Research Methods

Question 1

Variable

Answer 1

A factor that is able to take on at least 2 different values.

Question 2

Independent variable

Answer 2

The variable that affects the dependent variable (the variable that is manipulated)
Ex). Amount of water given to plants

Question 3

Dependent variable

Answer 3

Depends on the independent variable (is the outcome)
Ex). Plant growth

Question 4

Confirmatory Research

Answer 4

When a testable hypothesis can be formed

Question 5

Exploratory Research

Answer 5

No hypothesis; venturing into a topic

Question 6

Correlational Study

Answer 6

Observed associations between variables without manipulation; correlations do not imply causation.

Question 7

Positive correlation

Answer 7

Relationships going in the same direction. Perfect positive correlation = +1.00. X increases and Y increases.

Question 8

Negative Correlation

Answer 8

Relationships going in opposite directions. Perfect negative correlation = -1.00. X increases and Y decreases.

Question 9

0 Correlation

Answer 9

No relationship

Question 10

Reverse Causality

Answer 10

When though that X causes Y, it might be the case that Y causes X

Question 11

3rd Variable

Answer 11

Other factors that may explain why X is correlated with Y.

Question 12

Random Assignment

Answer 12

When participants have an equal chance of being assigned to the different conditions of an experiment

Question 13

Experiment

Answer 13

Requires both manipulation of a variable and random assignment to conditions.

Question 14

Field studies

Answer 14

Conducted in people’s natural environment. High mundane realism (realistic), high external validity (external validity = generalizability)

Question 15

Lab studies

Answer 15

Particiant comes to researcher; usually an artificial environment. Allows for more controlled conditions, high experimental realism (engages & absorbs participants), high internal validity (confidence that independent variable caused dependent variable)

Question 16

Internal Validity

Answer 16

Confidence that the IV caused the DV

Question 17

External Validity

Answer 17

Generalizability to other situations, people, etc. (can generalize what you observe towards ordinary people outside your study, can apply your findings)

Question 18

Experimental Realism

Answer 18

Extent to which a study is engaging to the participants.

Question 19

Mundane Realism

Answer 19

Similarity to actions/events in the real world.

Question 20

Social Desirability

Answer 20

Wanting to look good in front of an experimenter so either lying or saying what they think the experimenter wants to hear, also want to feel like a good person so may not admit to having done bad things.

Question 21

Observational data

Answer 21

Data that researchers see directly; pros: high authenticity; cons: potentially more time-consuming, may be hard to interpret

Question 22

Self-report data

Answer 22

Collected through surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone screenings; pros: can measure internal states (eg. loneliness); cons: potentially biased responses, social desirability is a concern.

Question 23

Archival research

Answer 23

Previously collected research; cons: one is unable to control what is asked, who the participants were, and the origin of data.

Question 24

Subject (or Participant) Bias

Answer 24

You can never study every member of the larger group that we are interested in understanding. Most of the time we want to have a representative sample of people but we can’t randomly select from all of the people. (would have to be from all over the world, every country, every background…impossible!!!)

Question 25

Experimenter Bias

Answer 25

Since the experimenter knows what results they want to see they might give unintentional cues or hints to participants (blinding counters this)

Question 26

Participant Bias

Answer 26

Participants respond in a way that corresponds to what they believe the researcher is hoping to observe

Question 27

Demand Characteristics

Answer 27

Cues/features of a study that inadvertently tip off the participant.
» Proposed Solution: keep participants and experimenters blind to study purpose and hypotheses, conducting studies where participants are unaware they are being observed

Question 28

Convenience Sample

Answer 28

Rely on whatever people are convenient to participate in studies (often college students). Can also be people from the community (but usually not representative, usually white, financially comfortable, etc.)