Methods

Question 1

Role of Theory

Answer 1

• Explains the relationship between two variables
• They must be explanatory, meaning it looks at findings that tie everything together to develop a theory. They must also be generative, meaning that it helps develop ideas and hypothesis

Question 2

Fill in the blank. Scientific theories must be…

Answer 2

Testable, falsifiable, and parsimonious

Question 3

Variable

Answer 3

A characteristic or condition that changes or has different values for individuals

Question 4

Independent variable

Answer 4

Variable that is manipulated

Question 5

Dependent Variable

Answer 5

Variable that is effected by the independent variable

Question 6

conceptual definition of variables

Answer 6

The textbook definition

Question 7

Operation Definition of Variables

Answer 7

Definition that has been created based on observed/measurable procedures

Question 8

Constructs

Answer 8

Internal attributes that cannot be defined but are useful in making connections or drawing conclusions

Question 9

What are the three categories for research methods

Answer 9

1. Descriptive
2. Correlational
3. Experimental

Question 10

Descriptive Method

Answer 10

-focuses on one variable to make systematic observations
-includes surveys, focus groups, case studies

Question 11

What are the Pros/Cons of descriptive methods?

Answer 11

Pros: offer qualitative data, may lead to claims about frequency/prevalence of behaviour
Cons: Self report bias, Hawthorne Effect (people put more work or change their productivity when they are being observed

Question 12

What are the advantages of Surveys

Answer 12

They collect large quantities of information quickly

Question 13

What are the advantages of focus groups?

Answer 13

They provide rich/detailed information that is lacking from surveys

Question 14

What are the advantages of case studies

Answer 14

The information collected can be used to develop or enhance hypotheses

Question 15

What are the three types of observation

Answer 15

1. Naturalistic:
   2.Participant
   3.Observer

Question 16

Correlational Methods

Answer 16

-Involves studying the relationship between two variables
- We can make associative claims not causal claims
- there can be a positive, negative, or no relationship between variables
- They allow us to investigate hypothesis between 2 variables

Question 17

Why can’t we make causal claims from correlational research?

Answer 17

Two reasons; directionality problem and third variable

Question 18

Experimental method

Answer 18

This involves manipulation the independent variable to see its effects on the dependent variable

Question 19

What is the difference between random assignment and sample?

Answer 19

Random assignment involves randomly assigning participants various roles in an experiment
Random sample is randomly selecting people in a population to participate in an experiment

Question 20

Confound

Answer 20

Anything that may alter the results the results of an experiment. Kind of like a third variable. They limit us from making causal claims

Question 21

Double-blind experiment

Answer 21

Where the participant nor the researcher is aware of which part of the experiment a participant is participating in

Question 22

What does WEIRD stand for?

Answer 22

Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic

Question 23

Quasi Experiment

Answer 23

These are experiments where random assignment is lacking

Question 24

Validity

Answer 24

This is the accuracy of the experiment

Question 25

Reliability

Answer 25

The consistency of the study

Question 26

Types of statistics

Answer 26

Descriptive: Organizes data into meaningful patterns
Inferential: allows us to extend conclusions from samples to populations

Question 27

Reproducibility/Replication

Answer 27

Reproducibility: Researchers can duplicate the experiment and arrive at the same analysis
Replication: duplicate data