Lecture 1 - Intro

Question 0

Flaws with empiricism and observation

Answer 0

1. Observer bias: e.g. Projecting adult thinking processes onto a child’s mind or anthropomorphism
2. Reactivity: tendency for behavior to change when being observed
3. Experimenter bias: hope for certain outcomes, influence outcome of study.

Question 1

3 error detection mechanisms

Answer 1

1. Logical and empirical appraisal
2. Empiricism: knowledge through appraisal
3. Observation allows nature to criticize our theories

Question 2

Steps in research process

Answer 2

1. Finding a RQ
2. From theory to hypothesis
3. Defining & operationalising variables
4. Identifying participants
5. Selecting a research strategy

Question 3

2. From theory to hypothesis

Answer 3

Hypothesis: a statement that describes and explains the relationship b/w variables
Must be: testable, logical, refutable, positive (state that a state of affairs exists)

Question 4

What is a hypothetical construct?

Answer 4

A procedure for measuring and defining a construct - use established techniques from the literature

Question 5

4. Identifying participants

Answer 5

1. What population do you want to sample?
2. Related theory/hypotheses
3. Control issues (language background)
4. Sample bias - WEIRDos

Question 6

5. Select a research strategy

Answer 6

Describe events: relationships b/w variables, does X predict Y?
Explaining events: attempting to infer causality, does X cause changes in Y?

Question 7

Correlational study

Answer 7

• Assessing the relationship b/w 2 or more variables
• scatterplots
• assess strength of relationships
• directionality (+ve, -ve)
• linear/non-linear relationships

Question 8

Experimental method

Answer 8

• Attempting to infer causality
• manipulating a variable to see influence on other variables
• scientific control and comparison (random allocation cntrl/experiment grps)
• IV: manipulated DV: measure

Question 9

Extraneous variable

Answer 9

All other variables in the study that are not being directly examined. É.g. Hair colour

Question 10

Confounding variables

Answer 10

Extraneous variable that changes systematically along with the IV and has the potential to influence the DV

Question 11

Internal validity

Answer 11

The extent to which the design of an experiment ensures that the IV and not some other variable(s), causes the observed difference in the DV

Question 12

External validity

Answer 12

The extent to which findings can be generalized to situations outside the testing situation

Question 13

Methods for scientific control

Answer 13

• Good internal validity: minimising other alternative explanations
• controlling for confounds
• external validity -> generalisable

Question 14

Quasi experimental method

Answer 14

• Typically compares non-equivalent groups/conditions that can’t be manipulated
• pre-existing participant variables (e.g. Sex)

Question 15

Design

Answer 15

• B/w group design: performance b/w two or more groups is compared
• within-subjects design/repeated-measure design: one group of participants is tested two or more times
• mixed designs: both b/w & within-subjects