Introduction To Research Methods

Question 1

define psychology

Answer 1

the systematic examination of mental processes and behaviour.

Question 2

what is hard science?

Answer 2

a science that is objective and measurable

Question 3

define measurable

Answer 3

something that is able to be measured e.g. height,weight etc.

Question 4

what makes a good psychological experiment?

Answer 4

1.clear def on concepts/constructs
2.operationalised
3.sample size
4.well-controlled

Question 5

explain the process of a scientific method

Answer 5

1.Initial observations
2.Proposed explanation
3.Hypothesis
4.Actually carry out the research
5.Collect data on the observations and measurements
6.Scientific theory formed (leading back to proposed explanation)

Question 6

what makes a good theory?

Answer 6

-a testable hypothesis
-guide research and organise the empirical findings
-if its able to be supported/refuted (falsifiable)

Question 7

what were the main issues in Asch’s study?

Answer 7

1.non-conformity was equally as present as conformity in that study
2.biased sample (all male uni students) so lacks population validity
3.artificial task so has low ecological validity but was unambiguous
4.”child of its time”

Question 8

what were the main issues in Zimbardo’s study?

Answer 8

-the fact he took part in his own study
-sample size and bias
-most guards didn’t exhibit cruel behaviour
-“guards stressed/depressed bullied by prisoners”-Reicher and Haslam(2002) BBC TV “The Experiment”

Question 9

define the between-subjects design

Answer 9

independent group design(differences in groups measured)

Question 10

Advantages of BSD/IGD:what is performance not influenced by and why?

Answer 10

-boredom/fatigue as it’s novel
-practise effects/experience as doing it once means no further improvement
-carry over effects from previous conditions

Question 11

define natural group design

Answer 11

IV not manipulated so groups based off a participant variable e.g. long-term drug users

Question 12

define the within-subjects design

Answer 12

repeated measures but can be at different times OR same time with one session and all conditions

Question 13

give advantages of the WSD

Answer 13

-controls individual differences e.g. natural memory ability so PV not a problem
-it’s more powerful
-fewer participants needed
-more convenient to run

Question 14

define power

Answer 14

the probablity a statistically significant effect is found when it actually exists(correctly rejects null hypothesis) variation result of experimental manipulation vs error variance

Question 15

define error variance

Answer 15

variation caused by individual differences where reduced ev=higher chance of finding a ‘real result’

Question 16

what is the result of a low error variance?

Answer 16

it becomes more powerful

Question 17

define nominal data

Answer 17

names/categories of things e.g. name,sex etc. where frequency of responses counted

Question 18

define ordinal data

Answer 18

data that’s ranked/ordered (likert scale)

Question 19

define interval data

Answer 19

the distance between data points are at equal intervals but no ‘true zero’ intervals so it’s meaningful but potential arbitrary numbers (5/10 degrees celsius are not 5 apart in F)

Question 20

define ratio data

Answer 20

interval data but has true zero/ratio e.g.height,test score

Question 21

give two examples of scale data

Answer 21

interval and ratio data

Question 22

what is the explicit goal of experimental research?

Answer 22

to understand and infer causation

Question 23

what must a scientifically testable hypothesis contain?

Answer 23

-clear definitions and be operationalised
-be non-circular