Research Methods

Question 1

5 steps of the scientific method

Answer 1

1 develop a question

2. make predictions
3. test the predictions
4. analyze the data
5. add to theory

Question 2

SM- few ways people develop a question

Answer 2

previous research, disbelief of other theories, observation from data of another prediction that doesnt follow.

Question 3

SM- making predictions - what does this mean?

Answer 3

think about how youre gonna test and what the outcomes would be.
create hypothesis - if, then statement.

Question 4

SM - test predictions.

1. defining variables.
2. examples of individual measures
3. research design.

Answer 4

1. conceptual = textbook. observational = exactly how variable is measured.
2. archival (documents, record); recorded observations, self-report, psychological tests, physiological tests.
3. descriptive (describe behaviours, thoughts feelings), correlational (investigate relationships), experimental, quasi-experimental

Question 5

few examples of descriptive research design

Answer 5

case study - in depth analysis of an individual. (rare phenomenon , challenge validity of theory, can’t generalize or determine cause-effect)
naturalistic- observe in natural setting. may disrupt natural behaviour (overcome w habituation)
survey - questionnaires/interviews. representative sample, random sampling. (+): see changes over years, (-): no cause effect.

Question 6

pro’s and cons of correlational research

Answer 6

Correlation does not reflect causation.
(+): natural, more directed than descriptive
(-): not causal, bidirectionality problem. spurious relationship

Question 7

pro’s and con’s of correlational research

Answer 7

can find causal relationships
IV = manipulate.
DV = expect change due to IV.
control.
between groups design: each group has diff set of participants
within groups design: each participants exposed to all conditions of IV.
(+): causal (-): very controlled and unnatural

Question 8

discuss quasi-experimental

Answer 8

study effects of some variable that occurs naturally or manipulates conditions.
groups that cant be randomly assigned.

Question 9

analyzing data

Answer 9

statistics. 
frequency distributions
central tendency
variability 
correlation
inferential

Question 10

stats - moderation and mediation. define

Answer 10

moderator: investigate conditions when effects are seen. affects strength of relationship
mediator - investigates mechanisms - how or why effects are seen.

Question 11

define theory

- important thing to do for theories.

Answer 11

set of formal statements that explains how + why certain events are related to one another. scientific process is self-correcting.
- replication and test boundaries is important to theory.

Question 12

2 approaches to understanding behaviour

Answer 12

1. hindsight - related past events can be explained creatively, in many ways. :/
2. understanding through prediction. control and theory building. understand cause of given behaviour = predict conditions under which behaviour will occur in the future

Question 13

characteristics of a good theory

Answer 13

• incorporated existing facts and observations in single broad framework. organize info meaningfully.
• testable - generate new hypothesis and predictions
• predictions made supported by findings in research
  law of parsimony = simple theory is preferred

Question 14

threats to validity of research

Answer 14

confounding variables
placebo effects
experimenter expectancy
replication and generalization of findings

Question 15

define internal and external validity

Answer 15

internal = degree to which experiment supports clear causal conclusions
external = degree to which study can be generalized to other poplns, settings and conditions

Question 16

define confounding variables

Answer 16

2 intertwined variables. - cant determine which has influenced the dependent variable. cant determine causal relationship

Question 17

define placebo effect

- what does it do to internal validity

Answer 17

inactive treatment. expectations producing results.

decreases internal validity

Question 18

define experimental expectancy effects

- how to prevent this?

Answer 18

sublte, unintentional ways researchers influence participants to respond in manner that is consistent with researchers hypothesis
double-blind procedure: both participatns and experimenter blind as to which experimental condition the participant is in.

Question 19

6 ethical considerations

Answer 19

1. benefit > harm
2 informed consent
3. consent without coercion
4. privacy and confidentiality
5. avoid doing hard 
6. protect/promote welfar of participants.