PSYD13 Delkurs 1 - Research Methods Flashcards
What are the 7 steps in the scientific process?
- Initial observation or question 2. Gather information and form hypothesis 3. Test hypothesis 4. Analyse data and draw tentative conclusion 5. Report findings to scientific community 6. Further research and theory building 7. New hypothesis derived from theory
What is the distinction between a hypothesis and a prediction?
A hypothesis is based on knowledge obtained while formulating the question, wheras a prediction is the logical consequences of the hypothesis, i.e. the hypothesis is broader and the prediction is the expected statistical results based on the hypothesis.
Theory?
a set of formal statements that explains how and why certain events are related to one another
What are 2 approaches to understanding behaviour?
- Hindsight 2. Understanding through prediction, control and theory building
What is the problem with hindsight as an approach to understanding behaviour?
Post-hoc (= “after the event”) and ergo (= and so,/therefore) propter hoc (=resulting from the event). In simpler terms, post-hoc means to assume that if one event happens after another, the first event must have caused the second.
What is an advantage of hindsight to understand behaviour?
Hindsight, or after-the-fact understanding, can provide insight, and lead to “actual” scientific studies.
Law of Parsimony?
If 2 theories can explain and predict the same phenomenon equally well, the simpler theory is to prefer
Occam’s razor?
Occam’s razor says that the more assumptions we need to make about something, the less likely we are to be addressing the right answer.
Variable?
Any characteristic or factor that can vary
Situational variables?
Variable that is relative to the situation (what kind of information a person recieves)
Individual variables?
Personal characteristics (gender, age, intelligence)
Response variables?
Behaviour in a situation (reaction time, how long we need to solve problems etc.)
Operational defintion?
Defines a variable in terms of the specific procedures used to produce or measure it. Ex; defining a concept while writing a scientific report, so that the reader can understand.
What is the relationship between a variable and an operational definition?
For us to be able to operationally define a variable, we must be able to measure the said variable. Ex; “academic performance” must be defined by something that can be measured, like a test score.
What are self-report measures?
Ask people to report on their knowledge, attitudes, feelings, experiences or behaviour, through for example a questionnaire.
Social desirability bias?
The tendency to respond in a socially acceptable manner rather than according to how one truly feels or behaves.
What are reports made by other people?
Reports of what for example friends, family, teachers etc think of said person.
What is the measurement approach “observe and record overt behaviour?
Overt = directly visible. These kinds of methods record directly visible behaviours, usually through coding systems.
What are coding systems?
Psychologists develop coding systems to categorise different types of behaviour, ex “praises child”, in aims to make their study more reliable.
Unobtrusive measure?
Records behaviour in a way that keeps participants unaware that they are being observed
Archival measure?
Record or document that already exists
What are psychological tests, and what are some examples?
Psychologists develop and use specialised tests to measure many types of variables, ex personality test, intelligence tests and neurophysiological tests.
What are physiological measures?
Heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, hormonal secretions, brain activity etc.
What is a problem with physiological measures?
A problem can be that the correlation between psychological and physiological measures aren’t always clear.
