PSYC - Ch 2

Question 1

1st step of the research process

Answer 1

Find a research idea

• identify a topic that interests you
• explore previous research in that topic to develop a research idea or question.

Question 2

General categories of research

Answer 2

Applied research
- directed towards solving practical problems
- ie: treatment for alcohol addiction

Basic research
- intended to solve theoretical issues or understand a particular phenomena
- ie: how alcohol affects the brain

Question 3

Literature Search

Answer 3

Literature = mass of published info worldwide

Lit search - identify studies directly related to your topic (cross-referencing + summaries can help)

Question 4

Purpose of a lit search

Answer 4

1. To gain familiarity with the current research in your area of interest
2. To find a small set of research studies as the basis for your research

Find research defining the current state of knowledge and iIdentify a gap in that knowledge base that your study will attempt to fill.

Question 5

Tips to start a Lit Search

Answer 5

Collect background info - read books + articles - enough to get a good grasp

Keep an open mind - Strat general and let it lead you to more specific

Be critical as you read - and flexible

Focus in on one thing

Question 6

2 types of sources

Answer 6

Primary - the authors describe their own observations
ie: empirical journal articles/thesis

Secondary - the authors
discuss someone else’s observations
ie: textbooks/introductory sections of research reports

Question 7

Purpose when conducting a Lit Search

Answer 7

Narrow down your general idea to a specific research question

Question 8

What to do when doing a Lit Search

Answer 8

Find published info that supports your question

Make note of subject words

Make note of author names

Question 9

New research grows out of old research

Answer 9

Like a tree branch where closest to the trunk is historical studies and the other end is the current research.

Look at all side branches as well

Question 10

Screening Articles

Answer 10

First basis for screening - Title
Second screening device - Abstract

If the article still looks relevant, then read it carefully

Use references from good articles to expand your literature search

Question 11

Ending a Lit Search

Answer 11

It is complete when you feel comfortable with your knowledge about the topic and you have found a few recent relevant studies

The articles you find must provide justification for new research

Question 12

Online Databases

Answer 12

Web search ≠ database

Google - not always accurate, questionable sources, a lot to weed through

Typical database has about 1 million publications

Question 13

PsycINFO

Answer 13

American Psychological Association’s (APA) definitive resource for publications

Largest resource devoted to peer-reviewed literature in behavioral science and mental health

Question 14

PUBMED

Answer 14

Accesses MEDLINE database

Question 15

Google Scholar

Answer 15

Often need institutional access

Question 16

If you cannot find anything after searching

Answer 16

Maybe not well researched
Maybe not able to be researched
Try different terms

Question 17

Finding an idea from a publication

Answer 17

Authors often state unanswered questions, suggestions for future research and limitations to their studies

Create a new idea from two existing results

Use knowledge of components of a research article (introduction, discussion, and references)

Question 18

2nd step of the research process

Answer 18

Form a hypothesis.

• Logical: the logical conclusion of a logical argument
• Testable: all the variables, events, and individuals can be defined and
  observed
• Refutable: can be demonstrated to be false
• Positive: must make a positive statement about the existence of something

LTRP

Question 19

3rd step in the research process

Answer 19

Specify how the variables will be defined and measured

Question 20

4th step in the research process

Answer 20

Identify the individuals who will participate in the study, describe how they will be selected, and how you will ensure their ethical treatment

Question 21

Hypothesis vs Prediction

Answer 21

Hypothesis - theoretical, how you think the world works

Prediction - expected result of a given study