research report
- typically runs no more than 120 words in length
- Includes information about the hypothesis, the procedure, and the broad pattern of results
Introduction
- outline the problem, tie to past research, point to question and method
- tends to start broad (with a statement of the topic) and narrow toward the study method
- expectations of the researcher are noted
Method
• detailed description of the study design
Results
- objective report of study results
- researcher presents findings, usually in 3 ways: description in narrative form, results are described in statistical language, material is often depicted in tables and graphs
Discussion
- interpretation of study results
- tents to recap results and then provide more general information
- do the results support the hypothesis?
- if the hypothesis has not been supported the author should suggest potential reasons
References
List of all works cited
APA ethics code
• A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
-beneficence refers to the need for research to maximize benefits and minimize any possible harmful effects of participation
•B: fidelity and responsibility
-establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work
• C: integrity
- psychologists seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching and practice of psychology
- psychologists do not cheat, steal, or engage in fraud
• D: Justice
-refers to fairness and equity
• E: respect for People’s Rights and Dignity
-respect the dignity and worth of all people and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality and self determination
Risks
• psychological or physical harm and loss of confidentiality
Confidentiality
• an issue when the researcher has assured subjects that the collected data are only accessible to people with permission, generally only the researcher
Informed consent
- potential participants in a research project should be provided with all information that might influence their active decision of whether or not to participate in a study
- Research participants should be informed about the purposes of the study, the risks and benefits of participation, and their rights to refuse or terminate participation in the study.
- they can freely consent or refuse to participate
Deception
- occurs when there is active misrepresentation of information about the nature of a study
- withholding information, not being honest
Debriefing
- Occurs after the completion of a study
- an opportunity for the researcher to deal with issues of withholding information, deception, and potential harmful effects of participation
- one way researchers can follow the guidelines in the APA ethics code
- if participants were deceived in any way, the researcher needs to explain why the deception was necessary
- if the Research altered a participants physical or psychological state in some way-as in a study that produces stress-the researcher must make sure that the participant has calmed down and is comfortable about having participated
- provides an opportunity for the researcher to explain the purpose of the study and tell participants what kinds of results are expected and perhaps discuss the practical implications of the results