Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psych 1000 > Module 2 - Principles Of Scientific Research > Flashcards

Module 2 - Principles Of Scientific Research Flashcards

1
Q

Objectivity

A

Facts about the world can be observed and tested independently by the individual who describes them (achieving this is not simple)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Subjective

A

knowledge of the event is shaped by prior belief, expectations, experiences, and mood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Five Characteristics of Quality Scientific Research

A
  1. Measurements that are objective, valid, and reliable
  2. It can be generalized
  3. It uses techniques that reduce bias
  4. It is made public
  5. It can be replicated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Objective Measurements

A

Measure of an entirety of behaviour that, within an ALLOWED margin of error, is consistent across instruments and observers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Variable

A

object, concept, or event being controlled, manipulated, or measured by a scientist (different variables can be measured and manipulated with different stimuli and using different techniques)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Operational Definitions

A

statements that describe the procedures (or opperations) and specific measures that are used to record observations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Validity

A

degree to which an instrument or procedure actually measures what it claims to measure (requires testing and a lot of proven evidence)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Reliability

A

when it provides consistent and stable answers across multiple observations and points in time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Test-retest reliability

A

examines whether scores on a given measure of behaviour are consistent across test sessions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Alternate-forms reliability

A

examines whether different forms of the same test produce the same results (two equally dificult tests at different moments in time)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Inter-rater reliabiity

A

raters arrive at very similar conclusions (experiment has has clear operational definitions and criteria for the raters to produce high inter-ter reliability)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Generalizability

A

Degree to which one set of results can be applied to other situations, individual, or events
- allows us to predict how most people will respond to different stimuli and situations
- average effects to get a better generalization of likelihood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Population

A

The group that researchers want to generalize

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Sample

A

Select group of population members

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Random People

A

Sampling technique in which every individual of a population has an equal chance of being included

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Convenience samples

A

Samples of individuals who are the most readily available

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Ecological Validity

A

Meaning that the results of a laboratory study can be applies to or repeated in the natural environment (computer based or artificial situations that replicate common situations)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

You’ve EARNED a Study Break

What kind of room doesn’t have floors?

A

A MushROOM

HAHA get it ;)

Anyways good luck with your studying! You got this!!! Grab a snack too if you need it!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Researcher Bias

A

Bias can be unintentionally introduced by the researchers and they are unaware if the conditions were manipulated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Subject biases or participant biases

A

Subject tampers with the experiment unintentionally

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Hawthorne effect

A

Behaviour change that occurs as a result of being observed (participants are aware they’re being observed)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Social Desirability

A

Participants may respond in ways that increases the chances that they will be viewed favourably by the experimenter and/or other participants (computers can help respond with relative anonymity)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Placebo effect

A

Measurable and experienced improvement in health or behaviour that cannot contribute to a medication or treatment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

Inadvertent cues given off by experimenter or the experimental context that provides information about how the participants are expected to behave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

4 Techniques that reduce bias

A
  1. Anonymity; each individual’s responses are recorded without any name or other personal information
  2. Confidentiality; the results will only be seen by the researchers (participants will be more vulnerable)
  3. Single-blind study; the participants do not know the true purpose of the study, or do not know which type of treatment they are receiving
  4. Double-blind study; neither the participant nor the experimenter knows the exact treatment for any individual - can be done on studies where groups have differentiating variables
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Academic journals

A

Present the research study presenting all components

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Peer Review

A

papers submitted for publication in scholarly journals are read and critiqued by experts in the specific field of study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Replication

A

Process of repeating a study and finding similar outcomes each time (even by other researchers)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Publication Bias

A

Successful and novel results are published and studies that showed no effects are not published

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

5 Characteristics of Poor Research

A
  1. Unstable Hypothesis - has to be precise enough to be proven false
  2. Relies on Anecdotes and Personal Experiences - individuals story about observation that is used to make an evidence claim
  3. Includes a biased selection of data - presents data that is only in support
  4. Appeals to authority rather than facts -non data or scientific evidence
  5. Makes appeals to common sense - appears to be sound but lacks supporting evidence
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Research Designs

A

A st of methods that allows a hypothesis to be tested

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Data

A

when scientists collect observations about the variables of interest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Qualitative research

A

examining an issue or behaviour without performing numerical measurements of variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Quantitative research

A

examining an issue or behaviour by using numerical measurements and statistics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Sigmund Freud

A

Theories of personality and development

36
Q

Naturalistic observations

A

unobtrusively observe and record behaviour as it occurs in the subjects natural environment

37
Q

Self reporting

A
  • responses are provided directly by the people who are being studied
  • ex. face to face interviews, phone surveys, paper and pencil tests and web-based questionnaires
  • Individuals speak for themselves
38
Q

Direction of correlational research

A

Pattern of data will vary based on relationship between variables (positive or negative)

39
Q

Magnitude of correlational research

A

How closely the changes in one variable are linked to changes in another variable

40
Q

The third variable problem

A

Third, unmeasured variable is responsible for a well-established correlation between two variables

41
Q

Illusory correlations

A

Relationships that exist only in the mind, rather than reality

42
Q

Experimental Designs

A

Strong evidence for cause and effect relationships

43
Q

Random assignment

A

technique for deciding samples into two or more groups in which participants are equally likely to be placed in any condition of the experiment

44
Q

Confounding variable

A

variable outside of a researcher’s control that could affect or provide an alternate explanation for the results

45
Q

Indépendant variable

A

What the experimenter manipulates

46
Q

Dependent variable

A

Observations to measurement that is recorded during the experiment and compared across all groups

47
Q

Between-subjects design

A

Compare performance of participants in different groups

48
Q

Experimental group

A

Receives treatment or stimuli

49
Q

Control group

A

Does not receive the treatment or stimuli - baseline to compare the experimental group to

50
Q

Quasi-experimental research

A

Two or more groups that are compared are selected based on predetermined characteristics

51
Q

Converging operations

A

Researchers dont have to settle on one from of study rather they have to do what is best for their intended research

52
Q

Descriptive Research

A

X - input and Y- Outome
Goal is describe
Ex. Case study, survey and naturalistic observation

53
Q

Correlational

A
  • finding association between x and y
  • focus on association of two events (two variables)
  • strength from 0.00 to +/- 1.00
  • variables can increase together
  • one variable can increase and one can go down
    -ex. Surveys
54
Q

Experimental

A
  • Is variable x having a casual effect on variable y
  • primary goal is to examine causes
55
Q

Causation

A
  • experimenter manipulated one variable to see effect
  • strategies that permit the ability to control effects
56
Q

Statistical Inference

A

Assumption that there is no difference
- < 5% it is deemed as significantly significant otherwise there is no difference
- statistical significance doesn’t it equal clinical significance

57
Q

Meta-analysis

A

Studies of studies that have been published to test variability
(Even performed on null studies)

58
Q

Measures of behaviour in studies

A
  • Self-report
  • Third party observation
  • Physiological measure
    (All of error but some more than others)
59
Q

Research ethics board

A

committee of researchers and officials at an institution charged with the protection of human research participants and are required between colleges and universities

60
Q

Research about trauma

A

revisiting a stressful experience can be difficult, researchers learn how coping through expression can help emotional adjustment (researchers should find a way to minimize the risks ex. Keeping everything confidential and making and making the information anonymous)

61
Q

Obtaining informed consent

A

potential volunteer must be informed (know the purpose, taksks, and risks involved in the study) and give consent without pressure

62
Q

Volunteers Should Be Told… (6)

A
  • The topic of the study
  • The nature of the stimuli to which they will be exposed
  • The nature of any tasks they will complete
  • The approximate duration of the study
  • Any potential physical, psychological, or social risks involved
  • The steps that researchers have taken to minimize those risks
63
Q

Deception

A

Only partially informing participants of the true topics of the hypothesis

64
Q

Rights held by participants

A
  • Freedom to chose
  • Equal opportunities
  • The right to withdrawal
  • The right to withhold responses
  • Debreifing
65
Q

Ethical Indigenous Perspectives

A
  • studies conducted in the 20th century on Indigenous Peoples would now be viewed as unethical
  • They were dehumanized and treated as subjects stripping them of their rights, without their consent (especially children)
  • Indigenous communities have now taken lead and developed their own review protocols for work conducted within their communities to improve the practices
66
Q

Anonymity

A

data collected can not be connected to individual participants

67
Q

Confidentiality

A
  1. researchers can not share specific data or observation that can be connected with an individual 2. All records must be kept secure
68
Q

Animal’s in Research

A

Animal research is equally important to psychological research as humans
- Some research must be done on animals because of their qualities that humans can not provide

69
Q

The animal model

A

is a living, non-human, often genetic-engineered animal used during the research and investigation of human disease, for the purpose of better understanding

70
Q

How to maintain proper ethics for animal-based research

A

There are ethical standards from animal-based research that reduce harm and discomfort for these animals
- Animals are provided for with proper housing, feeding and sanitation
- Pain and stress is minimized as much as possible

71
Q

Ethical collection, storage and Reporting of Data

A
  • the data should be kept for 5-7 years typically after the journal is published for good relationship to the public nature
  • Scientists must be honest with their data regardless of the external pressures
  • Cases breaching scientific misconduct sometimes arise when individuals fabricate or manipulate their data to fit their desired results
72
Q

Descriptive Statistics

A

Set of techniques used to organize, summarize and interpret data

73
Q

Frequency

A

The number of observations that fall within a certain category, range or score

74
Q

Normal Distribution

A

Symmetrical distribution with values clustered around a central mean value (Bell curve)

75
Q

Skewed Distribution

A

Asymmetrical distribution with a large cluster on one side and a long “tail” on the other

76
Q

Central Tendency

A

A measure of the central point of a distribution

77
Q

Mean

A

The arithmetic average of a set of numbers

78
Q

Median

A

The point on the horizontal axis at which 50% of all observations are lower, and 50% of all observations are higher

79
Q

Mode

A

Which is the category with the highest frequency

80
Q

Variability

A

The degree to which scores are dispersed in a distribution
- can be caused by measurement errors and differences within the elements of the study

81
Q

High Variability

A

That there are a large numbers of cases that are closer to the extreme ends of the continuum for that set of data

82
Q

Low Variability

A

Means that the most of the score are similar

83
Q

Standard Deviation

A

Measure of variability around the mean

84
Q

Hypothesis Testing

A

Statistical method of evaluating whether differences among groups are meaningful or could have been arrived at by chance

85
Q

Statistical Significance

A

The means of the groups are farther apart than you would expect them to be by random chance alone

86
Q

The null hypothesis

A

Assumes that any differences between groups are due to chance

87
Q

Experimental hypothesis

A

Assumes hat any differences are due to a variable controlled by the experimenter

Psych 1000 (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions