PSYCH Research Methods Flashcards
Descriptive Research
Data collection tries no to interfere with how data arises in the real world. Naturalistic Observation, Case Studies, Surveys, Self-Report.
Correlational Research
Looks for relationships between variables.
Experimental Research
Manipulates variable in a controlled manner to isolate causes of some phenomena.
Naturalistic Observation
Recording behaviour in real life world settings without trying to manipulate the situation. Has high External Validity. (Jane Goodall)
External Validity
The extent to which we can extend scientific findings to real-world settings.
Case Studies
A research design that examine one person in depth over an extended amount of time. Demonstrates a given psychological phenomena. (Phineas Gage)
Anecdote
A short, often interesting or amusing, personal experience. Are not evidence.
Surveys & Self-Report
Using a questionnaire or interview to gather information about specific aspects of a participants background, experience, etc. Easy for large amounts of data.
Positive Impression Management
Tendency to make ourselves look better than we actually are.
Malingering
Tendency to make ourselves appear psychologically distributed to achieve some goal.
Randome Sampling
A procedure that ensures every person in a population has an equal chance of being chosen to participate.
Reliability
Consistency of measurment
Test-restest Reliability
When a test/measure is administered it should produce the same result as when it was administered the first time.
Interobserver Reliability
Two or more people using the same test/measure should arrive at the same conclusion.
Validity
The extent to which a measure assesses what it purports to measure.
Correlational Designs
Used to examine the relationship between variables. Relies on the correlation coefficient.
Correlation Coefficient
A measure of the degree to which two variables are related. -1 to +1, 0 means no correlation
Illusory Correlation
Perception of a statistical association between two variables where non exists.
Confirmation Bias
The tendency to seek out information that supports our hypotheses and deny, ignore, or distort information that contradict them.
Availability Heuristic
When you estimate the likelihood of an occurrence based on the ease which it comes to mind.
The Third Variable Problem
Two variables may be related to one another only because they are both causally related to a third variable.
Errors Bars
Can give us a sense of variability around the mean, standard deviation, etc.
Unsystematic Variation
Error.
Statistical Significance (p < 0.05)
If the probability of obtaining the result is less than a pre-defined threshold. Doesn’t mean its significant on a practical level.
Random Assignment
Randomly sorting subjects into the experiment groups.
Confounding Variable
Any difference between the experimental and control group other than the independent variable.
Blinding
A subject is unaware of what group they are in.
Experimenter Expectancy Effect
A phenomenon in which a researchers’ hypotheses lead them to unintentionally bias the outcome of a study.
Double Blinding
When neither the researchers nor the subjects are aware of who’s in the experimental or control groups.
Demand Characteristics
Cues that participants pick up from study that allow them to generate guesses regarding the researcher’s hypotheses
Research Ethics Board
A committee of researchers and officials at an institution charged with the protection of human research participants. Make sure they abide by the rules of the Tri-Council Policy Statement.
Informed Consent
The procedure of informing a potential volunteer in a study, and obtaining their consent without pressure.
Deception
Purposely misleading experiment participants in order to maintain the integrity of the experiment.
Anonymity
Data collected cannot be connected to individual participants.
Confidentiality
Researchers cannot share specific data or observations that can be connected with an individual.
Why do we use non-human animals ?
- Share an evolutionary history with other species.
- Control heredity, learning
- Practicality
Nuremberg Code
The experiment should be designed so that the anticipated results will justify the performance of the experiment.
The 3 Rs of Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)
Replacement
- avoid or replace the use of animals in an area where animals would otherwise have been used.
Reduction
- Fewer animals being used.
Refinement
- Minimize pain and distress.
