Research Methods Flashcards
hindsight bias
the feeling of “i knew it all along”
theory
well established principle with a lot of evidence
hypothesis
specific, testable prediction that can be tested
operational definition
all parts of experiment must be well-defined
replication
to report the results
case study
• in-depth focus on one individual
• helps with new or unknown disorders
• suggests further study
weaknesses of case studies
• cannot generalize the results
• fewer controls to eliminate bias
naturalistic observation
• describes observation
• can be used with small children or animals
surveys
• look at many cases at once
• inexpensive + quick
• sees relationships between variables
weaknesses of surveys
• anyone can participate
• random vs representative sampling
the wording effect
certain parts of a question prompt certain parts of an answer
choice order
if we like something, we put it last in a list
population
all the individuals who could potentially participate in the study
random sample
each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected
representative sample
looks like the population is being studied
random sampling
leads to a representative sample
correlational studies
• A and B predict each other
• allow researchers to account for ethics
• determines relationship between variables
weaknesses of correlational studies
• cannot tell which variable is affecting which
• do NOT determine cause and effect
correlation coefficient (r)
• positive or negative
• between -1.0 and +1.0
• r = 0 means no correlation
illusory correlation
• perceived non-existent correlation
• random coincidence
experiments
seek to demonstrate cause and effect
independent variable
what is being manipulated
dependent variable
what is being measured
confounding/extraneous variable
affects the variables being studied
experimental group
receives treatment
control group
does NOT receive treatment (placebo)
why are control groups needed ?
to determine the significance of the independent variable
operational definition
• statement of procedure
• definition of boundaries
• measurable; provide clarity
random assignment
• participants are randomly assigned to either experimental or control group
• needed to demonstrate cause and effect
single blind procedure
• eliminates the placebo effect
• participants don’t know which group they are in
double blind procedure
• eliminates experimental bias
• participants AND experimenter don’t know which group is which
weakness of experimentation
might not reflect in real life as procedure is done in a controlled environment
longitudinal study
follows people through an extended period in their life
weaknesses of longitudinal studies
• expensive
• time-consuming
• response bias
cross-sectional study
people of different groups are compared to one another
weaknesses of cross sectional studies
results may be less reliable than a longitudinal study as no particular individual is “followed”
descriptive statistics
• describe a given sample
• summarize a set of research data
inferential statistics
generalize conclusions about a larger population
measures of central tendency
mean, median, mode, and range
measures of variability
range, variance, standard deviation
