Research Methods Flashcards
Scientific Paradigm
a commonly accepted view about a subject
what is something all psychologists can agree on
all agree that the scientific method serves as the unifying foundation for the science of psychology
what are the three lessons learnt from Clever Hans
Lesson 1: the value of skepticism
Lesson 2: the value of controlled experimentation
Lesson 3: observer-expectancy effects
Explain the value of skepticism (lesson 1)
-Funks was able to learn the truth about hand because he was skeptical
-scientists attempt to disprove theories rather than to prove them
Explain the value of controlled experimentation (lesson 2)
- careful observation under controlled conditions is an important aspect of the
-funks identified the conditions where Hans could answer and could not answer questions (the cues)
Explain the Observer-expectancy Effects (lesson 3)
-observers may unintentionally communicate to subjects on their expectations which can possibly change the results
eg. taking and oral quiz and knowing your doing good because of the facial expressions of the person giving the quiz
What are the 6 steps of the scientific method
- identify the problem
- Gather Information
- Generate a Hypothesis
4..Design and Conduct Experiments - Analyze the Data and formulate Conclusions
- Restart the Process
what is Descriptive Research
- describing behavior in natural settings and ALL variables are measured
- there is no manipulation and extraneous factors are not controlled
what is the difference between Naturalistic Observation and Participant Observation
naturalistic = you watch and learn without manipulating variables (just watching)
participant = the researcher actually interacts with the population of interest instead of just watching
Why do we have Case Studies
because for studying conditions that are so rare, it would be impossible to find a large sample of individuals with the same condition
you are only looking at 1 person but gathering a LOT of data
What are some DISADVANTAGES for case studies
- they cannot be used as evidence for theories but can inspire the formation of a theory or a hypothesis
- researcher bias
-cant be generalized to everyone because its usually done on abnormal people - poor method of determining cause-and -effect relations
what is Survey research and what is the “representative sample”
survey research is a type of research that uses questions to get specific information from a group of people
You can study the entire population so you need a representative sample that represents the important characteristics of the population
what are correlational studies
looking at the relationship and strength between two or more variables
- the researcher measures one variable (x)
- the researcher measures a second variable (y)
- the researcher statistically determines whether x and y are related
what are some PRO’s about correlational studies
- you can identify the possible relationship between to variables
- can show the strength of the relationship
- identifies “real-world” situations
what are some CONS about correlational studies
- you can’t assume that a cause-effect relationship exists because your not manipulating any variables
- relationship may be due to a third unmeasured variable
- shows association not cause
what are 3 characteristics of experimental methods
- testing theories through controlled experiments (only manipulate 1 variable)
-can establish a cause and effect relationship - hypothesis driven
what is the difference between the independent and dependant variable
independent = what the experimenter changes
dependant = dependant on the independent variable (what the participant does)
what is a stratified random sample
people are divided into categories and a few are taken from each
what is the difference between “between subjects” and “within subjects”
between = each group in the experiment is composed of a different set of participants and each group gets a different treatment
within = each participant is exposed to ALL conditions of the independent variable
Explain the ABA design
(A) - the participant is tested in the firs condition
(B) - the participant is tested in the second condition where you manipulate something (intervention phase)
(A) - back to the original condition (reversal phase)
what is a problem with the ABA (reversal) design
the removal of treatment B
- if the treatment is working for the better, it isn’t ethical to stop the treatment
- or the variable (B) may have a big effect and after the treatment is removed and it doesn’t go back to how it was
what is the Multiple Baseline Design
where you have more than one participant and you introduce the treatment at different times for each
this way you can be more certain that it was the treatment that caused the change
what is Internal Validity
when the experiment is free from errors and any difference in measurement is due to the independent variable and nothing else
(the experiment is valid)
what is External Validity
when research results from an experiment can be inferred externally and outside the experiment
(valid externally)
What is the “Observer/Experimenter Expectancy Effect”
where the researchers or observers unintentionally influence participants by sending signals unintentionally
how do we fix the Observer/Experimenter Expectancy Effect
by keeping the observer blind to what condition the participant Is in as well as the participant (double blind procedure)
What is the participant/subject expectancy effect
where subjects might act a certain way just because they are expected to act that way instead of being real and natural
what is “replication”
repeating a study to determine whether the original findings can be duplicated
What is Principal A in the ethical principles
Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
- the benefits should outweigh the cost subjects might experience
What is Principal B of the ethical principles
Fidelity and Responsibility
- researchers should be honest and reliable with their participants
What is Principle C in the ethical principals
Integrity
psychologists should promote accuracy, honestly, and truthfulness
What is Principal D in the ethical principles
Justice
- don’t exclude certain groups from research
- there should be fairness and just
What is Principal E in the ethical principles
Respect for peoples Rights and Dignity
- psychologists should respect the dignity and worth of all people and their rights to privacy
What is the role of “Internal Review Boards” (IRB’s)
to review and assess whether or not a research project will be carried out
it has to match the general Ethical Principles
What is Deception
when participants are not made fully aware of the specific purposes of the study or are misinformed
What is Debriefing
where the purpose of the experiment is told to the participants as soon as the study protocol permits
what is the Mode, Median, And Mean
Mode = the most occurring value
Median = the middle data point
Mean = the average
what is the 5% rule
if the probability of an event is less than 5% then it is considered ‘Rare”
