Reading And Evaluating Scientific Research

Question 0

Define:

Objective Measurements

Answer 0

Measure of an entity or behaviour that, within an allowed margin of error, is consistent across instruments and observers

Question 1

What are the 5 characteristics of quality research?

Answer 1

It is based on measurements that are objective, valid, and reliable
Can be generalized
Uses techniques to reduce bias
Made public
Can be replicated

Question 2

Define:

Variable

Answer 2

Object, concept, or event being measured

Question 3

Define:

Operational Definitions

Answer 3

Statements that describe the procedures (or operations) and specific measures that are used to record observations

Question 4

Define:

Validity

Answer 4

Degree to which an instrument or procedure actually measures what it claims to measure

Question 5

Define:

Reliability

Answer 5

When it’s provides consistent and stable answers across multiple observations and points in time

Question 6

What does it mean to be generalizable?

Answer 6

It refers to the degree to which one set of results can be applied to other situations, individuals or events. Ideally you want to study a population but you choose a sample, preferably random sample, but occasionally we use convenience sample (it’s us, intro psych students)

Question 7

What is the Hawthorne effect?

Answer 7

The subject changes behaviour once it knows it’s being observed

Question 8

What is the placebo effect?

Answer 8

A measurable and experienced improvement in health or behaviour that cannot be attributable to a medication or treatment. Essentially the subject believes the drug is working even though it’s a sugar pill

Question 9

What’s the difference between a single blind study and a double blind study?

Answer 9

A single blind study: the subject does not know what the researcher is testing

Double blind: neither subject nor experimenter know what is being distributed to subjects

Question 10

What is peer-review and what are the two steps involved?

Answer 10

A process in which papers submitted for publication in scholarly journals are read and critiqued by experts in a specific field of study.

1. The editor receives the manuscript and determines whether it is appropriate for the journal
2. The editor sends copies of the manuscript to a select group of peer reviewers. They then critique the methods, results and make recommendations to the editor about the paper.

Question 11

What are the 5 characteristics of POOR research?

Answer 11

Falsifiable: it can be faked

Anecdotal evidence: a individual’s story/testimony that is used to make a claim

Data selection bias: choosing which information is used and shown

Appeal to authority: no evidence to support the “authority’s” claim

Appeal to common sense: appears sound but lacks any scientific evidence

Question 12

What are the three kinds of descriptive research?

Answer 12

Case studies, surveys and questionnaires, and naturalistic observation

Question 13

Define:

Naturalistic observation

Answer 13

To unobtrusively observe and record behaviour as it occurs in a subjects natural environment