Research in Psychology

Question 1

Psychology

Answer 1

Scientific study of behaviour and mental processes

Question 2

falsifiable

Answer 2

possible to be proven wrong

Question 3

Behaviour

Answer 3

External, observable manifestations that can be registered by an independent observer
Includes:
Overt reactions
Gestures
Facial expressions
Verbal responses
Endocrine reactions

Question 4

Mental processes

Answer 4

Internal patterns of information processing that cannot be directly observable.
Includes:
Attention
Perception
Memory
Thinking

Question 5

Quantitative research

Answer 5

Research that uses numerical data

Question 6

Main types of quantitative research

Answer 6

Experimental studies
Correlational studies
Descriptive studies

Question 7

Variable

Answer 7

Something that can take on varying values and any characteristic that is objectively registered and quantified

Question 8

Construct

Answer 8

Any theoretically defined variable that cannot be directly observed
E.g.:
Violence
Aggression

Question 9

Operationalisation

Answer 9

Expression of a construct in terms of observable behaviour

Question 10

Experimental studies

Answer 10

Includes:
1 independent variable(manipulated by researcher)
1 dependent variable(measured)
Other variables are controlled
Only method that allows cause-and-effect inferences

Question 11

Inferences

Answer 11

Change in the IV causes a change in the DV

Question 12

Correlational studies

Answer 12

Does not manipulate any variable(no DV/IV variables)
Variables are measured and the relationship between them is quantified
Can only conclude that as one variable changes, the others change too

Question 13

Limitations of correlational studies

Answer 13

Cannot make cause-and-effect indifferences, as a result of not being able to manipulate the variables
Unable to conclude direction of influence(what caused the change)
There could be a third variable

Question 14

Descriptive studies

Answer 14

Relationships between variables are not investigated and variables are approached seperately
Mainly used for conducting boarder investigations of a phenomenon before ‘delving deeper’ into specifics
Example:
Public opinion survey

Question 15

Qualitative research

Answer 15

In depth study about a particular phenomenon

Question 16

How qualitative data can be measured

Answer 16

Interviews

Observations

Question 17

Qualitative data can be measured in texts:

Answer 17

Interview transcripts

Observations

Question 18

Sampling

Answer 18

the process of finding and recruiting individuals for the study

Question 19

Sample

Answer 19

A group of individuals taking part in a research study

Question 20

Credibility

Answer 20

Refers to the degree to which results of the study can be trusted to reflect the reality
It is closely linked to bias

Question 21

Generalisability

Answer 21

The extent to which the results of the study can be applied beyond the sample and the settings

Question 22

Population validity

Answer 22

generalised to a wider population

Question 23

Ecological validity

Answer 23

whether research conducted in artificial settings can be generalised to a natural setting in daily life

Question 24

Confounding variable

Answer 24

Variable that can potentially distort the relationship between the IV and the DV
Need to be controlled by eliminating them or keeping them constant in all groups of participants

Question 25

Target population

Answer 25

Is the group of people you want to know more about | Group of people to which

Question 26

Representativeness

Answer 26

The key property of a sample | It is achieved if a sample reflects all of the key populations' essential characteristics

Question 27

Sampling techniques

Answer 27

Random sampling Stratified sampling Convenience/opportunity sampling Self selected sampling/ volunteers

Question 28

Random sampling

Answer 28

Every member of a target population has an equal change of becoming a sample It is the ideal approach to make the sample representative Not always possible for practical reasons

Question 29

Stratified sampling

Answer 29

More theory-driven, ensures theory-defined essential characteristics of population are fairly and equally represented in a sample

Question 30

Convenience (opportunity sampling)

Answer 30

Participants that are more easily available and recruited | E.g. University students

Question 31

When convenience (opportunity) sampling is mostly used

Answer 31

Financial resources and time are limited People are not that different in terms of the phenomenon under their study Useful when wide generalisation of findings is not the primary goal of the research

Question 32

Limitation of convenience (opportunity) sampling

Answer 32

Lack of representativeness

Question 33

Self selected sampling

Answer 33

Refers to recruiting volunteers

Question 34

Strength of self-selecting sampling

Answer 34

Quick and relatively easy way to recruit individuals while at the same time having a wide coverage

Question 35

Limitation of Self-selected sampling

Answer 35

Lack of representativeness | Motivation- by financial incentives

Question 36

Hypothesis

Answer 36

An educated guess