Research methods

Question 1

Characteristics of psychological research

Answer 1

Theory
Hypotheses
Population, samples, participants
Variables
Validity
Reliability

Question 2

Steps in conducting experiments

Question 3

Descriptive research methods

Question 4

Explain basic premise of correlational research

Question 5

Summarize guidelines for ethical conduct of research

Question 6

Types of research

Answer 6

Applied and basic,
Quantitative and qualitative

Question 7

Applied research

Answer 7

Seeks to solve practical specific problems. Focused.

Question 8

Basic research

Answer 8

Inquisitorial Seeks to answer fundamental theoretical questions.

Question 9

Quantitative

Answer 9

Experiments
Surveys
Collect and analyze data that can be counted/measured
Deductive

Question 10

Qualitative

Answer 10

Observation and interview
Data is descriptive and conceptual
Inductive

Question 11

Theory

Answer 11

Organized explanation of observation.

Question 12

Hypotheses

Answer 12

A specific prediction derived from a theory.
Relationship between two or more variables.
Theory is then retained, modified, or rejected.

Question 13

Scientific process

Answer 13

Theory
Prediction
Test
Refine theory

Question 14

Scientific method

Question 15

Population,
Sample, participant

Answer 15

Define population.
Sample is small group representative of pop.
Participant are individuals within sample group.

Question 16

Generaliseability

Answer 16

Sample is representative of pop.

Question 17

Representativeness

Answer 17

Sample characteristics reflect general pop.

Question 18

Sample bias

Answer 18

Sample is not representative

Question 19

Variables

Answer 19

Changes with circumstances

Question 20

Construct

Answer 20

Formalised Concept

Question 21

Measures

Answer 21

Concrete assessment of variable

Question 22

Operationalizing

Answer 22

Choose a way to measure a construct

Question 23

Independent variable

Answer 23

We manipulate

Question 24

Dependent variable

Answer 24

Impacted by IV

Question 25

Discrete variable

Answer 25

Whole (integer) number

Question 26

Continuous variable

Answer 26

Fractional and infinite numbers

Question 27

Measuring variables

Answer 27

Consider
Scales
Validity
Reliability

Question 28

Scales

Answer 28

Ordinal
Nominal
Interval
Ratio

Question 29

Nominal

Answer 29

Categorization of a measure eg gender, religion

Question 30

Ordinal

Answer 30

Measurements that can be ranked/ordered. Eg 1st, 2nd, 3rd. HD, D, C, P, F.

Question 31

Interval

Answer 31

Measure how far apart/ difference between results. No zeros.

Question 32

Ratio

Answer 32

Zero is meaningful.
Comparative number.

Question 33

Validity

Answer 33

Does it measure the construct?

Question 34

Internal validity

Answer 34

Methodology is sound. Eg no bias.
Representativeness

Question 35

External validity

Answer 35

Can result be generalised to population?

Question 36

Reliability

Answer 36

Is the measure consistent

Question 37

Methodology

Answer 37

Experimental eg lab setting

Descriptive
Eg case study, natural observation, survey/ focus group

Correlational research

Question 38

Experimental research

Answer 38

Must have IV and DV.
It’s looking at difference between groups.

Question 39

Correlational research

Answer 39

Looking at similarities

Question 40

Statistical analysis

Answer 40

Descriptive (describe data) or inferential (infer relationships and within data)

Question 41

Confound

Answer 41

When another variable could impact the DV.
Impacts internal validity.