research methods Flashcards
what are the steps in the scientific method?
- identify the question
- gather info, form hypothesis
- test hypothesis
- analyse data, draw conclusions, report findings
- build body of knowledge, repeat
fact vs theory
Fact: An objective statement, based on direct observation
Theory: a hypothetical account of how/why something occurs
hypothesis
Hypothesis: specific, testable prediction made by a theory
conceptual vs operational definitions
Conceptual definition: ‘what does it mean?’ dictionary definition
Operational definition: HOW something is measured/manipulated
the problem with observing behavior
Hawthorne effect: being observed may affect behavior
types of observing behavior (3)
- HABITUATION: losing intensity over time
- UNOBTRUSIVE MEASURES: measures recorded in a way that keeps participants unaware of certain responses being recorded
- ARCHIVAL MEASURES: records or documents that already exist
what are physiological measures
heart rate, sweat, neuroimaging
types of sampling
Random sampling: every member of population has an equal probability at being chosen
Representative sample: reflects the important characteristic of population
Convenience sampling: availability and not randomness (most common)
qualitative vs quantitative research
Qualitative research: uses non-numerical data
Quantitative research: uses numerical data
what is descriptive research
Descriptive research: seeks to identify how humans and animals behave (case study, naturalistic observation, survey research)
correlational research
when a researcher examines the relationships between 2+ variables
Correlation coefficient
a statistical value that indicates the direction and strength of the relation between 2 variables
IV vs DV
IV: factor that is manipulated/controlled by researcher (CAUSE)
DV: factor that is measured and may be influenced by IV (EFFECT)
Counterbalancing
arranging a series of experimental conditions or treatments in such a way as to minimize the influence of extraneous factors
-“attempt to REDUCE OR AVOID CARRYOVER effects and order effects”
Practice effect vs Fatigue effect
Practice effect: performance will get better
Fatigue effect: performance will get worse
Spillover effect & Habituation
Spillover effect: effects of 1 condition will ‘spillover’ to another
Habituation: conditions will lose their effect
reliability vs validity
Reliability: a measurement produces the same result whenever it is used to measure the same thing
(GROUPING)
Validity: the characteristics of an observation that allows accurate inferences; does it measure/predict what we need it to?
(BULLSEYE)
types of reliability (3)
- TEST-RETEST reliability: when the assessment is CONSISTANT at DIFFERENT points in TIME
- INTERRATER reliability: when assessments from different researchers are CONSISTANT (gymnastic judges scores being fairly similar across the board)
- INTERNAL reliability: when items WITHIN an assessment are considered
types of validity (5)
- FACE : when a measure assesses what it is meant to measure
- CONTENT : when the measure assesses ALL PARTS possible (ex; an exam that covers as much of the content as possible)
- CONVERGENT : when the measure CORRELATES more STRONGLY with similar/same constructs (+ or -)
- DISCRIMINANT : when the measure CORRELATES WEAKLY or not at all with the distinct constructs
- EXTERNAL : the degree to which the results of a study can be GENERALIZED to other populations, settings, and condition
what are confounding variables
a variable that can affect the relationship between the IV and the DV
-Weakens/eliminates any causal claims (poor internal validity)
single vs double blind studies
Single-blind study: when participants do not know the true purpose of the study/which type of treatments they are receiving (reduces likelihood is placebo effect)
Double blind procedures: where both researcher and participants don’t know which condition the participant is in