Psychological sciences

Question 1

The ‘laws’ of the scientific method

Answer 1

• Requires the use of empirical data
   systematic collection
   systematic analysis
• Procedures must be objective
   free from personal bias and emotions of the science
   the opposite of subjective
• Data must be replicable
   findings that can be repeated and/or supported

Question 2

What makes a good theory?

Answer 2

• General
   can summarize many different outcomes
• Parsimonious
   the simplest possible account of outcomes
• Pushes the field forward
   building upon previous research
   making suggestions for next stages
• Falsifiable
   can be tested
   can be supported by evidence or can be shown to be wrong

Question 3

What is the scientific method?

Answer 3

1. Question
2. Hypothesis
   - A specific and falsifiable prediction about the association between or among two or more variables
   - A suggested outcome
   - The basis of research
3. Test the hypothesis
4. Draw conclusions
5. Report the results

Question 4

Correlational studies

Answer 4

• investigates relationships between variables
• Predictor variable and outcome variable
• Correlations: positive, negative, and no correlation

Question 5

Experimental studies

Answer 5

• A manipulation or intervention
• Similar groups at the start of the experiment
   how do we make sure the groups are the same?
• Counterbalancing: switching the order of manipulation
• Random assignment

Question 6

Construct validity

Answer 6

how well is the variable measured or manipulated?
- Face validity: does it look like a good measure? (subjective)
- Content validity: the measure contains all the parts that established theory says it should (subjective)

Question 7

Content validity

Answer 7

the measure contains all the parts that established theory says it should (subjective)

Question 8

Criterion validity

Answer 8

• Criterion validity: AKA ‘predictive validity’, measure is correlated with a relevant outcome (empirical)

Question 9

Convergent and discriminant validity

Answer 9

 convergent: measure is strongly associated with measures of similar constructs (empirical)
 discriminant: measure is not strongly associated with measures of dissimilar constructs (empirical)

Question 10

Statistically conclusive validity

Answer 10

the confidence to which a science can conclude that data are not due to chance or random error

Question 11

Internal validity

Answer 11

are the research results valid?
 are they free from: confounding variables and experimenter bias

Question 12

External validity

Answer 12

how well do results form one area apply to another area? (ex. north American to the rest of the world or laboratory to the outside world)

Question 13

Methods of reporting

Answer 13

1. self-report
2. observer report
3. test data
4. life outcome data