Exam 1 research Flashcards
scientific method 6 steps
1) observation/ask a question
2) do research
3) construct hypothesis
4) experiment
5)analyze results and draw conclusions
6) report results
empirical evidence
evidence based on scientific testing
rationale
the reason for the study. why the question matters
literature searching
Systematic search for published information relevant to a research topic
Foundation for academic writing
Critical for developing arguments
confounding variable
an unmeasured third variable that influences both the supposed cause and the supposed effect.
ecological validity
the extent to which the findings work in the real world
backward searching
1)Find an article relevant to your research interests
2) Look at the references in the article
3)Track down and read articles that seem relevant to your research
forward searching
1) Find an article that is relevant to your research
interests
2) Look and see who has cited that article and if any of those studies are relevant to your research interests
six parts of an empirical paper
1) title and abstract
2)introduction
3) current study
4) method
5) results
6) Discussion
title and abstract
Title:Typically concise, descriptive, and reflects the content of the article
Abstract: Provides a summary of the study including objectives, methods, results, and main conclusion
Overall: Good for initial screening to see if article is in line with your research
interests
introduction
Introduces the research question and rationale for
study;
Summarizes existing research and identifies gaps it is aiming to fill;
Great place to go to for backward searching
current study
TYPICALLY, AT THE END OF THE INTRODUCTION;
CLEARLY STATES WHAT THE STUDY AIMS TO EXPLORE OR TEST;
HELPFUL PLACE TO LOOK TO SEE IF STUDY WILL BE
HELPFUL IN YOUR LITERATURE SEARCH FOR A
SPECIFIC RESEARCH TOPIC
methods
Participant information (e.g., demographics, inclusion/exclusion criteria);
Measures/rating scales used;
Identification of IV’s, DV’s, mediators, moderators, covariates;
Procedures used in study (e.g., when data was collected, training of
researchers, etc.)
results
typically a shorter section;
consists of paragraphs that identify significant and nonsignificant findings;
includes tables with stats results;
very brief interpretation
discussion
FURTHER INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS, PULL IN EXISTING RESEARCH TO EXPLAIN RESULTS;
FIRST PARAGRAPH TYPICALLY WILL BRIEFLY REITERATE AIMS OF THE STUDY AND MAIN FINDINGS
MORE BROAD DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION OUTSIDE OF WHAT THE STATISTICAL
TESTS MAY TELL US;
IDENTIFY LIMITATIONS WITH CURRENT STUDY;
IDENTIFY FUTURE DIRECTIONS OF THE RESEARCH BASED ON WHAT WAS FOUND IN CURRENT STUDY AND LIMITATIONS OF CURRENT STUDY
Why is the peer review process important in psychology research?
to make sure the results are valid and being interpreted the right way and to make sure that no mistakes were made
group mean differences
Used to compare the average value between
groups
anovas and t tests
DOES LEVEL OF ANXIETY DIFFER BASED ON SES IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
correlations
Examines the strength and direction of the relation
between two variables
pearsons correlation
IS LONGER VIDEO GAME USEAGE RELATED TO MORE CHILD BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS
regressions
Used to predict the value of one variable based on the value(s) of another
variable(s)
Linear regression
Multiple linear regression
Logistic regression
CAN LEVEL OF SOCIAL SKILLS PREDICT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILDREN WITH ADHD
moderation
examines
how the relation between
two variables changes
depending on a third
variable
Helps identify whether
the effect of the IV on
the DV changes
depending on different
levels of the moderator
DOES SEVERITY OF DEPRESSION CHANGE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE IN HIGH SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN
mediation
Mediation examines
whether the relation
between two variables is
explained by a third
variable (mediator)
Helps uncover the
process or mechanism
through which an IV
influences a DV
HOW DO SOCIAL SKILLS EXPLAIN THE LINK BETWEEN PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILDREN
Why is it important to have a descriptive methods section?
so it does not leave other researchers guessing as to each exact step that was taken. it leaves no wiggle room for interpretation and allows for reproduction of the study
Is it easier to ethically participate in research with adults or children? Why?
Its easier to participate in research with adults, because typically adults can fully understand what they are consenting to when participating.
depending on the developmental level of the child, they may not be able to fully understand and consent, parental consent and child’s assent is needed
Why is it hard to perform a true experiment in psychology?
it is often impossible to randomly assign participants to a condition. for example, it is unethical to randomly assign a brain injury or a psych disorder to random individuals.
