Exam 1 Flashcards
What is peer review?
A screening procedure to try and identify flawed and trivial research that will not advance the field of psychology
Scientists use _________, a process where knowledge is gained through observation and by keeping detailed records.
Systematic empiricism
What is the difference between interval and ratio data?
Ratio data has: a true zero, equal intervals, a label, and order.
Interval data has: equal intervals, a label, and order.
Carefully defined operational definitions is
Both valid and reliable.
A good theory is one that____
- Stated in a way that it could be shown to be wrong is known as the falsifiability criterion;
- A good theory does allow for predicting a specific outcome in a given situation; if it explains all possible outcomes, it has no predictive power.
- Simple
How could a researcher design their study to have LESS sampling error?
- Increase the sample size.
2. Use a familiar topic.
Discern between discrete and continuous data
Can you have have a child?
- Discrete data can only be reported in whole numbers with no possible values between responses
- Continuous data can be reported a continuum with more or less precise values
How can convenience samples be generalized?
The findings can only be generalized to those who completed the study.
What is the goal of an experimental study topic?
Experimental - if the researcher is able to manipulate and control the stimuli that participants are exposed to in order to identify cause and effect.
What is the goal of a correlational study topic?
Correlational - if the researcher only studies relationships between variables that are naturally occurring (e.g., the researcher cannot control which group or condition individual participants belong to).
What is the goal of a Descriptive study topic?
Descriptive - if the researcher is only reporting variables as they exist (e.g., identifying most prevalent responses) without trying to identify relationship between them.
