Research Methods !

Question 1

Objectivity

Answer 1

When an experiment or observation is uninfluenced by the opinion of the experimenter (unbiased measurement)

Question 2

How might experimenters affect the results of their study?

Answer 2

Investigator effects (give cues), make conclusions with ethnocentric bias, pay more attention to behaviour that confirms hypothesis, be fraudulent with data.

Question 3

How might the objectivity of measurement be improved?

Answer 3

inter-rater reliability check, gather quantitative data over qualitative, standardised procedure and scripts (establish behavioural categories), random/ representative sampling and random allocation to groups, peer review, treating all data as important, double blind procedure, replication.

Question 4

Empiricism

Answer 4

The view that all concepts originate in experience and direct observation, rather then simply argument or belief.

Question 5

Why are objectivity and empiricism important in science?

Answer 5

Allows for replicability to establish reliability, allows for falsification (in order to falsify, we have to empirically test), conclusions must be based on observable and measurable findings as opposed to beliefs and bias (important to establish internal validity)

Question 6

What can be studied empirically in the biological approach?

Answer 6

Evolution (observations made throughout history and fossil evidence), Gene mapping, brain structure and activity (PET and fMRI scans)

Question 7

What CANNOT be studied empirically in the biological approach?

Answer 7

Neurotransmitter levels in the synapse (scanning is not intricate enough to directly observe - inferences)

Question 8

What can be studied empirically in the learning approach?

Answer 8

Classical and operant conditioning (behaviour that we can observe)

Question 9

What CANNOT an be studied empirically in the learning approach?

Answer 9

Mediational processes - attention, retention, motivation not tangible

Question 10

Who suggested the Hypothetico-Deductive Method?

Answer 10

Popper

Question 11

A hypothesis is

Answer 11

A precise, testable statement about the expected outcomes of a piece of research, where variables have to be fully operationalised.

Question 12

Why is hypothesis testing important in science?

Answer 12

Makes falsifiable (possible to test and support the null or alternative and thus confirm or deny the idea), makes more replicable (clear, testable, operationalised variables), makes more objective (doesn’t rely on induction or opinion, replicable method that others can check), allows us to check population validity (replicate on different groups)

Question 13

Inductive reasoning

Answer 13

Open-ended and exploratory, begins with observations of events/trends/social processes

Question 14

Deductive reasoning

Answer 14

Narrower and concerned with testing or confirming hypotheses

Question 15

Paradigm shifts are when

Answer 15

A shift occurs in the scientific community from one established way of explaining/studying behaviour/ thought to a new way.

Question 16

Why is replicability important in science?

Answer 16

Standardised procedure reduced subjectivity, can check for temporal and population validity, can check if findings are valid, allows for falsifiability.