Research methods

Question 1

Variable

Answer 1

Any phenomenon that can take on more than one value.

Question 2

Continuous variable

Answer 2

Has a continuum of possible values.

Question 3

Categorical variable

Answer 3

Can only take on fixed values in groupings or categories.

Question 4

Extraneous variable

Answer 4

An external variable not being investigated that may affect IV or DV and cause inaccurate conclusions.

Question 5

Confounding variable

Answer 5

Produces effects that might be confused with the effects of the independent variable.

Question 6

Independent variable

Answer 6

The variable manipulated by the experimenter.

Question 7

Dependent variable

Answer 7

The response measured by the experimenter.

Question 8

Experimental research

Answer 8

Researcher manipulates aspects of a situation and examines the response to assess cause and effect. May have external validity issues but provides strong evidence to establish causation.

Question 9

Generalisability

Answer 9

If research results from the sample can be applied to the entire population of interest. findings must be valid.

Question 10

Measure

Answer 10

Way of assessing a variable, must be reliable and valid.

Question 11

Reliability

Answer 11

Measure’s ability to produce consistent results.

Question 12

Validity

Answer 12

Measure’s ability to assess the variable of interest or assess what it is intended to measure.

Question 13

The scientific approach

Answer 13

Uses empirical methodologies such as observation and experimentation to gain knowledge. Three main goals are description, prediction and understanding.

Question 14

Quantitative research

Answer 14

Experiments or surveys that provide quantified data.

Question 15

Qualitative research

Answer 15

Interviews, observations and case studies to understand phenomena. Has holistic view, inductive approach. Has three key perspectives: positivism (objective research that assumes a universal truth), interpretivism (subjective research in natural setting) and critical theory (taking a moral-political approach to examine how power is expressed in society).

Question 16

Theory

Answer 16

Systematic way of organising and explaining observations.

Question 17

Hypothesis

Answer 17

Prediction of relationship between two or more variables.

Question 18

Random sampling

Answer 18

Every member of the population has equal probability of being selected.

Question 19

Stratified random sampling

Answer 19

Sample selected that proportionately represents all subpopulations. Selection is only random within groups.

Question 20

Correlation coefficient

Answer 20

measures/ quantifies the association between two variables and ranges from -1.0 to +1.0. A correlation of 0 means two variables are unrelated. High correlation positive or negative means scores on one variable is a good predictor of the other variable. Measured with Pearson’s r = co-efficiency.

Question 21

Positive correlation

Answer 21

The higher the score is on one variable, the higher the other variable will score.

Question 22

Negative correlation

Answer 22

The lower the score is on one variable, the higher the other variable will score.

Question 23

Informed consent

Answer 23

Participants must be informed of the purpose of the study and the nature of the treatments before they agree or refuse to participate.

Question 24

Deception

Answer 24

Some experiments need deception but participants must be debriefed, can withdraw at any time, and the research is important and cannot be conducted without deception.

Question 25

Operationalising

Answer 25

Turn abstract concept into a variable that can be measured.

Question 26

Control group

Answer 26

Not exposed to treatment or 0 level of IV.

Question 27

Experimental group

Answer 27

Receives treatment or an active level of IV.

Question 28

Blind studies and double-blind

Answer 28

Participants are unaware of aspects of the research. Researchers are also unaware of aspects in double-blind study.

Question 29

Quasi-experiment

Answer 29

Experiments that have variables that are impractical or unethical to manipulate.

Question 30

Test-retest reliability

Answer 30

Test gives similar results if the participant takes it two or more times.

Question 31

Internal consistency

Answer 31

Different ways to measure the same variable should produce similar answers.

Question 32

Inter-rater reliability

Answer 32

Two testers who rate the same person on the same variable should give similar ratings.

Question 33

Internal validity

Answer 33

The extent to which a study is methodologically adequate.

Question 34

External validity

Answer 34

The extent to which the findings can be generalised outside the laboratory.

Question 35

Sampling bias

Answer 35

When a sample does not represent the population as a whole.

Question 36

Evaluating empirical psychological study

Answer 36

Does the theory make sense, do the hypotheses flow from it?

Is the sample adequate and appropriate?

Are the measures and procedures valid and reliable?

Is the data conclusive?

Are the broader conclusions warranted?

Does the study say anything meaningful?

Is the study ethical?

Question 37

Common fallacies in arguments

Answer 37

Strawman, appeals to popularity, appeals to authority, and arguments directed to the person.

Question 38

Crisis of replicability

Answer 38

An experiment or study must produce the same results when repeated.

Question 39

Benefits and limitations of psychology research through the internet

Answer 39

Assess, automate and process data quickly and easily. However, can have sampling bias, uncontrolled data collection procedures, issues protecting the welfare of participants, and the right to confidentiality.

Question 39

Critical thinking principles

Answer 39

Scepticism, objectivity, open-mindedness

Question 39

Descriptive research

Answer 39

Cannot establish causation. Describes phenomena as they exist without manipulating variables.

Question 40

Case studies

Answer 40

In-depth observation of one person or a small group. Useful for generating hypotheses and exploring complex phenomena.

Question 40

Naturalistic observation

Answer 40

In-depth observation of a phenomenon in its natural setting. Useful for observing complex phenomena outside of the lab.

Question 41

Survey research

Answer 41

Asking a large sample questions about their attributes or behaviours.

Question 41

Correlational research

Answer 41

Assesses the degree to which two variables are related, to see if knowing the value of one can predict the value of the other. Correlation does not demonstrate causation.

Question 41

Epistemology

Answer 41

Examines the nature of knowledge itself using three approaches: Objectivism (phenomena exists independently of consciousness, one universal/ objective meaning), Subjectivism (phenomena is subjective and meaning is individual, no universal truth), and Constructionism (not one objective or universal meaning but the result of social and intellectual constructions).