Research Methods

Question 1

Steps to the scientific methods

Answer 1

1. construct a theory
2. form hypothesis
3. select research methods
4. collect data
5. analyze data
6. report findings
7. revise theories

Question 2

within-participant experimental design

Answer 2

ensure similarity b/w experimental groups
- tests same subject repeatedly while independent variable is manipulated

Question 3

What are the problems with within-participant experimental design

Answer 3

time consuming, costly, participant may change

Question 4

What is the practice effect

Answer 4

improvement in performance over course of experiment b/c of experience (not from independent variable)

Question 5

What is the between participant experimental design

Answer 5

one group receives experimental manipulation, other is control group
should be similar in every way except for independent variable
structure experiment that minimizes confounding variables

Question 6

Confounding variable

Answer 6

any variable associated w/independent variable that complicates the effects of independent on dependent

Question 7

What can hinder generalizability

Answer 7

strict selection criteria
- hard to find participants
- limits scope conclusion (specific groups of participants cannot be generalized for other groups)

Question 8

Population

Answer 8

general group you’re trying to learn about

Question 9

Sample

Answer 9

group you are collecting

Question 10

Random sample

Answer 10

people chosen randomly so sample represents larger population (no bias)

Question 11

Random Assignment

Answer 11

randomly assigning experimental and control group (avoid people from differing)

Question 12

Placebo Effect

Answer 12

individual exhibits a response to treatment that is not due to therapeutic effects

Question 13

Participant Bias

Answer 13

may intentionally or unintentionally bias performance to specifically align performance with results expected or whichever they prefer

Question 14

What is the solution to participant bias

Answer 14

blinding: participants don’t know which group they belong to

Question 15

Experimenter bias

Answer 15

actions made by experimenter (intentional or not) that influence the outcome the want

Question 16

Double-blinded studies

Answer 16

experiments where neither experimenter nor participants know which group participant belongs to

Question 17

Descriptive statistics

Answer 17

briefly summarize dataset at a glance
- mean, median, mode
- pie chart, bar graph, venn diagram, histogram

Question 18

What is a frequency distribution

Answer 18

shows distributions of how frequently values appear in data set

Question 19

Normal distribution

Answer 19

smooth, symmetrical, bell shaped curve, w/one single peak

Question 20

What is a central tendency

Answer 20

describe the whole set of data with single values representing middle

Question 21

What is standard deviation

Answer 21

measure of average distance of each data point from mean
measures variability

Question 22

Larger standard deviation

Answer 22

larger spread

Question 23

smaller standard deviation

Answer 23

smaller spread

Question 24

what is variability

Answer 24

quantitative measure to which a distribution is spread out or clustered

Question 25

Inferential statistics

Answer 25

statistics that allow us to use results from samples to make inferences about overall, underlying populations

Question 26

T-test

Answer 26

statistical test that considers each data point from both groups to calculate probability that two samples were drawn from same population

Question 27

P-value

Answer 27

probability (0-1) indicating likelihood of this difference being observed even if no “real” difference exists (ex. hypothesis incorrect)

Question 28

statistically significant

Answer 28

when difference b/w 2 groups is b/c true difference b/w properties

Question 29

p-val < 0.05

Answer 29

less than 5% probability of obtaining the observed difference if there is no “real” difference
= sig

Question 30

p-val > 0.05

Answer 30

greater than 5% probability of obtaining observed difference if there is no “real” difference

Question 31

Type 1 error

Answer 31

false alarm
believing a difference when difference does not exist

Question 32

Type 2 error

Answer 32

miss
not seeing difference when difference exists

Question 33

Correlation

Answer 33

measure of strength of the relationship b/w 2 variables

Question 34

Correlation coefficient

Answer 34

b/w -1 & +1, denoted by “r” indicating both strength and direction of correlation

Question 35

Scientific Method

Answer 35

formal way of asking and answering questions about human behavior for most accurate, objective info possible

Question 36

What are the basic rules of scientific inquiry

Answer 36

parismony (one explanation account for the known facts using fewer assumptions than the other)

Natural order (attribute the same effects to the same causes)

Generalizability (same causes that produce our effects in the lab also produce those effects in everyday life situations)

Conservatism (support current explanation until new facts accumulate that current explanation can’t deal with)

Question 37

Empiricism

Answer 37

knowledge gained by observation instead of reason and facts

Question 38

TF correlation = causation

Answer 38

correlation does not equal causation
FALSE

Question 39

What are the types of research techniques

Answer 39

• case study (in depth, direct evidence//not generalizable to population + can be subjective)
• direct observation (reduced artificiality//cannot avoid being noticed + bias in response)
• experiment (strict control over manipulation//artificial and results may not translate in natural settings)
• interviews (gather info on behaviours that are difficult to observe//interviewee may not be comfortable, dishonest, bias)
• questionnaire (gather info on behvaior that is difficult to measure or observe//difficult to assess truthfulness of data)