exam one Flashcards
empirical approach
using your senses to gather information. draw conclusions based on unbiased and verifiable data
systematic observation
consistent change in conditions from one group to the next
non-systematic observation
change in conditions is random/has no comparison group
tangible metric
metric that has a specific number (score on a personality scale, blood pressure reading)
non-tangible metric
not a specific number (experiencing stress/discomfort)
theory-data cycle
theories generate hypotheses-test these hypotheses-generating data to shape theory
theory
statement that attempts to specify the general principles about how variables relate to one another
a good theory is…
-supported by data
-falsifiable (able to be proven false)
-parsimonious (simply explained)
hypothesis
specific prediction derived from a theory and specific research design
basic research
primary goal is to gain knowledge
applied research
conducted to find solutions for real world problems
translational research
takes basic research findings and applies them in real world settings
scientific journalism
benefits: people become more informed, psychologists become more well known
cons: is the story important or accurate?
confound
other explanations for an outcome
probabilistic
research is meant to explain a certain proportion of possible cases. exceptions should not undermine general results
faulty thinking
we tend to believe that a theory makes “sense”
availability heuristic
things that are easily brought to mind to guide our thinking
present/present bias
probability that two things happen together/at the same time, its easy to notice when something is present but not when its absent
confirmation bias
when you already have a particular belief, you notice when something confirms it but not when its disproved
cherry picking
seeing all evidence but only presenting the “good”
bias blind spot
we think we are unbiased but everyone else is biased
variable
a thing that varies and contains multiple levels
constant
a thing that does not vary or we are not interested in how it varies
manipulated variable
a variable a researcher controls
measured variaable
levels are simply observed and recorded
hypothetical construct
an entity that we know exists in each individual but its intangible. if needed measured, it needs to be defined using a tangible metric
conceptual definition
everyday use of a term
operational definition
how a concept or term is measured and manipulated in a study
frequency claim
particular rate or degree of a SINGLE variable
association claim
one level of a variable is likely to be associated with another. aka correlation or covariation
causal claim
one variable is responsible for changing another
construct validity
are the researchers measuring what they think they’re measuring?e
external validity
can the researchers generalize their results to the whole (external) population?
statistical validity
did the researcher use the right statistical tests?
internal validity
a study’s ability to rule out alternative causal explanation
a is causing b
covariance
a and b are correlated
temporal precedence
a precedes (comes before) b
face validity
does the measure appear to measure what its supposed to measure
convergent validity
does my measure correlate stronglt with (already validated) related constructs?
discriminant validity
does my measure correlate only weakly (or not at all) with unrelated constructs
criterion-related validity
does my measure correlate strongly with behaviors linked to the construct
test-retest reliability
give same test twice
interitem reliability
do all items on a same scale assess the same construct?
item total correlation
the degree to which one item on a scale correlated with the total score on that scale
split-half reliability
split data in half and correlate sum of each set
interrater reliability
correlation of the scores from two separate observers who were measuring the same variable
