Lecture 2

Question 1

What are the characteristics of good psychological research

Answer 1

A theoretical framework: systematic way of organizing and explaining observations. Hypothesis flows from theory or important question
A standardized procedure: procedure that is the same for all subjects except where variation is introduced to test hypothesis
Generalizability: sample that is representative of the population and procedure that is sensible and relevant to circumstances outside the laboratory
Objectivity measurement: measures that are reliable and valid and produce consistent results

Question 2

Types of psychological research

Answer 2

Naturalistic observation
Surveys
Case study
Correlational
Experimental

Question 3

What is correlational research

Answer 3

A measure of association between 2 variables ( - 1 < r < +1)
Establishes whether there is a relationship between two or more variables
Direction (positive vs negative)
Strength
Perfect correlation (1.0)
Strong (0.6 to 0.8)
Moderately strong (0.3 to 0.5)
0 correlation
Can not tell us about causation

Question 4

Give an example of how third variable can come into a correlation

Answer 4

It’s been shown that high GPA leads to high self esteem but a third variable in that correlation is high IQ. A person with high IQ would have a high GPA therefore high self esteem

Question 5

Explain experimental research

Answer 5

Considered the most powerful tool for determining causal relationships

Question 6

What does random assignment ensure?

Answer 6

That every participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any of the conditions in a study which minimizes the chance that of pre existing difference between groups (experimental effect)

Question 7

What are some biases in research?

Answer 7

Sampling bias: collection of sample does not accurately represent the entire group
Placebo effects: when a person’s physical or mental health appears to improve after taking a placebo
Social desirability bias: survey response that makes the individual in a favourable manner
Response sets: tendency of people to respond to questions in way that does not reflect their true thoughts
Experimenter bias: influence of experimenter’s expectations and beliefs on a study

Question 8

What is the double blind procedure?

Answer 8

When the experimenter and participants do not know which treatment they are receiving until the study is over