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Psychology as a Natural Science > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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0
Q

Standardised Procedure

A

A procedure that is the same for all participants except where variation is introduced to test a hypothesis

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1
Q

Theory

A

A systematic way of organising and explaining observations, which includes a set of propositions, or statements, about the relationships among various phenomena

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2
Q

Generalisability

A

A sample that is representative of the population

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3
Q

Objective Measurement

A

Measures that are reliable (that produce consistent results)

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4
Q

Hypothesis

A

A tentative belief about the relationship between two or more variables. It predicts the findings that should be observed if the theory is correct

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5
Q

Variable

A

Any phenomenon that can differ, or vary, from one situation to another or from one person to another

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6
Q

Continuous Variable

A

A variable that can be placed on a continuum, from none or little to much

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7
Q

Categorical Variable

A

A variable comprised of groupings, classifications or categories

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8
Q

Population

A

A group of people or animals of interest to a researcher from which a sample is drawn

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9
Q

Sample

A

A subgroup of a population that is likely to be representative of the population as a whole

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10
Q

Sampling Bias

A

Occurs when the sample is not representative of the population as a whole

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11
Q

Valid

A

A study must meet the criteria of employing methods that convincingly test the hypothesis (internal validity) and the findings must be generalisable to situations outside the laboratory (external validity)

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12
Q

Measure

A

A concrete way of assessing a variable

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13
Q

Reliability

A

A measure’s ability to produce consistent results

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14
Q

Retest Reliability

A

The tendency of a test to yield relatively similar scores for the same individual over time

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15
Q

Internal Consistency

A

Where several ways of asking the same question yield similar results

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16
Q

Interrater Reliability

A

A measure of the similarity with which different raters apply a measure

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17
Q

Validity

A

The measure’s ability to assess the variable it is supposed to assess.

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18
Q

Validation

A

Demonstrating the validity of a measure by showing that it consistently relates to other phenomena in theoretically expected ways

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19
Q

Error

A

Discrepancy between the phenomenon as measured and the phenomenon as it really is

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20
Q

Relational Theories

A

Theories that propose that the need for relatedness is a central motive in humans and that people will distort their personalities to maintain ties to important people in their lives

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21
Q

Scientific Approach

A

This approach to psychology involves using empirical methodologies such as observation and experimentation to gain knowledge

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22
Q

Description

A

Summarising the data your research has produced in a way that makes the events and their relationships easily understandable

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23
Q

Prediction

A

Using the outcome of your research to be able to identify what would happen in the future, given the same circumstances

24
Q

Understanding

A

Identifying the causes of a phenomenon that led to the results found in your research

25
Q

Experimental Research

A

Investigators manipulate some aspect of a situation and examine the impact on the way the participants respond

26
Q

Independent Variables

A

The variables an experimenter manipulates, or the effects of which the experimenter assesses

27
Q

Dependant Variables

A

The responses the experimenter measures to see if the experimental manipulation has had an effect

28
Q

Conditions

A

Values or versions of the independent variable that vary across experimental groups

29
Q

Operationalising

A

Turning an abstract concept into a concrete variable defined by some set of actions, or operations

30
Q

Control Group

A

Group of participants in an experiment who receive a relatively neutral condition to serve as a comparison group

31
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

The way participants’ perceptions of the researcher’s goals influence their responses

32
Q

Blind Studies

A

Participants (and often the researchers themselves) are kept unaware of, or blind to, important aspects of the research

33
Q

Placebo Effect

A

A phenomenon in which an experimental intervention produces an effect because participants believe it will produce an effect

34
Q

Single Blind Study

A

A study in which participants are kept blind to crucial information, notably about the experimental condition in which they have been placed

35
Q

Double-Blind Study

A

Both the participants and the researchers who interact with them are blind to who has been exposed to which experimental condition until the research is completed

36
Q

Confounding Variables

A

Variables that can produce effects that are confused, or confounded, with the effects of the independent variable

37
Q

Descriptive Statistics

A

Numbers that describe the data from a study in a way that summarises their essential features

38
Q

Inferential Statistics

A

Procedures for assessing whether the results obtained with a sample are likely to reflect characteristics of the population as a whole

39
Q

Quasi-experimental Designs

A

Research designs that employ the logic of experimental methods but lack absolute control over variables

40
Q

Descriptive Research

A

Research methods that cannot unambiguously demonstrate cause and effect but attempt to describe phenomena as they exist. Methods include case studies, naturalistic observation, survey research and correlational methods

41
Q

Case Study

A

An in-depth observation of one person or a small group of individuals

42
Q

Researcher Bias

A

Systematic errors in measurement due to investigators seeing what they expect to see

43
Q

Naturalistic Observation

A

The in-depth observation of a phenomenon in its natural setting

44
Q

Survey Research

A

Involves asking questions of a large sample of people, usually about their attitudes or behaviours

45
Q

Random Sample

A

A sample selected from the general population in a relatively arbitrary way that does not introduce any systematic bias

46
Q

Stratified Random Sample

A

Specifies the percentage of people to be drawn from each population category (age, race etc.) and then randomly selects participants from within each category

47
Q

Correlational Research

A

Attempts to determine the degree to which two or more variables are related, so that knowing the value (or score) on one variable allows prediction of the other

48
Q

Correlation Coefficient

A

An index of the extent to which two variables are related

49
Q

Positive Correlation

A

The higher individuals measure on one variable, the higher they are likely to measure on the other

50
Q

Negative Correlation

A

The higher participants measure on one variable, the lower they will measure on the other

51
Q

Critical Thinking

A

Carefully examining and analysing information to judge its value as well as considering other views and explanations before accepting the truthfulness of that information. It involves assessing both strengths and weaknesses and looking for the evidence that supports arguments put forth by other researchers, not accepting them on face value

52
Q

Scepticism

A

Always questioning assumptions or conclusions and analysing whether the evidence presented supports the results

53
Q

Objectivity

A

Taking an impartial and disinterested approach, judge what you are considering based on the logic and evidence presented, not on subjective beliefs or assumptions

54
Q

Open-mindedness

A

Consider all sides of an issue, never ignore potential explanations or interpretations, be flexible and willing to accept evidence that might be contrary to your personal experience

55
Q

Critical Thinking

A

Carefully examining and analysing information to judge its value as well as considering other views and explanations before accepting the truthfulness of that information. It involves assessing both strengths and weaknesses and looking for the evidence that supports arguments put forth by other researchers, not accepting them on face value

56
Q

Scepticism

A

Always questioning assumptions or conclusions and analysing whether the evidence presented supports the results

57
Q

Objectivity

A

Taking an impartial and disinterested approach, judge what you are considering based on the logic and evidence presented, not on subjective beliefs or assumptions

58
Q

Open-mindedness

A

Consider all sides of an issue, never ignore potential explanations or interpretations, be flexible and willing to accept evidence that might be contrary to your personal experience

Psychology as a Natural Science (8 decks)

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