Introduction To Research Methods Flashcards
define psychology
the systematic examination of mental processes and behaviour.
what is hard science?
a science that is objective and measurable
define measurable
something that is able to be measured e.g. height,weight etc.
what makes a good psychological experiment?
1.clear def on concepts/constructs
2.operationalised
3.sample size
4.well-controlled
explain the process of a scientific method
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)
what makes a good theory?
-a testable hypothesis
-guide research and organise the empirical findings
-if its able to be supported/refuted (falsifiable)
what were the main issues in Asch’s study?
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”
what were the main issues in Zimbardo’s study?
-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”
define the between-subjects design
independent group design(differences in groups measured)
Advantages of BSD/IGD:what is performance not influenced by and why?
-boredom/fatigue as it’s novel
-practise effects/experience as doing it once means no further improvement
-carry over effects from previous conditions
define natural group design
IV not manipulated so groups based off a participant variable e.g. long-term drug users
define the within-subjects design
repeated measures but can be at different times OR same time with one session and all conditions
give advantages of the WSD
-controls individual differences e.g. natural memory ability so PV not a problem
-it’s more powerful
-fewer participants needed
-more convenient to run
define power
the probablity a statistically significant effect is found when it actually exists(correctly rejects null hypothesis) variation result of experimental manipulation vs error variance
define error variance
variation caused by individual differences where reduced ev=higher chance of finding a ‘real result’
what is the result of a low error variance?
it becomes more powerful
define nominal data
names/categories of things e.g. name,sex etc. where frequency of responses counted
define ordinal data
data that’s ranked/ordered (likert scale)
define interval data
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)
define ratio data
interval data but has true zero/ratio e.g.height,test score
give two examples of scale data
interval and ratio data
what is the explicit goal of experimental research?
to understand and infer causation
what must a scientifically testable hypothesis contain?
-clear definitions and be operationalised
-be non-circular
