Research Methods Flashcards
Scientific
Psychologists are empiricists, meaning they base beliefs on systematic, objective observation of the world.
Scientific Method
Basing one’s confidence in an idea on systematic,
direct observations of the world.
Theory Data Cycle
The process of the scientific method, in
which scientists collect data that can either
confirm or disconfirm a theory.
Theory
A set of propositions explaining how and why people act, think, or feel.
Hypothesis
A specific prediction stating what will happen in a study if the theory is correct.
Data
A set of empirical observations that scientists have gathered.
Replication
When a study is conducted more than once on a new sample of participants, and obtains the same basic results.
Journal
A periodical containing peer-reviewed articles on a specific academic discipline, written for a scholarly audience.
Variables
Something of interest that varies from person
to person, or situation to situation. Must have at least two “levels” (can be continuous).
Measured Variable
A variable whose values are simply recorded. At least one in every study.
Manipulated Variables
A variable whose values the researcher controls. Assign different participants to different
levels of that variable.
Operational
The specific way of measuring or manipulating an
abstract variable in a particular study.
Descriptive Research
A type of study in which researchers measure one variable at a time. This research Results in a frequency, Frequently in the news, and Typically involves self-report.
Sample
People who participated in research; Belong to the population of interest.
Population of Interest
Full group of people the researcher is trying to understand,
Random Sampling
Involves selecting people to serve in
your sample without bias.
Observational Research
Psychologists measure their variable of interest by observing and recording what people (or animals) are doing. Can be naturalistic.
Case Study
Researchers study one or two individuals in
depth, often those who have a unique
condition.
Correlation Research
A type of study that measures two (or more)
variables in the same sample of people, and then observes the relationship between them.
Positive Correlation
As one value of a variable increases or decreases,
so does the value of the other variable.
Negative Correlation
As the value of one variable decreases or increases,
the value of the other variable does the opposite.
Strength of Correlation
Dots distance from the line.
No Correlation
No pattern.
Correlation is not Causation
Two variables must be correlate.
One variable must precede the other.
There must be no reasonable alternative explanations for the pattern of correlation
Experimental Research
Manipulating a causal variable to observe its effect.
Independent Variable
Manipulated variable in an experiment.
Dependent Variable
Measured variable in an experiment.
Control
Experiments reduce the third-variable problems
Random Assignment
A random method is used to decide which
participants will receive each level of the independent variable. An essential element of an experiment.
Experimental(or treatment) group
In an experiment, a group or condition in which some proposed cause is present.
Control(or comparison) group
In an experiment, a group or condition in which some proposed cause is not present.
Placebo Condition
In an experiment, a group or condition in which people expect to receive a treatment but are exposed to only an inert version, such as a sugar pill.
