Lecture 3 Flashcards
what is the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning?
An inductive argument is an argument that it’s conclusion is probable from it’s reasoning.
A deductive argument is one that it’s conclusion is a guarantee from it’s reasoning.
What is the difference between internal and external validity?
Internal validity=Did the experiment measure what it set out to do? Did the IV produce the change in the DV?
External validity=Can the findings be generalized to other situations outside the experimental situation?
What is the difference between basic and applied research?
- Basic research typically deals with theoretical concepts, has no immediate concern with application, and is conducted primarily for knowledge
- Applied research is done with a specific question or application in mind
3 key characteristics of basic research?
• Purpose is to discover new or fundamental knowledge
• Practical application is NOT a goal
– At least not initially
• Usually in highly controlled laboratory settings
2 key characteristics of applied research? 3 types of applied research?
- Purpose is to find answers to practical problems
- Inferences or generalizations are made to the intended population
Types • Evaluation • R & D • Action Research – Similar to applied research but in a local setting – Focus on local needs, problems, issues – Very pragmatic and less controlled – No interest in generalizing findings
7 key contrasts between basic and applied research?
Basic vs. applied ⮚Theoretical vs. quick answers ⮚More Invasive vs less invasive ⮚Laboratory Based vs field based ⮚Tightly Controlled vs loosely controlled ⮚Lacks External Validity vs externally valid ⮚Focus on Mechanism vs focus on effect ⮚More Reductionist vs less reductionist
What is the difference between field and laboratory research?
- Field research is conducted outside the tightly controlled environment of the laboratory
- Laboratory research is done under more “sterile” conditions, which allows researchers to exert tighter control over an experiment
- Often field research is applied, and laboratory research is basic
Differences between quantitative and qualitative research?
Quantitative: • Hypothesis directed • Based on empirical evidence • Measured with numbers • Analyzed statistically • Seeking generalizations
Qualitative: • Descriptive • Reliance on non-numerical data (i.e. words) • Often not hypothesis driven • Variety of methodologies
What are 6 key characteristics of experimental research?
– Uses quantitative methods
– Attempts to establish causality
– Control of extraneous variables is vital
– Often uses a control group
– Often uses randomization procedures
– Major limitation is often unnatural environment, thus limiting generalizability
What are 2 key characteristics of non-experimental research? What are 3 different types in health?
- Tends to observe, analyze, and describe what exists rather than manipulating the variable under study
- Lack of control is often cited as a limitation
• Various types are common in health:
– Descriptive
– Correlational
– Historical
What is the definition of descriptive research? what are 4 key methodologies?
Seeks to describe specific phenomena or characteristics of a particular group of subjects
– Answers the question “what is”
– No manipulation of an independent variable
• Wide range of methodologies – Surveys – Observation - Direct measurement - Interview
What are the 5 types of descriptive research?
• Survey • Developmental – Longitudinal, cross-sectional • Case Study – Descriptive, interpretive, evaluative, job analysis • Correlational • Observational
What is the most popular type of descriptive research? What is the definition of a census?
survey
A survey which obtains responses from the entire population is called a census
What are the 2 main approaches to developmental research and what are the differences?
– Longitudinal – same participants over time
• One group followed over several years
– Cross-sectional
– Different participants at each level at this time
– snap shot
• Different participants from various groups (age, ethnicities, levels of study – need a factor)
What are 4 pros and 4 cons of the longitudinal method?
• Pros: – Powerful design (same people) – Detailed information about subjects – Developmental changes can be studied in detail – Eliminates cohort differences
• Cons:
– Expensive & time consuming
– Potential for high attrition
– Differences over time may be due to assessment tools and not age
– Familiarity with testing(May change behaviour)
What are 4 pros and 3 cons to the cross-sectional method?
Pros: – Time efficient – Inexpensive – Can be completed quickly – Low attrition
• Cons:
– Cohort effect; impact of a group bonded by time or common life experience
– Different age groups are not necessarily alike
– Outliers – unrepresentative scores
What are 2 key characteristics of a case study?
• Studying a person or event in great detail
– Case can be an individual, organization, program, community, etc.
• Presents detailed picture of phenomena but does not attempt to test or build theoretical models
– May play a role in inductive reasoning used to develop a theory
What are the 4 types of case study? What are 3 ways they gather data?
Types
– Descriptive: develops a detailed picture
– Interpretive: uses data to classify or conceptualize
– Evaluative: determines merits of practices or events
– Job analysis:
Gathering and analyzing data
– Interviews, observation, documents
What is the definition of correlational research? What is the key limitation? What are 4 key characteristics of correlational research? What are 2 common types of analyses?
• Seeks to determine whether, and to what extent, a relationship exists between two or more variables
– No manipulation of an independent variable
– May be descriptive or predictive in nature
– May be longitudinal or cross-sectional
• Cannot establish causality
• Explores relationships between 2 (or more) variables
• Does not involve manipulation of variables
• Need a rationale for exploring the relationship
– “Look and see” approach not appropriate
• Common analyses
– Simple correlation
– Prediction (regression)
What are the 5 key considerations of observational research?
Considerations: – What behaviours to observe • Depends on problem statement • Must be manageable – Who to observe • Characteristics and size – Where to observe • Natural or unnatural (e.g., lab) – How many • Frequency of observations and number of observers – When to observe • Depends on problem statement
What are the 4 major ways of getting observations? what are the pros and cons of using cameras? What are 2 limitations of observational research?
• How to score observations – Narrative (continual recording) – Tallying (frequency counting) – Interval method – Duration method
• Using videotape
– Pros: tape review, multiple participants
– Cons: presence of camera may alter behaviour
Limitations:
• Presence of observer (or filling out a survey) may not depict actual behaviour
• Requires lots of practice
What are 4 examples of unobtrusive observational research?
Collecting data when people don’t know – making aassumption based on selected rationalized measure
• Observational
– Examples
• Smoking – collecting butts to show how little outdoor ashtrays are used
• Interest in Christmas – asking children to draw a Santa and the size of their drawing is how excited they are for Christmas
• Magazines – Reviewing recent articles to know what the population is interested in
• Pace of life in cities – how fast people walk
What does “FINER” stand for relating to the criteria of a good research topic?
feasible interesting novel ethical relevant
