Psychological Research (Sem 1)

Question 1

Theory

Answer 1

A systematic way of organising and explaining observation about the relationship between phenomena.

Question 2

Standardised Procedure

Answer 2

A procedure that is applicable to all participants, replicated almost identically to identify unbiased differences and similarities.

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

A tentative belief about the relationship between two variables.

Question 4

Variable

Answer 4

A characteristic of some sort.

Question 5

Cultural Competence

Answer 5

Is achieved when research understands cultural context and differences and has a culturally appropriate methodology so theres no bias.

Question 6

Retest Reliability

Answer 6

The tendency for a test to yield similar results from the same individual over time.

Question 7

Internal Consistency

Answer 7

When asking different questions yields similar results.

Question 8

Interretor Reliability

Answer 8

If the subject is interviewed by different people then they’ll still yield similar results.

Question 9

Validity

Answer 9

A measures ability to assess the variable it’s supposed to assess.

Question 10

Categorical Data vs Continuous Varaibles

Answer 10

Categorical data can be placed into a category.

Continuous variables are those that can be placed on a continuum.

Question 11

Test Bias

Answer 11

A test is bias if there is a systematic difference in the mean scores of different groups of people.
Or if the results make incorrect predictions about real life. (outside the lab)

Question 12

Description

Answer 12

Being able to summarise the data in a way that makes the events and relationships between phenomena easily understandable.

Question 13

Prediction

Answer 13

Using the data to be able to identify what would happen in the future given similar circumstance.

Question 14

Quasi-experiments

Answer 14

Experiments that aren’t controlled, more-so observed in nature.
Researches take ‘participants’ as they can find them.
Sample bias isn’t really considered.
Don’t provide same degree of certainty about cause and effect.
These are the most common.

Question 15

Empirical

Answer 15

Based on verifiable observation rather than theory.

Question 16

Quantitative Resarch

Answer 16

Involves experiments or surveys that provide data that can be quantified (Numbers).
Based on large sample size, high in reliability, extremely standardized.

Question 17

Qualitative Research

Answer 17

Research that involves interview, observation and case studies, a more in depth understanding of fewer participants.

Question 18

Correlational Research

Answer 18

Research that identifies the degree to which two variables or phenomena are related.
Variables are not manipulated, just viewed.

Question 19

Descriptive Research

Answer 19

Describes phenomena that already exists, doesn’t manipulate variables.
Tends to be most useful in the context of discovery.

Question 20

Case Study

Answer 20

An in-depth observation of one person or group of people.
Useful for generating hypotheses and in exploring complex phenomena that are not well understood or hard to examine experimentally.
(Like effects of being an orphan)

Question 21

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 21

An observation in a natural setting.

Useful for describing phenomena as they exist outside the lab.

Question 22

Survey Research

Answer 22

Large sample of questions about peoples attitudes or behaviors through interview or questionnaires.

Question 23

Causation

Answer 23

When one variable dictates another

Question 24

Experimental Research

Answer 24

Research where one aspect of a situation is changed (independent variable) to examine a participants reactions (independent variable) - helps to asses cause and effect.

Question 25

Generalizability

Answer 25

When the sample is representative of the population (randomly selected)
AND
the procedure is sensible and relevant to circumstances outside of the lab.

Question 26

Objective Measurement

Answer 26

Measurements must be reliable (they produce consistent results) and that are valid (they actually assess what is hypothesized).

Measurements have to be quantifiable.

Question 27

A Measure

Answer 27

A concrete way of assessing a variable, a way of bringing an abstract concept down to earth.

Question 28

Understanding

Answer 28

Identifying why something would happen - the casual factors that led to the results of the research.

Question 29

Stratified Sample

Answer 29

A sample where the percentage of people drawn from each population category is specified so that samples aren’t over or under representations.
E.g. (1:4 or 1:12)